Within a few days we totally fell in love with Auckland. (If anybody has a job offer there, please do not hesitate to contact us!) The setting is beautiful, the atmosphere relaxed, the surroundings lush and the people unbelievably hospitable. The experience starts before you even pass the boarder control. On the way to the control and the baggage claim there are already tons of information brochures, which inform you about the zillions things you can do in NZ. There are so many information brochures everywhere that you do not need a guidebook.
The stamps in the passport were quickly done, a little bit longer took the inspection and disinfection of your camping gear. More than 75% of the species in NZ are unique, so they heavily check everything to avoid intruders to their system.
In Auckland we could stay with Lyn, a friend of Erica, who has never saw us before but welcomed us as if we were old friends. Just great! Thanks again Erica and Lyn, we had an awesome time!
On the next day was Waitangi Day, the national holiday, although not all are sure if it is really a reason to celebrate. Nevertheless we heard that there would be festivities and went early in the morning to the city. We got guided to a nice place overlooking the sea but we were too late for the sunrise activities and too early for the day activities. Eventually we found a Maori building and people gathering around. After ignoring the VIP signs and we got invited to join the celebration. Suddenly we sat in between the counsel of Auckland pretending to sing Maori songs that everybody seemed to know. On the opposite site sat high-ranking Maoris from the Auckland tribe telling their stories and singing songs in their language. Although we only go half of it, it was pretty moving. After the celebration we went to the public festivities with stalls and music. It was a perfect start for our NZ trip. Unfortunately we forgot the sunscreen and at the end of the day we had the perfectly burned faces.
The other days we explored Auckland and its surroundings before welcoming our home for the next three weeks, a cute juicy campervan.
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