Ma te wa USA

Well I made it back to NZ’s world famous MIQ of which I was dreading and I have to say…it’s actually been heaps of fun!!藍

After 8 check points in Auckland for temperature readings through to checking for a left over orange, all 50 of us from Los Angeles were ushered through to a transit lounge, given a big bag of Kiwi snacks and surprised with a plane trip to Wellington for a 7 day stay in one of my favourite 5 star hotels.

When we arrived in Wellington,  we were ushered off the plane into a hanger and told to stand on a yellow spot. One at a time we were instructed to go to the table, take a fresh mask and sanitise our hands. After that, we had to stand by an orange cone until called to get in the bus. All the while standing at least 2 metres apart.

We got in the bus and sat 50 centimetres apart… 

My favourite 5 star hotel looked a little different though when I arrived. They had a 2 maybe 3 metre fence surrounding the building as though it had become a danger zone from earthquake damage. Imagine those fences where they have signs saying KEEP OUT, DANGER DANGER’. It was a fence like that. The beautiful ‘Wow this is so flash’ interior first impression I remember  from 2 years ago had been taken over and turned into what I can only describe as a makeshift hospital/army barracks.

All the staff including Army were really lovely though as they marched us single file through to an empty room and told us to each stand on another yellow spot.

A lady who sat opposite on the bus finally called out the elephant in the room  ‘OMG’ she said ‘I feel like I’m in The Hunger Games’ . I laughed. No one else did though and we became instant friends. Although when I think about it, I haven’t seen her since……

There were 4 separate stops  to make in that one room which I recall as once being  the dining area. After the yellow spot, the  first stop was to ensure we had a phone for contact purposes and given our room key. The second, was an orange cone and the 3rd stop was to double check passports and contact details.

From there we were sent into a hallway off the big room and met by a soldier telling us how to use our room key to operate the elevator. One at a time we were sent to our floor where another big strapping soldier stood waiting as the lift doors parted. He walked me to my room and an awkward moment happened as I said ‘goodbye’ like it was gonna be a while before we saw each other again. ‘see you on the other side’ I said as I quietly closed the door.

My room is GREAT!  5 star right here! Big flat screen Tv. Complimentary treats and a big bottle of Charlie’s fresh orange juice, with a whole heap of hot chocolate/coffee sachets to last at least a week! The Kingsize bed is super comfy. I have everything I need and more. Staff keep calling to make sure I’m happy and can’t do enough. Even so though, I still can’t say I’m a mandate fan but hey, when in Rome? Loving the welcome back, NZ.

Ma te wa USA ❤️ (See you later)