My flight from China was uneventful. Again it was on a 787 Dreamliner (the one with coloured windows). Like many Sunday's I spent it dozing & watching easy to watch films (Jurassic park 1, 2 & 3) only interspersed with views of Papa New Guinea & the Great Barrier Reef
After landing in Auckland it didn't take long to get through security & collect my bag. Managed to find Andy who whisked me off to collect a hire car he'd arranged for me (glad someone is organised!)
He drove me round Auckland to see the sights ending with a view of the city lights from across the bay. We then went to the hotel, Andy had booked us a suite (it even had stairs!!)* We changed & headed down to the quayside for dinner, followed by some drinks in an obligatory Irish bar where the house wine was jäger.... Was also a band on, they were really good playing lots of indie/rock covers, was a good first night :)
* I should probably add here that while he was being sweet & romantic, the suite was because 'normal' hotel rooms across the city were sold out due to Iron Maiden being in town Sunday night & a suite was all he could book!