The NZ Frozen Slog

**panama hat** · 28-08-2015, 05:52 PM

This isn't meant to be a travel log as the trip isn't a vacation - rather a fact-finding mission as to where we'll be living come the end of this year.

Our time in Asia is coming to an end, we've had a good innings and lived/worked in some fantastic places . . . some not so fantastic . . . Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
But now it's time to head 'home', in this case New Zealand - not my home, rather my wife's.

The kids' future is now paramount, and schooling, which is the best avenue to begin making those connections that can have a large bearing on life.

We have had our fun and good times working and living where WE wanted for OUR reasons.

So, arrival in Auckland and it is friggin' freezing - literally so close to zero that my nipples could cut glass!!!! One night's stay and then pick up my rental car for the next three weeks.

I decided on a new RAV4 - plenty of go under the bonnet with a 2.4l engine and space enough to be filled with three weeks worth of 'stuff'.

I was ready - - - - and Kiwi drivers are . . . so calm and polite and slow. Even the 'new' Kiwis; Indians, Chinese, Arabs . . . have converted from stupefying driving styles to . . . k i w i style.

Indicators are used.
Cars are let in a queue
Stop at yellow light
etc etc etc

Nice . . .

Decided to try out the highway - it seems heated debates about raising the speed limit from the current 100 to a proposed 110 are consuming the airwaves . . . I happened to have a Chinese Kiwi channel on and the two hosts of the show were talking to the minister for transport, complaining that foreigners would abuse the higher limit - dangerous!
(All said in a thick mainland Chinese accent)

Right, highway. No-one drove over 100km/h . . . even souped-up post-puberty hoon cars were purring along at 100 . . . overtook this green valiant with four tough-looking guys full of tats in it . . . they were coasting at under 100.

Cute

The weather is cold, yes, but when you're in a car the sun is quite hot - - - spring is in the air and the landscape is blooming.

What's also nice is seeing older buildings again . . . pretty . . .

So, on the journey goes . . . all through the north island.

Ah, one thing about Kiwis . . . while the broad Aussie accent may be rough as . . . the Kiwi one can be quite silly.

Heard someone say 'iggshills' . . . and did laugh when it turned out they meant 'eggshells'.

Very, very friendly and helpful people . . . a good place to live it seems . . . I have three weeks to make a decision

I'll add to this thread as I continue - most of the time it's boring, dealing with real estate agents, getting car prices, furniture costs to evaluate shipping or buying . . . Boring

**baldrick** · 28-08-2015, 05:58 PM

stickman moved back there this year and did a story on it - you may find it worth a read - The Road To Wellington

**panama hat** · 28-08-2015, 06:00 PM

I'll give it a read, thanks

**thaimeme** · 28-08-2015, 06:22 PM

I'm sure you'll be missing Asia, PH.....

**phunphin** · 28-08-2015, 06:48 PM

If you think Auckland is cold , wait till you get down south...you'll need deep pockets to afford a place in Auckland.

**panama hat** · 28-08-2015, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by thaimeme

I'm sure you'll be missing Asia, PH.....

No doubt, mate - no doubt.

\\

Originally Posted by phunphin

If you think Auckland is cold , wait till you get down south...you'll need deep pockets to afford a place in Auckland.

I guess we were lucky to have had good expat jobs . . . but the freefall-ringgit is hurting - easily chopping 20% off our assets' value.

Yeah, Mrs Hat is from Christchurch, place called Cashmere . . . and winter in Queenstown and surrounds is great.

**Boon Mee** · 28-08-2015, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by phunphin

If you think Auckland is cold , wait till you get down south...you'll need deep pockets to afford a place in Auckland.

Sounds dreadful!

**MeMock** · 28-08-2015, 07:03 PM

I spent a year in Tauranga - not a bad spot PH and warmer then most other kiwi places.

**palexxxx** · 28-08-2015, 07:29 PM

^ I have heard that the Hawkes Bay area (east coast of the North island) is also warmer than most other places, which as it happens maybe where I will be residing in the near future, although I'll make a final choice on that once I've been there and had a look.

**thaimeme** · 28-08-2015, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by phunphin

If you think Auckland is cold , wait till you get down south...you'll need deep pockets to afford a place in Auckland.

Sounds dreadful!

Most big city dwelling will be just that - anywhere.
To each his own, though...

