As we drove out of the airport the children’s exclamations were priceless! The trees and flowers and birds were so exotic and new to them they wanted to show each other everything.
Everyone is so friendly and helpful in New Zealand. Even the policemen are delightful. We got pulled over driving to Hamilton from the airport, because the rental car company failed to mention that if you are towing a trailer your maximum speed limit is 90 kph. We were following the speed of traffic at about 113. When the officer found out we had just arrived, he welcomed us to the country, informed us of the rule and bid us a good day. He didn’t even ask for Steve’s licence!
The first day we mostly got settled into our hotel. We went grocery shopping, finding a few familiar foods (imported taco shells and refried beans) and many different ones (Edam cheese, yummy yogurt flavors and totally different breakfast cereals.) We couldn’t wait to try a NZ Gala apple in NZ, but they all said USA Gala apples! The dairy products are delicious and I kept finding Ellie, age 2, (who really shouldn’t be eating them because dairy irritates her trachea) with the fridge door open sneaking yogurt or cheese. That night I caught her under the kitchen counter with a yogurt cup and a spoon.
The second day we visited the Hamilton Zoo and saw many new animals. We loved the big furry pigs with horse tails and our first time seeing Pukekos, black and blue birds with massive chicken feet. Then we went to the car dealership and signed papers on the great 8 seater van Owen Purcell found for us and had shipped down from Auckland. We then we went with the Purcells (dear family friends) to 2 different Labour Missionary birthday parties. Noel turned 70 and Tuts turned 80. What a treat! The food both times was delicious and the children were very well behaved.
Sunday we attended church with the Purcell’s and were invited to a large family lunch at their home in Nawton. In NZ desserts are called “puddings” and they make a yummy chocolate cake with coconut frosting and and something called a Pavlova, which is a meringue cake with fruit. Steve and I love how understated the sweets are in NZ. You can actually taste the flavors instead of just the sugar.
That first Monday we set up our banking set up downtown Hamilton, had lunch at McDonald’s ($41 NZ and we were still hungry!) The rest of the week was filled with preparations for our almost 3 month trip around both islands, and for me, learning to drive on the other side of the car on the other side of the road! A highlight was seeing the NZ Temple Christmas Lights turn on. A beautiful, but bizarre experience for these Utah natives, who are used to seeing Christmas temple lights in the freezing winter, not the beautiful summer!
We then found a camper trailer (caravan) to purchase for our tour around the islands. We had started to panic a little, because we thought we might rent instead of buy, but they had all been rented for the season. The first place we looked didn’t even have any our size for sale. We couldn't buy a newer one because it would be too heavy for our van, but we were blessed to find just the right layout, size, weight and price at the second dealership.
As we all sat on a bench in the small town we found our trailer in, eating our Tip-Top ice cream, looking at the beautiful scenery, I could feel all the stress and pain of moving to a new country with 5 children start to slip away. I guess it’s like having a baby. You forget most of the pain and remember the wonderful parts.
Tut's 80th Birthday party! What an amazing and energetic women. She is a dear family friend of my Dad's family, and we ended up in the same ward. We were so lucky!
Christmas blankets from our dear Auntie Hoki! The children still affectionatly refer to them as their "Hoki blankies."
NZ Temple Christmas Lights
Our new van and trailer that would be our home for almost 3 wonderful months. The trailer was 18 feet long by about 9 feet wide.
2 comments:
The last comment I tried to leave didn't work - I just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to this series. (Especially the bits about how you didn't strangle anyone seeing as they all made it home)
It would've been really tough to live in tight quarters for 3 months, but you did and learned so much!
We enjoy reading and hearing about your experiences in NZ! But I am sure that your family will be the most grateful that you kept detailed journals and pictures. Priceless!!
-Lilly
Post a Comment