New Zealand - 1st impressions

Prologue: Our daughter Madeleine is living in Christchurch on a 23-month Commonwealth Working Holiday Visa.  Voilà, a perfect excuse to visit NZ as our first trip on our bucket list as newly-retired.  I've spent 25 years living in each in Canada & in the US, 3 3-month stints in France and one whole summer in England.  That gives you an idea of what my experience is based on.

First impressions after 12 hours, landing here at 11 p.m. and walking to a coffee shop in the morning.

• Zebra crossing at the airport, just like in England
• Cars are as more American looking than in France except the steering wheel is on the RIGHT
• Traffic signs are like in France
• It's more humid here than in Seattle and the vegetation is more tropical 
• The kiwi accent is more nasal than I expected, almost like they don't open their mouth when they talk.  (Remember I'm just trying to give a quick first impression so don't hate on me for this!)

Zebra crossing - albiet not the first one I saw  at the airport so not as impressive .

Tropical plant - Bird of Paradise, I think.... .