Welcome to Sydney, I barely made it

I flew over to Australia yesterday. I had this vision of myself waiting in the airport lobby, writing out some postcards, leisurely awaiting my flight. Too bad the actual situation involved me running around from person to person and line to line so that I was actually running down the runway to board at the last minute.

I arrived at the airport with about 1.5 hours leeway, a little close for international but New Zealand to Australia just doesn't seem to warrant 4 hours or anything like that. It just reminds me of going from the US to Cananda, might as well be a domestic flight. I ended up needing a new ETA (electronic visa) to visit Australia since the one I properly got before leaving the states refered to my old stolen passport. The ladies behind the counters were completely worthless and it took them, literally, 40 minutes to do what I was able to accomplish in 5 minutes flat on the internet at home. From there is was just more lines (yes, can you believe it more lines???!!!), and I had to pay a departure tax! What is up with asking me to come up with $25nz while I am in the airport? Why not just hide these airport fees in the ticket price like they do in the US?

Upon arriving, I learned the hard way that my pin for my ATM card was reset since my old one was stolen. Thanks mom and dad for getting up at 5am to help me out on that one.

Steph and I have had an amazing day in Oz. The temperature is a little chilly but nothing to complain about on the last day of winter. I had two corn on the cobs on a stick in the Rocks section of town, went on a Harbor Cruise and Climbed the Harbour Bridge. Talk about an exhilorating adventure... We went on one of the first night walks and got to see the last bits of the sunset as we started our assent. The darkness definately added a bit of craziness to the whole adventure and my heart was pumping at the beginning. After the first set of stairs though, it was smooth sailing. Winds at the top were insane, but they provide you with a windproof outfit and fleece jacket/hat.

But back to the corn on the cob (the second most exciting thing of the day in my eyes). Why don't they have this in the US? It was so easy to eat and they brushed the butter on and put on salt and pepper. It was soo tastey, I had to go back for a second.

Overall, I am extremely impressed with Sydney, it is so cosmopolitan and reminded me how much I love cities. I love riding subways and getting around quickly and seeing all the different people in the streets and the parks and the old buildings. There is something about the energy of cities.

Back in Time

This evening I am heading over to Australia (commonly refered to as Oz in this part of the world). I deceivingly arrive only 1 hour after I take off, but of course I'll be on the plane for 4 hours. I always thought Oz and Nz were a lot closer, but I guess I was wrong.

I have gotten a new camera and am ready to take tons of photos. I got an underwater camera too so that I can take pictures when we explore the great barrier reef. Hopefully it will be quite a bit warmer there too, although the days are getting progressivly warmer and brighter here in Nz.

She's Got a Drinking Problem

Pennypoe, our little car, seems to have a drinking problem. We filled her up with some oil and some transmission fluid and it looks like it might be a re-occuring theme. Of course, that is better than needing some serious work on the transmission (which is what we were originally expecting). Freshly luberated, she actually makes it up the hills with out too much turmoil. I wouldn't go as far as to say that she zips up them but it is an 86!

Other good news: That annoying beeping noise that goes off at 100 km (60 mph), Kevin was able to get behind the dash and rip it out.

Hike in the Hunuas

Kevin and I went over to the Hunua Ranges today for a little hiking, and ended up doing quite a bit of hiking. The carpark is right next to the Hunua Falls and a beautiful suspension bridge offers great views. From there we decided to hike to the Cosseys Gorge and see how the dam construction is going. This involved going UP for two hours straight (pleasant only in the fact that the way back should be nice and easy). The dam wasn't much to look at in my opinion, but the hike itself was rather amazing. It is great how the trail goes through so much brush and you feel engulfed in the forest. New Zealand seems to do an amazing job here of creating a great tramp without really seeming to intrude on nature. Of course it helps when the surrounding nature consists of jungle-thick brush that appears almost impenetrable.

We also got to see a bunch of Kauri Trees, which are the second largest in the world next to Sequoias. There were also a number of fan tail bird spottings, which have these tails that fan out and are just so cool. This has been one of the best weather days and I am so glad that we were able to enjoy it with a great hike in the woods. We really could have worn shorts and there were a number of people on the trail dressed in them.

ID Me

Horray! I finally have id to prove my identity. Yesterday we were in Auckland and I called over to the consulate at 12:25 to see if my new passport had arrived. It had and they said I could pick it up any morning from 9am to 12:30. I hung up the phone and ran what would be a 20 minute walk to arrive at the consulate at 12:33. The elevator was locked and they were on lunch break. I decided to treat myself to a little soy chai latte (yum) and tastey blueberry scone. Luckily, since I called, security held my passport and I was able to pick it up at 1pm.

Today I woke up super early and got to Immigration (to reissue my work visa). The line was 20 people long right when the place opened. A half hour later I got to the front of the line and was issued number 63. Mind you, while I was there they were calling number 6! I should be able to pick that up tommorow. So while I was nervous as to whether I would have it before I went to Australia, it looks promising. Luckily I had taken a copy of my old work visa and I think that helped tremendously.

In more good news, our job assignment has been extended through the end of the month. That means I'll have more muhla to take with me to Oz and to bring me back in the black after all I've had to dish out from the theft.

