The trip

I finally managed to get to the VIP lounge and grabbed some sparkly, food and soft drinks.

All required papers are present and accounted for.

After some 34 hours on two airplanes and stopping in Korea; finally: Auckland!

I had to take a selfie when I was loading all my luggage into the car.

I stopped at a small roadside cafe on my way to Taupo. I ordered an improvised steak beef with salad that was absolutely brilliant. That should be a dish rather than a spur of the moment concoction of a mad Anglo-Swede.

I then had a coffee - please remember this is what would normally be referred to as a road-side greasy spoon - that was fantastic.

I doubt even Taylor Street Barristas would be able to compete with this flat white.

I really don't remember the coffee being this good!