Day 3 - Auckland & the adventure begins

17.12.2014

Wednesday - at about 1:00 p.m. local time - which is 01:00 a.m. German time, I land in Auckland. My condition is better than expected. My luggage is also there. I had checked it from Berlin via London, Hong Kong to Auckland. The entry is a breeze and no comparison to Christchurch 11 months ago. Shoe sole check is also done and the luggage, including all carry-on and jackets, is x-rayed upon entry. In the Arrival Hall, I first get a SIM card for the tablet with 5 GB of data volume for browsing and sending pictures for 30 dollars from Vodafone. Then I also find the hotel phones, call my hotel, and the shuttle should be there in 20 minutes. However, it takes almost an hour. I sit outside the airport and breathe in fresh air. It is completely cloudy, it was raining when we landed, and there are puddles everywhere. But I don't care at all because I'll go to bed in the hotel soon.

The Auckland Airport Kiwi Hotel is only 4.5 km away from the airport and I finally arrive in my room at 4:00 p.m. The hotel is not that great, especially the bathroom, the curtain is partially torn, and I am glad to see that the bed linen is immaculate.

My heavy bag weighs almost 26kg and I was grateful that someone carried it upstairs, as the hotel does not have an elevator.

I get into bed and quickly check the internet for the news. Chatting is not possible now, it's 4 a.m. at home. It takes a while before I finally fall asleep. I read the newspaper and listen to an audiobook for a while. But eventually, I fall asleep.