Look right or die!

We had landed in Auckland around 5AM where the weather was roughly 60 degrees, cloudy and rainy. Going through customs was rather painless.  Lots of waiting in line, but for the most part, it was smooth sailing. After customs, we loaded up on some local maps and visited the AVIS counter to get our rental car.  We got a silver Camry GL.

Matt said he'd like to try driving first...as he walked over to the passenger side of the car.  I kindly reminded him that the driver's side was on the right. :)  After getting acquainted with the reversed interior of the car, we were ready to hit the road. After 5 minutes, Matt had made two loops around the car park (parking lot) and then accidentally drove into a long-term parking ramp at the airport.  That's when I decided I was going to drive.

So, let me see if I have this correct.  Drive on the left, driver sits on the right, windshield wiper dial on the left, signal on the right, break on the left, gas on the right, and a big sign on the pedometer that read "KEEP LEFT".  I think I've got it.

Being on the other side of the road was a bit creepy at first, but the trick is to follow another car.  It seems totally natural if you're driving behind someone else. So, we tailed another car going in our direction and after that, we were all good.  From time-to-time, I keep muttering to myself "Look right or die, look right or die"  That seemed to work.  Good thing that it was raining because I kept turning my windshield wipers on high whenever I went to put my blinker on.

Next...on to Coromandel Peninsula!