First impressions

We're now in Auckland having had a fun time caving in Waitomo. But I really need to go back in time and start from the beginning of the trip or this blog will just get hopelessly confused!

The flight over was as nice as a 29-hour journey can be. I liked Air NZ a lot - friendly but not obsequious staff, comfortable seats, good food (and wine), and a modern entertainment system. Perfect. Transit in LA was a bore because we all had to go through immigration before sitting in the transit lounge. I queued for an hour. At least Air NZ provided drinks and food for everyone.

At Auckland immigration was brilliant and I sailed through with my electronic visa. I also got through biodiversity with no problems - thanks Dad for cleaning my walking boots so efficiently! It's great that NZ takes so much care over what comes into the country.

Then I hit my first hurdle. We were a little late leaving LA and a little late landing in Auckland and by the time I got to the domestic transfer desk it was too late to check in my bags for the flight to Wellington. However the lady told me that if I took them across to the domestic terminal myself I'd be able to make it. I had ten minutes. I piled bags on to a trolley and, still wearing my jumper, ran with the trolley along the walkway to the terminal. I was boiling, sweating and red-faced by the time I arrived but I made it! Thankful that I didn't have to try and call Richard and Emma to arrange a different pickup time I went to board, and from the plane watched them load my rucksack. My suitcase was nowhere to be seen, but as it turned up in Wellington all right there was apparently no problem.

R&E were waiting for me in Wellington, R looking taller and blonder than I remembered. It was good to see them after six months not seeing them. We piled me and my bags into their van, Chuck Norris (a 1982 Toyota Hiace), and we took the scenic route back to their flat in the Mount Cook area of Wellington.

Over the next few days we explored the city, or rather R&E showed me the bits they thought were sorth seeing. We climbed Mount Victoria to have a look at the city; visited the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to see rare birds and wander in the bush.


A takahe at the sanctuary

We rode the cable car down from the Botanic Gardens; and made a trip out to Scorching Bay for coffee and cake at the Chocolate Fish Cafe. All very interesting! I also got my bearings around the city, which will help when I get back there for finding a flat. Having now seen Auckland I think I'm making the right decision in living in Wellington. Auckland may have the sailing, but Wellington is certainly a nicer city.






Scorching Bay

Next time: New Plymouth!

First post from NZ

I've been in New Zealand two weeks but haven't had time to post anything yet. I suppose that's a good indication of having a nice time! I'm touring the North Island with my brother Richard and his girlfriend Emma in their old blue campervan, which is behaving itself at the moment. We spent the first week I was here in Wellington, seeing the sights. It's a nice city and I'm looking forward to going back and settling down there for a while. Then we moved north to New Plymouth, where we climbed the intensely difficult Mount Taranaki:



After that we went canoeing on the Whanganui River, which we've just finished. We're now in Waitomo and tomorrow are going caving in the glowworm caves, which ought to be fun! I'll post in more detail when we get to Auckland, but for now take a look at my photos-so-far on Flickr.

One day to go!

Well, it's almost time to bid farewell to this damp, cold country and head south where the sunshine is. At least I hope there's sunshine. Anyway there won't be snow.

In the meantime, three weeks sailing to the Caribbean was a great warm-up. Many many many pictures can be found at my Flickr account of 18 days aboard the clipper Stad Amsterdam and two short nights on the island of Saba.