We got here... we made it...
Mar 29th 2007, 7:52 pm
#1
Dragging 4 kids with us..
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Wellington
Posts: 73
We got here... we made it...
So, Jules, Danny and the herd got here and what have we learnt? Apparantly, as well as it being too orangey for crows, Kia Ora is a Māori language greeting which literally means "be well/healthy" and is used as hello. Yes, yes, of course we knew that, and it's an old joke, but I haven't used it yet so thought I'd get it in at least once.
So folks, we've arrived (hurrah), we're on-line (hurrah), we've been exploring (hurrah) and I start work on Monday (booo!!). Obviously we're a little screwed up with UK/Kiwi time but things have setlled pretty well.
Got off the plane in Auckland and the very first Kiwi I spoke to... the very very very first person was none other Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa!!! How's that for an introduction to New Zealand?
Was met in Wellington by folks from my work. They had arranged a big taxi and a trailer for our luggage. Drove us to our apartments and inside we were greeted by a well stocked fridge, some stuff for the kids, some flowers for the Jules, a hire car in the parking bay and a mobile phone to make all those "we've landed safely calls". They then buggered off and said "see you next week" to allow us some space and to try and catch up with our time zone. A good welcome doesn't half help.
We're in a serviced apartment on The Terrace, so it's nice and central, and with Wellington being very compact, it's a short walk down to Lambton Quay and the harbour (and a steep walk back).
It's not very busy at all considering it's the capital and I am amazed by how few people there are. Like i said though, it is very hilly and the idea of using the hotel lifts to get down to the quay is a bit strange - but obviously wonderfully useful. The stairs would kill me, especially controlling the herd.
So yesterday we opened bank accounts etc. Nice and easy compared to the UK. Walk in, show some ID and out you walk with your account opened and working bank cards in your hand straight away. However, they have bank charges for EVERYTHING... even depositing money in a branch!
Also went down to the harbour. Really cool place, some nice bars and watching foolish energetic people rollerblade, cycle and jog past. Spend the afternoon in Mac's Brewery - eating, drinking and watching the world go by. My kids ran around enjoying the space and watched a group of other kids jump into the harbour from a great height.
Anyway, today we're off to see the schools for the kids, although they won't be starting until 23rd April, as Easter hols start next week - so they will have have a nice long break before they start. Probably a good thing because they now have to wait until December for their summer holidays! We're also scheduling in some house hunting as would like to get that over and done with asap. This weekend we are meeting with folks we know in Welly and intend to get a bit drunk whilst having a barbecue if the weather holds....
We've been lucky this week. Warm, no wind and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has been wonderfully helpful. Even my new mate, Dame Kiri!!
So folks, we've arrived (hurrah), we're on-line (hurrah), we've been exploring (hurrah) and I start work on Monday (booo!!). Obviously we're a little screwed up with UK/Kiwi time but things have setlled pretty well.
Got off the plane in Auckland and the very first Kiwi I spoke to... the very very very first person was none other Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa!!! How's that for an introduction to New Zealand?
Was met in Wellington by folks from my work. They had arranged a big taxi and a trailer for our luggage. Drove us to our apartments and inside we were greeted by a well stocked fridge, some stuff for the kids, some flowers for the Jules, a hire car in the parking bay and a mobile phone to make all those "we've landed safely calls". They then buggered off and said "see you next week" to allow us some space and to try and catch up with our time zone. A good welcome doesn't half help.
We're in a serviced apartment on The Terrace, so it's nice and central, and with Wellington being very compact, it's a short walk down to Lambton Quay and the harbour (and a steep walk back).
It's not very busy at all considering it's the capital and I am amazed by how few people there are. Like i said though, it is very hilly and the idea of using the hotel lifts to get down to the quay is a bit strange - but obviously wonderfully useful. The stairs would kill me, especially controlling the herd.
So yesterday we opened bank accounts etc. Nice and easy compared to the UK. Walk in, show some ID and out you walk with your account opened and working bank cards in your hand straight away. However, they have bank charges for EVERYTHING... even depositing money in a branch!
Also went down to the harbour. Really cool place, some nice bars and watching foolish energetic people rollerblade, cycle and jog past. Spend the afternoon in Mac's Brewery - eating, drinking and watching the world go by. My kids ran around enjoying the space and watched a group of other kids jump into the harbour from a great height.
