I had an awful nights sleep last night, which I can't explain because I was pretty relaxed about my flight ahead. It was also really weird because my phone went from full battery to no battery during the night, and it was lucky I heard the low battery vibration otherwise my alarm wouldn't have gone off! In the end I got out of bed at around 5am to charge my phone and also get another positive football result! I think it was because I skyped on my phone last night and didn't logout. Skype and phone is all still pretty new to me.
After checking out of the hostel, I walked to airport, saving me a $22 transfer fee. It was a fair walk but it was nice to get one final look at the coastal mangroves and hills that surround Cairns when walking in. When arriving at the airport I found it all pretty confusing as it said relax next to my flight. I soon realised this applied to the plane and not me, and after queuing behind this large group of Asian people I managed to successfully check in.
Security was pretty simple, with just an x ray on my bag, and also this machine which scanned me. The machine however detected I had a sweat patch on my back! The people going through were all pretty laid back, and I was soon through to the departure lounge which had a select few shops. As I had an odd $20 remaining I decided to have breakfast here, having a sausage roll with wedges. I washed that down with a bottle of lift and mars bar!
After looking round the shops which just sold duty free items, gifts and food in general, I just relaxed which basically involved me pacing round the lounge. By 10 boarding started and I boarded this relatively small plane compared to my last flights as it only had one aisle and about half the amount of rows this one. It was still good though as I got my screen full of movies, games and music. I ended up watching the 50th anniversary doctor who in the end!
Before long lunch was served, although only a select few passengers got it with their ticket which included me! It was basically a noodle salad with beef, and an apricot cake on the side. I also took full advantage of the free drinks on flight which could be ordered from my seat, and from there was swiftly brought to the seat! By now I was well into the flight and just spent my time thinking, with their flight show showing the location and everything on in the background.
In the end we landed about half an hour early due to the wind being behind us, and I was soon out ready to face security. I had to fill out a declaration form of various things I was bringing in, and I ticked yes on a few boxes which worried me! Luckily it just involved a quick check of my passport, following by a questioning session. From there I got my bag x rayed, and then I got sniffed by a dog, and luckily they didn't find anything I shouldn't have so I was out the airport in Auckland.
When leaving the airport, I got the shuttle bus to the city by half 6, and from here it took a good half hour to get to the centre. The city itself reminded me of Sydney with all its shops and harbour side. My first stop was a half hearted trip to the kiwi experience office which was shut, so I headed to check into my hostel. I soon found out there two Nomads down the same street after arriving at the wrong one! When going into my room it was an absolute tip with peoples belongings on the floor. I just left my stuff on the bed and headed out into town.
All I wanted to do as it was getting late was see the distinctive skyline, and I soon found a good position on the harbour for a few photos. I then headed to the supermarket which was called countdown, the equivalent of woolworths as they had the same logo. It was confusing because wafers in Australia were $0.59, but here $1.39. Conversely chocolate bars in Australia are at least $2, but here about a $1. All in all NZ seemed to be fractionally cheaper. I just simply bought a reduced pizza here for dinner.
From there I headed to burger king for free WiFi after getting a glimpse at the shops. When finishing it was nearly midnight although I wasn't tired because my body clock was telling me it was nearly 9. When arriving in my room I was surprised no one was there, although tiredness started to set in and I turned the light off and went to sleep.
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