Auckland - New Zealand - Mar 2023
Our New Zealand adventure didn’t begin in the Southern Hemisphere — it began at JFK, with intention.
We start every trip with an airport cocktail.
First Light Travel had arranged every detail of the journey, and one of the smartest decisions we made was to start slowly. Instead of rushing straight into the longest flight of our lives, we all met in New York City and spent a night there first. One city, one hotel, one shared meal — a pause before crossing the world.
It turned out to be the perfect way to begin.
Crossing the World in Comfort
From JFK, we boarded our non-stop Air New Zealand flight to Auckland, settling into those legendary seats that convert three across into a fully flat bed. It felt indulgent, yes — but it was also practical. The service was impeccable, the cabin calm and thoughtful, and the experience made what could have been an exhausting ordeal feel almost… civilized.
We slept.
We woke gently.
And somewhere over the Pacific, as dawn approached, we switched seats with Tracy and Shayna, who had booked economy. Giving them the beds for the final stretch before landing felt like exactly the kind of energy this trip would carry — generous, shared, and rooted in traveling together.
By the time we descended toward Auckland, everyone was rested, fed, and smiling.
First Steps in Aotearoa
We landed early greeted by soft light and a sense of having arrived somewhere fundamentally different. Our shuttle was waiting, and before long we were checking into our hotel and letting the reality of where we were finally sink in.
End of a long flight, beginning of adventure.
New Zealand.
At the edge of the world.
Rather than collapsing into jet lag, we eased into the day with a golf cart tour of Auckland, a surprisingly perfect way to orient ourselves. From the harbor to historic neighborhoods to the buzzing downtown core, it gave us our first real sense of the city’s rhythm.
Guided tour was relaxing after long flight.
Auckland: City on a Volcano
Auckland is unlike any city I’ve ever visited.
It’s modern and vibrant, yet layered with deep history. It’s surrounded by water, stitched together by harbors and bays, and built atop an extraordinary geological foundation — more than 50 dormant volcanoes shape the city’s rolling hills and dramatic viewpoints.
This is a place where nature and urban life coexist effortlessly.
Known to Māori as Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland has long been prized for its fertile land, strategic waterways, and natural beauty. Long before European settlement, Māori communities lived here, navigating the sea, cultivating the land, and honoring the volcanic peaks that still define the city’s skyline.
Today, those volcanic cones — like Mount Eden and One Tree Hill — rise gently from neighborhoods and parks, quiet reminders of the powerful forces beneath the surface.
Harbor Light & City Energy
Auckland at the Harbour
Over the course of two days, we explored Auckland at an unhurried pace. The Waitematā Harbour sparkled with sailboats and ferries, giving the city its nickname: The City of Sails.
Downtown felt alive but approachable — a mix of modern architecture, waterfront dining, and walkable streets that invite lingering rather than rushing. Historic neighborhoods added texture and warmth, balancing the city’s contemporary edge with a sense of continuity and place.
Auckland felt confident without being loud.
Cosmopolitan without being cold.
Grounded, despite being surrounded by water and sky.
From our Hotel Balcony in Auckland
A Gentle Beginning
By the time we packed up on the 28th, ready to fly onward to our next adventure within Aotearoa, we felt grounded, connected, and fully present.
The journey had officially begun.
