We are new Kiwis now!

It has finally happened! We have made it into NZ safe and sound, we received the long-desired stamp in our passport and now we can stay here indefinitely.

The second flight was just as long and tiring as the first one. However, at the end, just before landing, we could enjoy a great view of the NZ Southern Alps. At this time of year they still are nicely covered in snow, too. Soon afterwards we landed at Christchurch International Airport, and there we were!

It was pretty much a waiting game at the airport, because at the immigration counter we needed to receive a “residence permit” stamp instead of a “tourist permit” stamp. After that we had to declare whether or not we had any wood in our suitcases. We did have wood in them, something in every four of them, in fact. So all of them had to be opened. However, finally, walking on real Dutch wooden shoes we entered NZ as new inhabitants. YESSS!!!

My father (who has lived in NZ for 25 years already) and his wife Martha were waiting for us at the other side of the doors, and together we drove to their house in Ashburton at a distance of 80 km (50 mi) from Christchurch. Now we can rest, update the web log, sleep, and after that… go job hunting!