We arrived in New Zealand 0600 one year ago

**portokiwi** · 21st November 2008, 07:32

Its amazing, We flew into Auckland at 0600 excatly one year ago.
The weather was excatly the same as it is today. Blue sky, warm and not a cloud in the sky. It was the perfect sight that greated Gabriella.
We had managed to book accomadation for 2 days in advance close to my work.
We were compleatly lost in Auckland, Didnt know anyone. Spent the first day trying to open bank accounts, trying to find a house to rent, (which is very hard if you havent lived in New Zealand for a few years and land loards want referances from your previous landloard) and you were working in a war zone

Gabby owned her own flat in Portugal so that didnt help either

We found the place we are in now but could not move in for a week. We stayed in this 1 bedroom apartment which was no bigger then most sitting rooms, Which wasnt too bad apart from the fact that Gabby is cousterphobic and there was 3 of us, (son). Right in the middle of town till the house was ready lol wasnt to bad nice view of massage parlor accross the road

We cought a bus untill we saw a car yard (otahuhu) where we brought and still have our cage. Cought another bus and ended up at Silvia Park. Got lost trying to find our way back to our accomadation ended up catching a very expensive taxi home.

That was our very first day in Auckland one year ago today. No regreats at all.
Now a year later We still dont know many people

It seems so strange how fast the year went. Thank you Kiwi Biker you have life back in NZ a little more easy. Meet so many nice people on here.

**Mom** · 21st November 2008, 07:33

Awww shucks...congratulations on your first NZ anniversary! Will celebrate in fine style this weekend for sure

**scracha** · 21st November 2008, 07:56

It's like playstation time over here mate....it just seems to fly past.

For all it's wee niggly problems, it's a better place to be.....I can't see me ever going back

**slimjim** · 21st November 2008, 08:41

"Have a great "Day"...

**Headbanger** · 21st November 2008, 09:46

Reminds me of when I rolled into Sydney a decade ago.

Within a couple of hours I had hooked up with the lads from Wanganui and we were boozing hard, a couple of hours later we went on a mission for more booze, that ended with the car getting launched into the air over a traffic island and then an immediate stop upon contact with a concrete block wall.

The lads then split and I ended up walking the streets of Sydney all night, Utterly lost,boozed,pissing down with rain, and with no idea where I even lived.......Ended up getting in a Taxi as dawn broke and doing a grid search while I looked for landmarks, took a good couple of hours before we passed the house I had left the night before.

ok, Thats nothing like your first day in Auckland.......

**alanzs** · 21st November 2008, 12:45

Just had the 4th anniversary of arriving here a few weeks back. The longer I am here, the more I fall in love with this great place. Oh yeah, KB is part of the love...

**portokiwi** · 21st November 2008, 12:52

Thanks guys and ladies.... Thats why we are having the BBQ..... KIWI Tradition. If we can get it to rain it will be a south Island BBQ.
KB has realy helped us meet people... Lol Gabby has missed the female friendship I think that has been the hardest part having all her friends and family on the other side of the world.
She realy opened up at the last party lol even if it was looking at Carvers butt

.
Looking forward to seeing you all here.

**Hemex** · 21st November 2008, 13:51

Originally Posted by portokiwi

Looking forward to seeing you all here.

Open to Off Roaders too?!?!

You'll end up with around a 100 new friends!

**CookMySock** · 21st November 2008, 14:07

As a fourth generation kiwi, I'd like to say a belated "welcome to NZ".

It's quite satisfying for me, to watch families come to NZ to live, just for the reason "they like the place and the people." It must be quite difficult to up-roots from "home" and make a new home elsewhere on the planet.

A very small number of kiwis do feel strongly about being "invaded" but I do not - I think its a great thing. The only time it is a problem is when the settlers bring some bad lifestyle with them, rather than adopting our fun lifestyle.

DO enjoy your BBQ.. No doubt a few beers and play some music! Have a nice evening, and another great year!

Steve

**Hemex** · 21st November 2008, 14:17

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

It's quite satisfying for me, to watch families come to NZ to live, just for the reason "they like the place and the people." It must be quite difficult to up-roots from "home" and make a new home elsewhere on the planet.

A very small number of kiwis do feel strongly about being "invaded" but I do not - I think its a great thing. The only time it is a problem is when the settlers bring some bad lifestyle with them, rather than adopting our fun lifestyle.

Steve

SO true!! Follow the principle... When in Rome, do what the Romans do..Alhtough without forgetting your roots! All would be sweet... I moved here around 2.5 years ago and I love it!! Im never going back!!

Its sad when I see my country folk come here and expect to find what they've left behind, grumble about the place and live with no respect for the life followed here...saddens and upsets me..
Brilliant people and an Awesome country!

Anyway I'm going

...

**wbks** · 21st November 2008, 14:56

Where are you from, mxheman?

**Hemex** · 21st November 2008, 15:15

Originally Posted by wbks

Where are you from, mxheman?

From a galaxy far far away..

My real name is Luke Skywalker..

from a colorful land called.. India

**wbks** · 21st November 2008, 15:24

I wish you many good travels in our humble land, perhaps you may send good word to this extra-galactical world you call "India"

**Hemex** · 21st November 2008, 15:33

Thanks wbks... Been to Oz... S.E. Asia... and even back to India for a holiday... But to be honest this place has so much to offer and I wouldnt want to move anywhere! Super place!!
India's busy fighting pirates of near Somalia...the Dath Vaders et al..