Travels Without a Plan #1

Ki Ora from New Zealand

Firstly, if anyone ever suggests that it would be a good idea to fly to Auckland directly from London, do them a favour and shoot them first, especially if any of that journey involves using British Airways, what a terrible airline.

Qantas, however, is great. Really new, and very helpful staff. On my flight from LA I had 3 seats to myself, the luxury of being able to stretch out was great. Seemed that everyone on the flight had something to do with the Olympics, lots of young people all dressed in their

Sydney 2000 tracksuits. Hhhmmmm nice!!

So after 23hrs 40mins in the air, the last thing you need is the Customs officials in Auckland to ask you to accompany them, and then for them to totally go through your pack that you have spent hours packing. I must admit, when he put on his gloves, my stomach churned a bit!!

Anyhow, of course all was OK, no problems, but there is still a guilty feeling although you have done nothing wrong!! After half an hour of going through my stuff with a fine tooth comb, he turned and said, “You’re all clean, mate. Hope you have a bloody good time in New Zealand!” So a nice friendly customs official, must be a world’s first!!

After that incident, I was not in the best of moods, so caught a shuttle bus to Auckland Centre and then another bus into the the area of my Hostel. Very nice helpful staff, even allowing me to freshen up with a shower, although I was unable to check myself in as I had arrived early.

So with a determination not to let my jet-lag put me to sleep too early, I set off for a brief tour of Auckland. I have to be honest and say that I was totally underwhelmed, all very nice, but all rather dull. Even on a Saturday afternoon the place was deserted. I suppose that’s the price you have to pay for such a small place – one million people and the Kiwi’s call it a vibrant, Cosmopolitan city!!

So headed back to the hostel for what I was expecting to be a low key early night, but met a guy from Belgium and it was decided that it would be positive to check out the local bars, so off we headed. It’s cool seeing the Kiwi’s in their natural environment, and boy can they drink, so fun was had by all trying to keep up. With tiredness totally taking over I had to admit defeat and headed back.

You forget the whole thing of living in a hostel. If one person decides to snore, then you are all in trouble. So, despite being exhausted and just wanting too sleep, I probably only managed a couple of hours!!

For the last couple of days I have been to Waiheke Island, a really beautiful place that attracts all sorts of hippies and artists and holds various famous Jazz Festivals. All pretty cool, somewhere that it would be great to have a summer house. Beaches, nature and very good wine (they have world famous wineries that can be toured).

Also been to a Maori Cultural concert, don’t know how genuine it was, but all seemed pretty impressive, very musical when a couple of big blokes do a Haka in front of you, you realize how scary it must all be in a Rugby Game, very intimidating!!

Have finally sorted out my next stage of my trip, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Napier and then onto Wellington.

Anyhow, I shall call this a day and will send more info when its easier to get access, the machine in the Hostel is always busy, and not the quickest in the world.