**kingwilly** · 29-08-2015, 04:18 AM

Best of luck then. A change sounds nice.

**Iceman123** · 29-08-2015, 04:28 AM

Did you think about OZ?

Better weather, great education system and just a short hop to visit any rellies in NZ.

Anyway, all the very best for what will be a life changing move.

**panama hat** · 29-08-2015, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Best of luck then. A change sounds nice.

Thanks, mate

Originally Posted by Iceman123

Did you think about OZ?

Sure - I am an Aussie after all - love Sydney, grew up there.

I can only see the Aussie economy going further down and that isn't good for anyone when money dries up, private and public. Added to which, Mrs Hat isn't crazy about Oz . . .

One day when I get sick of the cold here!!!!

**Little Chuchok** · 29-08-2015, 06:16 AM

^It is Winter...Just saying.

**panama hat** · 29-08-2015, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

^It is Winter...Just saying.

I know, I know . . .

I was waiting for the rental car - early morning - and was freezing (wuss) and mentioned this to one of the guys that worked there, Pasifika or Maori, he simply said:

It's winter, bro.

Deadpan.

PH Wuss . . . considering I lived in Detroit, Chicago, Boston and Germany . . . Wuss due to living in SEAsia for close to 15 years

**panama hat** · 29-08-2015, 10:32 AM

As one can see, the natives are in short sleeves . . . I am wearing a t-shirt, shirt, cricket jumper and a windbreaker, if the need arises . . . wuss

Some of these trees are simply massive . . .

**withnallstoke** · 29-08-2015, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by panama hat

my nipples could cut glass!!!!

**AntRobertson** · 29-08-2015, 11:58 AM

On behalf of all Kiwis...

... Please don't move there!

**panama hat** · 29-08-2015, 12:12 PM

Ah, I was waiting for you to comment . . . once Slackula's lapdog, always Slackula's lapdog . . . or has Grasshopper surpassed his sifu . . .

Went for a walk today and saw this couple placing their cute little girl in a patch of daffodils and taking pics . . . walked past and commented to them what a great pic that would make.
The guy turns around - total face tatoo, dreads etc . . . and says:

"Yea, thanks bro - nice of you to say - I love her to bits" which sounded like he loved her to 'buts', but it was sweet.

Seems to be no aggro among the people here. Story is that a ginge lawyer was chucked out - exiled - a few years ago and since then there's been peace in the land

Heading to Rotorua either tomorrow or Monday

**MeMock** · 29-08-2015, 12:13 PM

Ahhhh Rottonrua - make sure you take a big whiff!

**AntRobertson** · 29-08-2015, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by panama hat

Seems to be no aggro among the people here. Story is that a ginge lawyer was chucked out - exiled - a few years ago and since then there's been peace in the land

Heading to Rotorua either tomorrow or Monday

Oh so you've heard the legend of that legend then, good.

And on behalf of all Rotoruaians...

... Don't go there!

**panama hat** · 29-08-2015, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by MeMock

Ahhhh Rottonrua - make sure you take a big whiff!

Yea, been there - smells good

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

On behalf of all Kiwis...

... Please don't move there!

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

And on behalf of all Rotoruaians...

... Don't go there!

Hmm, I see a trend developing!

**PlanK** · 29-08-2015, 01:06 PM

PH...

I fear that CHCH may not be the place for you. May I recommend that maybe you stay in our specially designated area of the country set up for newbies, retar... er... returnees, and those 'unique' sort of persons such as yourself. You'll find this place not far away and be impressed that some of our more 'special' posters such as Ant and Bruce hail from this wonderous place.

I am of course talking about Auckland. Don't be put off by the high price of entry into the housing market, this just shows the exclusivity of the place. As a bonus you won't have to know anything about rugby to fit in, lord knows the locals don't.

The great thing is that it's almost self contained (some manage to escape) and there's absolutely no reason you will ever have to infec... er... explore the rest of the country.

TIA
signed: the rest of the NZ

**cyrille** · 29-08-2015, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by panama hat

Heard someone say 'iggshills' . . . and did laugh when it turned out they meant 'eggshells'.

Let's hope the amusement lasts when your whole family is talking like that, ph.

Looks a nice time of year.

**withnallstoke** · 29-08-2015, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by cyrille

Let's hope the amusement lasts when your whole family is talking like that, ph.

Lit's hope the amusement lists when your whole family is talking like thit, ph.

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