Driving here is terrifying

We picked up our campervan today. It’s the beautiful van you see below. It has a kitchenette, an area to eat, and a day bench that converts into a bed! It’s lovely—except for the fact that we have to drive it.

Our home for the next two months

Graffiti is fun

We were both a little nervous about driving on the wrong (I mean left) side of the road. And it was no easier than I ever could’ve imagined. It was excruciating. Everything that has come natural to me in the past decade in a half is thrown out the window. I have never had to concentrate so hard in my life.

As if driving on the left hand side of the road wasn’t tough enough, EVERYTHING else is also opposite. Used to using your turn signals on your left hand side? Now they’re on your right! Windshield wipers? Left hand side! Basically when I want to make a right hand turn, my wipers come on. Passing lane? Right hand side! Things have gotten real wild.

Feigning confidence

I’m going to tell you about some of the things that happened today whilst attempting to drive in New Zealand:

• There are signs that say “High Crash Area” as you’re going through incredibly windy roads, and they tell you to slow down. The fact that I am entering a high crash area is scary enough; however, cars decide they are going to pass me in these high crash areas when I go too “slow” (aka the speed limit).
• We saw more signs that say “Drive Fast Today, Dead Slow Tomorrow.” Encouraging, really.
• A low moaning guttural scream came out of me when I thought a semi was in our lane (this sound surprised me, as I’m generally a shreaker).
• Phrases like “oh, sweet Jesus,” or “oh, mother fucker,” or “babe, watch out!” every 10 minutes on the dot.
• Clenching jaw and holding hands in front of face for protection.
• Half a bottle of wine consumed after first day of driving.

The good news is, we ended our day with this:

Sunset in Bay of Islands