Delta plane and Atlanta Skyline licensed under CC BY 2.0
Athens to Auckland
It was 10:30am on January 10th, 2014 when we left Athens, Georgia en route for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Little did I know that the 23 hour trek to Auckland that day would be filled with excitement on a level I had not previously experienced, partly due to the fact that I had an engagement ring inconspicuously tucked away in my carry-on bag for the 8,000+ mile journey. After grabbing coffee at Jittery Joes's, we began heading west on U.S. Route 78 to Monroe, and then State Route 138 to Conyers where we intersected Interstate 20 to I-285 for a straight shot to the airport. After parking in the South Terminal parking deck we unloaded our luggage, confirmed the weight of our bags with our nifty luggage scales in order to avoid unnecessary baggage & travel fees at check-in with Delta Airlines, and proceeded through security, boarded the plane, and after a brief delay at the gate we ascended to the skies for a 5 hour flight to Los Angeles.
Air New Zealand Boeing 777 licensed under CC BY 2.0
Upon landing at LAX, we realized that there was very little time to retrieve our checked bags from domestic baggage claim, and make it to the international terminal to catch our Long haul Premium Economy departure to AKL on Air New Zealand. Subsequently, we made a dash for our bags, raced to the gate, and taxied down the tarmac before lifting off into the clouds for a 13 hour flight over the Pacific Ocean. We had two meals on the flight, dinner and breakfast, which were three courses each with recipes created by award-winning chef Peter Gordon. Here is a closer look at the Air New Zealand Flight Menu. A premium selection of New Zealand wine was included. After dinner we watched a movie, slept, read, watched another movie, read some more, slept, and then awoke for breakfast just prior to descending into Auckland. I didn't have a camera with me at the time, although I wish I could've captured the view from the plane window before we landed the next morning. The sun was rising over the southern hemisphere, and I could see the curvature of the earth with a halo of light surrounding it. It was a beautiful sight to see at the end of a long haul flight like the one from California to New Zealand.
Auckland
We arrived in Auckland at 6:30am New Zealand time and checked-in at the Heritage Auckland Hotel for the first two nights which had a great breakfast, a fun patio chess board, and a rooftop pool with views of the harbour and skyline. The next morning we made the few minutes walk to Viaduct Harbour and had an amazing experience behind the helm of a 60 foot America's Cup sailing yacht with Explore Group NZ. We also had lunch at The Food Store, visited the New Zealand Maritime Museum, and ate dinner at the top of Sky Tower in Orbit 360° Dining with a bottle of Boundary Vineyards 2012 King's Road Waipara Pinot Noir.
This video was made on a 2014 trip to New Zealand. We got behind the helm of a 60' foot German America's Cup sailing yacht with the Explore Group NZ. We sailed out beyond Devonport to Rangitoto Island. Rangitoto is an active volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. The term Rangitoto meaning "Bloody Sky" is derived from the Māori culture. Awesome experience!
Coromandel
Our Toyota Corolla From Go Rental in Auckland.
On the third morning in Auckland we checked out of the Heritage Hotel, and rented a Toyota Corolla from Go Rentals for the drive to the Coromandel Peninsula for the next 3 nights where we would stay beachfront on Buffalo Beach at Mercury Bay in Whitianga, NZ. It was my first time driving abroad from the United States, so needless to say driving on the right side of the car, and the left side of the road kept us on the edge of our seats. We were presented with another challenge when we took a day trip to Hahei Beach where I lost the rental car key in the sand before taking a water taxi to Cathedral Cove where I proposed. Lucky for me she said yes, so we hailed a water taxi back to Hahei where by some miracle a man found us who had located our keys in the sand. Needless to say we celebrated that evening with a bottle of 2013 Hawke's Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Mission Estate Winery and dinner at Salt Restaurant & Bar. The following morning we went to The Lost Spring Geo-Thermal Hot Pools the following day and shared a bottle of 2013 Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc.
This video was captured on New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula along the coast of Mercury Bay at the 5 km stretch of Buffalo Beach where we stayed. It is grainy at best, although it is a good depiction of the remote and peaceful nature of this amazing destination!
This video is of a water taxi trip from Hahei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula to Cathedral Cove where I proposed. We realized just before boarding the boat that I had lost our rental car key in the sand. Despite my flaws, she said yes, and after returning to Hahei from Cathedral Cove a benevolent Kiwi found and returned our rental car key.
I set up my camera on a tri-pod with a 10 second delay, and distracted her with the view while I ran over and popped the question. She said yes, and I still continue to realize what a lucky man I am today.
Hamilton
On day 6 of the trip we checked out of our Oceanside digs in Whitianga as an engaged couple, and headed for a 1 night stay in Hamilton. We checked out the local Māori culture, and had meals at Iguana Street Bar & Restaurant and Lone Star Cafe & Bar. The following morning we went to the University of Waikato where my bride to be was giving a presentation on dialogic pedagogy. Later that day we visited Hobbiton before driving to Raglan through the amazing Waikato region.
Raglan
The mini road trip on day 7 between Hamilton and Raglan was full of the breathtaking Waikato countryside, and we drove by the Te Uku Wind Farm. Raglan sits on the west coast of the north island which is known for its black sand and long surf breaks at Manu Bay. After a couple of hours in the car we checked-in to our new digs at Bow Street Studios for the next two days. We hiked down to the base, and back to the top of the 55 meter high Bridal Veil Falls, went surfing at Ngarunui Beach, and had dinner at Orca Restaurant & Bar.
This video was taken from our room at Bow Street Studios in Raglan, New Zealand. Raglan is a surfing town on the west coast of the North Island known for its long surf breaks, and black sand beaches. Beautiful place to visit!
