New Zealand, here we come!
- Anndria Rose
- Mar 9
- 4 min read
To preface this adventure, it is important I take a moment to explain the world wide service organization known as Rotary. Comprised of "Service Above Self" like minded individuals, this organization strives to work together to create actionable methods to better the world we live in. From our fight to eradicate Polio world wide, to the needs of our own backyard communities.
This trip was truly a once in a lifetime experience. This may go without saying, however the circumstances surrounding the trip provide the statement its validity.
The full trip through New Zealand and Australia lasted one month with varying locations and around 14 plane flights.
My travel buddy was my mom.
Join me, while I take you on this excursion lasting from May 15th to June 13th, 2023 filled with wonderous sights. joyous laughter, and transformative moments.
Let us begin with the first flight of the trip-PDX > LAX. If you live in the Pacific North West you may be familiar with the Portland International Airport. It is divine! Easy to travel in and out of with quick access to baggage drop off and check in, clear signage, and loads of wonderful restaurants and shops. 10/10 recommend making a stop at PDX on your PNW travels.
Getting into LAX (Los Angeles International) provides a night and day difference from PDX. Being a main hub for a lot of international travel, it is no wonder the airport is vast. Mom & I did enjoy our layover with friends who were making this journey with us. We sat down to a enjoyable meal at PF Chang's prior to making our way to our gate. Now, I have a tendency to follow my instincts and once at the gate I noticed a woman who seemed slightly out of sorts. I went to check in on her and see if I could help, only to spend the next three hours getting to know her and sharing in her memories. She was making an emergency trip to Australia to be with her brother who had experienced a traumatic event and was asking for her. As I listened to her story and shared in her joy watching videos of her sons recent wedding, I began to feel the sensation that this was just the beginning of the connections I was going to make on this trip.
Upon her arrival in Australia days later, she did reach out to me to let me know she was with her brother and he was recovering. Sadly I have since lost touch with her, but that moment will forever live in both of us.
The second flight was our long one, LAX > SYD (Sydney International). We paid the extra monies to travel Premium Economy on Qantas Airlines. It was WORTH IT! You may think having the back two center seats right next to the bathrooms and galley would be cumbersome, and this would be incorrect. The best seats! More room to store items on the flight, little hideaway areas being backed against the wall, and right by the attendants area to get up, stretch, and grab snacks. :) Such a great flight. From the three course meal & breakfast to the in-flight entertainment and pajamas.
Arriving in SYD we met up with more of our Rotary group making this trek. We all boarded our third and final flight of this day (well two days counting the time difference), from SYD > AKL (Auckland International). This short jaunt provided spectacular views of the North Island of New Zealand.
Tears began to fill my eyes when looking out at the bright green hills and picturesque landscape. No wonder this part of the North Island was chosen as the home to The Shire for the filming of Lord of the Rings. I had never wanted to be a Hobbit as badly as I did in that moment.
The bus ride from the airport to the JW Marriot Hotel introduced our newly formed Rotary group to Auckland traffic. Complete with sunset over the city scape. Being as exhausted as we all were it was nice that the first sign we came across when reaching the city proper was one stating "whatever."
More of a relaxed feeling swept over us as we began to settle into the mentality of the culture and go with the flow. Our hotel welcomed us with its wide doors and luxurious ambiance. Mom and I dropped our items in our spacious room, opened up all the cupboards and explored the bathroom fixtures as one does when in a new place, then ventured down to eat in the restaurant with our friends. The meal and company rounded out our first night in Auckland, sending us all off to a restful night sleep. We were to be in Auckland for only the next day. Tomorrow was to be an adventurous day, sleep was needed.
Prior to sleep, Mom and I journaled about our day and as our heads hit the pillows we both sighed with contentment knowing our journey was only just beginning.
1 day down, 29 to go.
With hope,
Anndi
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