Auckland - The Beginning

Landed in Auckland on Dec 2 more or less on time and got to experience a new process to actually enter the country. Passport control was first, easy, and all electronic. We breezed through. Next is the choice of line about anything declare or not. We chose nothing to declare, thinking that you would then just walk through. Nope, line up (not too long, maybe 10 minutes) then have a brief conversation with a pleasant person who referenced our electronic entry form. We noted on that declaration that we were carrying more than 3 months supply of prescription medications, so we we were then directed to other lovely border person, who made sure that we were only carrying prescribed medications. When they were satisfied, the last comment made was ”Welcome Home”. We were then directed to bypass the luggage xray and be on our merry way. Our friend Tony was just driving through the pickup area when we got there, so he graciously stopped in the middle of road while we loaded our bags then we were off. To be fair, the Auckland Airport is undergoing major renovations that is expanding the number of international gates and consolidating domestic terminal operations into one facility so things are a bit chaotic

The next day was car shopping. I’d lined up 2 test drives at a place called Turners Car Auctions, they have locations all around Auckland. So again, with our friend Tony once again acting as chauffeur, off we went. Took out a 2014 Subaru Impreza hatchback first, not too impressed. The second car was a 2016 VW Golf TSI. Lovely car so we bought it. Ended up with the keys in hand, insurance arranged, and back to our friends house by about 15:00. We love the car, it’s a Japanese import with low mileage and we are the first NZ owners. We’ve been driving it around for a few days, getting used to it. All the owners manuals were included, but not much help they’re all in Japanese!

We’ve had a very relaxing time here. Had a few walks around the neighbourhood, sorted out our NZ banking, and generally took care of alot of the administrative stuff we needed to get done.

We also had an opportunity to get to meet 2 of Helen and Tony’s grandkids, Indi and Jacob. Indi is nearly three and she reminds us a lot of her mother Sarah. So a bit of back story.

A long time ago, in a land far from here (Sweden), we met another expat couple (Tony and Helen) who had recently taken work in Stockholm. Tony worked in the same group I did. We met Helen and their 2 children, Sarah (nearly 3) and Jonathon (nearly 1) quite by accident on a bus trip for new expat families. We ended up helping Helen manage her pram getting off the bus with Jonathon, as she managed Sarah. Over the next couple of years, Cathy and I babysat the 2 kids a few times who were then the same age as their grandchildren are now. A couple of years later, we moved to New Zealand (where Tony and Helen were from) and rented their house sight unseen. Roll forward quite a few years and we’ve remained good friends. We’re all 4 of us now essentially retired.

Our last day in Auckland was spent having a wonderful late morning coffee and fresh baked scones (thanks Helen!) followed by a walk up One Tree Hill. From the top you get a panoramic view of Auckland. As Auckland sits on the narrowest part of the North Island, at the top of One Tree Hill you can see the Tasman Sea to the West, and the Hauraki Gulf in the Pacific Ocean to the East. The Pacific Ring of Fire runs through New Zealand but Auckland, unlike Wellington, is not subject earthquakes, but is surrounded by currently inactive volcanoes…..

Tomorrow we’re off to Waiheke Island to catch up with more friends for a few says. Sun, sand, beach, and pooches await us!