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I've decided to write a bit about what I've noticed that is different in New Zealand, and what things are the norm here. In a lot of ways New Zealand is a lot like Britain, but maybe it's just because I've never been to a different country that's main language isn't English. But there we go. It's really multicultural out here, with more various races and cultures than at home, but maybe that's just me!
So I'm staying in Whangaparoa when I'm not in Birkenhead, and as I've never heard it before, I presumed that Whangaparoa is said how it sounds. EH-URHHH. Totally not true. In Maori, any word that starts with 'Wh' is said like an 'f'. So the most phonetically correct way of saying this that I can get is 'Farn-ga-pa-row-a', and it's the same with places like Whangarei (Farngarey).
In New Zealand, all official signs are written in Maori and in English, so Kia Ora is an informal version of hello, and it is often on signposts where you expect a welcome sign. Also at the library, everything like sections, toilets, exits are in both languages. Though saying this, I haven't actually heard anyone speaking it yet.
Another different thing is about the roads. The traffic lights are fairly similar, though I think are better. On the roads you can overtake in any lane, though the inside is still considered the faster lane. And everyone indicates here! It's brilliant! According to Sarah's policeman friend, they find it really easy in car chases, cus even when the police are chasing them, they always indicate, so the police know where they're going!!!
OH AND the pedestrian crossings here are ACE. I laugh everytime I cross the road, they have sounds for when to cross or not, but at the start of the green man one, it does this WHOOOOSSHH Shkashkashkashka that makes me chuckle! It sounds like a space ship!
Though the good old tons of road works everywhere is just the same as back home. They're doing it for the World Cup though I think. Which is crazy out here! They've got a big countdown clock, and everywhere is counting the days! Just makes me want to be here for it even more!
The main supermarket out here is called Countdown, which amuses me as well. I can't tell why someone would brand a supermarket Countdown, but there we go! There also appears to be a LOT of KFCs here. They're a bit obsessed! And SubWay is considered healthy. Supposedly.
But generally, everyone is really friendly, and fairly laidback. I think I've only really just realised that to the extent that anyone you ask for help will actually try to help you as much as they can! That's not the case everywhere. And especially in a big city!
Also, in shops if you buy something for say 6.99, and give them cash, maybe a 10 dollar note, then you will only get 3 dollars change. (Same for if it was 6.98) But if you paid by card it'd be 6.99. Weird that. But at least you don't have tons of coppers all the time!
So today me and Sarah and Emma went to Piha Beach which has blackish sand and a massive rock that looks like a sleeping lion! It was really pretty, and the weather today was gorgeous, which helped! THOUGH by the end of the day, I was getting annoyed at the sun! It was always on the left of my face, wherever we drove! Very annoying! But the mountains/hills/countryside on the West Shore are really beautiful, so it was a nice if not long road trip.
Yesterday we went into Auckland on the ferry from Birkenhead, which takes less than 20 minutes, and is quite cheap as well! We went to the Sky Tower which is fairly cool, but a bit expensive for just looking at a 360 view of Auckland. But still, quite fun.
And Sarah's band won Band of the Year on Sunday, which was awesome! They played really well, and put on a good show. There were only 3 bands competing, and I wanted to punch the face of the last band's compere. He was a plonker!! So yeah, think I might go back to Auckland tomorrow, have a look at the shops, go to the library, maybe the museum or art gallery. Just have a mooch around on my own really!
Those smiley face emoticons are actually freaking me out a bit, so I don't think I'll use them much again...
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