Kia ora, Tāmaki Makaurau. Or, loosely translated: G’day, Auckland!

I arrived after what felt like quiet a fast flight over the Tasman Sea, watching Gravity again and sorting my pictures on the laptop.

I hadn’t pre-booked a taxi (should have) and wasn’t keen on waiting for the bus to drop me in the city center and then look for a taxi… so I just went for a taxi straight away. A bit expensive with about 90 NZ$, but it got me there in a mere 25 minutes.

I arrived in Dublin Street, my new home, and was greeted by Harvey, a photographer.

The house really is a gem. Typical Ponsonby wood structure with a second floor, wooden veranda in front and little back patio, it is much bigger inside than you would expect from the outside, as it reaches far into the back.

My bed

Office

Front view – my room on the right

Sitting areas, dining area, kitchen, my room, my bathroom, the rooms of Harvey and his daughter… Filled with art, books and photographs, it really is a homely place.

I didn’t unpack though, but literally just shed the bags, grabbed the camera and went out onto Ponsonby Road, Auckland’s PROUD-est strip as they announce it, as I arrived literally minutes before Auckland’s night time Pride started.