Auckland

 We’re here!

We landed in Auckland at 5:55 AM on January 14. 

Chris took a taxi to pick up the rental car (we didn’t realize when booking that it wasn’t on site at the airport), then drove back (on the left side of the road, mind you) to pick up myself, the kids, and our 13+ bags. 

Fortunately, our Airbnb graciously allowed us an early check-in, so we were able to head straight there. And due to some good planning, it was only 15 minutes from the airport in a less developed section of town. Once we got the bags inside, we rested just a brief 30-45 minutes before heading out to explore. 

I grabbed my first flat white and we went to open our new bank account here in New Zealand. After that, we went to this amazing Japanese restaurant just down the street. Chris said the sushi was amazing, but I think it was a bit too interesting flavor-wise for the kids. 

We went to a Kmart (they are nice here - like a Target) at a mall, checked out a Noel Leeming for an x-box cord, and got a burger for Quinn at Macca’s (McDonalds).

We also went to look at a car at a dealership on the far northside of town and then to a place called Andy’s Burgers where a robot brings you your food (gimmicky but fun).