The difference from my ‘normal’ life and my ‘iso’ life is the lack of freedom. The Hotel’s a comfortable 4 star Hotel in the centre of Auckland, usually buzzing with energy. For now, it’s quiet with a sense of calm, cut off from the outside world by the temporary fencing and security guards. The Wi-Fi, texts, phone calls and zoom sessions are keeping me connected to the outside world. I don’t have to cook and my laundry is done for me which is a bonus!
The two constants in my iso life continue. Smiling nurses check on me daily (my temperature is a constant 36.5). And the brown paper bag food deliveries. Thinking it’d be a nice surprise, I haven’t recorded my meal choices as I’ve ordered. The spicy Korean offering wasn’t a favourite (I’m not a spicy hot food fan and don’t know why I ticked that box) but the slow cooked lamb shank with mash was delicious. Crepes for breakfast were good too! By the time I leave I’ll have had 42 meals delivered in a brown paper bag.
To celebrate being half way through Iso, the Hotel gifted me a packet of pineapple lumps with dinner, nice touch! For the non-Kiwi readers pineapple lumps are a chewy pineapple flavoured, chocolate dipped sweet. A timely gift as halfway through isolation I’d started to dream about ordering a bar (or two) of chocolate off the mini bar menu!
I’ve continued to work while I’m here. Refunds from airlines and travel suppliers are slowly appearing from travel plans cancelled months ago. It’s good to be able to tick those off. Cancellations for travel planned for September is next on the list.
Image credit Rob Blackburn | Destination Gippsland
I’ve also been continuing to dream of travel, always on the lookout for places my client’s will love. Catching up with Alison from Destination Gippsland was a highlight this week. I’ve added more ‘must do’s to my Gippsland portfolio, such as exploring the Thurra River Dunes at Croajingolong National Park sampling beers & bites at Bullant Brewery, organising a riding tour with my cycling friends and followers with Liz from Snowy River Cycling and exploring the Mallacoota inlet by kayak while staying at Gipsy Point Lodge . It’s plans like this, and the opportunity to support so many local businesses, that keep me dreaming about working in the travel industry.
Sometimes my daily outing to buy coffee doesn’t go to plan. Yesterday, masked up and ready to leave my room, the loudspeaker at the room entrance crackled to life …. “there are new arrivals in the lobby. Please stay in your room for the next two hours”. Departure delayed.
My room has a window that opens to let in the fresh air but it’s nice to get outside and enjoy the 45 minutes of fresh air (behind the mask) and take some photos of life beyond the fence. Here too, things don’t always go to plan. One morning the walk was cut short when the ‘supervisor’ advised there’d been a positive Covid test returned from a Hotel guest. We all returned to our rooms while the Hotel’s communal areas were ‘deep cleaned’. That was confronting and a tad scary.
The Covid Test. Completing the paperwork took longer than my first Covid test, on day three of isolation. The procedure was straightforward; check ID, take a seat, head back (close eyes & breath through mouth), cotton bud type swab up my nostril, twiddled around, eyes water. That’s it, over. It takes maximum 10 seconds. My contribution to keeping New Zealand covid free.
Just as I’m writing this blog, New Zealand’s Prime Minister is holding a late night urgent news conference advising there are 4 new positive covid cases in Auckland. A reminder to take one day at a time.
Vancouver & Canada Specialist
New Zealand Gold Specialist Consultant
Japan Specialist with Japan National Tourism Organisation
Peace of mind
