Drive on the Left in New Zealand

Many travellers will agree, the best way to get to know a country is to hire a car and drive through it independently. Some places are easier to drive in than others. New Zealand has had a high road death toll recently, most accidents being caused by international visitors who are unfamiliar with our road rules and the roads here in New Zealand.

The most important thing to know is that we drive on the left of the road here. This may take a bit of getting used to, but most visitors handle this okay. I've never tried driving in another country, but know most people say the transition is something one gets used to. Some car rental places even give a sign to be out on the dashboard that says Keep Left, as a constant reminder.

We love tourists in New Zealand, but we don't like having our local families killed on the open road because someone from another country forgets this road rule and crosses the centre line, into oncoming traffic.

So, if you're choosing to drive through our wonderful country, please make sure you're aware of our road rules first. Drive safely and you'll be welcomed wherever you go.
 

Time for a Fresh Start

Sometimes you start projects with the best intentions, then other things get in the way. This blog really has been victim of such change in direction. It has lain totally forgotten for a long time, but now it's time to revive it.
This is not my number one blog, that is now located at Down at the Baths but now the enthusiasm for blogging has returned I've decided to see what I can do about resurrecting this one.
New Zealand is a long way from most places and in my online writing adventures I've discovered people have a curiosity about this country in which I live.
So no it's time to gather my thoughts about where I live and start sharing them with the world.

Queen’s Birthday Weekend in New Zealand | Socyberty

Queen’s Birthday Weekend in New Zealand | Socyberty

Summer Has Arrived

Now that school goes back next week, summer has arrived. Days are constantly warm, though not necessarily sunny. Thunderstorms yesterday! Drove back from Wellington yesterday and all along the coast people were swimming, sailing, walking along the beach - the way it should be. I'm enjoying it while I can.

A Rail Journey through the North Island of New Zealand

I have a list, quite a long list, of things I'd like to do right here in New Zealand. Tourist type things, places that you read about but, because they're right on your door step, never quite get done. Well, last week I managed to tick one of those experiences off my list.
New Zealand is a small country, just over 4 million people. It sometimes seems we're quite isolated here, down under, close to the bottom of the world. Consequently the rest of the world seems more attractive than our own backyard when we holiday.
I grew up in, and now once again live in Palmerston North, less than two hours drive from the capital city, Wellington. My city is on the North Island Main Trunk Railway Line. There was a time, as a teenager when I had more time than money, that I travelled by train. But rail travel is no longer attractive. It is quicker to fly or go by car.
However, growing up as I did right beside the railway track, I've always had a fascination for trains. Last week I decided the time had come to make a train trip I'd been thinking about for a long time. I flew to Auckland, spent a day and night there, then early next morning boarded the Overlander train, a scenic North Island journey,  for the long trip south.
Long it was, taking 10 hours to reach Palmerston North. But it was well worth the effort. I saw scenery and places I'd only heard about or read about before. I saw mountains and viaducts, small towns and rivers. I learnt about the history of my country from the hostess on the train. I crossed the rebuilt Tangiwai bridge that was once swept away in a lahar, causing about 150 deaths and being NZ's biggest rail disaster back then in 1953.
I learnt about the Maori Queen and some of the Maori history of the King Country and the Kingite movement.
As well as all that, I relaxed, enjoying the sights and talking to the passenger next to me, and getting to know her children. It was compulsory time out, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, except enjoy the ride.
The day did stretch a little too long towards the end, I'm not all that good at sitting still doing nothing. But once we entered familiar, close to home territory, I knew we were nearly at my destination. My enjoyment returned, as I mentally ticked off familiar landmarks.
As a quick way of getting to know the scenery and history of New Zealand, I can recommend riding the Overlander train. I was pleasantly surprised.

Prince William in New Zealand

Prince William was in Wellington, New Zealand this morning. He walked in Lambton Quay. So did I, about an hour behind him.
Prince William went to Kapiti Island this afternoon. He landed back from his excursion at one end of Paraparaumu Beach while I was walking along the other end, wondering why a crowd had gathered around the boat just landed.
Meeting the Prince just wasn't meant to be.
Lost Opportunities or Lack of Preparation? Prince William in New Zealand

No, New Zealand is Not Dropping off the Bottom of the Earth

In spite of reading that some officials in the USA consider New Zealand is pretty unimportant in the scheme of things, we think we're doing pretty well down here in our part of the world.
And, in response to those who think New Zealand is an island off the coast of Australia, we are not. In fact, Australia is at least a three hour flight from New Zealand, across the Tasman Ocean. We are rivals in most sports, especially rugby. However, we do unite when pitted against the rest of the world.

New Zealand consists of three major islands, the North Island where I live - known by North Islanders as the Mainland, the South Island - known by South Islanders as the Mainland, and Stewart Island, way down at the bottom of the country. The North and South Islands are separated by a sometimes wild, but always beautiful, piece of water called Cook Strait.

People of New Zealand are often called Kiwis. We don't really mind. But the kiwi is really a flightless native bird. Once this seemed as if we, the people of New Zealand considered ourselves flightless. However, because we are so far away from everywhere else, we are far from flightless, as if we want to go anywhere away from our shores, there is little choice but to fly. New Zealanders are well travelled and can be found in most countries around the world.

New Zealanders are proud of their country. We are considered a clean, green paradise and hope we can remain this way. We offer amazing outdoor recreation possibilities in our lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches. Our food is fresh, unspoiled and mostly produced in natural outdoor surroundings.

And we are civilised, in spite of some concerns that nobody could be when they live so far away from anywhere. You just need to consider the movies we have produced, Whale Rider and Lord of the Rings for example. We have internationally remowned artists, poets, and sports people. Our education system, especially in literacy teaching, is a model for many other countries.

New Zealand may be small, having a population of around four million people. But we are far from being in danger of dropping off the bottom of the world.

If you are interested in reading more about our wonderful country, articles I have written include:

Aotearoa New Zealand - Maori Discovery, British Colony, Dutch Name
International Arts Festival, Wellington, New Zealand 2010
Come to New Zealand
Holiday in The Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand