The sky tower in AucklandHello all, I have had one of the most surreal weeks of my life. This time last week i was leaving Heathrow airport and heading into the unknown. I left the airport with tears in my eyes having said goodbye to everyone. It was probably the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. I cannot describe the feeling in my stomach! It was a mixture of excitement, fear, apprehension and built up pressure i just cannot describe.
The flight was pretty cool. I had a good seat and managed to watch loads of DVD's. I landed at Auckland airport at 5am in the morning. I knew nobody and had one nights accomodation at a hotel, before i was on my own! Luckily i met up with a lad who is working at the station I will be initially based at. He drove me to my hotel and invited me to stay with him in Pukekohe for three nights.
I spent the first day in Auckland City opening our bank account and trying to get some decent maps etc. I also managed to sort out a mobile phone. I headed back to my hotel for a couple of hours rest before tea, but woke up 15 hours later!!
I then telephoned some relatives of Jane and Sids on North shore. They were great and offered to meet me for lunch. They then put me up for a night, which was brilliant. The north shore is very nice, but very expensive. There are stupendous views of Auckland city and the sky tower as you cross the harbour bridge. I then headed to Pukekohe, down south. This is where we are hoping to rent a house. It is a very nice little town and the surrounding countryside reminds me of cornwall. I have spent three days driving around the area looking at houses etc.
Yesterday i moved into the hotel i will be based in for the next 2 weeks. It is in Otahuhu, where i will be initially based. It is not the greatest of areas, but i will only have to stay here until i have passed my competencies. This should take about 4 months. I have spoken to the search and rescue team today and i have got a meeting with them tomorrow about transferring to their unit, which would be brilliant. Fingers crossed!
I am pretty happy with how things are going at the moment. It is the middle of winter here, but i can walk around in shorts and T-shirt! I have also been to a barbeque! Sorry for the delay in publishing any update, but i have been rather busy!! Take care everyone and i will update soon.
On the North Shore
The flight was pretty cool. I had a good seat and managed to watch loads of DVD's. I landed at Auckland airport at 5am in the morning. I knew nobody and had one nights accomodation at a hotel, before i was on my own! Luckily i met up with a lad who is working at the station I will be initially based at. He drove me to my hotel and invited me to stay with him in Pukekohe for three nights.
I spent the first day in Auckland City opening our bank account and trying to get some decent maps etc. I also managed to sort out a mobile phone. I headed back to my hotel for a couple of hours rest before tea, but woke up 15 hours later!!
I then telephoned some relatives of Jane and Sids on North shore. They were great and offered to meet me for lunch. They then put me up for a night, which was brilliant. The north shore is very nice, but very expensive. There are stupendous views of Auckland city and the sky tower as you cross the harbour bridge. I then headed to Pukekohe, down south. This is where we are hoping to rent a house. It is a very nice little town and the surrounding countryside reminds me of cornwall. I have spent three days driving around the area looking at houses etc.
Yesterday i moved into the hotel i will be based in for the next 2 weeks. It is in Otahuhu, where i will be initially based. It is not the greatest of areas, but i will only have to stay here until i have passed my competencies. This should take about 4 months. I have spoken to the search and rescue team today and i have got a meeting with them tomorrow about transferring to their unit, which would be brilliant. Fingers crossed!
I am pretty happy with how things are going at the moment. It is the middle of winter here, but i can walk around in shorts and T-shirt! I have also been to a barbeque! Sorry for the delay in publishing any update, but i have been rather busy!! Take care everyone and i will update soon.
On the North Shore
Not bad for the middle of winter!
2 comments:
Welcome to the Southern hemisphere buddy!Good to hear that you're making contacts and getting to know where you're at.. Sass
Glad to see things are going smoothly jim, good luck with mountain rescue, 2 choices are always better...
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