Earthquake!

Yesterday evening we sat on the couch watching TV. Suddenly we felt the couch moving sidewards for about 30 seconds. We looked at each other wondering if the other one also feels it or if it is just an imagination due to the beer.... It was just a slight movement but we both definitely felt it. That happened to be our first experience of an earthquake. The location of the earthquake was 50km south-east into the sea from Gisborne. Quite a distance from Christchurch... and still we could feel it. Quite amazing actually. Maybe less amazing for the people in Gisborne...some building collapsed, lots of broken glass etc. Instead of preparing for Christmas they have to clean up and some of them even have to relocate.

For more information check the following website:
http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/recent_quakes.html

NZ- week 6/7/8

Usually the combination of the two of us stuck in a small boat isn't the best idea. It probably ends up in shouting at each other and blaming the other one for bumping into something rather than steering smoothly. At least, that was our experience with canoeing and rowing.
Now we know what to do: use a kayak! Of course, the chance that you bump into something at the open sea is quite small comparing with the narrow canals in the Netherlands, but is really worked out well!
We kayaked for a day in the Abel Tasman National Park. Again, we had a guide all to ourselves (which is great), it was a Japanese guy who is living in NZ for more than 10 years. He reminded us a lot of our Japanese friend Pepeeto, and we practiced the few Japanese words we just learned a couple of weeks ago.
It turned out to be the hottest day of november, lots of sunshine all day long.
We saw a few seals and two blue penguins. The penguins are really small (about 45cm in height) and it looks like they are flying through the water. Amazing!
The hardest part was the last 2 km back to the starting point; strong headwind, completely soaked, salt all over us, great fun!
It is a great day, we enjoy it immensely, I guess the picture says enough!

There is a museum in Nelson (actually every town, no matter how small it is, has a own local museum) It has examples of early settler buildings such as a bakery or a dental surgery. (for the Dutch: similar to the Openluchtmuseum in Arnhem) There is also some unusual display: The chainsaw museum! The first one who spots the chainsaw in the picture wins a free stay at our place here in NZ! :-)

One thing we have to mention about food: The portions in a restaurant are huge. When you want to have a small lunch, the best option is to share one dish.
Just look at the size of my BLT sandwich! And look at the seagull who had an eye on it as well!! (Picture was taken without zooming in!!)

After 6 days in Nelson, we continue further south, stopping at Murchison, Hanmer Springs (where you have to stop and get soaked in thermal water... very relaxing!) and Kaikoura, seeing some very nice places on our way. It is beautiful weather and we take a stroll along the coast. Many seals are lying in sun, resting, doing nothing. They do smell really bad, which is actually good, it keeps you at a safe distance from them.
The next day we intended to do a whale-watching tour but it got cancelled due to bad weather. Yes, weather can change quite quick.
Well then, just one thing left to do: head down to Christchurch!

Here in Christchurch we start a new part of our journey: trying to settle down. First, we need a place to stay. After 2 months of packing in and unpacking our bags every day or two, we really look forward to have a temporary home again, even if it's just for a couple of months.
It was actually quite easy to find a nice, furnished, 1-bedroom apartment, located 5 minutes walking distance from the City. It is quiet and there is a parking area for our car. This is going to be our home-base for our job hunting adventure.
As it is almost Christmas and that means summer holiday over here, all we can do now is do some researching on the internet. Walk by all the recruiters in town and upload our resume(CV) on some job-sites. From the second week of January, businesses in New Zealand will start up again.