NZ tidbits

Well- things have improved tremendously here in Nelson... Yes, the daytime low today is forecast to be 9 degrees!  I actually didn't need a jacket walking to work, and in the whole next week forecast the low is 5!  I haven't had a need to put my firestarting  to the test, which makes me very happy.

 

One of the neat things I got to do not too long ago was tour a fishing vessel that goes out on the water for ~ 6 weeks at a time. It was actually pretty interesting!  The longer I stay here, the more I start to like water and things of the water.

 

And now for a few interesting tidbits on New Zealand (compliments of our friends at wikipedia...)

 

New Zealand is the only country in the world in which all the highest offices in the land have been occupied simultaneously by women, between March 2005 and August 2006 - The Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II of New Zealand, Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, Prime Minister Helen Clark, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Margaret Wilson and Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias.

 

Because of its long isolation from the rest of the world and its island biogeography, New Zealand has extraordinary flora and fauna. About 80% of the New Zealand flora occurs only in New Zealand, including more than 40 endemic genera.^[3

 

Until the arrival of humans, 80% of the land was forested and, barring three species of bat (one now extinct), there were no non-marine mammals. Instead, New Zealand's forests were inhabited by a diverse range of birds including the flightless moa (now extinct), and the kiwi, kakapo, and takahç, all endangered due to human actions. Unique birds capable of flight include the Haast's eagle, which was the world's largest bird of prey (now extinct), and the large kâkâ and kea parrots. Reptiles present in New Zealand include skinks, geckos and tuatara. There are four endemic species of primitive frogs. There are no snakes and only one venomous spider, the katipo, which is rare and restricted to coastal regions. However, there are many species of insects, including the weta, one species of which may grow as large as a house mouse and is the heaviest insect in the world.

 

Corruption - 2nd equal least corrupt in world at 9.6 on index

 

Political freedom ratings - Free; political rights and civil liberties both rated 1 (the highest score available)

 

Official language(s)

English3, Mâori, New Zealand Sign Language

 

 

 

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The weekend... and misc nz thoughts

Well, it was an absolutely beautiful day in Nelson on Sunday... I of course therefore walked out to Tahuna to spend some time on the beach reading a bit, watching the kiddies flying kites and looking at the snow capped mountains in the distance.  The sun was again shining down and the water was sparkling.  I went for a nice wade- and although chilly :) it was good. 

 

It was my two month anniversary of arriving in New Zealand.  On a day like yesterday it was hard to imagine ever leaving...  Winter- and the beach- and not too hot either.  Although I think spring may be coming.  There were definitely the smell of more flowers or blooms in the air.

 

Nelson has been the perfect little place to start exploring NZ.  It's sunny, and safe.  I'm starting to think about where I want to go next when this contract ends. (~ 1 month)...  I lean towards Auckland (even though a lot of south islanders wouldn't  understand why.)  or possibly Christchurch.  ??  We'll see.

 

I got asked for directions a few times in the past few days.  I guess I'm starting to blend in as a local.  I now know where all my key spots are.  I was thinking a bit about travelling- and one of the best parts is that feeling right when you arrive somewhere new and you set out to explore- without knowing what to expect or what might be around the corner.  Although  I'm analytical and appreciate order- there is definitely something to be said about just going and seeing and being.  :)   I still discover a few things in Nelson that surprise me.  But it now seems sort of normal that buildings might face outward one way, and there might be another store facing the other way into the car park. (I missed 1/2 the stores around here because I didn't realize that!  Including the gelato shop...  Luckily it has now been figured out. Did you know one of the ingredients in gelato is egg yolk?? I never would have guessed.)  The wanna be explorer in me is starting to get a bit of an itch to move on again- even though this is a very comfortable and great place. 

 

NZ's GST is 12.5% - however unlike in Canada it is included in the prices... I appreciate that very much.  They also have the filing and some semblance of ITCs, as far as I understand.

 

NZ just changed their coin currency this summer.  The smallest coin is now 10 cents.  (The rest is "rounding".)  I wonder what the peddlers of 1 c candies do... although they haven't had 1 cent pieces here in a long time... (don't know how long.)

 

Discovered that NZ has much closer ties to the UK than we do back home.  Which means UK stores all over the place... I can easily find my YUMMY bassett pear candies here, and it's great!  They do seem to use a lot more of the terminology that the UK uses, as well.

