FREEDOM!!

We were released from Quarantine (MIQ) technically at 6:03am Thursday morning, but we had to wait until the army guys came and got us from our room to take us down to the bus to the airport, around 6:25am. We all had to get a temperature check from the nursing staff within three hours of getting out of MIQ, so they came at 3:20am to do that 😒 But that's alright because we were free at last! As we pulled out of the hotel parking lot, I told Stephen "Welcome to NZ!"

Friends of my Dad's, Geoff and Louise, picked us up in two cars (we had a lot of stuff: 3 big checked bags, a pack'n'play/port-a-cot, a car seat, two carry-on suitcases, and three personal bags) from the airport. We've stayed the weekend with them in a suburb of Auckland. We went on a walk that first evening and it was SOOO refreshing to be able to walk whenever we wanted, smell the smells of NZ, and see the beautiful green rolling hills. It feels more like spring here in the Auckland area, with things blooming and the highs around 17C (62F), although the evenings do get cool. 

Friday was a very busy but productive day!
10am Activated our BNZ bank account.
1pm Looked at a potential car. We were very happy with it!
2-3pm Went to AA ( The New Zealand Automobile Association) and completed our applications for our IRDs (tax file number) and for converting our US license to NZ. 
3-4pm Stuck in Auckland traffic (a 20 minute trip took 50 minutes) :( 
7:30pm Noticed Ralph had broken in a new tooth!
8:30pm Picked up our new car. Geoff and Louise looked after Ralph, who was sleeping, while we drove the 45 mins there and back to get our car. 

We were pretty tired by the time we got home around 10pm, but very thankful for the way God has provided for us as the very good Father he is! Stephen and I have marveled at how wonderfully He has answered our prayers so clearly and kindly in the past 2.5 weeks with our big NZ adventure. Thank you friends and family for praying for us! 

We're setting up insurance today and having a more relaxed day. We'll go to church with Geoff and Louise tomorrow and then leave after lunch for Hamilton. Stephen plans to start work Monday mid-day and will "hit the ground running," as his boss keeps telling him, since their field season in NZ starts in just a few months. Their first trip to Antarctica isn't until November 2022, so the first few months of work won't be as pressured as it would have been if they were going to Antarctica this year.

 Day 13. Bye bye to our hotel room.

                                                        On the beautiful flight back to Auckland

                                                            First walk of freedom 

                                                                Beautiful Auckland

                                                                Our "new" 2007 Honda CRV