Goodbye Auckland

So, Gigi and I went our separate ways earlier today, she did wait for me apparently, but she wasn't in front of the store we agreed to meet by. Either way, she didn't waste her day, but went to Waiheke as well and went on a wine tour. She had her fun it seems, so that's all good.
We met up at ACB around 18:00 and went out for bubble tea, Gigi doesn't like it. So after drinking a liter of tea, we went back, Gigi wanted to take a quick nap, and I should wake her up shortly. 40 minutes later I was hungry . But she didn't want to leave. So, McD for me, then back and into bed. Guess it's the best, since we're flying with Nazi Airlines... Ahem... Jetstar, tomorrow.
Jetstar provides you with a 30 minute timeframe to check in and board their airplane, if you're late, you miss your flight. On top of that they have a whole bunch of other regulations, word on the street is (that'll be backpackers and other NZ people I've talked to and mentioned the name Jetstar), that they're horrible. It get's you from A to B, nothing else. The Ryanair of new Zealand so to say. I'm looking forward to see how it actually goes though.
Tomorrow we're getting up early and then heading to the airport. Then I'll take Gigi to her train towards Masterton, and I myself will go meet with Nathan at Creative HQ (the place I'll be working). He'll take me to Robyn's and I'll start working on the 2nd. So I guess this marks the end of my vacation. :(

So far!

From AKL to Auckland City

Right now I'm about to go to sleep at ACB, Auckland Central Backpackers. The place is ok, reminds me of the Jugendherberge (plural) I visited in Germany while I was a student at Østerskov Efterskole. Crappy showers, crowded rooms and extremely polite service.

But let's get back to where I last left you:
Gigi and I got out of AKL, Auckland Airport, after walking through another security point with Chinese people everywhere. I don't know what's wrong with them, but they come across as very unpolite in their behavior. The group in front of us, decided that it would more practical to take their bags off their carts, realizing that they had to run them through the X-ray 1 by 1 while having their passports and customs declarations checked. So 2 people did that while the woman was left to deal with the police officer. They continued (without their passports and all of the luggage) to the X-ray and left the cart blocking the line for everyone else. When the officer yelled at them to get their attention, the younger man quickly replied: "Yes yes, X-ray" and wandered off before the officer got to react. A college caught them and took them all aside to make space for Gigi and I.

After that, we went outside a had a breath of fresh air (first since leaving Amsterdam), and yes, literally fresh air, that stuff doesn't exist in China. Much like New York it's dry and polluted, smelly if you want.
I tries to get a SIM for my phone, but apparently I have to go to "real" store to get a Micro-SIM for my iPhone 4S. So that'll have to wait until tomorrow (today by the time this is posted).
Gigi and I then took the bus to Auckland central. It took me some time to realize we were in the wrong side of the road, probably because I'm so exhausted after the trip. On that note, I'll enjoy the landscape tomorrow as well.
When we got to Downtown, we checked in at ACB, I showered and we went outside to walk around the city and find some WiFi (thank god for McDonalds!).
Gigi went back to bed I wanted to find some Bubble Tea. Being so close to China there had to be a tea house somewhere. I found (Thank you Siri!), went there and had a cup. Now I'm back here.

Stay tuned for tomorrows post, Gigi doesn't know it yet but we're going to Waiheke Island as Clare (my supervisor from IBA) suggested. Supposedly it's really beautiful there.

P.S.: Is it mandatory for backpackers to snore? 3 of the 5 others in here do so. Including Gigi :p