 

It is interesting learning how language evolved after the development of technology away from the mother land and away from language roots.  In NZ our "plug ins" are called "power points".  (And here I was trying to find a presentation when I got asked if I had a power point.) 

 

Tomorrow night is the finale of the Amazing Race.  So yes, tv is a little behind, but I must remember to watch.  It is still a great show.

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Photos

Domett Street- which I walk along every day to work, and the view of the mountains from the trails I try to walk weekly.

Photos

The beach at Nelson... Isn't it awesome!

Photos

The Cathedral in Nelson. (Anglican, not Catholic).
The KPMG building in Wellington.
Looking down the street in Richmond.

Photos

A sheep - overlooking Nelson (from one of my favourite walking trails.)

Anzac Park- which I walk through on my way to the Warehouse.

The Library of Parliament in Wellington.

Photos

This is the Parliament building in Wellington- which I toured when I went there for the weekend.

Photos

Folks have been asking for some more photos. This internet cafe isn't as user friendly so I can't add my entire album. Here are a few favourites...

This is our back yard, the balcony you can see and the top part of the house is our flat.

This is the view of Port Nelson and the boulder bank. Port Nelson is where I work.

Nz politics

Well, I've been here long enough to start to learn a little about the New Zealand political system. So far- just a precious little but hopefully I will soon learn much more... :)

There are 121 members and they seem to have some sort of combination of electoral district elections and proportional representation. The biggest parties are Labour and National, followed by the Greens, New Zealand First and the Maori party... I still need to research more on this front. So even the smaller of these have elected members.

One interesting little tidbit- you don't have to be a citizen to vote here- just a permanent resident. Unlike neighbouring areas, you aren't obligated to vote (turnout was 80% in the 95 election), but you are obligated to register to vote.

They killed their senate back many years ago and now do not have an upper chamber. No sober second thought, I guess... More to come as I learn it.

A beautiful sunny day in Nelson

Nelson continues to surprise me. Today was an absolutely beautiful, warm and lovely day!!

I took the bus (for $3.60) to the town of Richmond, about 1/2 hour away. I wandered around there a bit and ran into one of the ladies I work with and her family. (NZ continues to be a small place.) I then took the bus back and got off before town at Tahunai, the lovely beach of Nelson. You know, I've always thought I was a person who wasn't so into the water- but without fail when I actually get near the water here it almost gives me the shivers in a good way. I was walking on the huge sandy beach (tide was down). The sun was shining beautifully, there were lots of families out, and the sun was shining. It was another one of those moments of joy, or delight, similar to my time in Devonport walking along the water. I walked back into town and discovered I could probably do the walk to the beach in ~ an hour. It would be a great place just to hang out reading on the sand or go wading, or listen to music. I will definitely keep this in mind for upcoming weekends. I was hoping to do some local walks here in Nelson but must admit my walk back tired me out as I was carrying my heavy bag with me - I did a little bit of shopping in Richmond.

I may head up one of the local trails here for sunset, as the view overlooking Nelson at dusk is absoultely amazing- and I'm super close to the trail from my flat. The all blacks also play tonight so I may consider taking that in on tv.

I also didn't mention that there was antother beautiful rainbow on the ride to Richmond this am, even though it wasn't really raining. It lasted most of the whole ride- which was pretty cool!

Nelson is a wonderful place. Ronaele was definitely right about that.

Irony of firestarting...

So I had mentioned the frosts were back... 2 days ago it was SO COLD I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning.  Even my hardy flatmate said she had to add extra blankets. When I arrived home from work I attempted to start the fire- for 2 HOURS before I finally got it going.  People say when you move away to a strange place you should be prepared for some frustration and tears.  They almost came for the first time trying to get the fire going, as it burned my kindling and 8 beehives and 4 other firestarters, but wouldn't catch hold...  (And then just after I got it going, I locked myself out of the flat.)  But luckily things improved from there.

 

Yesterday it wasn't nearly as cold, and I got the fire going in all of 5 minutes!!!  Murphy's law I guess. :)  Hard to start on the cold day, and not when we're not in the middle of deep frosts.

 

I've been in Nelson a month and my impressions of the town are that it is a lovely place to settle down.  That being said, I sort of wonder why I am here :)  I'm getting the restless itch like it is time to move on but I think I'll be working here for a little while yet- I'm not sure yet when this contract will end.  The weather is definitely great, even with the frosts.  3 cab drivers have indicated they came here for a visit and decided to stay and I can understand why.  It would be a great place to raise a family.

