We touched down in Auckland at 1pm, 39 hours after leaving the cottage in Devon. I was trying to work out when I first developed a desire to visit New Zealand but as hard as I thought I couldn't pin point a time. I do remember spending hours looking through the lonely planet guide when working at Cotswold Outdoor in South Cerney when I was about 18. I know that since then, NZ has happily had the #1 spot of places I want to visit. That's 20 years, uncontested at the top! So to actually be here feels quite unreal.

I had been warned by various people about the biosecurity in NZ. I happily declared my tent which was whisked away to a biosecurity lab for analysis and approval. Fortunately my tent passed with flying colours and we were reunited 15mins later! Louise Burton had told me about the sniffer dogs too but I hadn't been prepared to see how excited 3 of them were to be coming down an escalator into the arrivals hall...funny!

Getting transport from the airport to the hotel was a mental challenge. On a good day it would have been simple but I'd had brekkie whilst the sunset in Hong Kong followed by supper and then another brekkie (Cathay Pacifics' chicken and s***ake congee.. Nom nom) at 12noon NZ time.... I'd slept reasonably but had to figure out the cash machine in order to pay for the efficient airport express bus into town. As I got off the bus I stood on the pavement with my bags. The driver had kindly gone through directions to my hotel very clearly, twice, yet I stood there knowing that I needed to turn left but having remembered nothing else!

In the madness of the last few months I now discovered that I had failed to upload the Auckland section of the LP guide to my iPhone! I asked a charming gentleman who pointed out the easily visible and very large sign on the hotel on the opposite side of the street! In my mind Auckland was flattish, but it is not. I was gently simmering in the summer sun in my trackies and long sleeved T whilst feeling very smug that I had purchased a wheeled bag for this trip!

So I find myself in room 101 of the Auckland City Hotel on Hobson Street. I'm so tired I laughed that I was in room 101 and wondered if it was an omen! The room is quiet, clean and spacious. After a 15min nap and shower I walked into town, through the city, replete with a giant Father Christmas (he looked very hot in his suit too!) down to the dock. I sat in the sun, watching city life go by and trying to get to grips with the reality that I'm here.

I had the classic combo of take away sushi and a bottle of bolt blue Gatorade for supper...followed by 2 vit C tablets issued to me by Gary before I left. I'm hoping that his advice and an early night is going to help me get over the jet lag quickly.

I can tell this is going to be the trip of my life and I can't wait to explore!