I’ve been dreaming of New Zealand since I was a young girl. I knew the scenery was stunning, but that was about it. After eventually living there for a few years, I can tell you: life in New Zealand is pretty damn great. Living in a country is the best way to experience how different it is from other countries. To my surprise there were quite a few differences between New Zealand and the rest of the world.

1. People are SUPER nice

You’ve probably heard this before, but Kiwis are beyond friendly. There are no words for it. People care about you, they want you to be ok, and are interested. I love that people are kind and polite. It is easy to smile to someone, but in the world of today many people like to mind their own business. In New Zealand I didn’t get this feeling.

When I go for a run, people just say hi, even cars passing by. Or there is a nice cashier, bus lady or even people on the street. In Belgium it was more everyone in his or her own world, and you don’t talk to or smile to strangers… I think we should change that!

2. Houses have no central heating

Winter is really cold in New Zealand. Not because of the temperatures, but because of the insulation. Most kiwi houses don’t have a central heating system or double glazed windows.

As a European I can’t imagine being cold inside my home. I’m used to escape the outside cold and to put the heating on inside. In New Zealand I was still cold inside our house, and I even saw the air of my breath. Of course we had a fireplace in the living room, and I ended up using a little, mobile heater in my room too – because it was just too unpleasant. Luckily more and more houses are now installing central heating too!

3. People walk barefoot

Yes, this is true! And I don’t just mean at the beach. I often see people walking barefoot in the supermarket, on the streets or even in restaurants. And these people are from all different background and ages. I once saw a sporty father walking into a restaurant with his three daughters, all with bare feet I love how relaxed kiwis are and don’t care.

4. People care less

This closely follows number 3. Most people don’t care. They do what they want and they feel good about it. A great example, besides walking barefoot, is: the onesie. A onesie is a one-piece garment. You could call it a jumpsuit, but it looks more like a pyjama (and often looks ridiculous). Now and then I see people walking around in onesies in supermarkets, on the streets or at parties.

5. Kiwis do not like roundabouts

I am being really nice with this one. I’ve heard many Christchurch residents say: people can’t drive. Which translates itself to dysfunctional roundabouts. I’ve seen drivers wait until the entire roundabout is empty, do dangerous moves, use the wrong indicator, or don’t use any. It has even come to the point that Christchurch City is changing roundabouts back in to traffic lights (not kidding).

6. There are more sheep than people in New Zealand

We all know New Zealand has a lot of nature, and with those wide fields comes a lot of farming. In those fields: lots of sheep! In spring it’s adorable to see all the little lambs bouncing around. Spring is by the way a great time to visit New Zealand!

Did you know that there are more sheep than people in New Zealand. At the moment there are 4.6 million people in New Zealand, and 27.6 million sheep. New Zealanders are outnumbered by their livestock population!

7. There are no dangerous animals

As someone who loves hiking and being outdoors, this is an important one. There are no snakes, bears, lions, wolfs, or other dangerous or deadly animals in New Zealand. There is a tiny exception, which is the Katipo Spider – but it’s very rare to encounter this one.

New Zealand is a land of birds, and all the mammals you find there have been introduced. Luckily the introduced species weren’t dangerous to people, still maintaining the safe image of New Zealand.

8. Kiwis hardly use cash

EFTPOS is embedded in daily life. It’s a bankcard, which you can use for debit or credit payments. It’s super easy and no need to fumble with coins. I know every country has their own bank and credit cards, but I was amazed by how many New Zealanders never or hardly use money.

Cash is seen less and less, and in my opinion this is the future. I’m impressed how New Zealand is very modern by already anticipating this.

9. You get free tap water in restaurants and cafes

I absolutely love New Zealand for this (and all other countries that do this). When tap water is potable in a country, it should be offered for free when going out for dinner or a coffee. It’s something so basic and important, and yet there are countries where this isn’t an option, or where you pay for tap water…

My home country Belgium for example is way behind in this field. Every time I visit a restaurant that doesn’t offer free tap water, I’m biting my tongue. I see people ordering unhealthy fizzy drinks, while if there’s free water, they might not order these crap drinks. The USA and Canada do great as well with free tap water. I wish every country would follow their lead!

