Nearly three weeks in

So, we've been here nearly three weeks now and what has happened?

As you know, we've got some short-term digs that will keep us going until our container arrives and we've moved in. It's certainly not palatial and reminds us of either living in uni halls of residence or in RAF accommodation! Still, it's cheap and central. Figuring out where to put everything was a challenge!

We've got our IRD numbers - like our Social Security or National Insurance numbers - so that we get taxed correctly.

Annalie has received her first pay check. NZ is very similar to the USA in that you get paid every two weeks, although it's the 15th of the month and last day in the US. It does make for easier budgeting though.

Ian has also found a job. It's not ideal but it's getting him started. He's going to be driving for a scaffolding firm out in Lower Hutt. He starts as soon as he gets his licence. Now, we can drive recreationally on our UK or US licences for a year. But for work, Ian has to get a NZ licence.

The great thing is that, unlike the US, we can automatically convert all categories of our UK licences. The only difference is that Ian must take a theory test and have a medical in order to have his truck licences transferred. It is easier said than done though as some of the NZ road rules are a bit stupid. Check out the right hand turn rule - although the government have finally agreed to change this. Although they've decided to wait until AFTER the huge influx of tourists that will come to NZ next year for the Rugby World Cup!

We've also been looking at transportation options. Being so central, we don't have parking available, certainly not free anyway. So there's no point in getting a car. But Ian was never going to end up with a job in the CBD so we had to think of options to enable him to get around. At this stage it looks like a bike is the best bet, so we've been taking a look at some with a view to it being a "hand me down" to Annalie a bit later in the day.

We've also experienced our first earthquake. Well, Annalie has because Ian didn't feel it! It was a 6.4 quake around 60kms north of White Island, which is quite a way from Wellington, but it was pretty deep at 280kms below the surface, therefore you will feel it more and further away.

We've developed a Sunday morning routine of visiting the local farmers market on the waterfront in Wellington. All the fresh and in season fruit and veg at a fraction of the supermarket prices. I wish I knew what it all was and how to use it!

A nice surprise last weekend was a fishing boat selling fresh fish straight out of the sea. The great thing is you pick your fish, pay by weight and it gets filletted and gutted for you there and then. The best way to buy fish. Annalie is just a bit disappointed that Ian doesn't eat it as there's no point buying for one!

We've also been grabbing a few bargains lately. Annalie had the Entertainment Book recommended to her. It cost $66 in total but has hundreds of vouchers in it for various restaurants and activities in and around Wellington, so we'll be saving plenty. We've already used it for a free main at Wagamama and a free coffee, so we've saved around $24 already and we've only had the book a day. We have until June 2011 to make the most of it. I think we'll do that!

There's also loads of websites, such as Grab One, Groupy and 1-Day Deals to get some great bargains. We've already had $6 hot dogs for $2, a $10 coffee voucher for $4, a $95 facial for $35 (that was for Annalie of course!) and we've been tempted by others.

One thing stopping us is the NZ bank card system. With your current account, you get an EFTPOS card. It works just like a debit card in that the money comes straight from your account. The difference is that you can only use it in person so you can't buy things on the web with it. To do that you need a Visa debit card, which is more what we're familiar with, or a credit card. So why haven't we sorted out such cards? They all have service fees attached - unlike the UK or US. So it's one of those things that we've put off but will no doubt have to get soon and bite the bullet.

It's the small things that get you sometimes!