February 16th skip the 15th

With the anomaly that comes with flying over the international dateline, I did not experience the 15^th of February. The fight over the dateline was otherwise uneventful. I received broken sleep and then arrived in Auckland.  

I have to say Auckland is a nice airport! I could spend a few hours there if I had to without getting too bored or having my butt hurt before getting on the plane (the couches and other seating were very comfortable). The internet and outlet situation was about the same as it was at LAX, non-existent and/or expensive, however the variety of artwork seemed to make up for it somehow. I thought that the most interesting thing at the airport was the schedule board. The flight number, flight time, flight destination, and flight boarding time appeared on the board; however the gate number did not until it was almost time to board. I believe my flight finally had a gate number when there was only 15 minutes until we were to board. What a great way to keep passengers in the gift shops and food courts! It’s a good thing I’m not a compulsive shopper.

I met a wonderfully nice lady on the plane. She’s going to be doing a house-swap in New Zealand, and figured that along the way she would see some of Australia. We shared a taxi upon arrival in Sydney and planned to have dinner together. It’s really a shame her phone didn’t work and we weren’t able to meet up for dinner. I’m hoping that tomorrow we can connect for a little while. I really don’t have much planned and it would be nice to have someone to walk around with.

After meeting up with wonderful and beautiful Clare, the distance relative that I’m staying with for the night, I finally made it to her apartment and relaxed for a little while. But only for a little while; Clare was amazed that between 11:30a and 5:30p when she got home I had already found credit for my phone, walked across the Sydney Harbor bridge, practically went to the Opera House, walked around a really nice area called The Rocks, and walked back across the Sydney Harbor bridge. She doesn’t live more than a say 2km from the Opera House, so it wasn’t too bad. My feet were a bit sore, but that happens. While walking around I reminisced about Amanda and I being here, and the Sydney family reunion we had there a few years back, to those who understand, all I can say is “Jet Boooats!!”  

Following a long day, Clare and I had dinner close by, and spent most of the night laughing. It was a very good day. My goal for tomorrow- find free internet. I’m thinking the library. :)