niterider

The idea is to make the CBD safer for pedestrians and cyclists, so its something most of us should be voting for, notwithstanding your proclivity for attracting attention from the cops

Most roads here don't have a shoulder, and most roads are very twisty. What you don't see from Google earth is also that the road is very hilly. I have ridden along there (on the road bike), but the best time is early in the morning when there aren't many cars about. My normal routine was to drive from Howick to the forest (20mins) and go MTBing. Now I live in Maraetai so I just ride 150m to the trailhead. Occasionally I'll take a road ride out Clevedon way. Lots of big loops out that way.

US visa application is pretty straightforward. You book an interview date online, wait for 30 minutes at the embassy in Auckland city, and have a 5 minute interview. Passport with visa should arrive in the mail a couple of days later. The bigger hassle is the $200+ cost

Well that sucks. Good luck with the ultrasound!

So you'll be in East Auckland? Good choice! The best riding is out this way - http://www.trailforks.com/region/maraetai-forest/. Join our club too - http://www.pcbc.co.nz/ & https://www.facebook.com/Pohutukawa-Coast-Bike-Club-117091788315880

Yep, anyone could make a submission. Then they narrowed it down and we voted on which one competed against the current flag. I'm still disappointed that this one didn't make the cut...

Most people just buy cheap Japanese imports. Loads of dealers specialize in them, or you can find something on TradeMe. Turners are good if you want to buy on auction.

It reflects a few things: * there was a lot of support for the old flag, due to general resistance to change, links to the UK, conservatism, and a whole lot of other reasons * the new design is ****. It was chosen by a panel that did not include a single designer or expert in flags * there was also resistance from some quarters because the project was perceived (mostly quite correctly) as a vanity project for John Key I voted for the old flag because the new design is crap. I do support a new flag, but I hope when that comes one day, it is along with a new constitution as New Zealand becomes a republic.

The tracks website hasn't been updated in a few years. The best place to find MTB trails is http://www.trailforks.com/region/new-zealand/

I'd say its relaxed like Cape Town. A lot of things happen on "island time". Having said that, a lot of things are significantly more efficient than SA, for example most of the civil service. If you want go-go-go you're more likely to find that in Sydney or Melbourne. Work/life balance will really depend on your job, and is probably a little worse in Auckland than the rest of the country (mostly because of hours wasted commuting). I can't comment further since I work from home for an American company, and only 35 hours a week.

I think our dog has had a bigger lifestyle improvement than us! Daily walks on the beach, etc.

We moved our dog over (with Animal Travel Services in Cape Town). The process involved a few visits to our vet based on a timetable that ATS provided, where we had to get the appropriate jabs and stamps. We used the address of some relatives in Auckland, and then when we actually had our own address after arrival, we updated them. Our dog left about a month after us, to allow us to do the house-hunting and other stuff without worrying about pet babysitting. And because we were a bit late with the Rabies shot, which had to be done 6 months before departure.

Congrats and welcome!

Sorry, I struggle to find the bad and the ugly out here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvhPtHMrUwg

Maraetai, East Auckland

A very quiet beach a few k's from home. About an hour after sunrise.

Anything to do with the sea and you're good here. Lots of sailing, windsurfing, kiting, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, etc. Also out my way triathlon seems much bigger than road cycling. And to give an idea of how much fishing is part of the culture, you can buy Barbie-themed fishing rods from the supermarket. Princesses have to catch their food here.

Ngarunui beach at Raglan on the West coast, about 2 hours from Auckland

Another awful day in Auckland

Hope you're smashing some trails!

Exactly. Hardly anyone buys new cars here. And hardly anyone finances them. A cheap Japanese import off of TradeMe is the way to go.

No problems with the glass, just a few scratches on the bezel.

Unfortunately I'm going to miss it this year

I believe so. Although I see 6.60 has dropped today, so more improvements I'll be trying out the new SUP stroke rate measurement this afternoon.