 

People keep asking for photos and I keep trying to take some, but I can't get in one little camera angle how lovely it is walking along the Matai to work, or of the light reflecting on the homes on the hill as I walk to work.  So I don't yet have enough taken to shell out at the internet cafe to burn and upload them. I'll keep trying to find a shot or two.

 

I might take the bus and venture out a little this weekend to some neighbouring areas, if the weather holds.  It's delightfully forecast NOT to frost!!  Hurray :)

 

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Brr cold in Nelson

Well, it is official... the frosts are back. I can say BRRRRR. One of the locals said that when there is a heavy frost, you are in for a beautiful day. I add to that a chilly day! I've been practising my fire starting and wood chopping skills and am learning the secret to making great kindling is selecting the proper block of wood to chop. I far prefer pine to blue gum. And knots are very bad...

What is another way I knew the frosts are back?

Answer- I visited 2 grocery stores and both were sold out of "Beehives", my favourite firestarter things.

In other exciting news, I saw my first local seal yesterday, as it played in the water outside the window at the office.

I also discovered yesterday that the kiwis think we are queer for having "bangs", as they have "fringes".

The thoughts on the sky dive business from after the fact- I want to go again!! It is pretty cool how they can land exactly where they want to, after coming so far so fast. I want to go this time to enjoy without the sense of fear I had round #1. Perhaps if there is room in the budget as I do my tour through NZ!

A bit on kiwi traffic:

1)- drive on left hand side of road

2) no turning left on red lights

3) when turning left, yield to cars coming towards you who are turning right. (Note- I read in the paper that they are contemplating killing this rule as it causes many accidents.) I would point out that we in NA yield to the oncoming car and have the same rule only even though we drive on the other side of the road.

4) roundabouts- look and yield to the right. I haven't got the signal lights business down, or quite what to do when there are multiple lanes.

5) They have these crazy one way tunnels and bridges here, so I guess you have to pay a little bit of attention when driving or the results could be hazardous!

My skydive

Quietly and without fanfare, I completed my first tandem sky dive this afternoon with Abel Tandem Skydives, Nelson. I was picked up at 12:30 and back home by ~2:30. 2 other women jumped at the same time as me. (But thankfully I was the first one out!) I wasn't too afraid in the plane ride up which I hadn't anticipated. The view was AWESOME- and there was a great rainbow. My tandem dive master was PK like and superb! He kept me comfortable and informed about the various sites and what was going to happen and what he was doing as he checked and double checked our attachments. We jumped out at 13,000 feet into a cloud and I honestly couldn't tell you if we went backwards or forwards. That first bit was the coolest!! Then I had the tap on my back as my divemaster indicated I could spread my arms out. You fall pretty darn fast, but we were falling through cloud for a good while and really the only way you know you're going so fast is that your face is SO SO COLD!! Also as usual my one ear began its tricks of feeling like it does when I have a cold. The divemaster moved his arms up from down by my waist, so I knew the chute was about to open- and so it did. The up pull wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. This occurs at ~ 5,000 feet and you do get a great chance at the view. I must say that, although I appreciated the view I almost preferred the freefall, as the leg straps do cut in a fair bit. The divemaster did a few spins in the air until he realized I wasn't so keen on that... :) He explained the landing, he landed first and then I stood up and we were on ground!! Interesting experience, and again one I would recommend- mostly for the freefall!! His office, he said- he'd been jumping 9 years getting paid to excite and scare people. Indeed... I recommend Abel Tasman dives with their complimentary pick up and drop off at Nelson. We made it just in time. The rain started on our descent, and the group behind us were delayed hoping for a break in the weather. (Note that it is almost always beautiful in Nelson, but there are always exceptions).

Nelson Weather

Chase the link for my weather- and to see the huge tidal swings in Nelson... It is quite amazing.  http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=nelson

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Kitties and other misc. topics

So yesterday I reviewed my asb bank statement online and discovered a shockingly high!! $7 of interest on my July NZ account.  They must have crazily high interest rates here, as I didn't transfer too much in.  There was a partially offsetting auto entry - income tax to IRD of over $2.  I guess that is one way to make sure they get their share.

