BkyMonster
21st September 2008, 11:53 AM
Well, we arrived last Tuesday Morning. Picked up from the airport by the people we were staying with. Spent the day getting to know them and lazing about. They were based in Bucklands Beach so we went for a few walks. The beach there is lovely. So much life. It was just covered in shells and tunicates. We saw a giant red jellyfish as well.
The next day we rented a car to set up our bank (missed the ferry) and had the first experience driving both on the other side of the road and in Auckland.
We only banged into one curb and I only had a few panic attacks. :D
Westpac was very helpful and the banking was all set up. We headed down to Pethaven to visit our doggies. They were happy to see us and the facility is lovely if a bit hard to find. It isn't in Pokeno proper, but off the SH2 a bit out of town. The lady at the post shop actually got on the internet and then called them to help us find it as we hadn't brought good directions.
After we headed back we ended up sticking our larger luggage in storage near the airport.
On Thursday we flew down to ChCh which is where we are now. SOOO much easier to get around this town compared to Auckland and Auckland suburbs.
The roads are really narrow in the Auckland area compared to what we are used to and to ChCh.
ChCh is really nice. I didn't think I would like it but it has nice weather. Reminds me of bay area California with the damp cold and the high overcast that burns off by late midday. It also oddly reminds me of Reno when the sun is out. The kind of crisp clear cold with sun.
I can see a bit of haze and smell woodsmoke. It is flatter than I am used to even with the mountains in the background.
We went to the botanical gardens yesterday and wandered around. I bet it is a lot nicer in summer. :)
There are a ton of malls here and lots of shopping and restaurants. More than I am used to certainly. The public transport is great and there are bike lanes everywhere. Very nice. We took the bus yesterday. A bit spendy but certainly handy.
OH has an interview on Monday and then Tuesday we head up to Welly via the train and ferry.
So far I can recommend Supershuttle for to-s and from-s the airport.
The price of Jucy/EZY car rentals is a bit higher than expected with the insurance they sell you. They gave us a manual without even asking. Good thing OH can drive anything. We are trying Omega next.
Esquire coffee is providing our internet when we can get to it. Our motel advertised internet but they really meant, plug in and dial your provider. :roll
Another thing--we would be absolutely sunk without our GPS. It is certainly worth investing in.
So far it has been a lovely experience. I'm not overly giddy that we are here, more wary and watchful. I can't wait to settle really. Soo tired of living out of suitcases. :p
The next day we rented a car to set up our bank (missed the ferry) and had the first experience driving both on the other side of the road and in Auckland.
We only banged into one curb and I only had a few panic attacks. :D
Westpac was very helpful and the banking was all set up. We headed down to Pethaven to visit our doggies. They were happy to see us and the facility is lovely if a bit hard to find. It isn't in Pokeno proper, but off the SH2 a bit out of town. The lady at the post shop actually got on the internet and then called them to help us find it as we hadn't brought good directions.
After we headed back we ended up sticking our larger luggage in storage near the airport.
On Thursday we flew down to ChCh which is where we are now. SOOO much easier to get around this town compared to Auckland and Auckland suburbs.
The roads are really narrow in the Auckland area compared to what we are used to and to ChCh.
ChCh is really nice. I didn't think I would like it but it has nice weather. Reminds me of bay area California with the damp cold and the high overcast that burns off by late midday. It also oddly reminds me of Reno when the sun is out. The kind of crisp clear cold with sun.
I can see a bit of haze and smell woodsmoke. It is flatter than I am used to even with the mountains in the background.
We went to the botanical gardens yesterday and wandered around. I bet it is a lot nicer in summer. :)
There are a ton of malls here and lots of shopping and restaurants. More than I am used to certainly. The public transport is great and there are bike lanes everywhere. Very nice. We took the bus yesterday. A bit spendy but certainly handy.
OH has an interview on Monday and then Tuesday we head up to Welly via the train and ferry.
So far I can recommend Supershuttle for to-s and from-s the airport.
The price of Jucy/EZY car rentals is a bit higher than expected with the insurance they sell you. They gave us a manual without even asking. Good thing OH can drive anything. We are trying Omega next.
Esquire coffee is providing our internet when we can get to it. Our motel advertised internet but they really meant, plug in and dial your provider. :roll
Another thing--we would be absolutely sunk without our GPS. It is certainly worth investing in.
So far it has been a lovely experience. I'm not overly giddy that we are here, more wary and watchful. I can't wait to settle really. Soo tired of living out of suitcases. :p