...we land in Auckland and I complete the New Zealand immigration form. They're the first people in my experience who ask not only about my flight number but also my seat number (!)
...wifi at the airport is still slow (to upload blog photos for example) but light years better than Shanghai's
...I claim my bag and clear immigration at an impressive pace; but before I can shower my praises on them I get stuck in a mile long bio security check line...Aaargh
...The customs guys take away my tent and take it apart to inspect it. It takes 20 minutes. They also check my hiking boots.
...I find the airport pleasantly small and cozy and I get a transfer to the car rental.
...the car rental people make a small fuss about my driver's license not being in English, me needing a translation and their translator being on holiday but they turn a blind eye in the end. I am also warned that there are three toll roads in this country and there are no toll plazas. I have to actually go online after driving those roads and make a payment on a special website. So modern. And so much fuss...
...the car I get is younger than I feared it would be - looks like a 5-6 year old compact Nissan. It even has power mirrors and windows and is automatic (it was after all a cheap rent-a-wreck kinda company); driving is good although I keep confusing hands and turn wipers instead of turn signals all the time;
...I buy all the plug converters I need and marvel at the funny turnstiles local supermarkets have
...I get used to having to select CRD (credit), CHK (checking) or SAV (savings) on the card machine at every payment;
...I admire their environmental commitment: every store they ask you if you want a receipt, trash is sorted into five different categories etc.
...I start learning Maori inadvertently because dual language signage is everywhere: Kia Ora! (that means "Welcome"
...I check into my hotel, which is clean and nice, and manage to lock myself out in the first few minutes. The room is smallish but cozy.
...I set some music to induce sleep but can't stay asleep very long because of the jetlag. So at 5am I get up to hit a convenience store for some kai (food). The tandoori roti is awful but at least I take some nighttime shots of the Auckland skyline.