The Launch

We have arrived in New Zealand! The journey went as planned: 8 checked bags and four carry-ons, an overnight in Honolulu with a rental van and an exorbitantly priced valet service, 9 hours to Auckland, a mile-long walk between terminals pushing luggage trolleys, and enough time at the gate to buy snacks for our flight to Queenstown (apparently a 2 hour layover WAS sufficient). The hiccups were minor, including a broken elevator at our home airport, a struggle finding the right parking garage in Hawaii, and an expected “conversation” with the customs folks in Auckland regarding our prescription medications (any supply >3 months must be declared… Mom wasn’t going to move to a new country without abundant supplies!)

Playing in the waves at Waikiki Beach

New Zealand is known for friendly people and beautiful scenery. Upon arrival to the domestic terminal, a woman made a point to compliment Big Brother on how well he pushed the luggage trolley along the narrow and tippy path. On the plane, one man asked if we were going to visit the McBriens in Timaru, another cheerfully predicted that after a few years here we won’t have an accent anymore, and the flight attendant offered for Little Brother to pass out the candies at the end of the flight.

Landing in Queenstown ensured that we would witness the natural beauty of New Zealand. Dad cannot stop marveling at the “remarkable” snow-dusted mountains towering over town. We explored the old mining town of Arrowtown, bought the world’s most expensive ice cream cones ($29 NZD for 2 waffle cones!), and rode a 110 year old steamer ship to Walter Peak Farm for the most delicious buffet meal we’ve ever had. We love living where others vacation, as we don’t regret not making the drive to Glenorchy on this trip because we’ll be back.

Unsurprisingly, Little Brother is settling right into the kiwi lifestyle. On Day 1 he was barefoot along a rocky river. He loves going for after dinner walks, regardless of whether it’s raining or not. And he already offered to throw away a piece of garbage into the “rubbish bin.”

Throwing stones in the Arrow River

Today we leave the chaos of a tourist town and the hazards of selfie culture for 2 nights in a rural Airbnb at Lake Ohau. If the skies are clear, it will be a great location for star gazing. Hopefully we will have time to visit Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park or Tekapo Hot Springs. But if not, we’ll be back. Because we live here.