Day 1: Auckland

The first thing I noticed about Auckland is that it reminds me of a laid-back, less techie version of Seattle. The New Zealand accent does not sound particularly foreign to me, and only the occasional unfamiliar vocabulary word (car park instead of parking lot, or lift instead of elevator) reminds me that we are speaking different versions of English.

Vacation started with a bang, and viral gastroenteritis for Won. The nausea began the evening before we left, and progressed through all the miserable stages. I’m blaming a snack pack from Starbucks, or just the general germ-ishness of the Metro. We medicated him with fistfuls of Zofran, Imodium, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Dramamine, and Pepto to get him through 18 hours of flight from Dulles to San Francisco to Auckland. Finally, the symphony of godawful noises emanating from the bathroom is starting to abate.

Thank God and mileage reward programs for business class seats. We had looked forward to the United Polaris experience as much as anything for this trip. My overall review: underwhelming. At risk of sounding like a insufferable snot, I will say that I think the airline charges luxury prices for basic necessities like unlimited water and a toothbrush. It would be cruel and unusual to subject your dog to the conditions of Economy class for 18 hours: confined quarters, recycled air teeming with the viral particles of hundreds of people, unrestful sleep while sitting bolt upright, limited access to hydration as well as bathroom facilities. It’s a recipe for influenza, norovirus, deep vein thrombosis, and urinary tract infection. I did nonetheless appreciate the small luxuries of Saks Fifth avenue bedding, free champagne, non-plastic silverware, and Group 1 boarding. But really, the game changer is the space to lie down and move around, and the privilege of some personal space from our fellow passengers. Won managed to sleep from take-off to landing, and is somewhat alive because of this.

Upon landing in Auckland, I was again reminded that America may have a thing or two to learn from other advanced nations. The Customs agents were polite and friendly (well, I’ll be jiggered!). The Hertz rental agent was likewise pleasant, and did not attempt any up-selling. And we could buy (for a universally set price), install, and activate a SIM card before we even left the secure areas of the airport. I’ll be darned.

Then there was the adventure of driving on the wrong side of the road for the first time. Won took the drivers seat, while I shouted advice and encouragement. The ubiquitous roundabouts made for comedy gold. “Stay left, left, left, LEFT!!!! Yield riiiiiiight!!!!!”

Viruses and roundabouts be damned, we are finally on vacation, and safely in New Zealand. Hurrah! Tomorrow: we are going to the Shire.

March 8, 2018