Kia Ora, Aotearoa

After a long flight, we arrived at the airport. After waiting in the slow-moving customs line, I handed over my medication list and prepared to open my bags. An elderly Kiwi officer smiled, "I trust you. Welcome to New Zealand."

We got a SIM card, then took a taxi to our accommodation. The driver dumped us roadside and left. We rang the bell—wrong house (what?!). So, standing somewhere in Auckland, I called Agoda to explain the situation. They cancelled the charge and offered credit for the inconvenience. Fair enough.

We booked the Grand Hotel in the CBD instead. Waiting for a new Uber under New Zealand's blazing summer heat, we laughed that at least it wasn't raining. After moving and enduring a long flight, yeah, we deserved a nice hotel. Through the window of our room, we could watch people bungee jumping from the Sky Tower. "Cool!!!" Our daughter excitedly video-called her sisters to show them.

Professor Kim rushed over to help us right after we let him know we're in NZ, then drove us around, introducing us to suitable neighborhoods. Felt like a blessing to have someone caring for us in this faraway land.

The weather proved unpredictable. What started as scorching heat turned cold, and I spent two days sick. While I recovered, my husband and daughter passed time at the hotel pool and bought food from nearby shops. Then our daughter caught a cold. What a perfect first week in Aotearoa.