Marlene and Neil's year-long experiences half-way around the world, starting in October, 2016, as they become "kiwis for 12 months!"

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Breathtaking
Side Trip, part 2

A beautiful weekend to enjoy a one-hour side trip to Cape Palliser, New Zealand's southern-most point on the North Island.  Driving through the fabulous countryside, stopping at the Lake Ferry Hotel for New Zealand's best fish & chips and of course, checking out a few wineries!

Stunning wildflowers along the Cape Palliser coast . . .
. . . too gorgeous for words!

Over 250 steps to reach the lighthouse!
Cape Palliser lighthouse, still in use via computer in Wellington.  It's light can be seen 30 miles away.
Marlene at the southern-most point of New Zealand's North Island.  Love this pic!!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016



Side Trips, part 1

Weekends give us a chance to take side trips                          
around New Zealand.  On Labour Day Weekend
 in mid-October, which kicks off their summer here,
we headed to Napier and Hawke's Bay on the east    
Vineyard in Hawke's Bay
 coast of the North Island.
 For you wine enthusiasts,
you know that many New Zealand
wines we have in the States come
 from this area.


Hawke's Bay and the city of Napier were also struck by a  devastating earthquake in 1931, killing hundreds.   The city decided to rebuild itself in the Art Deco style which was so popular at the time.
To this day, downtown Napier has a 1930s-40s art deco feel about it, stores are crammed with vintage clothing, and the city celebrates every February with a huge Art Deco Festival, attended by thousands from around the world.




Art deco buildings in Napier today
30's fashions for the ladies . . .

 . . . and for the men!

Tuesday, November 22, 2016


Shaking Things Up a Bit:
Image result for 61 molesworth street earthquake pictures
61 Molesworth St.
The Nov. 14 New Zealand earthquakes

Everyone knows now about the big earthquakes here 1 1/2 weeks ago (there were actually 2), and we have been in contact with many.  Thanks for your concern and prayers.  We are fine and so is the home we live in.  It was a roller coaster ride, for sure!  We still feel aftershocks. And the epicenters were in the South Island, where the quakes were much more severe.

So, a few lessons learned about the New Zealand version of rock n' roll . . .

1)  know what to do.  We Midwesterners are well-trained for tornadoes but not earthquakes.  We know now! (get in doorways and if really bad and no buildings are around, run outside)

2)  damage isn't always obvious.  To the naked eye, buildings may look fine but structural damage and interior destruction can be there and therefore unsafe to occupy.

3)  change of topography.  We're used to seeing fissures, landslides, collapsed buildings and crushed cars.  But seabeds lift, lakes form, terraces form, bays dry up, waterfalls are cut off - immediately!
           . . . after the earthquake, there was a call for volunteers to help return thousands of endangered abolone (shellfish) to the sea that had been left high and dry by lifting seabeds.  Concerns for seals as well.

As for Wellington

- it took 3 to 4 days for the city to be back to "normal."  Marlene had an "earthquake day" and didn't work on the 14th.

- 15 buildings or so are still cordoned off, some completely and others partially.  The ferries still aren't sailing.

- 61 Molesworth St., near Parliament (above) must be razed.  Others in that block near the harbor may be razed as well.


Image result for stuff earthquake wellington photos




Organ pipes toppled at the Wellington Cathedral







Interior of the NZ Statistics Building collapsed

In the interior of the Stats NZ building, on Wellington's waterfront, has pancaked.


Quite the experience, to be sure!  Even the Kiwis are alarmed.  This was NOT a normal tremor or quaking that they're used to around here.

But on a lighter note . . .

***  Did you guess the extra point bonus question, translating NZ English to American English?  The sentence was "After tramping, I'll get a thin flat white."  In American English, it means "After hiking, I'll get a cup of coffee with low-fat foam on top."  My sister Emily came pretty close to guessing it completely!  She gets 5 extra points and can stay at our NZ home FOR FREE!!  :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

But it does not exist here.  It's a true American holiday that we'll miss dearly.  Kiwis know we have it, but that's it.  They don't understand the turkey & stuffing tradition, football, family and Black Friday.
Just as well.  I priced a 15 lb. turkey here at about $65 US!  No canned pumpkin either, but Marlene found one online for about $5 US.  Ouch!!