10. Free public toilets almost everywhere

This is an important one for the ladies. In New Zealand you’ll find public toilets almost everywhere! You even have a realistic chance of finding free, public toilets in the smallest town. Perfect for when you’re on a road trip and can’t hold it anymore! On top of that, the toilets are very well maintained!

To me, travelling isn’t just about the scenery and activities, but also the differences. Sometimes you get challenged, and sometimes you discover new habits which are way better than yours!

Did I forget anything? Or is there a weird or interesting difference you’ve encountered travelling? 

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(get ready for a bit of history of my life)

Three years (and a few months) ago I arrived in New Zealand, planning to stay only two months to travel. Then I would head back to Australia where it’s hot and where I had a Working Holiday visa.

Things changed course when I bumped into a charming Frenchman and decided to stay for a while in New Zealand instead of Australia. A while has now turned into three – and a bit – years.

Life in New Zealand has been incredible. I’ve had the chance to work full-time in social media, do freelance videography and work with tourism boards and companies with my blog.

But even better, I’ve had the chance to discover this vast and beautiful country. It had been my dream to visit New Zealand since I was a young girl, and I could’ve never guessed I would end up living here. Young me would be proud.

The New Zealand chapter is over (for now). Time to go somewhere else.

I hear you thinking: Wheeeereeee the heck are you going?

I’m going to Canada.

Canadaaaaaaa. I can’t believe it, even when writing these words. Do you have that sometimes? That life doesn’t feel real? In August I will fly out of New Zealand, but I’m not realising it. It’s like I’m looking at my life as a bystander.

I’m not going to Canada because New Zealand sucks, because it obviously doesn’t. Many articles on my blog are proof of that.

There are a few reasons why I (and my boyfriend, aka The Kiwifrog) are going to Canada.

1. It was the last chance for me to grab a Canadian Work Travel visa

I found out I had a chance to apply for a Canadian working holiday visa (called International Experience). It was my very last chance, because Belgians can only apply until they’re 30.

As you can read in my ‘Thoughts on turning 30‘ -post I turned 30 in April. I applied a few months before D-day and to my surprise I got it! Only a certain amount of Belgians get the visa, and I was one of the lucky ones.

This was my last chance to experience a working holiday worldwide, so I could not ignore it. For all other countries I’m either too old, or I’ve already used the visa.

A year for me is perfect. It gives me the chance to live, rather than travel in a country. I can taste the country, see where I like it and stay longer and work in one place. This way you experience a country from the inside, you meet locals and you discover the culture.You really getting to know a country and for me that’s the best way of travelling.

2. Apparently Canada is beautiful

The things I’ve heard about Canada are nothing but positive. People are nice, the mountains are amazing and the lakes are as blue as the bluest eyes. Almost sounds like New Zealand – only bigger.

I can’t wait to share the Canadian beauty on The World is a Circus. Let me know if there is anything I definitely can’t miss out on!

3. A bit closer to family and friends

This might look funny to some of you because I will still be living and travelling far away, but it’s already closer to home, right? I always say to my family and friends back in Belgium: it’s halfway back already! On a serious note, this destination is easier to fly to than New Zealand, because New Zealand is really really far away from Europe.

I decided my trip to Canada is also the perfect opportunity to visit my family in Belgium. So I booked a little side trip to my lovely home country in December. I’ll experience Christmas again in the cold! That will feel weird, after having it in Australia, India and New Zealand for the last 4 years.

4. It’s not a goodbye from New Zealand

I’ll have been three years and a half in New Zealand when I’ll leave to Canada and there is still so much I want to see. New Zealand is seriously an amazing country to live in.

We love it here, so it is definitely not a goodbye. We’ll be back!

Have you been to Canada? Do you have any tips for this excited newbie Canada-explorer?

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