New Zealand Days 1-2: Landed shortly after ,midnight a couple of days ago. The flight over was 3 hours, it went well, good movie. The room we got was pretty dingy, but when we woke up the daylight revealed that it was clean - that is a huge issue for Kathy. When we rolled out I asked if we could stay another night - they were completely booked with a waiting list - so it was back to finding accomodation. I walked down the street to the bank to get some NZ cash and found a great place for $130 NZ at .59 exchange rate it is about $70 US.
One of the things that I haven't mentioned yet is the fact that residential architecture in both Australia and New Zealand is far superior to the US. I don't know how they teach this in their architecture schools but they know what they are doing. They are especially good at dealing with the details and demensions of the craft. They custom design a lot more of the work - they don't go to the catalogue - pick standard parts(railings ie) out and then try to piece them together. By having an in depth appreciation and knowledge of materials they design things that are not over structured (things are sized to carry the load not twice as big as they should be just because that is what is available off the shelf). I am jellous. Here when you hire an architect to work on the design of your small building you really get something.
Yesterday we picked up the hired vehicle at juicy rentals, a place Nikki recommended. This place features older cars at cheap prices. We will be paying around $400 US for 3 weeks. We got a 96 toyota something or other. It has a cassette player. We had to bring the original rental back because the brakes were squeeking. Oh well it is cheap and in some ways a car is a car.
We started touring the city a bit it is very beautiful - green many parks and open spaces. The kids in schools all have uniforms and in Christchurch they include a sport coat for both girls and guys with shorts for guys and a skirt for the girls.
There is talk here of bad times but you don't see the signs like the US. It is more fear that reality for these folks.
Last night we filled up the spa tub and had the best bath I have had in years. We have a spa tub at home but our water heater was not sized to meet the tub requirements so we never use it- see what I mean about architects.
Tomorrow we will be taking off somewhere, we don't have a plan yet. The sea coast is to the east - wine country to the north - and the fojords and outdoor stuff to the west and south. Right now I am thinking west and south. I think I will try to locate a bicycle shop and see if there are any events going on that I could jump into.
Later,
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