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

 Kiwis Reaction to the U.S. Presidential Election

Pictures are from the headlines and the World section of the Nov. 10, 2016 edition of the Dominion Post, New Zealand's leading national newspaper.

Fascinating to talk with the Kiwis about our recent presidential election.  The reaction I've observed from them so far includes 1)  a more than passing interest and surprise at Trump's win, 2)  a concern how this will affect them in New Zealand and 3)  actual sympathy for Clinton supporters.  There were a few that liked Trump's nomination, simply because it breaks up the norm.

An overall sentiment I'm seeing is that this will be a real test of the U.S. democracy, but the expectation is that the U.S. will eventually be OK.

Below are reactions in today's newspaper from various New Zealand officials. (there are 2 major political parties here, the Labour and National.  Others include the Green, Maori and ACT parties)

"The American people have spoken and I congratulate Mr. Trump on his victory after a long campaign."  NZ Prime Minister John Key

"The relationship with USA goes beyond any individual in the office. . . It's too early to tell what impact this will mean for NZ. . . it's important we understand what it means in terms of the sense of disenfranchisement and dissatisfaction there is in the American electorate."  Labour Party leader Andrew Little 

"I couldn't think of a worse president.  Trump has demonstrated he's a pathological liar so regardless of what he said during the election campaign we don't know what he'll do."  Green Party co-leader James Shaw

"Kiwis would have to expect a different world economy under a Trump presidency.  New Zealand is so dependent on international trade that anything a Trump presidency did to slow world trade would have an impact on New Zealand."  Former Prime Minister and former NZ ambassador to the US Jim Bolger

"It's very worrying when we're a small, open trading nation and the American people have effectively voted against free trade - that's hugely concerning."  ACT Party leader David Seymour

"The lack of policy discussion probably was a little disappointing."  US Ambassador to NZ Mark Gilbert

"I don't think it will have much bearing on the situation in New Zealand because we're a very small democracy where there's still a high degree of participation."  Green Party official Julie Anne Genter

"We have in New Zealand pockets of society that do not see Maori (the largest minority in NZ) as deserving of equal rights, who have certain views that are akin to those of the Trump supporters, and this will embolden them and embolden politicians who want to tap into that sentiment.  We don't need that here."  Former US intelligence adviser Paul Buchanan

"We may not approve of it, but it may actually restore a bit of faith in America that things aren't all predetermined."  National Party pollster David Farrar



Sunday, October 30, 2016

Image result for give way sign
The Kiwis are so polite on the road.  It's "Give Way," not "Yield."
Image result for slippery when frosty sign
And so cute!
Slippery "When Frosty."

But remember . . .

THINK LEFT!!  THINK LEFT!!  THINK LEFT!!

Those of you who have driven on the left in other countries know what I'm talking about.  Everything revolves around this concept . . .

Normal driving on the left.  On a 2 lane road, the slow lane on the left, passing lane on the right.  Of course, the steering wheel is on the right side of the car and I can't tell you how many times I've turned on the wipers instead of the turn signals.  Geeez . . .

But also, moving sidewalks and escalators to go forward are on the left.  People often walk on the left side of the sidewalks.  And you really have to be careful when crossing a street.  Marlene and I have saved each other a number of times!

Driving habits are similar to ours in the Midwest.  Drivers are relatively polite and thank you when doing a favor.  There are many more motorbikes, skateboards and scooters used as transportation.  

The roads themselves are well maintained but signage isn't always the best.  And there are round-abouts everywhere, meaning stop signs are few!  I do miss the interstate system of the US.  Most roads and motorways here are simply 2 lanes, so traffic gets backed up easily.  Motorways do become 4 lanes (2 each way) closer to the cities but it still gets clogged.  

AND WHAT ABOUT GAS?

"Petrol" here is EXPENSIVE!!  After converting from liters to gallons, it figures out to about $7.50/gallon.  Ouch!  It's cheaper in the rural areas, but still much more than the States.  It's all imported!

AND OTHER DAILY EXPENSES?