Anyway, today we're off to see the schools for the kids, although they won't be starting until 23rd April, as Easter hols start next week - so they will have have a nice long break before they start. Probably a good thing because they now have to wait until December for their summer holidays! We're also scheduling in some house hunting as would like to get that over and done with asap. This weekend we are meeting with folks we know in Welly and intend to get a bit drunk whilst having a barbecue if the weather holds....
We've been lucky this week. Warm, no wind and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has been wonderfully helpful. Even my new mate, Dame Kiri!!
Mar 29th 2007, 7:59 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Blenheim, NZ
Posts: 1,504
Re: We got here... we made it...
Welcome & good to see you are settling in. Are you all going to Raumati next weekend, it'll be a good place to meet people.
Mar 29th 2007, 8:00 pm
#3
duckfoot
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Auckland - Timaru !!
Posts: 244
Re: We got here... we made it...
So, Jules, Danny and the herd got here and what have we learnt? Apparantly, as well as it being too orangey for crows, Kia Ora is a Māori language greeting which literally means "be well/healthy" and is used as hello. Yes, yes, of course we knew that, and it's an old joke, but I haven't used it yet so thought I'd get it in at least once.
So folks, we've arrived (hurrah), we're on-line (hurrah), we've been exploring (hurrah) and I start work on Monday (booo!!). Obviously we're a little screwed up with UK/Kiwi time but things have setlled pretty well.
Got off the plane in Auckland and the very first Kiwi I spoke to... the very very very first person was none other Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa!!! How's that for an introduction to New Zealand?
Was met in Wellington by folks from my work. They had arranged a big taxi and a trailer for our luggage. Drove us to our apartments and inside we were greeted by a well stocked fridge, some stuff for the kids, some flowers for the Jules, a hire car in the parking bay and a mobile phone to make all those "we've landed safely calls". They then buggered off and said "see you next week" to allow us some space and to try and catch up with our time zone. A good welcome doesn't half help.
We're in a serviced apartment on The Terrace, so it's nice and central, and with Wellington being very compact, it's a short walk down to Lambton Quay and the harbour (and a steep walk back).
It's not very busy at all considering it's the capital and I am amazed by how few people there are. Like i said though, it is very hilly and the idea of using the hotel lifts to get down to the quay is a bit strange - but obviously wonderfully useful. The stairs would kill me, especially controlling the herd.
So yesterday we opened bank accounts etc. Nice and easy compared to the UK. Walk in, show some ID and out you walk with your account opened and working bank cards in your hand straight away. However, they have bank charges for EVERYTHING... even depositing money in a branch!
Also went down to the harbour. Really cool place, some nice bars and watching foolish energetic people rollerblade, cycle and jog past. Spend the afternoon in Mac's Brewery - eating, drinking and watching the world go by. My kids ran around enjoying the space and watched a group of other kids jump into the harbour from a great height.
Anyway, today we're off to see the schools for the kids, although they won't be starting until 23rd April, as Easter hols start next week - so they will have have a nice long break before they start. Probably a good thing because they now have to wait until December for their summer holidays! We're also scheduling in some house hunting as would like to get that over and done with asap. This weekend we are meeting with folks we know in Welly and intend to get a bit drunk whilst having a barbecue if the weather holds....
We've been lucky this week. Warm, no wind and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has been wonderfully helpful. Even my new mate, Dame Kiri!!
So folks, we've arrived (hurrah), we're on-line (hurrah), we've been exploring (hurrah) and I start work on Monday (booo!!). Obviously we're a little screwed up with UK/Kiwi time but things have setlled pretty well.
Got off the plane in Auckland and the very first Kiwi I spoke to... the very very very first person was none other Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa!!! How's that for an introduction to New Zealand?
Was met in Wellington by folks from my work. They had arranged a big taxi and a trailer for our luggage. Drove us to our apartments and inside we were greeted by a well stocked fridge, some stuff for the kids, some flowers for the Jules, a hire car in the parking bay and a mobile phone to make all those "we've landed safely calls". They then buggered off and said "see you next week" to allow us some space and to try and catch up with our time zone. A good welcome doesn't half help.
We're in a serviced apartment on The Terrace, so it's nice and central, and with Wellington being very compact, it's a short walk down to Lambton Quay and the harbour (and a steep walk back).
