After a long (really long) direct flight from DFW to Auckland, you go through NZ customs. NZ is serious about protecting their island country from foreign pests. Before you arrive you fill out a declarations card. I had to declare all my hiking and camping gear. You can’t bring in food – nothing, zilch, nada in the edible department. They are SERIOUS about this. You can’t bring a candy bar, or an apple from the plane, or a granola bar from the plane or a forgotten earl grey tea bag tucked away in your suitcase pouch. Luckily I knew this before I got on the plane so I left all my plane snacks on the plane and also I scoured every zippered pouch and pocket of my suitcases and carry-ons before I left my house in Texas for my ubiquitous favorite tea bags. Unfortunately for her, the woman in the next customs line over couldn’t or didn’t read the declarations card or the fifty bajillion signs along the long walk from the plane to customs; or listen to the flight attendant’s announcement; or the regularly repeating announcements in the customs area and she was issued an instant $400 fine for the banana she “forgot” in her bag.
I went through an extra screening for my hiking equipment, luckily I had washed my hiking poles with soap and water before leaving my house, brought new hiking shoes with no ground in dirt, and a new tent that has only been assembled inside. So even though there was extra scrutiny, I made it through customs slowly but without issue.
I arrived hungry because I slept through 2 of the 3 food services on the plane and didn’t find the airplane egg scramble very edible. Luckily the Auckland airport has a food court and I had a pita bowl before finding my way to the Yellow Bus (to my joy that was really the name and color of the bus) that would take me to my hotel 5 minutes away. Where they let me check in at 11:30am (thank goodness for the kindness of front desk employees), I got to the room and immediately fell asleep even though I promised myself I wouldn’t. Woke up after a badly needed nap and went for a walk in the neighbor hood around the hotel. I tried my first meat pies, something NZ is famous for apparently. The butter chicken one was so-so and the steak pie was better but not great. The apricot tart was excellent.
Returned to my hotel and did a little unpacking and reorganizing and immediately fell back asleep.
