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