Adelaide

Front view of Addie including old Mazda logo

Rear view including license plate

Front interior, photo taken of course from the left, passenger’s side of the vehicle
Back seats including pillow and my reflection

Back of the station wagon including yellow-bagged tent, red curtains contrived from sheets

So to many, this would merely be the name of another town in Australia, however to us in the beautiful land of New Zealand, it has taken on a whole new significance. “Adi” or “Addie” has become the nickname of a 1994 Mazda Capella 626 station wagon, that has so far carried us safely down from the northern island NZ metropolis of Auckland, to Wellington and within striking distance of the south island.

Carrie and Dan with the title to Addie shortly after our sealing the deal

The story began upon our arrival to NZ via our various methods on 4-Jan-2011. Dan and I got in at around 5am, jet-lagged and more than a bit exhausted from our sporadic sleep over the course of the 4-hour flight. We survived though, stumbled through customs, where we had to resort to displaying our Australian working holiday visas to the customs agent in order to prove that we would someday again leave New Zealand. It wasn’t until long after we left the airport terminal that I now understand the overwhelming desire never to leave this country.

Nonetheless, at around 6am we came out into the baggage claim and transport area with no place to go, no place to stay, and no plan. But there was internet! Free SAMSUNG computer terminals that provided free internet access to anyone willing to stand and type. Within minutes I pulled up a place by the name of the Skyway Lodge, made a toll-free phone call from the first pay phone I had used in years, and Scott came and carted us to his hostel, where we stayed for a mere $30/night. Beautiful it was!

Dan slept and I skyped. Then, after a swim, hot tub, read of the Lord of the Rings, I could not resist and laid down as well. 2 hours later I awoke to my brother’s pillow flying at my head, and the realization that we were one hour late to pick up Carrie at the airport! We rushed, and were able to get Scott the hostel owner to take us the 15 minute ride, and we found Carrie patiently seated amongst luggage and anxious tourists. So with a hug I swept her up and off her feet, and the Rudzinski-Malone journey had begun!

The rest of the afternoon-evening included some fresh strawberries and ice cream, the sharing of great stories, and some comical pics! Ultimately we ended up back in our room, three of us on a twin-sized bed, perusing the Aussie/kiwi digital classified on gumtree.com. We had acquired everything in Oz using the site, and so figured that it would work well for NZ as well. As it turned out, there was a car advertised that happened to be located on the same street as the hostel. Incredulous as we were, we became even more so when the owner Mohammed agreed to come pick us up in 20 minutes. When he arrived with the car and we took it for a spin, we immediately became obsessed with the possibility of picking Mike up from the airport at midnight that night in our own car. So we did it!

Tim takes the wheel for the first time!

We ran to the ATM and between the three of us gathered up the necessary capital to make our first investment in NZ, and to make the first ever car purchase for Dan and Carrie! It was amazing! And after a series of discussions on the topic, we settled on the name Adelaide or “Adi” and “Addie” for short. We love her, and she has taken very good care of us up to this point. But not of course without a few snafus, as can be expected with a car that is 17 years old. Oh and we didn’t end up picking up Mike from the airport either. As with most things, this trip has turned out in many different ways that we never could have expected…

Mike loads Addie from the back – day after we bought her