Category: New Zealand and Australia

Yes, all is well with us – it’s been a crazy busy few days but everything is good! We’re officially in New Zealand!

After we picked up our bags and cleared all the security details at the airport, our first order of business was to get our phones connected within New Zealand. Although we had downloaded some offline maps while still in Canada, we didn’t feel comfortable without phone/data access leaving the airport. So off to the Spark kiosk for a new SIM card for both of us. Spark is the major cellular provider across NZ and they were super efficient getting us set up. With a great deal of buy one and get the second one for half price and they did any set up necessary, we were soon on our way to collect our rental car. It too was relatively easy and we came away with a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which was an unexpected bonus.

We were able to get a route to our hotel which avoided downtown Auckland. It was a bit unnerving for Paul to be driving on the other side of the road. Being straight on the highway wasn’t too bad – except the slow lane is to the left and the signal lever is on the opposite side of the steering wheel from what we’re used to, so the windshield wipers were turned on a few times! We had a 45 minute drive to the hotel.

Our first hotel was a classy one, similar to a Marriott, but really good pricing. We checked in – had a great staff person who gave us lots of hints of where to go and then headed out for our first grocery experience. Called PaknSave, I’d compare it to Food Basics or FreshCo at home. Good selection however, and we picked up some basic essentials plus food for supper and sandwiches for the next day.

We had a salad with cheese bread back in our room at the hotel, and soon after, showered and headed to bed. We both slept well right through the night. In the morning, we decided to skip the hotel breakfast (fairly limited selection for $30 NZD each) and made a stop at the local McDonalds for a breakfast combo. It came to $29 for the two of us. As a note, $0.80 Canadian equals a $1.00 in NZD. Then it was north to head to what is known as the Northland. We decided to avoid an 8 km section of toll road and it took us through a small coastal town.

The drive up to our next stay had lots of twists and turns. It had many stretches where the speed limit was 100 mph yet you didn’t want to go more than 70! The roads are narrow and have lots of dips and uneven parts. They also have lots of one lane bridges!

I had a hard time comparing the landscape to something similar in Canada.

We arrived at a nice little motel in the town of Kerikeri. Rather than a long row of rooms, it had a number of duplex units with a fridge and microwave where we could make either breakfast or supper.

Our host greeted us with the offer of a glass of wine 🍷 and then we headed to another grocery store (Woolworths) to pick up more supplies. This motel had an electric frypan and we were staying 2 nights so we ended up with chicken and ground beef. Also, we made bagel sandwiches for breakfast one morning. By the way, one dozen eggs (closer to medium size than large) cost the equivalent of $7.00 CND!) and they aren’t refrigerated!

Next up, a day trip to the coast.

So, on a cold, windy day, our daughter Kim and her husband Steve, dropped us in Breslau at the Region of Waterloo airport. After a smooth check-in we had about an hour to wait before they announced we could board the coach for Toronto with 10 others for an uneventful trip there.

The Maple Leaf lounge was a real treat. We had a couple of hours until boarding and breakfast was a long time ago, so we took advantage of the selection. Roasted green beans and garlic, roasted potatoes and tender pieces of chicken in a cream sauce. Add in salad and some dessert treats (carrot cake, brownies and about 4 kinds of cookies including Paul’s fav, white chocolate macadamia) and whatever you want to drink and great wireless and the time flew by.

Then it was time to board and experience Business Class.

Between Toronto and Vancouver we had excellent cabin staff and service. My cabin steward addressed me by name each time during the 5 hr flight. He did only have about 15 names to remember, but certainly impressive. We had no shortage of food and beverages on our flight. However, about 2 hrs from Vancouver, we were notified our next flight was delayed by 3 hrs which would result in about 6 hrs in the airport. We decided to take a bit of a power nap which turned out to be a good idea. Once again, thank goodness for the Maple Leaf lounge that stayed open an extra few hrs because of our flight delay, although the food selection here was less.

We passed the time with another couple from Colorado who were also waiting for the same flight. By the time we took off from Vancouver, it was nearly 6 am our time. Haven’t pulled an all nighter for many years!

Our meal service was not as good on this leg of the journey. They finally served our supper about an hour and a half after we took off. Then it was sleep time. We both slept not too badly; Paul better than me. The rest of the time we watched movies or shows until breakfast was served a bit more than an hour before landing in Auckland.

Arriving in Auckland was a fairly lengthy process with clearance through bio security first, then customs declarations and picking up our bags.

Next up, getting connected and transportation looked after.