Lesley and I have been looking forward to this day for quite a while now and it is finally arrived, but not without some stress. Well actually, a lot of stress but that is normal. But all the issues of packing are now behind us.

Kelly picked us up at 5.30am and we are off. Our trip to the Airport was incident free and checking in was a breeze. Our flight was delayed by 45 minutes but it is what is is. Finally, we are on our way and after 4 hours or so we arrived at Auckland Airport. Our transfer was waiting and we checked in at the Crowne Plaza, Auckland around 4.30pm NZ time. NZ is 2 hours ahead of Melbourne time.

At 5.30, we met our good friends, Joan and Ron in the bar and we really feel that our holiday has commenced . My biggest decision now is what beer to try. The Barman let me know that Mac Gold is a lager and that does me. Out of the tap, it tasted almost as god as God’s Own Nectar, Crown Lager.

Ron is not that big a fan and progresssed to a Peroni stubbie. Each to his own but he is from Sydney.

Lesley and Joan are content with a NZ Sav Blanc.

The Grand Pacific Tours Rep arrives and the others on our tour gradually turn up. A welcome dinner awaits for the night coupled with a free drink each. After the free one, we managed a few more.

When we were called for dinner, we were a tad slow in getting there and there were 2 spots left on each table. So Ron and I sat together and the girls went to the other table. A few eyebrows were raised but they got over it.

Dinner was excellent with 3 choices for the main and 3 for dessert. For the main, I chose a Rack of Lamb (we are in NZ). The other options were Salmon and Steak. The lamb was excellent and Lesley told me when we sat together again afterwards, that she also had the lamb and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Joan and Ron both had the Joe Blake and weren’t impressed.

There are 20 on the tour comprising 5 Pommie couples, 1 (Us) from Melbourne, 2 from Sydney, 1 from Perth and 1 from Adelaide.

The company was good and we hope that lasts for the 19 days we are together. There were 6 of us left after dinner and after the mandatory cleanser or three, we retired fairly early after what had been a long day.