My first few days in Auckland

Weds 3rd Dec - Auckland 

At close to 12am I arrive in Christchurch.. my next flight to Auckland is at 6.30am.. after immigration (where due to me choosing the 21st Century technology route results in NO STAMP booo) I grab some food then head to the airport lounge.. ipod on.. beanie bag as a cushion.. and I'm alseep. 

I awake to my eyes slowly focusing on the time on my phone brightly displaying 4.30am. I collect my bags.. get a snack and head to check in/departures.  I land in Auckland early in the morning. After collecting my luggage I take the airport bus transfer to the city and my hostel for the next couple of nights (Nomads). 

I can't check in till 2pm so I drop my bags off and head to the nearby sports pub to have some breakfast and watch part of the footy game being shown (Man U v Stoke). The time difference here is now +13hr to the UK. Soon after leaving I crash at the travel shop linked to the hostel.. again on some comfy beanie bags. In the evening I chat to a few other travellers and we chill out in the tv room. 

Thurd 4th Dec - Auckland 

I'm up early to watch Chelsea v Spurs at the pub. The stream is 20mins delayed but it is good quality... despite some promising play Spurs are 2-0 down at half time.. I head back to the hostel kitchen to eat breakfast.. should I return for the 2nd half? 

I decide to head back.. and again some more promising play but hit on the counter and 3-0 game over. After lunch I head out to do a bit of shopping. I have arranged to meet up with Al (A Kiwi who worked as a Chaplain for a few years at my secondary school and was good friends with my mum). When I get back to my dorm a message awaits me on my charging phone.. change of plans.. I will now take the 5.15pm ferry to meet Al at Half Moon Bay, nearby to his neighbourhood. It is 4.30pm.. I will do my much needed clothes wash in prep for my trip later.

On arrival to Half Moon Bay I get picked up by Al, we chat and I find out about the local area, schools, Al's family and job. We stop off to get some pizzas then head to Al's home where I meet his wife and daughters, and enjoy the tasty pizza. Unfortunately it is a rushed trip as I am soon getting dropped back in time to take the last ferry of the day to the city. It has been good to meet up and find out about life in New Zealand. Depending on my return to Auckland I might see them again before I fly onto South America.

Back at the hostel, I get my washing on and later dryed, head out for an evening run and into bed ready for the start of my Kiwi Experience adventure of New Zealand!