New Zealand, you better be worth it…

Note to people wanting to visit NZ from the US: You must have documentation demonstrating your exit strategy from NZ in order to enter and they are very serious about this.

Although it states on all of the websites that this is the case, we still hesitated to make departure flight reservations because we are commitment-phobes. We chose to interpret “must have return tickets or onward itinerary” as “should have an idea of where you are headed next”. This was not acceptable. Upon arrival to the Denpasar Bali airport, we were informed that we absolutely must have proof of an exit ticket out of NZ before we would be able to check in for our flight to Auckland. I was tempted to say “forget it” and stay in Bali. I mean, really, is NZ that great? However, there was free wifi available at the ticket counter so Phil pulled out his computer, logged in and booked us a flight from Christchurch to Syndey, Australia for May 1^st. Once the confirmation number was visible and shown to the lovely lady behind the counter, we were able to complete our check-in for our flight. Ah, modern day traveling. At Melbourne, we changed flights and were almost not allowed to board because our exit ticket from NZ was to Australia and we didn’t have visas yet to enter Australia. After spending six hours in the Melbourne airport and experiencing Melbourne airport prices, I was again tempted to turn around and head back to the stifling heat of SE Asia. Fortunately, they allowed us to continue on our journey to NZ after entering multiple notes for customs stating that we had been informed we might not be allowed to enter Australia if visas weren’t acquired prior to May 1^st.  Phew.

And now here we are in New Zealand.

Winetasting on Waiheke Island

Population: dinky. (Approx. 4.4 mil.) 1.2 mil in Auckland; 396,000 in Wellington; 367,000 in Christchurch. And we thought Laos was small. Now that we are here, we get their tight immigration rules. The country is beautiful, the beaches are empty and the cities are clean. The people are friendly, the public transportation is awesome and accessible, and the trains run on time.

NZ cities feel very familiar, like cleaner, quainter, quieter versions of US ones, which is in contrast to the noisy, hectic “otherness” that is SE Asia. Auckland reminded me a bit of Seattle, especially with the Sky Tower.

Auckland at sunset from Devenport

Windy Wellington reminds me a bit of San Francisco. Perhaps Christchurch will remind me of LA? Ok, probably not. How strange to travel around the world to visit a place like home.

I am experiencing a bit of reverse culture shock re-entering Western civilization. The sticker price on things pains me; perhaps we should have started our trip in expensive places and then ended in Cheapsville. It hurts my stingy soul to pay triple the cost for a dish that was made better and more authentic in SE Asia. Boo.

But look at the size of these local mussels! These were worth their price for sure!!!

We have also gone from 90-100F temps to 50-70F: burrrrrr! (I only have two pairs of pants and one sweatshirt - thankfully, I don't mind wearing the same outfit a week at a time. Phil says I smell like roses - at least I imagine he would say that if I asked him.) The language barrier, strangely enough, is still an issue. Is that English they are speaking over the PA systems? Supposedly. I think I understand broken Asian English better. Sorry, Kiwis!

The Scenic KiwiRail train has been a great way to travel and see some of the countryside. If we had been a bit more adventurous and less travel-weary, I think we would have rented a campervan to see more of the land. 

After 12 hours of train riding, we still look so refreshed.Right?...

Instead, we have opted for more stationary travel plans in homes with kitchens and washing machines. Oh, the luxury of it all! Enjoying some home-cooked meals after two months of eating out for every meal has been awesome.  We are enjoying our month of slow-paced traveling after visiting six countries (seriously!?!) over a four-week period. Hopefully, we will have caught our breath and feel rejuvenated enough at the end of our time here in NZ to continue our journey.

Oh, and yes, New Zealand, you are worth it!