Yesterday was travelling from Sydney to start the next section of this trip. Barbara stayed on in Sydney to do delve more into it’s culture and theatre (well it’d rude not to with the Opera House in Circular Quay) before she heads back to the UK’s Winter Wonderland.
We rush to be first in queues to get on board planes. We then rush to get off the plane and get out. Both ends have natural dams to hold back and triage the flow. In both Sydney and Auckland it’s just the security checks: the e-passports do their thing quietly and efficiently.
The NZ check is a detailed biosecurity (e)declaration then a physical check. So having said Yes to we have Sports equipment and we’ve been through rural area, we expect a third degree. In addition to normal bio-risks they have big “we’re worried about foot and mouth” notices all around.
So I am a little surprised with one of our riders jumping up and down whilst enthusiastically declaring “we been through everything: mud, woods, off-road”. My voice shouted – factually – “and 99% of the trip has been on road” (my foot was nearly in her mouth). Anyway what could have been a latex glove internal inspection was thankfully just an extra x-ray of bags and bike. Which was show room clean, ready for inspection. Shed fairy practice paying off.
I do admire their slick IT. From filling in details on an app less than 24 hours ago, the Security agent has it seemlessly and easily read in front of him. BA take note…..
Today bike building, sourcing a new chain – it comes as a shock when the assistant says they only accept a physical payment card. Thinks hard “where might that be?” So now carrying one jic. (Amazon have a very low presence here and deliver from Australia).
Like Australia, I also like the convenience of booking a blood test on-line, going to a high street collection centre, results within 2hours. All for circa 20UKP.
Walking around Auckland on a temperate sunny day you can see it’s development from low- rise to high. First settled by the Maoris in the 14C, the Brits started getting our elbows out from the late 18C. Named by Governor William Hobson (I’m staying in Hobson Street) after Lord Auckland, Viceroy of India,
It was the capital between 1840-1864 before Wellington, the latter being a more acceptable fulcrum between the North and South Islands. 1.5 of the 5.5million population now live in Auckland.
Among the Māori names for the Auckland isthmus is Tāmaki-makau-rau. Mainly bilingual signage and a noticeable number of people wearing black clothes. A lot of homeless folks mix with the busy city goers.
Feels prosperous, and looking upwards.
Tomorrow, some galleries (it’s due to rain).
Travelling reflections 