It's not very busy at all considering it's the capital and I am amazed by how few people there are. Like i said though, it is very hilly and the idea of using the hotel lifts to get down to the quay is a bit strange - but obviously wonderfully useful. The stairs would kill me, especially controlling the herd.
So yesterday we opened bank accounts etc. Nice and easy compared to the UK. Walk in, show some ID and out you walk with your account opened and working bank cards in your hand straight away. However, they have bank charges for EVERYTHING... even depositing money in a branch!
Also went down to the harbour. Really cool place, some nice bars and watching foolish energetic people rollerblade, cycle and jog past. Spend the afternoon in Mac's Brewery - eating, drinking and watching the world go by. My kids ran around enjoying the space and watched a group of other kids jump into the harbour from a great height.
Anyway, today we're off to see the schools for the kids, although they won't be starting until 23rd April, as Easter hols start next week - so they will have have a nice long break before they start. Probably a good thing because they now have to wait until December for their summer holidays! We're also scheduling in some house hunting as would like to get that over and done with asap. This weekend we are meeting with folks we know in Welly and intend to get a bit drunk whilst having a barbecue if the weather holds....
We've been lucky this week. Warm, no wind and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has been wonderfully helpful. Even my new mate, Dame Kiri!!
Mar 29th 2007, 8:04 pm
#4
Banned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,467
Re: We got here... we made it...
What a lovely 'we have arrived' post 
Mar 29th 2007, 8:09 pm
#5
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,763
Re: We got here... we made it...
Wonderful news J&D & brood!! Hopefully can meet you when we're in Welly soon? 
Mar 29th 2007, 8:16 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2006
Location: Auckland
Posts: 1,631
Re: We got here... we made it...
So, Jules, Danny and the herd got here and what have we learnt? Apparantly, as well as it being too orangey for crows, Kia Ora is a Māori language greeting which literally means "be well/healthy" and is used as hello. Yes, yes, of course we knew that, and it's an old joke, but I haven't used it yet so thought I'd get it in at least once.
So folks, we've arrived (hurrah), we're on-line (hurrah), we've been exploring (hurrah) and I start work on Monday (booo!!). Obviously we're a little screwed up with UK/Kiwi time but things have setlled pretty well.
Got off the plane in Auckland and the very first Kiwi I spoke to... the very very very first person was none other Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa!!! How's that for an introduction to New Zealand?
Was met in Wellington by folks from my work. They had arranged a big taxi and a trailer for our luggage. Drove us to our apartments and inside we were greeted by a well stocked fridge, some stuff for the kids, some flowers for the Jules, a hire car in the parking bay and a mobile phone to make all those "we've landed safely calls". They then buggered off and said "see you next week" to allow us some space and to try and catch up with our time zone. A good welcome doesn't half help.
We're in a serviced apartment on The Terrace, so it's nice and central, and with Wellington being very compact, it's a short walk down to Lambton Quay and the harbour (and a steep walk back).
It's not very busy at all considering it's the capital and I am amazed by how few people there are. Like i said though, it is very hilly and the idea of using the hotel lifts to get down to the quay is a bit strange - but obviously wonderfully useful. The stairs would kill me, especially controlling the herd.
So yesterday we opened bank accounts etc. Nice and easy compared to the UK. Walk in, show some ID and out you walk with your account opened and working bank cards in your hand straight away. However, they have bank charges for EVERYTHING... even depositing money in a branch!
Also went down to the harbour. Really cool place, some nice bars and watching foolish energetic people rollerblade, cycle and jog past. Spend the afternoon in Mac's Brewery - eating, drinking and watching the world go by. My kids ran around enjoying the space and watched a group of other kids jump into the harbour from a great height.
Anyway, today we're off to see the schools for the kids, although they won't be starting until 23rd April, as Easter hols start next week - so they will have have a nice long break before they start. Probably a good thing because they now have to wait until December for their summer holidays! We're also scheduling in some house hunting as would like to get that over and done with asap. This weekend we are meeting with folks we know in Welly and intend to get a bit drunk whilst having a barbecue if the weather holds....
We've been lucky this week. Warm, no wind and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has been wonderfully helpful. Even my new mate, Dame Kiri!!
So folks, we've arrived (hurrah), we're on-line (hurrah), we've been exploring (hurrah) and I start work on Monday (booo!!). Obviously we're a little screwed up with UK/Kiwi time but things have setlled pretty well.
