It’s an adventure just to get to the starting place, Auckland, NZ

Posted bynicolegrantyonkPosted inUncategorized
First coffee in NZ

It’s Friday June 21 at 7:30 am in NZ, but Thursday Iune 20 at 3:30 in my home in Connecticut. I am in a different world now, where the time-space continuum is messing with my reality.

The first leg of my journey in June 18 was delayed, so as to miss my flight to NZ. After several calls, I was rebooked for the next morning, spent 10 hours in LAX, and another 13 hrs on a flight to Auckland and made it to NZ 24 hrs later than my original ticket. and it’s 2 days after I left. 🙃. I’m feeling pretty good, excited, and anxious to start.

I sat next to an 18 yo man going to NZ with Farm Boys Rugby Team from Galena, IL. They are learning about the world famous NZ rugby teams, whom you might have heard about. They are also famous for performing a Māori Haka at their games, which is intimidating and beautiful. The man said they are going to learn a Haka. There was a little fan club that developed on the plane for the team. Galena is a farm community near Dubuque, IA, so this is a pretty incredible opportunity.

Here’s the women’s team doing a HakaNZ women’s rugby team HakaNZ

NZ is very strict about biohazards, partly because of hoof and mouth disease. No fruit, veg, or meat products allowed. You fill out a declaration after landing and so I talked to the customs agent about my recent hikes and terrain, they checked my shoes, and they let me keep my Luna bars. Yay.

I got my internet and local phone connection at the Spark store. A nice guy, a recent immigrant from Singapore, set me up. For $40, I should be set for the month.

Today my plan is to figure out how to drive and use a campervan. I need to go grocery shopping too. I decided to stay at a commercial campground in the Auckland area for my first night so I can ask questions if needed. The next few nights I’m staying at Department of Conservation campsites with limited facilities. Since it’s off season, idk if there will be others there. 🤔

Its winter here, and the sun doesn’t rise til 7:30 am, sets at 5:30 pm. Lots to do!

Thanks for following along. Sending love to you all

Nicole

7 thoughts on “It’s an adventure just to get to the starting place, Auckland, NZ”

  4. Nicole – Ah, the joys of traveling, especially such long distances. I have traveled enough to the far east and Australia (but not NZ) to have encountered some of the challenges you faced, making a very long trip way too long. We recently had a similar experience with our whole family of 10 returning from an incredible trip to the Galapagos Islands. The leg from Guayaquil, Ecuador, literally took 24 hours with delays. Speaking of Galapagos, I really have to admire people who live in naturally pristine places like that and apparently NZ, who are working so hard to preserve their habitat. I’m afraid it is probably hopeless, especially where tourism is such an important source of commerce, but I appreciate their efforts so that we, and our children and grandchildren might experience them.

    Glad you are there safely. Thanks for sharing! Be safe and savor the adventure.

    Dave

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    1. Thanks Dave! Traveling is one of the greatest life experiences I think. It really stretches us in so many ways. I don’t think I would be the same person without having experienced so many places and cultures.

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