 

My flatmate hasn't been around too much this week so I've been looking after ms. kitty.  Tuesday night and Wednesday night she annoyed me greatly whining outside the glass doors to the deck that are in my bedroom.  First it was at about 3am and then at about 4 am.  I let her in both nights and was a little grumpy about it. Yesterday morning when I went outside to feed her, she came back inside with me and left her food, which  was very unusual for a fat and perpetually hungry cat...  This morning it was 5 am and I decided to ignore kitty outside.  About 6am I decided that it would be so unusual for kitty to change all her behaviour and there might be a cause.  Sure enough, her cat flap had switched to "red" from "green" meaning she couldn't get back from outside.  Poor kitty- she had chosen to stay in yesterday morning over food, and here I had ignored her last night.  I then had to try and convince her that her flap was working.  It is funny that she was convinced it wasn't.  I had to show her it half open and she had to go through it 2 times before I think she was convinced she could get back in again.   Moral of the story from a cat:  Sometimes changes in behaviour have causes that are worth investigating.

 

Today as I walked to work this morning I was beginning to wish I had brought my camera.  One of my favourite spots on the Mattai river is where this old tree leans right over the river, and there was a lovely reflection of the tree branches on the water...  It isn't so pretty in words, but trust me it was good.  This occured while "Vienna" by Billy Joel was playing on my mp3 player...  I had the "13 Going on 30" soundrack in my car for ages and ages, and I bet I had heard this song about 100 times, when for some reason I actually listened to the words one day...    I think they reflected a little of me and my hectic work/ volunteer life in Regina.  Take a read of the lyrics if you're interested.  I like it.   Anyway, it was just perfect to see the beautiful tree and water reflection as Vienna played.  It really was a great way to start the day.

 

I managed to start a fire yesterday again.  The temperature has again dropped, and there was frost on the bridge I cross to come to work this morning.   My flatmate had showed me how to chop kindling a while back, and I'm still not so good at it.  I of course selected a piece of wood with a large knot which I didn't see in the dark. (It of course being dark when I get home from work, and chop wood).  The ax was stuck for quite some time, but I eventually got it out and selected something better.   It was also a good workout, so I was warm even before the fire.

 

It was a beautiful walk home yesterday as well.  Pink at night, so they say, sailor's delight.  Today does look like a nice day.

 

Kiwi accent of the day.  Mark almost sounds like "mock", however garage is "Gare- age (with the age as in "voyage", almost like "edge").  I thought I had the "ar"s down, but I guess I don't.

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Touring Aus- an idea!

My flatmate suggested I cover more of Aus than I had previously anticipated.  The one thing she suggested did catch my eye- taking the train coast to coast, or thereabouts.  Something to think about anyway...  Plenty of time to think and decide yet...

 

 

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Rainy days

At the internet cafe on the weekend I think I figured out how to post without accessing blogger.com.  We'll see if this posts, and if so I did figure it out!

 

I'm beginning to realize how much more aware of the weather I am here.  Back home it could be -30 in the winter which wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't a huge deal for me, as I drove in my car to work and didn't spent much time outside.  Similarly, if it was rainy I merely turned on the wipers and it didn't bother me.  Yesterday (Sunday) and today were both rainy in my sunny Nelson.  This means instead of the nice walk I was planning on in the hills yesterday, kitty and I had a nap and read and watched tv.  Today I walked the 40 minutes to work in the rain sporting my outer layer columbia waterproof jacket with hood, and the umbrella.  The sidewalks are not so good, as although the roads have drains, the sidewalks just build up in water in many places.  I kept jumping onto the road to miss the 3 inch deep puddles on the sidewalk, keeping in mind the tradeoff of the spashes from the cars driving by.  I've come to the conclusion that walking in the rain doesn't make me start my day in a happy fashion. I'm beginning to think there is an umbrella etiquette which I haven't quite figured out, but several folks approaching me to pass changed the angles of their umbrellas.  If it's still rainy on the walk home I'll try and figure out the pattern... It is still raining, at lunch.  As well, I've become quite aware of the outside temparature, because it often becomes the inside temperate.  I thought I was getting hardy of late, however I realized reading the paper that day time lows have been in the + 6 range, instead of the +1 range.  I'm really quite surprised how much of a difference the 5 degrees can make!     Maybe I'm ready to be a farmer now that I'm aware of the influences of weather.

