April 10, 2010

New Zealand observations

They offer two types of milk: trim and regular
If you are flying domestic there is no security. It is wonderful. I forgot how easy flying can be. You check yourself in, print your luggage tags, place your bags on the conveyer and walk in. 5 minutes, tops. 
Native New Zealanders really are called kiwis. 
April 10th was the first day in three months that Dolphin EcoTours did not find dolphins to swim with. At least we had a nice 5 hour boat ride...
New Zealand is the most "green" country I have ever visited. 
I can count on one hand (and I've been counting) the number of fat people I've seen. Haven't seen one obese person yet. Must be all that trim milk. 
The airport in Picton is a house. The living room is converted into a check-in area. The landing strip runs parallel to their driveway/road.  No checking ID, just take off when all 12 passengers are there. And feel free to use your cell phone.  
The people, as a whole, are incredibly friendly and laid back. Kiwi hospitality. Love it.  
Wellington feels like a cross between San Francisco and Seattle.

We are having a great time so far. We are headed to Queenstown today, where we will meet up with our friend Justin.

Cheers!
   

4 comments:

packermom said...

That is definitely my kind of flying! Thanks for the update.......can you asks the Kiwis how they stay so slim?

alisha said...

I'm so sorry you didn't get to swim with the dolphins, but I'm glad you're having a good time.

Amelia Hohl said...

Thanks for the update! I hope you do one every day since I won't be able to call Justin while he's there. It'd be nice to hear what he's been up to. Oh, and he didn't bring the camera so I would love any good photos you take of him or the countryside when you get around to it. Have fun without me:( I wish I could have made it.

Jane Anne said...

Didn't know you were gone! Hope you have fun....as a side note, I was talking to my mother the other day and telling her something about Ella "Packer" all this time she didn't realiz your last name was Packer. That is my mom's maiden name and we figured that I am actually related to Ella....ha ha...I guess Ryan too.

President Packer always called my mom "cuz" It's pretty distant though.