Exploring the Banks Peninsula

This weekend it felt like summer. Honest to goodness summer. 

It was the perfect time for bikes and beer, jumps and berms and general trail explorations with friends. Unfortunately though, Scott is currently channeling all of his energy towards healing a few broken ribs. There was a mishap with him and a shrub and a tree. Nature won.

During Scott's first few codeine-haze days on the couch, he researched alternate activities for the next 12 weeks... 6 weeks (who are we kidding, he'll be back at it in no time). He announced to me that he thought driving his trusty (?) Subaru on the beach at Birdling Flats would be a good idea. And as long as we didn't get stuck, the road would become a shingle (gravel) path through the rural southern half of the Banks Peninsula. 

Confused? Here! Maps!

Northern half of the South Island, NZ. Got it? Ok, ZOOM:

So we actually drove across the beach to Bossu Rd (above), but Google Maps doesn't recognize that as a road. So this is sort of our route, but shown backwards and not attached.

The beach at Birdling Flat is made up of round stones, tumbled smooth by the ocean. It's not your normal "beach" really (lounging would be uncomfortable) but it is quite pretty. 

Not sand. Small rocks. And big rocks.

We gathered lots of cool colored rocks (nerds unite!) but this one really really was just sitting there. 

So above, thats the beach in question that we were going to drive across. Sure there was a "path" across it, a narrow strip where wheels had created ruts to guide you. But I was skeptical.

This guy, not nervous at all. Broken ribs? What else are we gonna do? Lets see if we can almost but not quite get the car stuck! Sweet as.

I held my breath the whole time we drove across the beach. We started with lots of speed, but almost immediately it felt like we had driven into a swamp. Just when I thought we were going to be stuck though, the Subie picked up. A little fishtail left, then right, and it carried on through the rocks.

After the beach I foolishly thought we were home free. We had watched a truck go over a small levy which was obviously gravel, but it didn't look too hard. Did we hike over and look at it first? Nahhh...

High on our beach triumph, we drove right over to the levy, which as it turned out was an extremely narrow strip of deep round rocks dividing two bits of water. Basically, a gauntlet.

But since Im writing this with at least a glimpse of humor, I suppose you realize that we made it. I was pretty thrilled it was a one way trip.

The dodgy bit of levy we crossed. 

 From there on out it was backwoods driving at its' best. We saw lakes and ocean, vistas and sheep.

Well, that actually sums up about all of what we saw, but it was beautiful. Now, a photo montage for you:

Scott told me to pose. Im not much of a model. 

Island Bay greeting committee. 

The black sheep hated me and I couldn't get a better photo.

After several hours of hikes and exploration, we realized we were famished. Conveniently, the Hilltop Tavern just on the way to/from Akaroa was open and making fantastic pizzas. The view alone is worth a stop, but the beer and pizza, and resident goat, make it a place I'll be back to again and again.

We may not have pedaled our way into earning these. But we didn't feel too guilty.

I want your pizza.

On our way home we stopped for a little cheeky bird watching. Look mom, I know bird stuff! We saw:

White faced herons
New Zealand scaups
Mallards
Australian shovelers
Pied shags
Spotted shags
Little shags
Swamp harriers
Black swans
Australasian crested grebes
Welcome swallows

...and seagulls of some sort.

Bird watching territory

When we got home I tried to "stitch" together some panoramas from photos I took, which came out pretty cool but a bit small on the blog. You get the idea though. Pretty stuff.

The Work Life Balance

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Go Google the "Work Life Balance" and see what comes up. I'm too lazy to actually do it today... but here's what I know is out there: tons and tons of New Zealand Immigration websites and New Zealand employer websites claiming that New Zealand is the land of the Work Life Balance. Promises of more holiday time, less stress, and a slower way of life are offered like forbidden fruit on low hanging branches to expats on the other side of the world.

I read about the Work Life Balance again and again while planning my move to New Zealand.  In America I worked three grueling, merciless 12-hour shifts a week in the hospital. My days off were like a prize at the end of each week, rewarding me for not quitting or dying at work. So I learned about the Work Life Balance, I began to anticipate and expect it. We didn't know where in NZ we would end up, but by the time I finished my research, I was pretty sure we were going to get paid to lay on the beach and drink Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc while getting a tan and... wait, that's the Wine Life Balance. Very different... although very important.

Christchurch, Canterbury

Anyways, after all the research, I discerned that the theory is this: studies found that employees are happier when they feel like they get a reasonable amount of time away from work, with their families, and participating in the activities that they enjoy. Fair enough, right? While many people worldwide find themselves inundated with work and overtime, tied to cellphones 24/7, and taking their stress out on their friends and families, the Kiwis practically promise that this kind of stress doesn't exist in New Zealand. Or at least not much.

A recent survey revealed that Kiwis were the happiest workers in the world, with 74% reporting having a good work life balance. For comparison, America is at 66%, and the UK at 60%. Even more fascinating however, is this: 16,000 employers worldwide were polled about the efficiency of their employees. New Zealanders topped the productivity charts at 79%! (America 77%, China 73%). So maybe there is something to this Work Life Balance...

Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook

Now I have to say, when I showed up for my first day of work in New Zealand, I was a bit disappointed when I wasn't handed a beach towel and a Kindle and told "get to work". I mean, I think my home life would be a lot less stressful if I had finished the latest Dan Brown novel by now! Ah, but seriously, here's what I learned on my first day:

Work is still work. You are still expected to show up on time and do your 8 hours of work. You are not expected (at my job) to stay and work overtime. You are expected to help others out, and they will help you. You are expected to be efficient and professional. You are expected to dress appropriately. In my case (healthcare profession) there will be shift work. Everyone has to do it, and so do you. So much for my work life balance, right? Sounds just like good old work to me!

Craigieburn Forest, Canterbury

Now it has been nearly six months. I'm comfortable at my job, and taking on new roles. I'm lucky to work in a place where everyone is friendly and supportive. Sure, it's nice to have my days off, but I don't dread getting in to the car to go to work. Actually... I do. But that's because of the traffic in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, not because of my destination. So what is different here? What tipped the scales into the precious balance between work and life? What is actually different than in America?

* I work four 8-hour shifts. I'm at work one more day per week, but for 33% less time each day, and a total of 4 hours less per week. It really is an unbeatable work schedule. Not every NZ employer can offer this, but it is very common.

* 4 weeks annual leave is the minimum an employer can offer. Coupled with the 11 national holidays, that's 31 paid days off work per year that every employee starts out with. My employer started me off with 5 weeks straight away. Talk about enjoying the balance!

* It's okay to be a minute or two late. Mobs of sheep happen on the state highway, and there's really nothing you can do about that. Also, surprise roadworks happen in Christchurch everyday, so no judgements in this city, ever.

* Post work socialization is common and encouraged. My husband's company just bought every single employee tickets to the Crusaders rugby game and paid for their food and beer.

* Many workplaces (including mine and my husband's) have a shower for employee use to promote exercise before work or on lunch break. This also encourages cycling to work, which is quite common in New Zealand.

Abel Tasman National Park

So do I, an American expat living in New Zealand, believe in this infamous Work Life Balance? Do I relish in my perfectly proportioned time allotments for work and for life? Do I feel less stress and therefore feel more inclined to work hard at work? (Of course I was always an exemplary employee, but hypothetically speaking...)

Yeah, I do. I don't think it actually is a strictly Kiwi thing, but I think New Zealand employers are really onto something with promoting the good ol' WLB. Expats come from all over the world to join that slower paced lifestyle, enjoy the stunning scenery, and provide a better life for their families. Work is still work, but in New Zealand, work is not life.