We're here......

FOSTER:
Survived the plane trip.....just. Don't know how anyone goes any further than NZ. Thank God for movies.

At Stephen's brother Kevin and Linda's till Wednesday, then heading north.
Nice hire cars-Camrys
Heading in to Auckland this morning on the ferry.
Zib planning to jump off Sky Tower...we'll see...
No photos yet, but soon

FERRIS:
The alarm went off at 4am & our adventure began.......
Interesting shuttle bus driver, fast trip to the airport, check -in, well were do I start......
Harley's bag first 12kg, Jackson's bag 10kg, wait for it......Lisa's bag 18.4kg and Andrew's bag.......drum roll......20.6kg!!!!! He was 'packing light'!!!

Processing through Immigration was next and we all went through with ease except Andrew.....he was the 1 in 7 to be picked up for a search for explosives, not sure where he was supposed to have stashed them but we were all hoping for full body & cavity search, we were disappointed, just external, damn!
Emirates was great, A380 enormous. Much to the Ferris's pleasure the food was fantastic & plentiful! We each had our own 'Entertainment' unit. Jack, Harley & Zib sat on their own, so their uninterupted uncensored viewing time was made the most of......Harley watched Paranormal Activity, mmmmmm! Landing a breeze, especially when you are able to watch it from on the screen in front of you using the camera installed on the tail.

Arriving in Auckland and deplaning just like visiting a country town, to the right of us, the planes to the left, grass paddocks & a not so secure looking airport fence. Were not able to put to use our new electronic face recognition passports, traveling with 2 kids under 18 means that because their faces change so much we had to go through the old way...... & yes....they let us in! Customs no issues and we were through to begin our adventure.......

Picking up our hire cars took a bit of time.....one phone call, then two, lost swipe cards to get into the airport, broken down shuttle bus, driver in the wrong place, van too small for 7 passengers with 1 surfboard & 2 boogie boards, stoned ancient hippies, the 'f' word, Stephen & Andrew having to go get the cars, Helen , Lisa & crew waiting with the bags, starving kids, no local currency, stoned ancient hippies again taking up too much time at car rental pick up (in their world life moves at a very slow pace), visions of broken down, clapped out jalopies rounding the corner with Stephen in front, steam coming out of his ears with Andrew following behind......but no, all good as far as the cars are concerned, 2 Camry's (just like Nanny & Pa's say Jack & Harley only not so cool?).

Arrived at Stephen's brother & sister-in-laws, Linda  & Kevin also there was  Frank, Stephen's Dad and nephew Jeremy & niece Jane, what a welcome. Backyard BBQ for dinner & much to Kevin's disbelief (the look on his face was priceless) his favorite ice cream, orange & choc chip was demolished in seconds!

Agenda tomorrow.....buy massive tub of orange & choc chip ice cream!

Off to bed now, tired but looking forward to a good night's sleep!

E haere rā