One of the first things I noticed about New Zealand is that everything is quite expensive. From what I can tell, rising transport costs and especially the weak US dollar mean that goods here cost about 50% more than just a few years ago. Real estate has gone up in line with that, so it doesn’t look like I’ll be moving here any time soon. That in mind, the rest of my trip is likely to be more site-seeing than house-hunting.

Earlier today I felt a little lost about what to do next. This country is so chock full of activities and diversity that it’s a bit overwhelming. I could easily imagine spending three months here purely as a tourist. Not having that luxury, I headed over to the tourist information center and had a talk with one of the advisors there. That convinced me to fly down to Queenstown on the South Island and work my way back northward over the next few days. I tried to get a flight today, but I was too late, so I’m spending another night in the city. If I arrive back in Auckland with enough time before I have to leave for Australia, I’ll tour the northern area a bit.

Throughout my few days walking around here, I have found myself inexplicably fascinated by Auckland’s SkyTower. It’s billed as the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere (though I have a feeling they “cheated” a bit because the 100-meter “mast” section on top is really just an oversized lightning rod). Reminiscent of Seattle’s Space Needle, the tower stands out as a landmark no matter where you are in the city. Since it’s only a block from my hotel, it has also been like a homing beacon for me. And as with seemingly every tall structure in New Zealand, you can bungee jump off of it too!

I had intended to go up to the top last night, but after my five-hour walking tour, I slept right through dinner! Today’s delay in getting out of town gave me a chance to head up there tonight. I’ve attached a few pictures from the top, and some views of it from various parts of the city.

New Zealand is, in a way, what America aspires to be. There is a “can do” spirit here, and true appreciation of diversity, not just tolerance. Even the Anglo people know much of the indigenous Maori history and legend. Streets and towns retain their original names as well (occasionally making it difficult to pronounce them, like in Hawaii).

I’ve met people from Russia, China, Japan, Germany, Canada, Australia and the US so far. As with just about everywhere I’ve traveled in the world over the last six years, people here aren’t too crazy about our President. Everyone has super-high hopes for whomever his successor might be. I just hope that person can live up to them. We’ve got a lot of ground to make up as far as worldwide credibility and respect go.

Hasta pronto.

Steve

Well, I’ve arrived in New Zealand. I’m spending my first couple days in Auckland to get oriented. Then I’ll strike out to explore some other parts.

Somehow I didn’t even register the idea that I’d be driving on the opposite side of the road until I actually got into a car here. I’ve been a bit surprised that the driving part hasn’t been nearly as difficult to get accustomed to as my the car itself. The turn signal is on the opposite side of the steering column, so I have a tendency to warn other drivers that I’m changing lanes by wiping my windshield! But the most embarrassing part is that, on two separate occasions, I have actually gotten INTO the car on the wrong side.

As a city, Auckland is a study in contrasts. You can walk down a street that’s crowded with high fashion stores, yet the people are dressed casually. There are huge Maori wood carvings amidst many contemporary design elements. Asian influences are interspersed too. And then there’s the classic British architectural styles mixed with new, modern construction. Combined with the water that’s on all sides, it makes for some very interesting walks.

I’ve attached a few photos. I’ll update more as time permits.