Got off the plane in Auckland and the very first Kiwi I spoke to... the very very very first person was none other Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa!!! How's that for an introduction to New Zealand?
Was met in Wellington by folks from my work. They had arranged a big taxi and a trailer for our luggage. Drove us to our apartments and inside we were greeted by a well stocked fridge, some stuff for the kids, some flowers for the Jules, a hire car in the parking bay and a mobile phone to make all those "we've landed safely calls". They then buggered off and said "see you next week" to allow us some space and to try and catch up with our time zone. A good welcome doesn't half help.
We're in a serviced apartment on The Terrace, so it's nice and central, and with Wellington being very compact, it's a short walk down to Lambton Quay and the harbour (and a steep walk back).
It's not very busy at all considering it's the capital and I am amazed by how few people there are. Like i said though, it is very hilly and the idea of using the hotel lifts to get down to the quay is a bit strange - but obviously wonderfully useful. The stairs would kill me, especially controlling the herd.
So yesterday we opened bank accounts etc. Nice and easy compared to the UK. Walk in, show some ID and out you walk with your account opened and working bank cards in your hand straight away. However, they have bank charges for EVERYTHING... even depositing money in a branch!
Also went down to the harbour. Really cool place, some nice bars and watching foolish energetic people rollerblade, cycle and jog past. Spend the afternoon in Mac's Brewery - eating, drinking and watching the world go by. My kids ran around enjoying the space and watched a group of other kids jump into the harbour from a great height.
Anyway, today we're off to see the schools for the kids, although they won't be starting until 23rd April, as Easter hols start next week - so they will have have a nice long break before they start. Probably a good thing because they now have to wait until December for their summer holidays! We're also scheduling in some house hunting as would like to get that over and done with asap. This weekend we are meeting with folks we know in Welly and intend to get a bit drunk whilst having a barbecue if the weather holds....
We've been lucky this week. Warm, no wind and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has been wonderfully helpful. Even my new mate, Dame Kiri!!
all sounds good so far
Dawn
Mar 29th 2007, 8:16 pm
#7
NZ ways is best ways :0)
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Posts: 1,109
Re: We got here... we made it...
When you said you'd made it - you certainly weren't messing about! 
Sounds ideal - getting visited at the airport (I can't believe they laid on Dame Kiri aswell!!! Are you royalty?! 
) , stocked fridge and all that - sounds fantastic.
So pleased that you're made that big step - good luck for the settling down period, and most of all, enjoy!
Good luck to you all,
Wiz
Sounds ideal - getting visited at the airport (I can't believe they laid on Dame Kiri aswell!!! Are you royalty?! ) , stocked fridge and all that - sounds fantastic.So pleased that you're made that big step - good luck for the settling down period, and most of all, enjoy!
Good luck to you all,
Wiz
Mar 30th 2007, 6:00 am
#8
Dragging 4 kids with us..
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Wellington
Posts: 73
Re: We got here... we made it...
The weather today has been fantastic. We took the kids to visit their new school, we then went to Te Papa museum and after that spent the afternoon down on the beach at Oriental Bay. The kids had a ball swimming in the sea.
As I lay there soaking up some sun, knowing full well that sooner or later the New Zealand Wellington weather will come and surprise me, I couldn't help but slap myself on the back for taking the plunge and bringing the family over.
Day 3 here and we're still delighted!!! Haven't turned back yet...!
As I lay there soaking up some sun, knowing full well that sooner or later the New Zealand Wellington weather will come and surprise me, I couldn't help but slap myself on the back for taking the plunge and bringing the family over.
Day 3 here and we're still delighted!!! Haven't turned back yet...!
Mar 30th 2007, 6:23 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,467
Re: We got here... we made it...
The weather today has been fantastic. We took the kids to visit their new school, we then went to Te Papa museum and after that spent the afternoon down on the beach at Oriental Bay. The kids had a ball swimming in the sea.
As I lay there soaking up some sun, knowing full well that sooner or later the New Zealand Wellington weather will come and surprise me, I couldn't help but slap myself on the back for taking the plunge and bringing the family over.
Day 3 here and we're still delighted!!! Haven't turned back yet...!
As I lay there soaking up some sun, knowing full well that sooner or later the New Zealand Wellington weather will come and surprise me, I couldn't help but slap myself on the back for taking the plunge and bringing the family over.
