Of course COVID dominates life here as it does at home. After a week+ we can say that the approach to COVID here is similar to what we experience in Ontario, although there are differences. There seems to be much less of the constant rule changes that we see in Ontario. The most obvious example is the café/restaurante business which is pervasive (one survey says 20% of the population visit a café/restaurant/bar every day). We can’t imagine the off/on approach (dine in; don’t dine in; capacity limits) here. Some restaurants ask for proof of vaccinations (our Ontario certs are accepted), but it is not commonly done. Antigen tests are available at a fixed price (about $4) and only through pharmacias. The vast majority of people here wear masks at all times outside, but it is not uncommon to see people without (especially on Sunday). Most small stores have limited capacities posted. Schools opened last week as usual. So our day-to-day lives aren’t radically different except for the weather (much, much better!) and the language (much, much worse!). And we eat out a lot more often 🙂
Author: Knowmark Travel
NZ 2020: Wellington
Friday, 3 January 2020
Since we arrived in Wellington so early this morning, our digs won’t be ready for a while. So we have come to relax at one of our favourite places here … the wonderful @Te_Papa Museum. This work was not here last year. pic.twitter.com/bqQPUdRVSg
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 2, 2020
@kzknowles @sjwpottery pic.twitter.com/ET4xKgkcXK
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 2, 2020
Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Back in the Aro Valley (as of Monday) and enjoying a wonderful date scone at our favourite coffee shop in New Zealand … the Aro Street Café. Settled in!
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 7, 2020
Wednesday, 8 January 2020
Lovely nasturtium just outside our door here in the Aro Valley. pic.twitter.com/YTf8AYIPAH
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 8, 2020
Monday, 13 January 2020
Foxglove and a weed on the pathway from our place to the street. On our way to elevenses. pic.twitter.com/7wJFInPdqF
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 13, 2020
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Typical morning:
Walk to Aro St Café for elevenses.
New World for shopping (taking two buses starting at Café).
Back home with shopping (taking two buses starting at Courtenay Place).Time: ~90 minutes.
Distance: ~5k.
Bus: $1.28 ($1.10 CAD) each using @metlinkwgtn transfers.— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 15, 2020
Thursday, 16 January 2020
Two weeks after our first visit to @Te_Papa, they are taking down the wonderful ‘Finale: Bouquet’ (by Nike Savvas) installation. pic.twitter.com/6JprbXcNZY
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 16, 2020
Saturday, 18 January 2020
RIP @mmarkanen 1932 – 2020 #dad
— Susan Markanen (@susanjm) January 18, 2020
Monday, 20 January 2020
Forget-me-nots for Murray. https://t.co/YbLAraL7pQ pic.twitter.com/0qktgwqfRE
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) January 20, 2020
NZ 2019: New Plymouth/Auckland
Saturday, 23 February 2019
We have moved to New Plymouth for a few days, with Mount Taranaki being a prominent landmark. The first two photos were taken from a moving car on our way in; the last taken from our balcony. pic.twitter.com/rfvKqCUEVP
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) February 23, 2019
Sunday, 24 February 2019
Our view this morning. pic.twitter.com/CSNwtJy3H3
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) February 23, 2019
Monday, 25 February 2019
Walking on our way to coffee this morning. Tide’s out! pic.twitter.com/87y2eplcSg
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) February 24, 2019
The ever-changing Mount Taranaki at sunset. pic.twitter.com/Nf3KEZekk1
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) February 25, 2019
Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Having elevenses at a café inside a garden centre which seemed strange at first but … flowers! pic.twitter.com/mkp6J1OQZt
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) February 25, 2019
Wednesday, 27 February 2019
Bucolic view of Mount Taranaki, looking east. In New Plymouth (where we are staying) the views are looking south. pic.twitter.com/wRlnkYZCFD
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) February 26, 2019
Sunday, 3 March 2019
Current view from our balcony in Auckland. pic.twitter.com/d5zPCC1KEG
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) March 2, 2019
Wednesday, 6 March 2019
We had a long lunch today with the delightful @TouchMyPoly, a Twitter friend of Susan’s. Patrick is a very interesting guy and we look forward to seeing him next year (he says it will be his treat). pic.twitter.com/P0rAOsgu3s
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) March 6, 2019
Thursday, 7 March 2019
In flight WiFi is the bee’s knees … ✈️🐝
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) March 7, 2019
Delighted to be able to have a glass of @RockFerryWines pinot noir on @FlyAirNZ. It’s a lovely winery that we visited a few years ago.
— Steve and Susan (@KnowmarkTravel) March 7, 2019