New Zealand 20/20 trip: Day 13 Wellington to Auckland scramble

By the numbers

Main Bag 16 kgs

Cabin bag 6.8 kg

8.77 kms

11,888 steps

The morning started with another maccas run down stairs to get some food before I decided to leave. Turn on the TV to watch Saturday Morning cartoons, turn it straight off when I realised it was the Power puff girls. Nothing against them, but I was going for an update on what was happening as I am keeping a close eye on the news and don’t want to get stuck anywhere. I had already had the email to say my booking time had changed. An hour earlier, which I thought was interesting as the other flight simply disappeared. I was not worried, so long as I actually got to Auckland. I headed for the bus knowing that my Snapper card I had bought would not work on this journey to the airport. It had been stopped since April 2019. I had forgotten that it was a Saturday and the bus would be leaving every 20 mins and not the usual 10. I managed to get on the bus even though I knew I would be a touch over 3 hours early for my flight. I did not know what the current circumstances would be like. Turns out the airport was kind of quiet even though there were a few people around. I had sorted out my flight the night before, but in self check in I still had to say I wanted the new flight time.

The Air NZ lady was also nice. I did a wander around Wellington Airport looking for all the Hobbit and Lord of The Rings character, but most of them had gone. Gandalf was above a nice car on his eagle, but apparently they are getting new things put in soon. I would visit the airport just for that. I did hang around the main terminal before wandering through security as it was really light. The flight itself had a few vacant seats as everyone feared the virus on the plane. It was actually a short flight of around 45 mins to Auckland. A whole day saved if I had gone by train or by bus to Auckland. I had to make that choice and I did. I had to use the loo several times after we had landed and on the way to get my bag. The last time was when I came out and see it go out the back again, but I did think I could have let it go another lap around. I soon learnt that the Novotel hotel wasn’t near the domestic terminal, but right outside the arrivals in the International. It actually was not that far from the domestic, so you can easily walk there, but not when it is raining. The International Terminal was extremely busy with people everywhere and in long lines. I am a little worried about the morning, but hopefully I am early enough that it wont be a huge problem. When I checked in, I had no idea what I was expecting in the room, but it was flash and I was on the 8^th floor. I think there are 9 floors, so I get a really great view. I sorted out my flight for the next morning before going out again, so I made sure I was checked onto the plane.

After leaving my things in the room, I had my day pack and took a short trip by bus to the city. There were several things I needed and one was a new belt. I needed a drink as I had left my water back in the hotel and I had a tickle in my throat that made me cough, but a drink cured that. I hadn’t been drinking much and the dry throat was the cause. The one I have been using was basically worn out. There were still people wandering around Auckland, but seemed to be quieter. I had a short wander around, but didn’t want to linger in Auckland city for too long incase a sudden lock down happened, so I would end up being stuck. I wandered to a CD shop that I had been wanting to visit and didn’t really find what I was after, but the guy that served me was wearing the disposable gloves and he had said they had no grip, but they were all told to wear them now. That would explain why the cashier in The Warehouse had them on.

 I went to the airport bus and jumped on to head to the airport, no questions asked, which was good. I got off at the domestic terminal and walked to the International side, which wasn’t too bad. I listened to some Americans talking about their trip to Australia as they must have caught the Ghan. Talking about the flies not biting, but were just annoying as they needed a fly cover of sorts, but they loved the trip. It was interesting to note that along the walk near the International Terminal people with bags were sitting on the grass like that were unable to get flights, or chilling. The news that morning said not to enter the terminal and I had no problems walking through or even getting a meal from there. I headed back to my room with my dinner as the hotel’s dinner service mean you had to use social distancing and they were limiting the people. Tomorrow will be a new day and will see what happens. Should be good to get back home.