A second breakfast prepared me for the day; a feast of whitebait fritters and Bercher muesli washed down with a large latte. I'd woken up at midnight, Auckland time, just short of the international dateline and had enjoyed an earlier airborne breakfast. Arrival in Auckland was pretty much like the rest of Air New Zealand journey, perfect. It helped at customs that I had no biohazards; not fruit, meat or other contraband - the dog and the xray checked for guilt and found me innocent.
I was at the hotel by six and took a two hour nap. I'd thought about where to walk and Rangitoto was at the top of my list and stayed there after I asked an Aucklander on the plane for ideas.
I checked the forecast in the paper over breakfast which confirmed what I'd seen out my window - a glorious day was there for the walking.
I walked down through Albert Park to Queen Street and bought a ferry ticket. When does it go? One minute ago, she said, run! Ideal, they waited for me.
