Don't Even Think of Asking Me What Time it Is

Our flight from Beijing landed in Auckland around 6:30pm on Saturday the 21st.  So, we left New York on Thursday afternoon and arrived in New Zealand on Saturday evening.  We quickly calculated that New Zealand was 18 hours ahead of Washington.  We leaned we could calculate the time back home by flipping the am or pm in New Zealand, and then subtracting six.  The descent into Auckland was beautiful, and the airport was surprisingly compact.  Immigration was completely electronic, and we never spoke to or saw an immigration or customs officer.  We went to a kiosk, scanned our passport, and that opened up a small gate.  We then individually stepped into a little vestibule, where our face was scanned.  After a few seconds, a green light went off, a little gate opened, and we stepped through.  It was imminently civilized.

Suitcases from our flight were already coming out when we reached the baggage claim area.  We each had a suitcase, as well as our trusty wine suitcase from previous travels to South Africa and California.  We had pre-booked a transfer, and our driver was waiting right outside arrivals.  Very quickly we were in a van and headed on the 20-minute drive to central Auckland, where we were spending the night.  Our hotel -- another Crowne Plaza, ironically -- was directly adjacent to the iconic Sky Tower, which dominates Auckland's skyline.

Our Hotel in Auckland

View From our Room

It was probably around 8:00pm by the time we reached our room.  We really weren't hungry, but I went out to explore and visit a grocery store for a few snacks, should anyone wake up at a weird hour of the night and their stomach not know the time.  It was a Saturday night in the heart of Auckland, and I quickly realized how many tourists were in town, and how many of them were young people.  New Zealand is known for attracting young Westerners, for both leisure travel, but also large numbers who backpack and/or work for months at a time.  Two of my German cousins, in fact, had done this very thing, each spending upwards of a year living/working there.  I found a nice grocery store, bought a few things, and by the time I was back in the room, we were all ready for bed. Arriving at night was good thing, and though the sun wasn't setting in New Zealand until almost 11:00pm, we had blackout curtains, which helped us all fall asleep, and which also masked the sun the next morning, which rose before 5:00am.

Christmas Decorations in Downtown Auckland