New Zealand 2018 - Part 1

Pre-planning – We decided we will pack for 7-10 days in 3 small suitcases plus a backpack for each of us. That way we only need to check one piece of luggage and won’t have a large unwieldy suitcase to drag around, we are not getting any younger.  The plan is to do laundry on our designated rest days each week to ten days of our 6-week journey. 

 

September 22 – 23, 2018 – Saturday- Sunday

Fly from BWI (Baltimore Washington International) – Arrive LAX (Los Angeles) in time for dinner with family and then to bed. Sunday we went to the Getty Villa. I will write more on that in another post about little-known museums in the LA area. We spend Monday at the hotel catching up on email.

                

 

Our September 24, 2018 - Monday

Our journey begins with a 10:30 pm Qantas flight from LAX (Los Angeles) through Sydney and on to Auckland. We took a Super Shuttle van to Center City, China Town, Auckland, to the Four Points by Sheraton which as always is a lovely hotel. No Dinner just sleep. What day is this? Oh yes, we lost Tuesday crossing the International Dateline, so today must be Wednesday, September 26.

 

September 26 -7,2018 – Auckland – Wednesday/Thursday

We planned a quiet day to get oriented.  Buffet breakfast at the hotel. We explored by foot from our hotel to TowerCity to check out where to get the bus to Paihia, Bay of Islands, tomorrow. About a 20 minute walk. We have never seen so many little shops, restaurants, more like food stands, in such a concentrated area. Auckland is very hilly so we decide to take a taxi the next morning because we will have our suitcases with us.

 September 28, 2018  - Friday

We are scheduled for a 10 am InterCity Coach (www.intercity.co.nz), from Auckland to Paihia. The coach had several stops along the way so we were able to see the business area of these small towns, although we did not stop long enough to get off the coach to explore, not that it was expected.  We were dropped at the Maritime Wharf which ended up being right in front of the office of Fullers GreatSights Tour Company where we needed to stop and pay for our tour for the next day. While there we were told that our hotel was walking distance even with our luggage.

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We are staying at the Kingsgate Hotel and Motor Lodge for 4 nights. Registration was easy and the staff at the desk immediately went back into the system and moved us to a room on the second floor in a building that has a “lift” (elevator) when I questioned where our original room was located. That way I would not have to climb more steps than absolutely necessary. Surprise, our walk-in shower has a grab bar. I think this is an “accessible” room.  Be aware that the restaurant is on the second floor of a building that has no lift. I have been very careful managing the steps for breakfast and dinner and have found the food excellent and the staff very accommodating as far as my food allergies go.

***Michael and I joined Goldrush Getaways Travel Agency, as independent travel consultants, in May of 2017. We have been low key until now (January 2019), testing the waters with domestic travel and taking many classes. This is the third big trip for us and each has been a total success!!! We are now ready to actively help others with their travel needs. Contact us at 410-929-1732 or mytravelinglady@gmail.com