A CANADIAN’S FIRST VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND
Having spent five wonderful months travelling throughout New Zealand, I wanted to share some of my impressions. Little things that are so charming:
***A most amazing fact you may not have heard of: every resident AND visitor to New Zealand is covered for Accident Compensation Coverage (ACC). All your medical care, including emergency transportation and dental, is FREE if resulting from ANY accident. Even a dog bite! No suing allowed; it’s all “No-Fault”. However, you still need your own travel insurance to be covered for illnesses.
***The roads are in good shape but the speed limit is TOO generous. There is no safe way to drive 100km/h on steep and narrow windy roads. Sadly, New Zealand has a very high rate of road fatalities. Many roadways have NO shoulder. Quaintly, you will encounter numerous of one-lane bridges. Fortunately, NZ provides you with ACC!
***New Zealanders love their round-about (circles at road intersections). You will find very few stop lights. When you get the hang of it, you will love them, as they help with the flow of traffic. They save time and fuel consumption.
***If you travel by air, you will find FREE clean showers in ALL airports. If you travel by car, there are FREE very clean bathrooms throughout the country, with safe pull outs.
***The National Parks are FREE, including parking. In addition, you can find public access to all the beaches with ample free day parking. Dogs are allowed to run off leash on the beach and in many neighborhood parks.
***Although dogs are not allowed in protected areas such as National Parks, New Zealand provides them with beautiful Dog Parks. Some, complete with rivers, lakes, agility courses, and all are securely fenced.
***Dogs also have their own DOG WASH station; usually adjacent to the Car Wash. Everything is clean and secure. For a very reasonable fee, you turn a knob to pick the services you want: wash, shampoo, rinse, conditioner, dryer, etc… Both dogs and their owners love it!
***Still on the subject of dogs, the larger shopping areas provide a DOG PARKING station. You will find, adjacent to the store entrance, a shaded roofed area with clips to secure your dog. Fresh water, and chew toys are provided. This is SO Kiwi!
***New Zealand is a bicycle friendly country. I saw free repair stations in busy areas like beach roads and parks. Here you can suspend your bike to work on it. All essential tools are provided, even free air.
***The police officers are mostly UN-ARMED. It is a civilized peaceful country. You can feel it.
***The city public areas, like boardwalks, cafes and restaurants, have FREE areas where all are welcome to take a break. You may opt to sun-bathe on comfy lawn chairs provided. You are invited to eat your own bagged-lunch at a picnic table in front of a restaurant. You can pull a book off the shelf and find a bean bag to relax on, in the town square.
***New Zealand had the most HIGH-VIZ vests I have ever encountered. It is high fashion for all public and private workers, cyclists, etc. Even if you are working in your own yard, you better slip one on!
***In several towns, it is common for residents of ALL ages to walk around BAREFOOTED. Even the work place some employees adopt this custom.
*** Single use plastic is being replaced with items such as: wood silverware, reusable mesh bags, etc.. You can even bring your own reusable containers to the deli counter for your purchase. New Zealand is a very clean country, I rarely noticed roadside litter.
***AND BEST OF ALL, I LOVE their REAL FRUIT Ice Cream. You choose your fruit and they blend it with creamy vanilla ice cream right in front of you. My favorite flavor is Mixed-Berries, in season. It is truly DELECTABLE and maybe HEALTHY too?
I LOVED MY FIVE MONTHS DISCOVERING NEW ZEALAND!
Johanne, joyful traveller