Oy! So much luggage! We’re packed and ready to go. Our internet connection is already turned off, so I’m hitching a ride on a neighbor’s wireless connection.
When our internet connection went down it also took our telephone down. Huh? Because we use Vonage, an internet telephone, rather than the local phone company. Why is this related to New Zealand? Because we are taking our Vonage adapter box with us, and when we get there we will plug it in to a broadband internet connection and our Portland telephone number will work there. Yup — people can call our home phone number and it will ring in NZ. And we can call anyone in the US and Canada for free (well, there is the monthly fee, but no long distance charges).
I originally looked into Vonage so we could take our phone with us, but we switched over early because it is such a good deal for anyone who already has a high-speed internet connection. I should mention that a few friends who have Vonage complain that occasionally they get poor connections (mainly from echo), but we have only had that happen a few times. I think it has something to do with the quality of the internet connection. Mostly it works just like a regular telephone, but with way more features and for far less money.
Since I’m plugging Vonage, I should mention that if you sign up, you should get a referral from someone who is already signed up. That gives you a free month (and gives them a free month as well). I’m happy (of course) to give anyone a referral.