KiaOra!

Kia Ora everyone!:)

It’s good to finally have my feet back in Malaysia. Most probably they will be planted right here for the next 6 years (or less, who knows?:))

Alrighty, so for the past 15 days I was in New Zealand; land of the Lord of the Rings, country of kiwis and well, lots more. This four-season country is divided into two: the North and South Island. During our stay, it was pre-winter; most of the trees were autumn colours though some have already ‘shed’ all their leaves. The temperature ranged between 8 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius while we were there. Perfect weather conditions I’d love to live in!:)

We had a unique stay in New Zealand. We didn’t stay in a hotel or apartment like we usually do on holidays. This time, my dad took the challenge of driving a campervan from Auckland (main city of New Zealand) to Christchurch (where we took a plane back to Auckland and back to Malaysia). The plan was to drive to certain ‘states’(?) and stay overnight at a campervan site from Auckland to Christchurch with, of course, various activities along the way.

Now, this campervan is really a mighty mega machine. It isn’t easily readily available all around the world because there are facilities and equipments needed to make it work. Our 6 berth campervan was complete with:

-3 beds (2 of which can be transformed to ’dining areas’)

-a toilet (which has a shower place, sink, flush)

-compartments (for clothings and food storage)

-a stove for cooking

-a fridge, a microwave

-cutlery, blankets, pillows etc

- a TV and CD Player

It’s like driving a bus, I would say. The size is in between and school van and a school bus. It is manual. My dad hasn’t driven a manual in decades. So it took a couple of days to get used to. In Auckland, there are some very steep roads (the World’s Steepest Street is in Dundedin) so sometimes the campervan would roll backwards a bit when we stop at a traffic light. However, soon enough my dad got used to itJ

If anytime we need to use electricity, a plug would have to be connected to the campervan at a campervan site. Or when we need to fill it up with water, the campervan hose needs to be joined to a water pump.

Yes, I am advertising New Zealand’s Campervans because they are something you would not regret.

FOOD

We bought a mini rice cooker from malaysia and well, ate rice and lauk that my mom cooks everyday. Thrice we visited other malaysians there so we got really nice. Hmmm. Now that I think about it, it's kinda funny that we didn't taste and New Zealand cuisine or delicacies. Lol. Breakfast sometimes consists of Pancakes, or parata or cereal or bread:) Lunch is usually rice and so is dinner. Snacks in betweens are usually fruits. I acquired a new favourite sandwich: Peanut Butter Jam:D

The water is so clean that we can drink from the tap. Though this does not apply for all places:P

FACILITIES

The facilities we use are usually at the campervan sites. The toilets are super clean! They are like from a six star hotel toilet, complete with hair dryer, hot water etc. It is particularly clean because the people who use the toilets clean after themselves; once my mom saw this lady who was mopping the floor and she realized that actually she wasn't a cleaning lady but just someone who just made a mess because her shoes left muddy marks on the floor. Some toilet places have a heat sensor and the lights come on when you come in. As part of water conservation, some toilets also have a time limit to how long you can shower. The longest was 9 minutes and the shortest being 6 minutes. Though it was still quite okay because when you're in a cold country, you can't stand being in the water for too long even if it is hot water.

There's also a lounge or a common room where there are books and a tv usually. Also, there's a laundrette and a kitchen where you can cook:)

Usually there's a playground where we can play and they have really unique play things. Ahahaha. Sometimes I feel like a kid again being on the swings.

I love being in New Zealand and "hinted" to my parents that I would like to study here (the Malay students in University of Otago are all medic students!:D). My mom said that she doesn't mind that I marry a Muslim Kiwi ( a term for New Zealanders; the people. not the fruit or the animal) and stay there. Then she can have an excuse to go to NZ again. She says I have her blessings. Lol. Siraj suggests why not just marry a Muslim Malay and move there. There's an idea:P

But living in New Zealand is an option I want to consider for my future:D