New Zealand Trip - Travel Diary (1)

[pic: Chennai Airport]

The much awaited official visit to New Zealand finally materialized on July 25th, when I boarded into the Malaysia Airlines flight in Chennai. Its a trip to New Zealand with a 3 hours transit break in Malaysia. The security check in the airport was not so severe as it was in my earlier trips in . This time they didn't ask to remove the shoes. Earlier we have to remove the shoes, shocks and wear them again, a pain. For the first time, I saw pretty women in the cabin crew (air-hostess). In my earlier trips, it was not so, most of them were aged women.  It took about 4 hours to reach Malaysia. The Malaysia airport was beautiful with lot of duty free shops. Especially I liked one bay with lot of shops selling exquisite fancy and cosmetic items. Thought what would have happened if my friend had been with me, may be she would have spent the whole of those 4 hours in browsing through the items in those shops.

[pic: Malaysia Airport]


I noticed that some high school children were in the terminal, who probably had come for some school related visits. They all traveled in the same flight, and next to me seated were two girls from that group, who kept on chatting all through the journey. The journey of eleven hours was a bit boring. But I should mention about the tasty food that was served. I was seated almost near the tail, and was always served at the last. Once, by the time food came to me, I asked for chicken and my neighbor - an old gentleman from Scotland - on the right side too asked for chicken. There was only one chicken meal left, which the gentleman offered to me, though I offered it back to me, he refused and asked me to take it. He took fish. I was a bit scared to take fish outside, due to the possibility of allergies it may cause.

[pic: Statue in Auckland Airport]

Exit From Auckland Airport - New Zealand

Pretty Auckland, New Zealand

A Traffic Signal, Auckland, New Zealand

Beautiful Houses, Auckland, New Zealand

Reached Auckland airport around 11:45 AM on July 26. Exchanged a few US Dollars into New Zealand Dollars in the Airport. The New Zealand Dollars were colorful and appeared that they were made of plastic. Also got a local prepaid SIM and called home. Then I went to to withdraw some more local currency, as I was not sure if the amount I got will be sufficient to pay for the taxi. I first put my travel card into an ATM, the display came in some Chinese characters, so I cancelled it and again tried in the next ATM. This machine gave new New Zealand dollars. I came out of the Airport and found a few taxis waiting outside. I went near and one guy, dressed in white and white, with a cap, came nearby, and asked "Where do you want to go Sir?", I replied "Do you give bill?", since I have to get it reimbursed. He said "Yes Sir" and then I said that I have to go to the Best Western President Hotel in Auckland.

Queen's Street, Auckland, New Zealand

Queen's Street, Auckland, New Zealand

Queen's Street, Auckland, New Zealand

View From Hotel-Victoria Street, Auckland, New Zealand

[pic: Auckland Streets]

New Zealand Currency

Items in the Kitchenette

Wardrobe - Arranged

The moment the taxi went out of the Airport I realized that New Zealand is a pretty city. I checked-in in the hotel, occupied room no 45 and took rest for sometime. Then set up the laptop, arranged dress in the wardrobe, kept all the cooking items in the kitchenette (a small kitchen with microwave oven and fridge). After sometime thought of going around the city and went for a walk on the roads around the hotel. The hotel was on Victoria road, it is adjacent Queen's road - is the main road of the city - went for a walk almost till the end of that road. Clicked a few selfies and pictures all along. Went back to the hotel, attended a few work related tasks, cooked dinner and slept. I was informed that I had to report for work at 7 AM in the morning, but I decided to report at 8 AM, as I got to know that even clients will be coming to office around 7:30 AM.

New Zealand Trip - Travel Diary (2)


-SPGR.