Up early this morning - 3:15. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 6:10, and it did leave by roughly 6:30. Arrived at our hotel here in Auckland shortly after noon, local time. If you ever travel to New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, make absolutely certain you have NO agricultural products anywhere on your person before you clear customs. Stop in the washroom and double-check every pocket, nook, and cranny of your luggage just in case you forgot anything. Just like Adam and Eve, I was "bit" by an apple I forgot about. . .

The group we were traveling with in Australia was a nice size - about 28 people. We'll be travelling with about 48 people in New Zealand - a much bigger crowd for the next 9 days. I really liked the smaller group, there was a warm friendliness about the group. At the welcome dinner tonight it was quite easy to just hide in a corner and become almost lost. While this was good for me in many ways (I'm still really ticked about the fine at the airport customs, so I'm still settling down), I doubt that this next part of the trip will have the same atmosphere.

The welcome supper was very nice - helped make up for a rough day (for several of us). The tour company hosted us at a revolving restaurant located in the tallest building in the southern hemispere. The lamb was very tender and mild, the appetizers and desert were good, and the view was spectacular.

Hello to all back home

Lorne and Brenda