Overall, more than the US.  Dairy products are about the same, wine is cheaper (lots of wineries here).  But produce is much more expensive, about double if not more.  I priced a basic Burger King cheeseburger at about $3 US.  Eating in restaurants is a bit more expensive but you can find good deals.  Same with clothing.  But electronics??  Forget it!!  This $175 US Chromebook I'm using could easily be 3 times that price here.  Many Kiwis order products online via Amazon, pay for the extra shipping and the wait, and still get a better price than here.

*** Thank God for US credit cards (with no foreign transaction fees)!  The US dollar is strong here so we're getting good deals.  We charge virtually everything.

And now, your extra point bonus question!!

"Translate" this New Zealand English into American English (answer given in next blog posting)

"After tramping, I'll have a thin flat white."  (and no, this is not something Donald Trump would say!!)
                                      


      











                                                    































Thursday, October 20, 2016


Springtime in the Botanical Garden

Windy Wellington, The Classy & Cultural Capital

We love Wellington.  The capital city has a lot to offer - including incredible coffee!  Wellington is one of the top "coffee cities" in the world and we believe it!  We're moving to our "permanent residence" in Upper Hutt this weekend but will be in Wellington often.  So, a few pics for you to enjoy of this mini San Francisco.

"The Beehive"
Where New Zealand's
Parliament and Prime Minister
conduct national business.
Cuba Street.  The chic spot with great restaurants and cafes along a pedestrian mall.  And a kooky water bucket sculpture too!




Native New Zealand trees






Love the ferns!  All sizes and types.
One of the symbols of New Zealand.



And the coffee.  Second to none!

On Lambton Harbor

City view from the Botanical Garden

















































Tuesday, October 11, 2016

We finally arrived!

New Zealand Adventures

We finally arrived!  About 26 hrs. after leaving Cincinnati, we finally flew in to Wellington.  And on a beautiful day, too.  The final approach was gorgeous.
Cook Strait, between the North and South Islands
Southern Alps

Won't bore you with the details, but we tackled the 17 hr. time difference rather well.  That's 17 hrs. AHEAD of Cincinnati.   






Can't help but notice cultural differences, obviously.  How about . . .

1)  Incredible cleanliness!  There is just no litter anywhere!
2)  Ketchup.  That's right, ketchup.  Sweeter and has a more a distinct flavor of cloves!
3)  Love it.  No tipping at the restaurants and no hidden costs.  One restaurant bill was $68 NZ and we paid $68 NZ.  Buy a t-shirt for $20 NZ, you pay $20 NZ.  Current exchange rate is $1 NZ = 77 cents US.
4)  Accent is traditionally British and can still be difficult to understand but the more we're around it, the better it will be.  I've noticed soft "e"s, as in "best, veggies, better, news" are pronounced as long "e"s, so it's  "beeest, veeegies, beeeter, neeews."  
5)  They're quite interested in US politics and many were watching the Oct. 10 debate between Hillary and Donald.  And everyone we've met just cannot believe that Donald Trump is even being considered as a candidate.  They're just incredulous about it all.

The best thing?  The friendliness.  The Kiwis are so friendly and so polite!  Lots of smiles, and certainly a healthy, positive approach to life.  Meet our new friend Paulette below.  Has already invited us to her home in the South Island.  And she expects us to visit too!  It is NOT just a hollow invitation!

The Kiwis are SOOOO nice and friendly!

Friday, September 16, 2016

New adventures await for Marlene and Neil as they venture from good ol' Cincinnati to New Zealand in October, 2016.  And new adventures await for you as we take our first attempt at writing a blog.  Let's just hope we have this figured out before returning in October, 2017!

As of this posting, we obviously have not left for New Zealand, but the craziness is in full force.  The details to tackle here in the States for such an experience abroad are incredible!  But we're getting there.

For example, check out a couple of pictures of our "home" for the next year.  Marlene's job is in Lower Hutt, an outside suburb of Wellington, the capital.  Upper Hutt, adjacent to Lower Hutt, is where we will live.  The owners of the Eirene Retreat there have been gracious enough to rent us their 2 bedroom B&B for the entire year!  Located on 5 acres of fruit trees, sheep pastures and gardens with a river flowing by and mountains in the background.

Just like Milford, Ohio . . . right?  ;-)


Our "new" home in spring (Oct./Nov.)

   


Master bedroom