All Blacks Take the Cup

Kevin and I went along to the game with family friends tonight, who have opened up their arms and home to us during our New Zealand stay. They happened upon an extra ticket and we were keeping our fingers crossed that we could happen upon a second so that we could see the New Zealand All Blacks play the Australian Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup and claim thier already won Tri Nations Cup.

We got a ticket on our walk to the game for face value of $45 NZD, which was an amazing find because we had prepped ourselves for a $100+ NZD purchase.

I learned a lot (It WAS my first rugby game experience ever, so there was a lot to learn). Overall, there is a little bit of everything in the game including gymnastics (one guy lifts the other to reach the ball on a throw-in), but mostly it is just ramming into another guy and running the ball down the field.

Verbalize It

We went out for pizza before work this afternoon.

The guy behind the counter: "Would you like some servettes?"
Me: "No thanks, can we just have some napkins."
TGBTC: "Same thing mate."

Our first taste of the language barrier. Actually they have some cute sayings here like "Sweet as" and "Good on ya". Oh and if you want to go to the convience store it's the 'Dairy'. Want some hot chocolate, better ask for 'Milo' instead.

It is actually quite funny that we are working on the telephone, because I forget that people can't always understand me. I have had people respond "I don't know where you are from, but I didn't understand any of that." Last night it took five minutes for me to convey the address of Castle Road to the customer.

Greetings from Work

One of the nice perks at our new job is that we can use the internet free of charge during our tea or diner break. Other perks include free vitamins (part of the stock that they sell to outside customers), free peanut butter and jelly (supply your own bread), and bottomless coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cappuchino. Yum!

So far the job is not to shabby. We make outgoing calls to existing business customers to see if they want to renew their contract or just remind them it is renewal time. Mostly folks are quite friendly and it is nice that we are not truely 'telemarketers'. The only downfall is the headache that comes with saying the same thing over and over and over and....

Purse Snatcher

The irony of my last post versus this one has not been lost on me.

I haven't felt much like writing these past couple of days. Actually, I have felt much more like crawling underneath a nice big down comforter (remember, it is winter here) and doing nothing.

Kevin and I went out walking along the rocky shore just near where we are staying in the countryside of Auckland, on Thursday. We came back, grabbed some lunch and I threw my camel back on the front seat. When we came back from lunch, which was approximately 10 meters away and only 10 minutes time, my bag was gone. Let me just say how much was in that bag, to include: my camera and new telephoto lens that I had hardly used; travel binoculars; my purse (including my passport, numerous cards and cash).

Since that day, I have seen numerous signs warning people of petty car thefts such as that. I guess for how cautious I was, I just wasn't cautious enough.

Goodbye Sweetheart

We are leaving the city hostel we have come to call home, this afternoon. Overall, the place was a quite nice. I complained quite a bit about the moisture in the room, but a kiwi told us that is the way in Auckland because of the weather around here. The facilities were great, though, with a large kitchen stocked with plenty of pots, pans and dishes; a travel center; and even a hairdryer in the bathroom (which looked like a vaccum cleaner).

It will be nice to unpack our things without having to repack everything at night and lock up our bags. It seems not everyone locks up their things. After having my camera swiped in France, I guess I am just a bit more cautious.

Rangitoto

Yesterday we conquered Rangitoto, one of the 40 volcanos in Auckland. The volcano is dormant and so you can walk right up to the rim. We took the summit track and vered off to look at some lava caves. That part of the journey was awesome because we actually got to crawl through a cave. That's the point when you are greatful that New Zealand doesn't have an snakes and only two posinous spiders. The cave was pretty lengthy, especially since it was dark and my maglite was all we had to show us the way. The entire tramp took a little over two hours. The ferry doesn't run as often in the winter and we decided to play it safe with just going straight to the top. I'll have to go back to incorporate the costal trail.

Luckily, the weather was beautiful and we got some amazing views of Auckland, the suburbs and the ocean. The island is warmer than the city and it is a good idea to wear sunscreen. Actually it is a good idea to wear sunscreen all the time, because the ozone layer is basically non-existant here. We found out at orientation that New Zealander's have the highest rate of skin cancer.

I'll try to put some more photos from our hike up on my photo page soon.

The Wrong Side

I was the first one to drive our new car. And yes we are trying to think of a name for it. We came up with a couple but might have to wait to find out what it's quirks are, before we commit.

It is definatly interesting driving on the opposite side of the road. Trying to make a right hand turn through oncoming traffic is definatly the worst. The first one of those, I waited a long time and got a beep-beep from the car behind me.

Overall, though I only slammed my right arm into the door twice reaching for the shifter and spun the windshield wipers almost everytime I turned (thinking that was the turn signal). Luckily it is an automatic (although we both wanted to conquer the standard) so it takes away some more of the issues.

This morning I had to move it so we wouldn't get a ticket and it was a little easier. It is just a bit unsettling having so little room to the right and all that room to the left inside.

The Familia

One day I'll be able to say "I owned a car in New Zealand where you had to pull the choke to start it"

We headed out to the backpacker car market (did I already mention this place is backpacker friendly?) and picked up this Mazda Familia. It is actually a 323 hatchback, but under a different name. New Zealand imports used Japanese cars for resale and this is what we happened upon. Final price was about $550 US dollars.