Good morning folks.

 

After a relaxing long night we’re finally in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. It’s time for breakfast.

I decided to eat an Omlet. It was okayish.

We arrived on time at 9:30 in the morning at Auckland International Airport. After walking through the airport and through immigration and baggage claim I finally made it to the public area in 1 hour.

A nice lady with a dog inspected most of the passagengers bags at the baggage claim area. I heard a lot “Oh, is it a she or he? Oh she’s so cute!”.  🙂

Need a sim card for your phone? In the departure hall is a Vodafone store located. They sell sim cards (prepay sim) and phones. I opted for a prepay sim with data package as addon.

Are all people so nice at the airport. Even the girl at this Vodafone New Zealand store is so kind. She asked me what type of phone I have and what I want to do with it while I am in New Zealand..

Keep in mind: Not every phone works with any network in the world, even when it’s unlocked. I told her that I have an European HTC Sensation, which works with the Vodafone 3G Network both on 2100 Mhz and 900 Mhz. “I guess you don’t need help to put your new sim card into your sim card, do you?” 😉

A recommed the supa prepay sim starter kit for under 30 NZD. Itcomes already with a data package and 2500 free text messages to any NZ mobile phone.

It also givves you the choice to add more addons like data packages and international calling minutes.

 

Then I headed to the currency exchange counter. Another friendly person greeted me. Are all people so nice in this country? I exchanged Euros and Australian dollars into New Zealand dollars.

 

Smartphone – checked. New Zealand cash – checked. What’s next?

Let’s get to the City of Sails also known as Auckland . I already knew that there’s a direct bus line right outside the International Terminal.

I walked to the bus line counter while I started talking she saw my Contiki document wallet and said hat I can pay directly at the bus. I would get a 15% discount when I show the document wallet to the bus driver.

I enjoyed the ride to Auckland downtown. About 45 minutes later I arrived at the bus stop right across my hotel. The Mercure Auckland.

The entrance to the lobby is a bit hidden, but found it.

I checked in and took the elevator to the 8th floor. Yeah Harbour view! 🙂 (I booked it for 45 €/ night). The hotel is pretty nice, clean and right in downtown Auckland.

The day is still early, time to explore the City of Sails.I walked to the Harbour and enjoyed the wind and the fresh air.

Later I contacted a girl from Wales who’s also on my Contiki tour in New Zealand. We met in the lobby and walked to the harbour a freshly made Subway sandwich. On the other side of the world with a nice girl from Wales enjoying together the great night weather with a healthy sandwich.

I went to bed early, as a got a bit tired.

My plan for the next day: Explore Auckland!