First the obvious...in Minnesota, I'd be wrapped in sweaters and jeans, yet November is springtime here and, though wet and windy, the flowers and shrubs are in bloom. My walks in the neighborhoods surrounding the marina have me snapping pictures of unfamiliar plants that I want to identify - enjoying colors and shapes new to me and finding delight in gigantic geranium bushes and the mix of succulents and palms. The air is full of bird song and the squawk of gulls.
New Zealand hillsides are the definition of verdant, peppered with herds of cows and sheep - perhaps like what I imagine Ireland to be. The hills seem to be a rugged spine, sloping to the ocean, and the coastline of the North Island sports one cove after another, picturesque and inviting, with trawlers and sailing vessels anchored here and there. The waters are beautifully blue/green and clear and villages a mix of old and new. It's easy to be enamored of it all.
I am growing accustomed to many accents, beginning to discern the Kiwi from the Aussie from the Brit plus the surprise of French, German, Italian and the native Maori. As we plan to voyage to French Polynesia, I'm thinking seriously of how I will communicate once there, so I'm downloading apps and using Google translates to begin my language education. Is my brain still agile enough to learn French? Rosetta Stone, please work your magic.
Kiwi's are a friendly bunch. I have encountered many in shops and groceries who are quite helpful, to the point of volunteering where else to go to find the products I want. Fun grocery fact - did you know that turnips are called 'swedes' here? And, green peppers, capsicums? And don't look for a grocery cart - there are only trolleys here.
An employee in the marina, who is French, helped us locate authentic French bakeries, cheese and wine shops in Auckland. Walt, my favorite 'foodie', was in his glory, and I benefited from his good taste and experience.
We've also discovered an excellent Israeli cafe, The Fat Camel. Located "in town" [Whangarei, the closest city roughly 30 minutes from the marina], its retail neighbor happens to be Bocky Boo Gelato Cafe...yumm! So many flavors, so little time.
I have been on a bit of a mission to try the fish 'n chips offered on lots of local menus, and so far, the marina restaurant plates the best. Sampling local beers on tap has also been a fun part of our food adventure. And, I've discovered you can find Indian, Thai and Korean food in storefront restaurants throughout Whangerei 's city centre.
Although it appears that New Zealand grass-fed beef is gaining popularity, seafood, chicken and lamb are plentiful and have become standards for meals we cook aboard Wanderlust. Choices, choices, choices! Eating well as you can tell; haven't experienced a bad meal yet.
What still feels a bit weird are opposite lanes and traffic patterns - thank you to the Brits. It's odd to be the passenger sitting in what Americans would call the driver's seat, turning right across lanes and 'round-abouting' in a counterclockwise manner. Strange how counter-intuitive it seems to me and how automatic for Kiwis. Another point of adaptation.