The flights were fine. Phoenix to Los Angeles, uneventful with the exception of some obnoxious Southern California boys and girls. Los Angeles to Nadi Fiji---- a 10.5 hr flight in which I slept a solid 8 hrs, thanks to two tylenol PMs and an exhuasting week previously from four days in Colorado then a mad 3 day rush to pack up 2 suitcases, get rid of a TON of stuff, store some boxes, clean my apt, and say goodbye to all my AZ folks! I sat next to a nurse midwife from Australia who was at some conference in Vancounver Canada. I am convinced they sit health professionals together on flights (keep reading)!
My four hours in Fiji were spent in the aiport, but at least the terminal had windows where I could sneak a peak of the Fiji sunrise.....
And then off to New Zealand, a flight which was delayed due to the need to pump in extra fuel due to fog in Auckland, which almost led to a diversion to Christchurch (waaayy South of where I needed to be!), which thank goodness wasn't necessary in the end.
Arrival in Auckland was where the fun started. I didn't notice until my walk past the Customs booth that they stamped my passport with a 3 month visitor stamp rather than 6 month workers. I took the took to take care of this NOW rather than later, and fortunately it paid off--- in 30 minutes the problem was fixed. Although it does look a little sketchy with a big "REVOKED" stamp in one of the pages of my passport. Anything to make this Alashiskabob lady look more like a terrorist is no bueno....
The fun continued when one of my bags was missing. And the bag that DID make it didn't have it's tag on it, so it's a wonder that one arrived. So a friendly visit to Baggage Services to make my claim and I was on my way. I had to taxi into town to meet with a lady whose job was to collect all my paperwork for final completion of my NZ Medical License. Some copies, forms, signatures and that was complete!
Spent the time waiting for my flight trying a local brew (Speight's Gold Medal Ale, for those beer lovers reading) and watching a rugby match at the airport pub. Interestingly the domestic terminals in NZ have NO security---- no xrays, no scanners, no liquid limitations. A nice change from the US!
Then flew from Auckland to New Plymouth. Sat next to a nurse (see what I mean?). Warren, the Clinic Manager, picked me up at the airport and drove me back the hour's drive to Hawera. It was dark and rainy so I'm glad HE did the driving and not me!
So here it is, my home!
I don't want to post my exact address on the internet, but if for some reason you'd like my mailing address to send me fun things, don't hesitate to ask. I promise to send at *least* a postcard in return!
The house:
The view from that front porch:
Not too shabby, eh? That water is the Tasman Sea, which separates Australia and New Zealand.
My back yard:
Yes, I believe that's a Chicken Coop on the left. No, I did not bring, nor do I plan on raising, my own chickens.
But I do have two pets that are going to be my buddies (if I like it or not!) due to their frequenting of my backyard: I shall call them Cat One and Cat Two:
Cat One!
Cat Two!
Actually the beach I'm living at is pretty populated..... with these guys at the end of my block:
Hundreds of them! (I think I better get used to seeing these guys ALL. THE. TIME! )
The town is actually quite beautiful Tons of rolling hills and green. Here is a view down my street:
Today was kind of cloudy/overcast/drizzly, but I managed to take a short walk to the beach this morning. My house is about 200m from the beach...a rocky beach albeit, but still, beautiful waves, rocks, breeze!
Not bad for a short hour's stroll!
The bigger adventures will come soon enough, hopefully when my other suitcase arrives (pray pray pray it does!). If it doesn't arrive, I will have to find somewhere to buy size 11 shoes (i currently only have a pair of hiking sandals and sexy strappy black heels, how appropriate, huh?), raingear, and a stethescope, and more warm non-work clothes if this wet, chilly weather keeps up (50s, rain, 90% humidity).
The rest of today was spent getting a tour of the clinic, meeting all the staff, having lunch with the crew.
As for local food, I tried feijoa juice, aka pineapple guava, a fruit originally grown in Brazil but here in NZ since the 1920's which flourishes quite well in this climate..)
The rest of the day I spent driving around town, in my bright blue sporty Honda, on the LEFT side of the road! I was in town, and every intersection has silly roundabouts, where you "give way" to the right, which further confuses things! All afternoon driving in "town" traffic and I only got honked at once. :)
I also am the proud owner of a New Zealand bank account and library card! (It's the little things, I tell ya).
Will be posting all of my pictures on facebook, so make sure to check that too.
Thanks for reading! I promise to keep you amused for the next six months :)
This is so cool! I'm so excited to read about all your adventures. What a beautiful place! (As if we didn't already know that, but still--you're actually living there!)
ReplyDeleteHi Linz, Just posted a little piece on FB. We are very proud of you. Take care and be good! (Had to put that in case your Mom reads this).LOL Love ya!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! What gorgeous land. I think you should reconsider your stance on raising chickens. It seems like a lovely place for poultry. Even if you stand firm in that decision, I am looking forward to more posts!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog title!!!
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