Monday, November 24, 2008

it's electric!

Electrical outlets in NZ are definitely different.  The voltage is different, and the prongs to plug in are different too.  Therefore, we left almost all of our appliances back home:  hairdryers, shavers, curling irons, etc.  A voltage adapter and the cost to buy new ones were about the same, so we opted for saving on packing space and investing when we got here.
We did bring our computer, camera, and cell phone chargers.  They have the correct voltage, but require a plug adapter to fit into the wall.  Here is what an electrical outlet looks like here:
 
The differences are immediately obvious, with the slanted prongs.  However, these outlets have a tiny switch next to each of them.  Not only do you have to plug in an item, you have to switch it on when you want to use it.  That has been so hard for me to get used to.  I will plug in my curling iron, come back in five minutes, and find it cold.  Duh!  I forgot to flip the switch.  They're all about conserving energy here!

Even the oven has a switch!  Just a little bit more randomness from New Zealand!

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