Day 3 here and we're still delighted!!! Haven't turned back yet...!
Mar 30th 2007, 8:49 am
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Porirua,NZ
Posts: 3,275
Re: We got here... we made it...
Welcome,welcome,welcome chief!! Must've driven past you-I was out seeing patients with a district nurse just round the corner. Jeeeez it was hot.Speaking of which-anyone up North need to borrow a towel?
Mar 30th 2007, 9:34 am
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: waikanae
Posts: 4,148
Re: We got here... we made it...
glad you're loving it , long may it continuexx
Mar 30th 2007, 5:04 pm
#12
Dragging 4 kids with us..
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Wellington
Posts: 73
Re: We got here... we made it...
Incidentally, one thing I meant to mention was... Heathrow T3 is absolutely crap!
I have never flown from there before, mostly T1 and T4 through work, but T3 is like your worst nightmare.
Loud, Bright, Noisy. People are rude, frustrated and it's waaay to warm around the check in desks. Don't worry about trying to keep control of your kids, because no one else does, and hey.. if they happend to be stood in the way of someone with a trolley, never mind, they'll just have to deal with being run over rather than being politely asked to move aside.
If you want some advice about the best way to kick off your journey to NZ of flying from T3.... the advice is spend as little time there as possible. Get your seats allocated before check in and then find out the last possible time you need to be there... that's what you should aim for.
Alternatively, shell out for business class. The ability to use the lounges at Heathrow and Hong Kong (although Hong Kong is a lovely spacious airport) would make the start of your journey calm and enjoyable - and no fighting for seats or difficulty in getting food and drinks for the family. Also - being able to have a bed on your near-24 hours of flying could certainly make a difference... I know, I know... the cost, but I tell you - those folks in T3 - I'd have paid good money to have been set apart from them.
I have never flown from there before, mostly T1 and T4 through work, but T3 is like your worst nightmare.
Loud, Bright, Noisy. People are rude, frustrated and it's waaay to warm around the check in desks. Don't worry about trying to keep control of your kids, because no one else does, and hey.. if they happend to be stood in the way of someone with a trolley, never mind, they'll just have to deal with being run over rather than being politely asked to move aside.
If you want some advice about the best way to kick off your journey to NZ of flying from T3.... the advice is spend as little time there as possible. Get your seats allocated before check in and then find out the last possible time you need to be there... that's what you should aim for.
Alternatively, shell out for business class. The ability to use the lounges at Heathrow and Hong Kong (although Hong Kong is a lovely spacious airport) would make the start of your journey calm and enjoyable - and no fighting for seats or difficulty in getting food and drinks for the family. Also - being able to have a bed on your near-24 hours of flying could certainly make a difference... I know, I know... the cost, but I tell you - those folks in T3 - I'd have paid good money to have been set apart from them.
Mar 31st 2007, 12:02 am
#13
Happy in Wellington
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Tawa, Wellington, Aotearoa
Posts: 2,286
Re: We got here... we made it...
Dame Kiri? How cool is that?
Glad you're settling in already and getting into the Welligton pace of things
You're all welcome to come to ours for the April 7th meetup version 2.0
I'll PM you the address.
Glad you're settling in already and getting into the Welligton pace of things
You're all welcome to come to ours for the April 7th meetup version 2.0
I'll PM you the address.
Mar 31st 2007, 7:04 am
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1
Terrace Appartments
Hi Next week we're coming out for our reccy visit and OH new company are putting us and brood of 3 ( 12,6,18mth) up in the Terrace Villa appartments. I just wandered what they are like. It sounds like your having a great time a bit further down the line than us. OH has a job starting Sept just put in EOI with plans to do ITA when we return. Already collecting all info madly.
Mar 31st 2007, 8:23 am
#15
Dragging 4 kids with us..
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Wellington
Posts: 73
Re: Terrace Appartments
Hi Next week we're coming out for our reccy visit and OH new company are putting us and brood of 3 ( 12,6,18mth) up in the Terrace Villa appartments. I just wandered what they are like. It sounds like your having a great time a bit further down the line than us. OH has a job starting Sept just put in EOI with plans to do ITA when we return. Already collecting all info madly.
They're OK, nothing fantastic, but better than a hotel and centrally located. Let me know if you have time and want to meet up... perhaps the kids could entertain each other.