Thread: The NZ Frozen Slog

Originally Posted by panama hat

but life in the 'west' can be so much better than in SEAsia

Good onya mate,just found this thread
Been back in brissy 6 months just had the girl over the last 3 made a decision not going back,sort her visa out then back she comes keep the house in Pak Thong Chai so we can go over and stay when we feel like it, but it's great to be back in the real world.
Don't have to deal with knuckle heads everyday.

NZ frozen slog... Got me a nice bit of sunburn on the shoulders in about 5 min yesterday. I look like a half-dressed NFL player

Prepare yourself for house guests and wild parties. Will time visit to coincide with test cricket and or RU tours.

Did I say house guests? Think of it more as a boarding party

Sign me up, Chas.

When's the Lions tour? Prolly not in summer. Nevermind, I'm sure Mr Hat wouldn't mind you dossing on his couch for 6 months.

Originally Posted by Plan B

When's the Lions tour?

Brilliant idea.

Originally Posted by chassamui

Did I say house guests? Think of it more as a boarding party

Originally Posted by Plan B

When's the Lions tour? Prolly not in summer. Nevermind, I'm sure Mr Hat wouldn't mind you dossing on his couch for 6 months.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Brilliant idea.

I don't think Mozambique TV carries live coverage . . .

You're ruining my thread - go away . . . pests

I've always wanted to visit EnZed.

Thanks Hat!

I was there for the last Lions tour. It was fecking cold!

Hope hatter has warm blankets at his gaff.

Mozambique!!!!

What the hell is wrong with you people!!!

Mozambique!!!

Electric blankets are good.

Just sayin'

He has time to build a mancave with bar and flatscreen for watching replays. We will buy the beer Mr Hat. Willy is in charge of travel arrangements, Ant will deal with customs and Plan B can translate.

I volunteer to be the food and drink taster. I've never tried Mozambique cuisine before.

Hope you speak a mouthful of Portuguese and Makhuwa, then! Merry Christmas, PH and family!

^

Back to normality . . .

Originally Posted by Gipsy

Merry Christmas, PH and family!

Thanks, Gipsy, you too for you and your family. Going anywhere or staying home?

As I was saying before the bovver boys invaded . . . our house abuts a gully - reserve land - which goes on for quite a bit and is simply beautiful

Suburbs all around it, but it's always fairly empty - it's amazing to see solid town planning, with parks, reserve land, massive playgrounds etc... instead of the Asian mess of houses anywhere, roads anywhere and the general destruction of the environment

Good luck with the move PH
It's something I am seriously looking at myself for my girls
It's a tough one when they have such an idyllic life in the country, but as you said the schooling will suffer.
I didn't want to bring them back to the uk,it would be a shock to system for the wife and kids and I have been offered things in Canada but again it's a long way from Thailand
But you have me thinking of NZ now, looks great and there was plenty of work around Christchurch
Good luck to you and your family

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Electric blankets are good.

Just sayin'

Electric blankets, heated swimming pool. Add a nice tumbler of single malt whisky or five and I reckon Mr Hat's company could be almost bearable!

Originally Posted by Plan B

Add a nice tumbler of single malt whisky or five and I reckon Mr Hat's company could be almost bearable!

Originally Posted by jimbobs

Good luck with the move PH

Thanks, JB, appreciate it.

Originally Posted by jimbobs

It's something I am seriously looking at myself for my girls
It's a tough one when they have such an idyllic life in the country, but as you said the schooling will suffer.

Sadly the time comes when a future has to be thought of, both for the parents and kids, I/we found.
It's not as though moving back to a western country is in any way a 'punishment' or step back - not at all.
We'd just decided not to continue working as expats, rather build up the basis for our kids' future - and ours as well - we're nowhere near the 'wrinklies' age.

International school simply isn't good enough, the teachers not top tier and constantly rubbing shoulders with spoiled rich brats also has an effect on ours - 'Emerald just got an iPhone 6, papa' etc.... 9 years of age classmate . . .

Originally Posted by jimbobs

Canada

Cold and close to the US . . . Not ideal for us

Originally Posted by jimbobs

But you have me thinking of NZ now, looks great and there was plenty of work around Christchurch

Not knowing what industry you're in stops me from commenting, but as for NZ as a whole - absolutely. Honestly, the country is beautiful, the people (except Ant, PlanB and the other TD-Kiwi reprobates) are ever so friendly.
I mentioned that even the Chinese and Indian Kiwis follow suit - quite nice.

Housing and property prices in general are skyrocketing due to increased migration from mainly the PRC and India - roughly 3000 a month . . . they are generally wealthy and bring not only their money but also their idea of business with them - which isn't ideal - and their development plans - buy a house on a 1/4 acre, rip it down and build medium density - huge profit, but a fundamental change in the character of the place.

If you need any advice, please et me know.

Christchurch/South Island is prettier - no doubt

Originally Posted by jimbobs

Good luck to you and your family

And to you and yours, mate

Originally Posted by chassamui

We will buy the beer Mr Hat.

I'm afraid the wine fridge is full . . . (stocked up on some cheap plonk and champers for the week ahead . . . Kiwis drink like fish - actually, I'm not sure if fish drink, but the thought remains)

Turned Kiwi





. . . because it's cold!

My youngest has already learned the Kiwi national anthem . . . groan . . . and Mrs Hat has already applied PR for us and Citizenship after 5 . . . double groan, I'll have to geta silly accent!

Originally Posted by panama hat

Turned Kiwi . . . because it's cold!

Why don't you try using the electric blanket and the heated pool at the same time then? You'll be warm as toast (and for similar reasons)

Originally Posted by panama hat

I'll have to geta silly accent!

Easily done, just start drinking beer and don't stop until it starts running out of your ears.

Merry Christmas to the all of the Hatters