Half-way to paradise? (aka Frying pan to fire!)

Prologue

About a year ago, we started seriously looking at options for a sabbatical, or at least a break from life in London. In November, after a few false starts, Jonathan got a job offer in Auckland and our destination (if not destiny) was decided. Months of form-filling and planning ensued, then Covid-19 happened. This delayed our plans but you will know that we were somewhat busy, particularly from March to June. Finally everything came together and we started making final preparations to leave at the beginning of August.

Trying to get here

Remember the good old days when you could find cheap flights, jump on a plane and fly off into the sunset? Well, that didn't happen. Firstly, you have to get special permission to enter the country (New Zealand) and then apply for visas for critical purposes only. We managed that hurdle. Finding flights was the next challenge and with such limited numbers being allowed into the country, flights became very expensive. Thus, my dreams of splashing out on a business ticket flew out of the window in place of just any damn ticket we could get! This achieved, we then moved focus onto other preparations, like packing up our house. 

However, less than 72 hours before our flight, Singapore Airlines decided to try and bump us of the flight claiming that the New Zealand government didn't have room for us in managed isolation facilities. We knew this was a lie as the NZ government publish all their statistics daily! We had to be in the country so that Jonathan could start his job by 30th August as per his work visa conditions (allowing for 2 weeks isolation before starting), and no alternative flight was being arranged until at least after 16th August. They said the flight wasn't cancelled so we would have to cancel the flight ourselves! As there were no other flights available for at least 2 weeks, this wasn't an option. 

After a very fraught, sleepless 24 hours of emailing, phoning and beating the hell out of social media, we were reinstated on the flight. From what we could glean (thanks to the very nice lady in NZ immigration who I spoke to at 2am UK time), Singapore Airlines had been given their quota for NZ arrivals on 22nd July so we reckon they were trying to bump us off the flight in favour of someone who could afford the inflated business seats. Singapore Airlines were unapologetic and still haven't confessed to the truth. Even though they knew we had given up our house, packed our belongings and had no jobs, they didn't give a damn. 

The NZ approach? "What can we do to help" - was the reply from everyone we contacted, whether it was the government officials in immigration, the HR department of Jonathan's employers or the moving agents that were helping us. This kindness really did see us through the darkest hours of that day, along with the amazing support from friends and family.

Getting here

Having packed up all our belongings we splashed out on an hotel at Heathrow Airport. After all, we had no bed now! The Sheraton was bleak and impersonal with an extremely limited range of sandwiches on offer from room service. Jonathan described it as like something from the Shining - a view with which I concur. We opted for a curry takeaway, figuring it should be reasonably good given the local population. It wasn't. Oh well. 

Heathrow airport was weirdly like a movie set with people in face coverings, lots of places closed and a general lack of business. The first leg of the flight wasn't too bad, despite the obligatory mask wearing (except when eating). It's 13.5 hours to get to Singapore and they spaced us out a bit, which was good given that we are all meant to be social distancing. There was very little service other than the 2 meals but we'd stocked up on water in our water bottles at Heathrow.

Singapore airport took social distancing much more seriously (as everyone should!) Everything was closed and we were confined to one area but given water and access to loos. After going through security again (where they made us empty our water bottles) we boarded the flight. It was definitely not a full flight and whole sections of economy were left unused, but they decided to pile us all together at the back of the plane with absolutely no adherence to social distancing. Thus, I sat next to a woman I'd never met for 8 hours, having not sat next to my own brothers for months! No water top ups for the whole journey so it felt very long and we felt properly dehydrated by the end. Singapore Airlines = nil points.

Arriving!

We'd been tempted to do the "Pope" impression of kissing the ground, but were too tired to be bothered. There were a series of queues (fortunately back to social distancing) for the various checkpoints you have to go through, but at each bit, we were welcomed home. After all, most people arriving are coming home as so few others are allowed in. It felt genuine and kind - much needed after the fiasco of the past week. We were transferred by bus along with our luggage to our allocated managed isolation facility: the Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland. On arrival, we had our temperature checked again, another interview and form filling with another nurse and then allocated our room on the 9th floor. By now it was gone midnight so despite the time difference, falling in to bed seemed like the a very good idea.

Life in managed isolation

We have a decent sized hotel room and a view of a building site, which ironically is less noise generating/disturbing than our previous neighbours have managed for the past 9 months! 

We get food delivered to the door 3 times per day, which we get to chose in advance. It's not bad but it is a bit repetitive. 

We can supplement this with supermarket or takeaway deliveries and there is additional room service available. So far, I've only used this for a bottle of Pinot Gris and some Pepsi Max! We are limited to one bottle of wine per person per day or the equivalent in beer or spirits. So far, I'm still half way through my wine! Jonathan is still going through his miniature Glenfiddich's he brought with him (also a pathetically low volume!)

We can move around the hotel as long as we have masks on and socially distance, although there isn't much to wander around to be honest. The highlight is the barista in the lobby which does good coffee. We can also book in advance for a 45 minute walking session on the sun deck, which we've been making the most of every day. It's amazing how much difference getting outside makes. We've only had one wet day, but we were very soggy at the end of it.

Jet lag was expected but it's easier to manage when you don't have much to do. We've been spending our time sorting out computers (Jonathan has had endless IT disasters since we arrived), doing pilates (thank goodness for my yoga mat!), reading and the occasional film. I've also got some hand sewing with me.

We've made it to half-way now and the hotel congratulated us with this:

Sadly this is also when Auckland went into Level 3 lockdown, so even when we 'escape' we'll be mostly limited to a different hotel room except for work etc. As my local friend said: "Frying pan to fire" but the numbers here are minute in comparison at present. It's probably going to make house hunting a lot more difficult but at least we're in a country that makes sensible decisions and demonstrates proper leadership. 

We get our temperatures checked daily and the nurses also check we don't have symptoms. Jonathan has passed his first Covid test but I still haven't got mine (I think it's because they misspelt my name and had to amend the label.) We have another test on day 12, then hopefully released next Friday evening.

Feel free to send feedback as I'm tinkering with this software! In the meantime, stay safe and wear a mask!