All told we’ve had some impressive achievements over the last few days.
Jim travelled from Auckland, NZ to Detroit, Michigan and arrived more or less unscathed. He received Vax jab #1 the day after arrival. Timing is everything! Jim found that Auckland international departures was nearly empty, LAX international arrivals was somewhat busier, LAX domestic departures was almost as busy as normal, and Detroit Metro airport was busier yet. Nothing like “normal” levels, but getting busier.
Frances conducted 6 online focus groups in the US from the apartment behind the panel beaters in Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand. Superb internet, even if the desk chair left something to be desired. Tomorrow is report writing day and then up to Dargaville.
Rain has moved into New Zealand, but, in between showers, Frances managed to escape from work long enough for a walk to Holy Trinity Cathedral. The cathedral was completed in 1965 and has really superb stained glass. The cathedral including the unique window featuring a Polynesian Christ with vividly coloured Pacific motifs. A set of eighteen windows along the sides of the Nave, dedicated in 2004, tell the Christian story using a combination of traditional and Polynesian designs. On the way back, Frances walked through Ayr Reserve and Newmarket Park, which are lovely, green, inner city walks. Auckland doesn’t seem to quite have the richness of Wellington’s inner city native forest walks, but this was a pretty nice one.
We’ve noticed a strong Asian influence in Newmarket. The Japanese style bakeries in the surrounding area are amazing – delicious pastries, superbly packaged, in sharp contrast to everything else in New Zealand, where packaging is minimal. Single use plastic bags are out-lawed and you are expected to bring your own bags for everything. The Japanese bakeries go all out on pastry decoration and packaging. (Should have taken a photo before eating all those macaroons!)
Frances visited with friend Jo after finishing up her video meetings today. The advantage of starting at 5 am is that one is done after 1 pm! (Disadvantage is getting up at 3:30 am). With Jim Stateside, Frances is responsible for driving herself– keep left, give way to the right, and the indicator stalk is on the right of the steering wheel! For parking and keeping withing the lanes, it helps to have a small car, and the GPS is invaluable when you’re in new territory. (The RAV4 has been swapped for a Toyota Corolla.)
Big stories in NZ at the moment, in addition to mourning Prince Philip’s passing (RIP), are the temporary suspension of travel to NZ from India due to high rates of Covid there, and the planned opening of a quarantine free travel bubble between NZ and Australia starting on April 19. There is a lot of excitement about the ability to move freely between the two countries again.