December 27

Today was the beginning of my (our) New Zealand adventure, but it didn’t seem quite real. I was up at 0600, got the paper from the front lawn, unwrapped it (how can papers campaign against plastic shopping bags when they wrap their papers in so much and so difficult-to-remove plastic?) and read it while having a cup of tea, orange juice, psyllium husks in water and toast (with Vegemite of course). The last task was to feed the turtle with one meat block and his antibiotic injection (into the meat, not him directly).
Then it was finish packing, check all was put in, shower and dress. Then all luggage was out to the car and Ashley (nephew) drove Fran and me to the Adelaide Airport (International Terminal departures) and dropped up off not long after 0910.
Once we were in, it was easy to find the check-in counter and we managed to get the luggage through (not overweight) and were told that we could go through into the Gate Lounge (18) by 0930. I got Melbourne papers to read and at 0940 we went through the security check to enter the airport departure area. I was xlear – no problems. Fran had her dillybag “sniffed” and it was all clear. However, when we walked around to the Gate 18 Lounge area, we were told it would NOT open until after 1030. It was back around the front of the lounges and read the papers and wait until 1030. We waited until the majority had walked through and then off we went. Again I went through cleanly, but Fran must have set something off because she was checked by a wand. Then we went to Gate Lounge 18 and had plenty of seats to choose from – because our flight was now leaving from Gate 22. So we duly upped camp and went down to Gate Lounge 22.
Here we waited – mainly because there was no plane in yet. It did arrive about 1050 and was ready for us at 1105 to board. It was Air New Zealand NZ 822, serviced by an A320 Airbus. We boarded after the majority as we already had our seats, and were settled in 27A and 27B within a few minutes. The plane left on time at 1135.
We had drinks and soon lunch was served. Alas – one of the problems of sitting at the back of the plane was that they ran out of hot food for us for lunch. The alternative, slices of cold roast beef with potato salad, tomato and lettuce, with a piece of cake, was quite good.
The flight landed on time in Auckland at 1815. As soon as I switched my mobile on I got a message from Jason about Christmas, then rang Fran’s home to report in that we had arrived safely.
Entry into the country was good and quick, with passports stamped quickly and then the declaration of packed confectionary was accepted as no problem, so Fran changed some money, I got some from an ATM and then I rang the rental car company. They gave explicit directions, meaning we had to walk about fifty metres and wait for a few minutes. While waiting, I rang Colin (an ex-school mate) and arranged to drop around after we had picked up the car. At the same time (well, really a few minutes later, I rang the hotel we were booked into to say we would be late. The reception desk would be open all the time, so that was okay.
W got picked up a few minutes later and were duly delivered to the company’s depot. I did the paperwork and the desk clerk did the most thorough explanation and then check of the car I have ever had in using rental cars, in now over twenty years of renting them while away.
Finally we left about 1900 with the SatNav plugged in and Colin’s address entered. It predicted half an hour, so I rang him again to tell him.
We arrived at Colin’s place about 1930 and caught up with Joss (wife) and Sarah (who had been the partner of another school friend). An enjoyable time followed, with drinks first (no alcohol for me, just in case the rental company is following my adventures), then dinner and a lost of discussion.
Suddenly I realised the time was about 2310 and we had to say goodbye and head off to our hotel, which was right in the centre of Auckland (yes, RIGHT in the centre).
We soon arrived in Auckland at the hotel and I had to park in a loading zone, but was assured all would be ok. After getting the luggage in, and Fran buying the parking ticket for the station next door, and going to the room, it (204) was – a DOUBLE! Agh! Down to the desk again and explained we wanted a twin, as we were brother and sister. We got another room (208) which was – ANOTHER DOUBLE! Down again and finally we got a twin (308).

I went back to the car and moved it into the parking station (NZ$8) and finally found an empty spot on the seventh level. However I was not in my seventh heaven as I found a parking ticket on the car.
I walked back to the hotel (it was now 0010) and I was very upset. I filled out a written complaint, but have resolved I will not be paying the ticket and will leave the hotel to sort it out.
Finally I was in the room and after changing, was off to bed but still furious. I found it difficult to get to sleep, which wasn’t helped by the room being hot and the air-conditioner having a time limit of one hour. I did a blog summary and found there was no free Internet, and eventually dropped off about 0200.