First Week in New Zealand

Settling In


As part of our adventure, we had to endure a 20 hour flight in which we remained in a very confined space. Needless to say, it was the worst sleep I have ever had. I am grateful that I didn’t awake with a kinked neck or worse a protruding pain that would not go away.

Our stop-over was in Vancouver, a deliberate plan to divert the pain-staking experience of going through American customs. However, we did almost miss our flight as they would not let us on the plane until we purchased return tickets to Sydney, Australia. The flight attendant anticipated problems with New Zealand immigration had we not. I scrambled to come up with a big chunk of cash at a moment’s notice. Jericho, at this point, was getting a little cranky. He gave me this disappointing look that said, “I knew this was too good to be true.” Alas, we did get on the plane and proceeded on our way.

I have to say that I do like riding on bigger planes than a 9-seater Thunder Airline plane as you get to watch documentaries, movies, news, sports, and listen to music. The best feature I liked was that you can track the altitude, distance, location and speed of the plane during the whole trip. It even gave you an estimated time of arrival to your destination. The take-off, flight and landing were the smoothest experiences I have ever experienced. I have never done well with any of these things when flying so I was quite impressed. The flight attendants served us wine, supper and then after coffee, juice and breakfast without charge. I highly recommend Air New Zealand if ever anyone wants to fly.

When we landed in New Zealand we went right through customs. I anticipated a two hour long search and a gruelling questioning period but instead it took maybe ½ hour at most. On the flight, we had to fill out an immigration survey, which then was handed into the customs agent. We proceeded to get our luggage (all luggage was accounted for), then we passed it through the x-ray station and then we were through. It was a piece of cake.

At this point, we had no idea what Auckland would look like. The pictures do not do Auckland justice. Even in their winter, Auckland, the city of sails, is paradise. I didn’t even mind that it was raining when we arrived. I might add too that it has been raining every day since we have arrived. Auckland’s winter has a substantial amount of rain during the season. I have been told that it has been raining everyday for the last three weeks. With less than one week of winter this is subject to change very soon.

Everyday since our arrival, I have been gathering all the documents needed to apply for my work permit and Jeremy's school permit.  This includes getting a medical that included x-rays, blood work and examinations.  New Zealanders are privy to who they let in their country.  I guess all of us passed their test as we were granted our permits that very same day. 
 
It takes us over an hour to get to downtown Auckland from where we live by bus and if traffic is good approximately 1/2 hour by car.  Oh yeah, I am driver worthy in New Zealand!  I purchased a 1996 Honda Orthia, which will suit our needs when we explore the North Island of New Zealand (One island at a time).  That also took some doing but surprisingly it is amazingly easy to purchase a car and insurance.  I am not too sure the government made the right decision to license me to drive especially when they drive on the opposite side of the road.  I am not even going to mention the fact that I have to study maps for a lengthy amount of time before I decide to go anywhere.  I am learning how to navigate quickly though.  I was a little intimidated at first but I am now getting used to it.  Driving in New Zealand isn't as hard as I made it out to be.  Anyway, needless to say it has been a busy week.
 

The school I work at is only 15 minutes away from where I live (Bonus!).  I have to say that I have a big workload ahead of me as I am Head of Department of Physical Education and Health for Secondary Students.  I am in store to embark on a huge learning curve.  I never dreamed that the job I found in New Zealand would be a promotion from the job I had in Canada.  I am very thankful and I will not take the job lightly.

That's all for now folks!!  Until the next blog, take care.