 

Anyhow,

 

I haven't talked much about NZ TV.  With my evenings free of work I admit my flatmate and I have spent some time TV watching.  NZ has its own soap opera called Shortland Street. I haven't watched it, but it is there.  The "free" channels we get are TV1, TV2, TV3 and Prime.  There is an interesting mix of programming- Coronation Street is on in the evenings several times a week.  Desparate Housewives is on, the finale is tonight.  Wife Swap is on.  That show with the US man with 3 wives is on.  Scrubs is on.  Grey's Anatomy.  Sunday nights CSI Miami is on.  I see that ER is now coming.  (The TV shows are just winding up for the season- the final of Grey's Anatomy is tonight).  Amazing  Race has about 3 or 4 episodes to go from last seasons.  Survivor is already over.  NZ Idol is just starting again.  TV shows don't necessarily start on the hour- they sometimes start at XX:35 for example.  The programming appears, per the TV guide, to be on all night as well, instead of "colours" like we'd have at home on CBC.

 

Vocabulary differnece of the day:

 

I'm trying to learn to say tomato with the focus on the mat instead of "toe".  There is no "toe" in tomato here.

 

 

 

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Day 2 in Wellington

First off - about the small number of posts. In large part it is because I'm working and don't ha ve much exciting to report. However ALSO I can only blog from an internet cafe, which I don't make it too very often.

Anyway, on to WEllington Day 2.

Did I mention how much of a small world, or at least a small NZ it is?

First at the airport I spotted the restaurant manager where the accountants went for supper last Thursday night and his sister who I work with. Saturday night, returning to my hostel with supper in hand I ran into my friend from Belgium which was great. She left Nelson just as I started flatting. And then on the plane home was another of the accountant crew from Thursday... Small NZ indeed!

I did find some charm in Wellington on Sunday... I took the cable car and did a quick walk through the botantical gardens and the old cemetery. There is actually a headstone type tour, and the history present there is pretty amazing. I didn't get a chance to explore it much. From the Botanical gardens there were great views of Wellington and I wish I had more time to explore it... Another time. I also walked back down by the Parliament and visited the Constable Exhibition at Te Papa (lots of skies and landscapes... It was great!) Constable painted often from real scenes - his notes include the type of weather around when he painted. He lived at least part of his life in the Lake District in the UK, where many of his paintings were painted.
I also had a great fruit smoothly at my new favourite place- Gloria Jeans... Too bad there isn't one in Nelson- they are everywhere in Auckland! Wellington also has a bunch of used bookstores which is great! The prices for new books are so expensive here in NZ.

To catch the bus to the airport, I knew I could take the bus that came close to ~430 and be on time. However out of conservatism I took the bus one time earlier. When it arrived on time I started to feel a little silly for waiting so long. However, on the way to the airport, suddenly the driver jumped out and was frantically waving down other buses to try and get us to the airport on time. Yes- the power on our bus had conked out and everything was dead including the radio. I wasn't in a rush, as I could have taken the next one and been safe- but others were a little stressed. Finally another bus agreed to take us after he dropped off his passengers at a stop on the way to the airport. Sometimes it does pay to be early as it did save me untold stress.

Two days wasn't enough time in Wellington, and I will be back, I am sure. One of the locals I met indicated I should come back in summer when it is lovely.

I must say that my weekend in Wellington really wiped me out for this week- which was my first month end from the preparing side of the business. I must admit it is a little fun putting together working papers, trying to get all the accruals nailed down, and that kind of thing. I may tire of it in a while, but in learning phase trying to figure out the business model etc. it is still fun.

Last night I walked with one of the ladies from work and her husband up to the Centre of NZ and we were there at sunset. It was slightly overcast so the colours weren't brilliant- but they were so many blues and greys. Looking out past the boulder bank, you really couldn't tell where the water ended and the sky began. It was so beautiful. I wish I had my camera, and even more I hope to be able to paint a scene like that some day... (Not that I'm painting here in NZ, but someday I think I have to take a watercolour class- instead of just dabbling with it here and there back home in Canada). We walked down in the dark with the light of the moon to assist us, and it was a nice evening. The weather has warmed a bit here, and although still chilly at night it hasn't been freezing making my evenings at home without a fire more bearable. My flatmate and her friend indicated I need to visit Abel Tasman someday soon. If they take me I'll do it sooner rather than later, but we will see.