It was a 4am start on Sunday morning because of the necessary ablutions before hitting the road. I needed to move 50kgs of luggage up Merriwa St and along to the train station – about a kilometre but it was dark, drizzly and very muggy. I knew that once I got to the train I was going to be ok and fortunately the plan worked fine. I got there in the time I thought it would take and without complications but I was already hot and sweaty and it wasn’t even 6am yet, it’s a good thing my fitness is good at the moment! Two train trips and I’m at the airport. I really am impressed with the Sydney network.
The airport is absolutely empty at this time of the morning and it’ll probably be no different all day. Disappointingly the Air New Zealand Lounge wasn’t open so I had to mingle with common people – queue the eye roll emoji.
The plane is about 2/3 full and it was a really quick trip across the ditch because I think we had a strong tail wind leaving Sydney. A pity that the wind couldn’t reach New Zealand to help out the Americas Cup racing. As we flew into Auckland we could see all the boats out on the Waitamata, but it was about two hours out from the hopeful start time (that didn’t eventuate).
We landed and sat at the gate while they organised the next phase which took us into MIQ mode. They announced that we were going to be processed and then flown to Christchurch, and the reaction was mixed with some celebrating (like I did) and those who just shook their heads – too bad. For the next 14 days I’m going to share my MIQ experience…
My Fear Share 