Kiwi Culture

Just wanted to remember some things about New Zealand for myself, so don't read this if you're not interested in the people kinda stuff. Or you don't want to be bored to death by my rammbing nature....

Soooo....NZ has been the best introduction to traveling I could possibly imagine. It's safe, ridiculously friendly, fun, easy to travel around, the culture is rich and full and the lifestyle laid back. I have never seen scenery like it...every turn is like something out of a film...well most of it is and quite right too!

These people are hilarious. I know I say that a lot about people and maybe I'm just finding the amusement in life but...they do like to take themselves less than seriously. This is so healthy...you can't get away with anything without someone taking the mick and what better way to be?!! The children are strong and confident..these's no way I'd chat to adults, especially strange one's about this and that like it was one of my mates at the age of 12 odd.

When you walk down the street here people will ask you how you are...not just a nod of the head or a "hi". Even in the tourist areas the treatment is the same. They're not an arrogant people, there's no litter, no fag buts (not even any of mine!), they're environmentally conscious and have a respect for their country.

Did you know that on a Saturday afternoon all the shops close down because everyone is out playing or watching sport? Dad, you'd love it...Rugby over shopping!!!

But the thing that made me smile the most was that they are so proud of what they have they describe everything with an "...est". Big deal I hear you cry! But I mean everything! e.g. "This is the thinEST lake in NZ..." "What?", "Yes, and this is the roundEST mountain in the area." ,"The largEST collection of magnolia trees in the park" And this is where you would find me bursting into laughter as the tour guide tells me ernESTly about the bEST place I've been so far!