continuing on 3/23
observation:  Kiwis are hearty.  Whatever the weather, they wear T-shirts, flip-flops, and shorts (I'll be wearing a fleece).  We don't think any of you would be impressed with the fashion sense in the provincial towns here.
expression of the day:  let me have a wee look and check for you,  just a wee bit
words:  rubbish for trash, chemist for pharmacist
dinner at Nero's for Rich's bd;  remember that one if you come to visit (excellent)
Kathy, please tell Mr. Benjamin that I'm using the book that he gave me; and I want to thank him again.
You can give him the blog site if you would like.
Sat. 3/24
no airport security on the PN domestic flight
whenever I see and hear Kia Ora (welcome), I hear "what time is it" in Spanish in my head
Air NZ safety briefing is a crazy entertaining Richard Simmons video
arrived in Queenstown and the most notable feeling of the day was carrying just one bag after a week of organizing and moving all the gear we had
Walked in the rain, tried to figure out the internet gigabyte system
Sun 3/25
more walking in the rain, of course we met a man in the hotel that was off to play golf
still adapting to no free wifi/limited wifi when we did get it.  you even have to pay at Starbucks
I'm now over my i phone/pad/cloud withdrawal
tourist weekend; great french breakfast, WARM new Merino and possum sweaters (buy one if you come here!), steamboat and farm
pics for Queenstown are at  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Queenstown02?authuser=0&feat=directlink
watch a short clip of sheep shearing (I should have deleted all but one, but just uploaded all the pics)
This was a tourist demonstration, but I'm told that professional shearers complete a sheep in less than a minute.  The Haka show seemed touristy.  We saw a better one in the Auckland museum when we were here in 2008.   Great exhibits there as well.
Went to the briefing for our "tramp" and visited the Kiwi Birdlife park and learned about NZ birds and kiwi conservation programs.

3/22  warm welcome from Murray and Jennifer.  Murray Shaw is the GP (they don't use the term Family Practice) owner of Amesbury Health Centre) - even if we did have 12 bags to fit in their vehicle;  vegan meal - rockmelon and stonefruit for dessert.  It does seem like everything is called something else here, not just meds.     Russell and Pip very helpful at our pet friendly motel.  Still need to take a picture here - moving out tomorrow.
3/23  got our petrol at 157.9 cents/liter and drove to Levin to visit the chiens
In the pictures you'll see arriving in Palmy, visiting the dogs in quarantine, first of many sheep sightings, view of the rental house and the lovely well kept property, our street, my car (Suzuki Grand Vitara), the hospital, leaving for Queenstown - no security at the airport, downtown Palmy on one of the 2 sunny days after returning from the South Island.  You can see the city council building and an old hotel.
so cut and paste again https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Palmy?authuser=0&feat=directlink

copy and paste https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Auckland?authuser=0&feat=directlink to see our pictures from Auckland
please comment, and let me know if there is a better way to blog

https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/OnTheWay?authuser=0&feat=directlink
copy and paste this site to see first set of pictures
be patient, I WILL send New Zealand scenery

Time for a brief diary of the start of the trip.  Wish I could figure out how to insert a picture next to a comment more easily.  We'll see how the pics upload.   3/17/12  off we go! 

3/18  family birthday dinner in windy LA,  90 years combined (Mike and Rich), dogs got new toys - stuffed sheep.
3/19  crazy day getting dog's ready for USDA vet appts.  Lauren helped tire them out before their long confinement.  Kaylee looked scared/worried in her crate.  Rx hopped in and got comfortable.
Great flight on Air NZ.  Economy plus definitely worth it.
3/20  didn't happen
3/21  arrived in rainy Auckland, visited the Maritime museum.  Thought of Jeff when we went through the sailing exhibit and learned about the life of Sir Peter Blake.  Learned that dogs aren't allowed in some state parks in NZ because they chase the endangered kiwi birds.
3/22  Medical Council Interview.  Received book on practicing medicine in NZ.  Best chapter is the one on slang terms.  Went up the Sky Tower and tried the kiwi pavlova dessert.

First day of work.  My drive in was OK.  Adjusting to sitting on the right side of the car is harder than driving on the left side of the road.  I turn on windshield wipers when I need my turn signal.
NZ is an English speaking country, but EVERYthing is different.
refills are repeats, the problem list is called classifications, allergies are warnings, ROS meant suture removal; not to mention expressions and accents.
Elaine, I'll eventually tell you about the nursing education and QA procedures, etc., but first I'll have to learn their EMR click locations.  Hardest new thing today was that Paps (called cervical smears) are done with the patient on their left side.  Rich needs the computer.  Cheers, Viv
PS  I'll back track to the trip in and our tourist week when we get into our house, but thought I'd mention that we couldn't wait until starting work to learn about kiwi health care.  Rich fell on our hike and fractured his 5th metacarpal.  It was raining, and he stepped aside on a slippery rock to let someone pass.
Dogs are happy to be out of quarantine.  Found a dog club.  May be doing obedience Mon and agility Thurs.

Thank you to my office for the farewell lunch.
Friday I missed the agility trial at the Sheriff's Posse.
Congratulations to Evi and Meghan!  Sorry I wasn't there to see you get your MACHs.
Spent the day having the last visit with Dora for dog treatments;  picked up the U-Haul, and learned how to back up with the hitch; picked up Mike who flew in to help us get to LA.

We arrived safely in NZ.  The blog had to wait for 2 weeks.  Time delay until we get into our house, but I'll get you caught up on all the details of the adventure.
The first thing that I learned about this country is that I miss free wifi.
I spent the weeks before we left learning about my new Mac and icloud, and went into withdrawal
not being able to use my devices.
NZ is behind in the technology of internet and mobile phones, and both are costly.
Not enough population to support the development?
You pay by byte usage and not by time or speed.  Marc, how many GB do I need per month????