Great Kiwi road trip: Day 1 - Auckland

Kia ora!

After long haul 11 hours flight, we finally touched down Christchurch International Airport (CHC) by the time of 11PM local time (UTC + 12 hours). 

On our way to CHC, flew across the land of Aussie

Rumors have spread that New Zealand Custom is one of the stingiest in the World that you must declare any food that you’re trying to bring in. If you don’t declare and they find out, a fine of NZD 200 (1 NZD = 2.55 MYR)! We took 45 minutes to pass through the immigration and custom check. It was quite smooth and with a food checklist, we pass through the custom check easily. Though my mother-in-law thinks my husband and I were too worrying before the check up, yeah, we just being too cautious because a fine of NZD 200 will be too expensive for us! We spent another 5 hours in the CHC, while waited for another domestic flight to Auckland. Indeed, with a tiring body, cold temperature outside, restricted by the airport rule that one shouldn’t lie on the chair, we were hoping time to move quickly so we can board on the next flight ASAP.  CHC is currently has some upgrading works and the main terminal was shut down after the last departure flight. Literally, we had nothing to do, nothing to eat in this international airport. 

Our boarding passes

I always like the way how the Ang Moh do their self-check in and self- bag drop. Things made so easy when we can check in for our own bags. It was quite fun, indeed. This time, we took Air New Zealand to connect our flights to Auckland. Like US, no sexy and young in-flight crews, but mature and professional one. For a 1 hour and 30 minutes flight, we did a short nap, had the breakfast (I had muesli and yoghurt) and enjoyed the sunrise from the window. It was about 730AM we arrived Auckland. My father-in-law’s sister (Here start mentioned as Da Gu and her husband - Mokmo Gu) picked us up. On our way back to their house in Northcote, it was about time for students to go school. My first impression of NZ starts from here, streets are so clean and so less-polluted if compared to KL. 

Auckland's Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Simply Iconic.

Auckland is the largest city in NZ, with 1.2 million residents, it is quite big and roads are the most important accessible route, apart from ferry and tram.  We did our shower and rest for few hours then to meet the rest of the family. My husband’s cousin – Annie has been very passionate to welcome us, she even took 2 days off just to bring us around in Auckland. It was a pity we were too exhausted after the flight, her intention to bring us out for some nightlife activities was wasted. 

Our host's house at Northcote, Auckland

Kiwi fruits at Da gu's house backyard

This cat is their neighbor cat, like to stick with us and came into the house to get some warm

First day in Auckland, we visited the Mission Bay, MJ Savage memorial Park, One tree hill and the Devonport.

Mission Bay

Mission Bay overlooked the Rangitoto volcano, the youngest volcano in the New Zealand

Annie was trying to capture a picture of both of us whose hands touch the Rangitoto, but we were so interrupted by one walk-by cute dog

How green is New Zealand! A city with so the green landscape

Hubby and his cousin - Annie @ MJ Savage Memorial park

MJ Savage Memorial Park

Family photo @ One tree hill, a place which offers 360 degree of Auckland city view

Due to approaching to winter, the daylight saving ended on first Sunday of April. It was turning quite dark after 5.30PM. We went home after visited the ferry port at Devonport. We can't wait for the next day to come, though with a very tired body. Time to rest though. =)