Hallo family, friends, forum…… I promised feedback on new years day, our first day in New Zealand, here is some of our story until I have more time and energy to write to everyone individually.
Even though we started our adventure with an hour delay on the tarmac in front of JHB international, I need not have been worried about the 17 hour flight. It was absolutely great! (thanks for the send off Amelia, Mom, Nolan and family!).
We really enjoyed the flights. I am sure that the fact that we were well prepared helped, (dankie badprop) but even so Qwantas surprised me. The kids ate, played games, watched movies, slept a full 7 hours and freshened up before debarking. We even had the gentleman next to Pieter move so the kids could have an extra seat to sleep on. In Sydney the only hiccup was that mommy was not willing to pay R 30 for a chocolate
. I did not use any of the toys, medicine or emergency rations I packed and customs only made me open one bag.
Customs? I was glad I followed the advice of some forum members and made a list of what is in each bag. I had 11 bags of total 200kg and 7 pieces of hand luggage. I only had two issues, one bottle of sun cream I forgot in the side bag of a suitcase was confiscated (damm it was expensive too!) and customs asked us to open on suitcase to examine a terry with plastic tummy. Don’t listen to all the “know-it-alls†who tells you what customs will and will not do. Be prepared and list your bags.
The 4 hour flight to Auckland from Sydney was smooth, quiet and the food was wonderful. I actually think the flights were a big adventure for us all. Our “Boere-kiwi†T shirts attracted a lot of attention and the flight attendants called us the kiwi family. I am sure we must have 10 email addresses of families we met on the flight. Al the NZ’ers were friendly and enthusiastic about our immigration and the customs and immigration officials seemed welcoming. We had no negative comments from any people as I was warned to expect.
My first impressions of Auckland is a bit vague as it was 1h00 on new year’s eve as we drove across the bridge to the north shore where my sister, her 10 year old and DH stays in Torbay. I remembered that I was so uncomfortable with the idling car in the driveway outside her gate that I jumped from the passenger seat to the drivers seat and drove the car into the garage as we arrived. The open house and unlocked doors will take some getting use to.
At 5h00 this morning I could sleep no more and I had coffee in the kitchen and watched the world unfold outside. Later I went to lie down a bit more, fell asleep and my sister woke us at 10H00 for breakfast! We have since been warned to stay awake now until 20H00 tonight so our bodies can get used to the new hours.
Since we arrived we went for a long walk on the very busy new years beach and had a light lunch. It is a stunning day and it almost seems as Auckland is bringing out the best weather to impress us. Torbay is a lovely area that makes me think of East London. I have not seen much more than the forest and the beach but it is a bit crowded for my taste with the houses right on top of one another. I know that our chances of finding a job is best here in Auckland it self, but I can not see myself living here. I hope to find something at least on a small holding (or as my sister calls it, lifestyle area), or perhaps then in Whangarei or another smaller town.
We are waiting for NZ to open after the holiday season so there is not much we can do at present. Tomorrow we are going house and car hunting. Car wise we need a people mover for us to take a week long tour of the north area. Then we need a temporary house until we have decided on an area/ job/ school zone. I also need to get to ASB bank to collect our cards. At least the cellphone has been activated.
Tonight we are having a “Barbie†with my sister’s neighborhood friends.
So that is all the facts. On the emotions I’m think I will leave judgment till later. Pieter seems a little bomb struck and not very eager to leave the house. I am myself not so sure of things presently but I doubt I should expect much enthusiasm from my abused body at present. J Lets see how things go by the end of the week when we have acclimatized and rested.
Greetings to everyone and chat again by end of the week.
