5pm – Vancouver International Airport. Bags checked, coffee downed, I was set. I could feel that travel excitement in my veins as I headed toward a new adventure in New Zealand, my mom’s homeland. Crossing the Pacific had this allure of diving into something different, wild, and kind of unpredictable. But I had no idea just how quickly that unpredictability would kick in.
Landing in Auckland – The first thing I realized? Getting into a new country is a little more intense than simply landing. As soon as I was in line, they handed me a customs form asking for the address of where I'd be staying. Of course, I hadn’t written that down.
Cue my attempt at "guessing" where I might be staying. It was either that or face the reality of getting sent back before I even tasted a Tim Tam. I texted my Aunt, woke her up, and managed to get the actual address just in time. Crisis averted!
At Arrivals – Now, here’s where things got…unexpected. My cousin had planned to pick me up but, in an epic twist, they fell asleep. Yep, as I waited with my chicken-flavored chips (because why not?), the arrivals gate slowly emptied. Hours passed. My new friends, the security guards, finally gave me a nudge, and it was time for Plan B. Right about then, my cousin arrived, ready to make up for lost time, and we set out to explore Auckland.
Exploring Auckland – Our first stop was the beach. It was warm, and the sun was shining down as if it, too, was glad to see me. Nothing but good vibes, salty sea breeze, and sand. We eventually ventured into the city for lunch, where I took in every bit of Auckland life I could—the street performers, the bustle, and that laid-back Kiwi attitude.
And as the sun began to sink, so did I, onto my cousin's couch, exhausted but more than ready for whatever day two would bring. New Zealand had already managed to surprise, charm, and leave me wanting more.
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Good morning . Way to weather the unpredictable first day .in NZ . What will today bring ?