Hi New Zealand! in Adventures in paradise

It’s been a big day. I left the house at 6:15am this morning, following my housemate out as he left for work. It was a two hour journey to the Gold Coast airport. In true form, I got an email saying that the present I’d bought for James’ birthday had been delivered, right as I’m about to leave the country ^rolls eyes^ so I’ll have to track that down when I get back home.
I got to the airport with time to spare, cleared security and immigration and onto the plane. I did notice it was a Malaysian aeroplane and had a tinge of worry momentarily rush through me lol.

AirAsia seems quite lenient with their cabin baggage. I didn’t see them weigh anybody’s. I didn’t bring my laptop on this trip because it made my luggage too heavy, plus I don’t wanna be using it too much anyway. I’ve only brought a few things. Hell, if I can survive a month in Europe with just carry-on, I’m sure I can do 4 days in New Zealand.

The flight was mostly good. Man, people are pigs. Even Asians! Haha. They were hogging into chip packets and leaving rubbish everywhere and that was before the inflight-service came around. Most customers were Asians but I did have a cute brunette Gold Coast surfer guy sitting two rows in front of me, so that was good to have a little bit of eye-candy on the way.
The flight was less than three-hours long, which was strange as I’d read it was a 3.5hr flight. 2 hours, 40 minutes later, the plane was landing.
I felt a little sick on take-off (nothing unusual) and again just before landing as the plane hit a jolt of turbulence. I felt my stomach drop.

Clearing immigration was a sinch. So easy. I didn’t even get asked questions (like I did in the UK). Just a smile and an, “Enjoy your trip!”
Then when I got to declarations, the guy asked me if I had any food with me. I said, “No,” and he handed me back my passport without even looking in my bag and I was in New Zealand! I did have the beagle sniffer dog take a brief interest in my shoes as I was walking by saying, “Ohhhhh how cuuuute!” but the police officer moved the doggy on lol.
I’m an honorary Kiwi for the next few days.

The only bad thing was that I’d stupidly forgotten to bring a pen with me to fill out the arrival card, and was lucky to find a single one that worked just before border protection. Will I ever learn? I was prepared this time though for what the questions were gonna be by writing down the hotels details.

I found my transfer bus and I’m glad I printed off my Google Maps directions because that helped me find my hotel since I knew I wouldn’t have any data or phone coverage once I landed. Planned that one well!
I’m very close to the city centre. Just a bit of a walk down one of the avenue’s.

I found the hotel around 6pm, so about 10 hours transiting when I add on the two-hour time difference. The hotel itself is really nice, my room is quite small, but it has a full kitchen so I can even cook if I want to. I found the supermarket after a bit of a wonder. They sell booze in the supermarket here, much like the UK does. I wish my country would get with the times, in more ways than one.
Things are expensive here, much like home. They actually seem even more expensive due to the slightly higher exchange rate.

I don’t have my laptop so I won’t be uploading any pics until I get home. The bus had wifi so I managed to get a Facebook check-in in. I also quickly sent off an email to my credit card facility telling them I was in NZ and NOT to cancel my card lol. It said to call them on their website but obvs I couldn’t do that so I just sent an email letting them know.
My card worked at the hotel (thank God) so I can only assume they got the message.

I’ve been here a few hours now and I’m still like an excited schoolgirl that I’ve finally made it here. The view from my balcony looks pretty cool but I’m looking forward to seeing it in the daylight.

I just saw the local weather report and they say the South island is going to get all the sun tomorrow whilst it’ll be raining here Ha! Great.
Lucky I brought my umbrella. I think it’s about 15 degrees max so I’m glad I brought a few layers.

First day exploring tomorrow 😀

Last updated May 26, 2017