We got to Auckland at 12.50 local time and it took us nearly three hours to get out of the airport.

In this country of 3.95 million people and 39.2 million sheep, the sheep and their habitat take preference. As New Zealand relies on its agricultural products to prosper (apart from tourism), they are very strict about bringing in animal or plant products. Keiron and I both had to show the soles of our walking boots (Keirons were scraped clean) and they inspected the moai we bought for woodworm.

Luckily we didn't have to leave him (the moai) behind and we took the bus to the city centre, with our bus driver nearly hitting a car in the busy centre, at which he started shouting at the driver. Everything is strangely familiar: driving on the left, signs in English, well known brand names and still very alien, the accent of the driver the first thing I noticed.

In town, we checked into a backpackers for the next three days. We did out laundry and it was so great to have fresh clothes. We spent some time on the internet and in the evening we went to the cinema, Vanity Fair with Reese Witherspoon was on.

After having two days in one go we were knackered and were very glad to go to bed.