11.-12.04.2019 # to Auckland and Whakatane

Today we have to say goodbye to Australia. It's a shame really, because we've just gotten used to the local slang and usually understand what our conversation partner wants to say. The ubiquitous muttered 'G'day mate' or alternatively 'All good, bro' also has a certain charm and we will surely miss it. But apart from that, we are looking forward to what lies ahead after the past few days full of fantastic impressions. And of course, we are looking forward to being somewhere where we don't have to constantly wave our hands to keep creatures from crawling into our body openings.

For convenience reasons, we take a taxi to the airport and save ourselves the round trip with the shuttle bus through the town for a small additional price. We can check in right away and have some time for a coffee. A slight concern that we had suppressed since booking the flights is creeping back in. In Melbourne, we will have only 65 minutes to change planes according to the schedule. We have to change from the domestic terminal to the international terminal because the connecting flight continues straight to Auckland. The fact that we already have our boarding passes for the second flight calms us down a little.

Everything goes well in the end. The plane to Melbourne is very punctual and after rushing through the airport like crazy and impatiently waiting in the long line at security check, we pass through the passport control in seconds. Thanks to our e-passports, we do not have to queue at the counter, but use one of the machines. Quickly scanning the passport, briefly looking into the camera and done. Great invention.

We finally reach the gate shortly after the official boarding time and we are way too early. We decipher from an almost incomprehensible announcement that the boarding is slightly delayed. That suits us just fine, as now our luggage also has more time to make it from one plane to another. Relief sets in.

The almost 3 hours to Auckland pass by quite quickly. At immigration control, we see that some people actually have put their hiking boots on their trolleys for inspection. We didn't think of that, of course. Fortunately, Maike had hers on during the flight and can present them for inspection. When I assure the friendly officer that mine are equally clean, I don't have to open my suitcase, as I had feared.

So here we are in Auckland once again. This time the weather is not as unpleasant as during our first stopover here two and a half years ago. However, it is much cooler than in the desert this morning. Logical.

The taxi driver that we hire for the ride to Naumi Hotel sends us to another stand where a kind of cabin scooter with a trailer is standing. The driver is currently letting a few other guests get in, but assures us that he will phone for a second vehicle for us within a very short time. That works out great and we arrive at the hotel after ten minutes. The ride in the funny vehicle costs 20 NZD. We immediately arrange for pick-up the next morning with our driver. Naumi is one of the numerous airport hotels located in close proximity to the terminals. We only find out later that there is a shuttle bus line for 6 NZD per person. When we arrive, it's almost midnight, and the time difference since Alice Springs has cost us a whole two and a half hours. Although the hotel bar is already closed, the man at the reception is persuaded to give us two small 'Tiger' beers. We quickly repack our bags, we want to leave one here for the next three days, and then we fall into bed. It will be a short night, as our next plane leaves at 8:45 a.m. and we want to have a quick breakfast at the airport.

Originally, we had planned four days for Auckland. However, a much better option emerged. We are flying to Whakatane over the weekend, about 300 km south of Auckland, to visit Lutz and Blake. Lutz is a cousin of mine whom I haven't seen in over thirty years. The two of them live in a beautiful, spacious house on Ohope Beach with their three dogs Ruby, Jack, and Rita. Lutz emigrated here from Thuringia about ten years ago and has already made it to the position of chief physician in the local hospital. A few weeks before our departure, I contacted him (thank goodness for FB) and now we are both looking forward to seeing each other again.

We only booked the flights to avoid the over four-hour drive from Auckland to Whakatane. In retrospect, a great idea because we could spend the time much more comfortably.

Air Chathams is a small family-owned regional airline. We fly with a Metro III, which is designed for 19 passengers, at least we didn't count more seats. The carry-on baggage is collected in a compression compartment in the nose of the aircraft. When boarding, you have to bend down to avoid hitting your head on the ceiling. On the other hand, you are personally greeted by the pilot.

The flight only takes 35 minutes, of which I sleep the better half. As I said, a short night. When we land in Whakatane, we see Lutz and Blake already standing at the fence. The area is also very manageable, one runway and one terminal building, that's it. That's enough.

After a very warm welcome without any awkwardness, we drive towards Ohope Beach, where we treat ourselves to a proper hot drink in a street cafe. By the way, Blake is very happy that he is no longer the only smoker. :-)

When we arrive at the little cottage, there is, of course, a tour right away. I am particularly taken with the large terrace. From there, you have a beautiful view of the sea and on White Island, the currently only active marine volcano in all of New Zealand. It is a great place to stay. Lutz is absolutely right when he says, live where others go on vacation. Later we go to the beach with the dogs and let them chase balls for a good hour. They are not afraid of water at all, and occasionally, I am amazed at how they target their toys with apparent great joy from the relatively cool water. Later, we take a look around Whakatane, a typical coastal resort town, and have a small snack by the sea.

For the evening, Blake has reserved a table at a restaurant just three minutes away by car. We enjoy a delicious meal and chat about everything. After dinner, back at the house, we make some music together. Lutz with the guitar and Maike and I taking turns with the ukulele. Well, at first we play together. It doesn't take long for us to realize that we can't keep up with Lutz. After all, he's been doing this for a while longer and is now a semi-professional in the field. But it's still a lot of fun, and I regret that we have to stop because it's time to sleep.