Final Post - Random Remarks

Random Thoughts on NZ

Women’s fashion – While walking around downtown Wellington I noticed that the majority of females were dressed in black, denim or very neutral colors. There were a few well dressed business women – but they were also in black.

Kiwis are extremely hospitable, friendly and helpful including bus drivers, shop workers, neighbors – everyone.

There are no superhighways as we know them. Most highways are two lanes with occasional passing lanes on steep hills. Maximum speed limit on highways is 100 km/hr. Main highways do not by-pass any cities – they go right through and slow down. We did not see any toll roads. There are virtually no rest stops and gas stations are quite widely spaced. There are, though, a number of picnic table stops.

There are lots of cafes wherever you go. They drink a lot of tea but they also like their coffee, expresso, cappuccino, etc. Starbuck’s is here but small individual cafes are predominant, thank goodness.

There are sheep everywhere in the countryside. Lots of land has been cleared for logging and sheep farming. We saw a lot of new plantings of pine trees in areas that had been logged.

New Zealandese:

Ice chest = chilly bin

Gasoline = petrol

Cookie = biscuit

RV Park = Holiday Park

RV = Camper Van

Trash can on wheels = wheelie bin

Lot = Section

Sweet potato = Kumara

Food: Pretty much like what we are used to with one exception being they make lots of food pies – eg: egg pies, meat pies, mince pies and on and on in various sizes and types of crust. We thought there would be more seafood being surrounded by ocean but it was mainly the ubiquitous Fish ‘n Chips. Lamb and beef were prominent on menus.

Restaurants. The majority of places to sit down and eat require that you pick up a menu and when you have decided what you want, go to the counter to order and pay for it. They hand you a little stand with a number on the top that you put on your table. Someone will bring your food when it is ready. The first meal out we sat at an outside table waiting and waiting for service. We finally figured it out. They have a lot of Take-Away at these restaurants.

The wine and beer in New Zealand are excellent. We didn’t stop at any of the wineries for sampling because John had to keep his wits about him driving on the “wrong” side of the road.

Australia Random Thoughts:

We felt like we were in America – lots of same types of stores, malls, etc. People were almost as friendly as the Kiwis.