 |
| Arriving at AKL |
It was worth every cent!
 |
| Auckland Airport |
 |
| NZ currency (click on image to enlarge) |
One of the first things one does in a foreign country is to obtain a little cash for those occasions when a credit card is not an option. NZ is part of the UK and thus the currency features the monarch, but mostly it features what NZ is famous for: birds unique to these islands.
 |
| Molloy's MEGA Antique Centre |
On my first walk to the nearest grocery market to stock my kitchen for the week, I passed an antique shop with this eye-catching creation on display outside. So many questions! I could have gone inside and asked them, but chose rather to continue in the pleasure of the unknown. To wonder. To amuse myself with imagined stories of how this came to be the iconic mascot for an antique store.
During one of my trips to downtown Auckland, I walked to and from the Smales Farm Busway Station. Ripe Deli was not open during the holiday week, but the sign posted in their window amused and delighted me. These are my kind of people.
Eat Ripe. Eat local. Eat wholesome. Eat messy. Eat in season. Eat leisurely. Eat vegan. [Well, that restriction is not for me. I prefer an omnivore diet.] Eat hand-made. Eat pie. Eat with friends. Eat with us. Had to capture that feeling. Snapped a pic. Wished they were open while I was in their neighborhood.
 |
| Public Toilet at Akoranga Bus Station |
 |
One should be unable to pass mosaic works of art. They demand and deserve contemplation and appreciation. First of all, who doesn't love a succulent garden? These planters are huge. The mosaic is made with color bits of glass. Up close, in person, it is simply stunning.
The passionate artistry of such creations could not go unnoticed and was worthy of photographs and mention.
As mentioned above, NZ is famous for birds unique to these islands. On my way to Akoranga station, I encountered my first such bird. Its bright red beak and tall stance beckoned. I paused briefly to watch its awkward gait. What is it? I could ask Google Lens to tell me, but the answer would do nothing for me. It isn't a name or science lesson needed right now. No, what's needed on this day is a moment of awe.
Standing in the southern hemisphere of my home world. What's needed is to simply be here and soak it all in.
Early morning, Akoranga Station is clean and quiet. It is a holiday week, the days between Christmas and New Year.
A reminder of why I chose NZ: its very low crime rate. 
Signage at the station: Seeking anonymous crime stoppers.
Among the curiosities were little mundane things that are everyday occurrences in the lives of UK citizens. Such as the electric super-fast water heating "jug" and "plunger coffee"; aka a French press...neither of which I had ever encountered before and it took a bit of figuring out. There was no instruction; it was assumed everyone knew what these kitchen devices are and how to make coffee with them.
My first clue was the word "plunger" on the little bag of coffee supplied by the lodge. And my first thought upon seeing "plunger coffee" on the label was what kind of crazy marketing ploy is this...who wants to think of a toilet plunger when making coffee??? It was such a hilarious cacophony accentuating my foreignness. I was determined to sort it, as they say. And I did.
Now, I am expecting a jug for Christmas 2025. I have already purchased a "plunger" and find that boiling water takes too long. The jug heats water in a minute. It's amazing!
 |
| prestigerealestate.co.nz |
How much does it cost to live here? This question occurred to me on Day 1. I snapped a shot of this advertisement, at the time, migrating to NZ seemed possible. It wasn't until months later that I knew for certain that it was not possible, not within their current immigration laws. At best, I could get a Retirement Visa and stay for two years.
The sign indicates 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, 2 garage spaces located in Northcote Point, currently priced at $1,390,000. Amazing. You could not find a place like this at a price like this anywhere else in the world.
Assuming that is NZD, at today's exchange rate that amounts to $890,094 USD. It is doable with combined assets and purchasing power. If only I could get all of my kids and grandkids, my husband and his mother to go for it!
I fell in love with their culture of kindness and inclusion. It is not merely one church sign. It is visible everywhere. From the Maori language and symbolism everywhere you look to the diversity of the population itself.
The Brits here strive to live in harmony with the Maori people. They make an effort to respect the rights of indigenous people who lived here long before explorers came to these shores.
They are working to restore these islands to their native condition, removing pine trees that were planted here, that have taken over the landscape. Removing pestilential mammals that have decimated the population of flightless birds and nearly caused the extinction of kiwis.
The people of NZ are keenly aware of the threat of climate change. There is a gaping hole in the ozone over their region that has made skin cancer a leading cause of death in this small population.
They recycle. They reuse. They reduce. I saw it with my own eyes. People walking to the grocery store, instead of driving a few blocks. Bringing grocery bags instead of requiring more plastic bags to be shipped here...and then where do those unused plastic bags end up and how do they get there?
Laundry hanging on lines everywhere. It is uncommon for them to use a dryer to dry clothing. They are energy and water conscious. Litter conscious. And it shows. Their city streets are cleaner than any I have seen. 
They are diligent about having visitors clean their shoes before boarding boats to tour the pristine islands, as shown in this pest free sign. Each of us had to spray our shoes and then rub them back and forth in a scrubbing mechanism.
I could go on and on about the beauty of NZ culture.
