Visiting the Kiwis - May 2017 (I)

It was careful planning (kudo to my wife to get a NZ map) to map out our driving routes from Christchurch to Curio Bay (furthest) and then U-turn back to Christchurch.  We wanted to see the Southern NZ especially the scenic routes.  It was my longest driving in overseas thus far - a total of nearly 1,573 km clocked in just about 8 days. Fortunately, it was not Winter yet else a bit troublesome  to drive.  Also we travelled during non-peak period, so booking of accommodation could be "last minute".  

To prepare for the driving in NZ, good to check out some youtubes of travellers driving in NZ.  I also did the AA NZ Road Code Quiz to familiarise myself with the signs.  Based on my 8-day plus of experience in NZ, I feel that negotiating the bends up the hills need to be more careful, and always stop if tired - get a coffee for your vehicle commander (in my case, my wife who needs to be alert to be another pair of eyes and also to talk to me).   Like to share also that we dun drive on Day 1 when we reach NZ or an overseas country - relax and have sufficient rest.  

From Christchurch, we took the "Supershuttle" service to our Hotel and our car rental company is about 15 minutes slow stroll.  Wanted to go recce the company but my wife said we could do the walking there tom to pick up the car anyway. 

I like road trip after the okinawa experience.  I like driving in NZ.  The landscape can change along the way from forested area to seas and then  to mountain/hill. The car company is APEX - initially I booked usual Toyota Corolla Sedan car but they gave us a 1.8 Hatch instead. Was offered Camry but decided to take a smaller cc as I was not used to bigger car.  The condition of the car was good though and it came with GPS set.  One thing to note is that some GPS sets may not be updated with latest maps and this was probably the reason why we ended in "off-the-beaten" tracks [Will share in subsequent blog].

Unlike Okinawa where the driving speed is 40km/hr.  Driving in NZ is similar to that in SGP.  Heard from my friends that there are many speed cameras and one of the group got a speed ticket when driving from the south to the north.  For us, safety comes first.  For a journey of 1 hour, we would factor in buffer as the daylight hours are shorter and I have the habit of stopping to see nice views or try nice food.

What I like about driving in NZ.  The routes are really scenic.  At times, we were the only car on the road.  There could be huge farms and large group of cattle or sheeps along the roads.  Very different from what we see here - buildings and narrower lanes with much traffic.  Driving can be a form of therapy too - relaxing.  I wonder if the passenger is more relaxing or the driver though.  Different stress, I guess.  One on the road, one to keep track of the direction and ensure the person behind the wheel dun lose concentration.  

It should be highlighted that there are notices in restaurants or rest areas showing the "high crash sites" and safety comes first.  Whenever I spotted one, I would remind ourselves to be alert and careful.  Dun get overly excited with the scenery.  There were also very large and heavy vehicles using the roads and these "Transformers" were really huge - another point to note.

It is kinda funny that I always will detour into small countryside cafe or into farm.  Along the road trip, I had made numerous such attempts and detours - It was a blessing that our "time" buffer really applied to us. Even the backdrop of parking was nice.  

We tried to avoid bad weather - rain or snow (APEX Office told us Winter not here yet, so no need for snow chains).  However, during one of our road trips, we met rain, snow and mist.  The sound of the snow dropping on the car was like sand or small stones hitting the roof of the car.  Thank God it was not very heavy snowing.  Weather was very unpredictable especially when we travelled up.  Need to take note of warm clothings.  

It was a good driving experience.  Safe, if you take caution and observe rules.  Fun, if you take things easy and have buffer.  Get a map to map out the journey.