Basically its similar to airport security, you have your bag x-rayed, have them wave that metal detector plastic wand thingy all around you then you go into another room. Rob was unable to take a bag into the second room but I somehow managed to get through with the same bag, the only thing I had to leave behind was the head torch - which I didn’t even know I had! Once in the second room you go to a counter, hand over your documents, plead with the man so you can get your visa the same day then go and sit down and wait until your name gets called. I was first in and last out, they obviously see to all of the kiwis first which I suppose is fair enough. Finally my name was called, so I went over to see another man, had my finger prints taken, chatted about my impending visit, asked if my visa would be ready today and that was that! After all of the hassle we’d had getting through and making an appointment the interview lasted about 2 minutes and I was told to come back at 2.00 pm and my visa would be

ready - RELIEF!

We had a few hours to kill and Rob was in need of another pair of boots. The ones which he’d had repaired the first time we were in Auckland were falling apart once again. I can’t stress how absolutely rubbish these £100 Berghaus boots had been, so many things we’ve had either go wrong or break, its incredible, I know it’s a clichéd saying but they don’t make things like they used to!!! So off we went boot shopping, which usually turns out to be a difficult occasion as Rob has one foot slightly bigger than the other and always has difficulty buying boots. The first shop we went in was Snowgum where we’d bought our tent, they had some Teva ones similar to mine and some Keen ones (makers of our extremely good sandals). We figured that the Teva ones looked more sturdy so he should spend the extra money and get something that would hopefully this time last. We thought