08.09.2016 Auckland # Time Leap

So, now it happened. After leaving Rarotonga at 23:20 on 6.9. and flying for 4 hours, we landed in Auckland at 1:20 on 8.9. We lost a whole day. Previously, we were 12 hours behind in time at home, but now we are 10 hours ahead. And that after a relatively short flight. The date line is really a strange thing. 

The whole thing almost went wrong. We had made an agreement with the taxi driver who picked us up from the airport in Rarotonga for transportation to the airport. However, after a quarter of an hour after the agreed time, he still hadn't shown up, and it slowly dawned on us that he had probably forgotten about us. Luckily, we still had our phone cards and after a few difficult phone calls, we managed to find a replacement just in time. 

Auckland welcomed us in the worst possible way with rain and a temperature of about 6°C. Not quite what we were used to. Since our luggage was already checked through to Tonga, we only had the bare essentials with us. Winter clothes were naturally not included, so we had to freeze. 

The only reason we even landed here is because there are no direct flights from the Cook Islands to Tonga. And that, even though Tonga is practically right on our doorstep, just two hours' flight from Rarotonga. So Auckland will go down in history as the southernmost and coldest stop on our journey. 

The pick-up by our hotel worked thanks to the friendly support of a local. You can't book the pick-up in advance, but you have to contact your accommodation from one of the free phones at the airport upon arrival. But that also works without any problems around the clock, and after ten minutes of waiting and another ten minutes of driving, we arrived at the Goldstar Airport Motel. It is located in a suburb of Auckland that looks like crime scenes from various crime films are being shot there. But that was probably also due to the darkness and the gloomy weather. The motel itself exudes the charm of a holiday home from the 1960s. But at least the room was clean and there was heating. 

Unfortunately, we won't see much of Auckland itself. In advance, we had thought about doing some sightseeing. But due to the mismatch between our clothing and the weather, we decided to spend the time at the airport in warmth. 

In two hours, the plane will take off to Nuku'alofa and we are looking forward to seeing the sun again and banishing the long clothes to the closet.