I Am Now In New Zealand
@cacay1 (83223)
Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
October 24, 2016 8:29pm CST
I am here now in Auckland,New Zealand. I arrived here yesterday afternoon 5:15 l.m. I arrived here safe.I am so thankful of your prayers for my safe travel and good health.
It is so cold here, spring time. When I arrived in Auckland airport I was less excited.Why? There was nobody to meet me in that strange place. I was terribly sad and afraid for I do not have with me NZ dollar only Philippine peso. I bought NZ dollar in NAI airport,but none sold. I waited fir 45 minutes , none appeared. I approached a taxi driver promising him to pay when reached my best friend's home. The taxi driver said,pay first before I bring you to your home.
I went to the ATM machine to withdraw money from peso to NZ dollar,but when I look at the left side I saw Flight Center money changer, so I went to that area and have my cash on hand conversed to $NZ, and was successful,2,000 pesos at $50 NZ dollar just enough for taxi fare.
Somehow, we have to listen to our instinct to solve a sudden problem. What happened then?My best friend waited in the opposite end so far away from my area the Way Out Area during arrival.She committed an error of waiting in the wrong gate.
Thanks friends.Miss you all. No pictures yet,maybe next day.
21 people like this
23 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
25 Oct 16
You are so courageous in going there with Philippine peso no NZ dollar . I never would do that , because see you weren't able to buy NZ dollar at NAIA .
But i am happy to know you are safe there . I will miss your funny comments my friend .
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
Thanks friend. It is not good to travel without money. I brought with me my TM and credit cards in case worst comes to worst, and it did happen the worst situation when no one met me in airport.The one who supposed to meet me waited in the departure area not in THE WAY OUT ARRIVAL.She was ashamed of me.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
25 Oct 16
I am glad you arrived safely, and were able to get money for the taxi =)
3 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
25 Oct 16
@cacay1 Yes I would be scared too but glad you arrived safely.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
@infatuatedbby That is what I am so thankful to God for letting ,me arrived Auckland safe and in good health.
2 people like this
@youless (112113)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Oct 16
I am glad that you arrived in Auckland safe and sound. What a day! I am glad that you solved all the problems. I would be worried if I don't have the local money when I arrive to a new place. So at least I will convert some USD to keep with me. At least it is a popular currency and it can still work sometimes.
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
Actually she was so ashamed.They waited me in the area near McDo and they ate there with her hubby while waiting me. Their location is in the departure area not arrival, very far from me. I had all the tensions during arrival,but God Blessed me. I am so thankful that there is a buyer there from Croatia Philippine peso to NZ dollar.The driver I negotiated did not allow me to pay thru credit card, no machine inside his car perhaps. It is not a good deal to travel without credit card or ATM proven on my expereince. I was so scared yesterday before the solution poppped up tp my mind. Thanks dear.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
@sishy7 , The one who supposed to meet me are immigrants in NZ for almost 5 years. They are Filipinos who migrated in NZ whole family.My friend Nenen and her hubby Jong waited me in the departure area not arrival hehehehe. They waited near McDonald so far away from the arrival gate. They were so sorry.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
25 Oct 16
Glad you landed safely at New Zealand.
Too bad, your initial experience in this new country wasn't good. I'm sure the mix up with your friend was an unfortunate miscommunication.
Do keep us updated with your new life in NZ.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
Thanks friend, the one to pick me waited in the wrong area not in the WAy OUT ARRIVALS. She and her husband waited me in the opposite gate the Destination gate. Maybe they also got lost as being new to NZ almost 3 years. The alrready had boiught 3 cars here. She is a teacher and her hubby enginner. I have to begin scouting for job starting tomorrow.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
25 Oct 16
you've been to nz many times before, so i'm surprised you bought pesos instead of dollars this time. if your friend and husband immigrated to nz years ago, how come they're not familiar with the airport (departure vs arrival area)?
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
26 Oct 16
@cacay1 how come you did not exchange the peso to dollars at the bank or even at sm forex the day before your flight?
yeah, it seems like since they arrived, they never went to the airport to pick up visitors, either.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Oct 16
@hereandthere , I did not buy peso, I converted my peso to NZ dollar. My friend and her hubby was also lost.They are not always in airport they told me. They were there the first time they arrived Auckland and after 5 years, they haven't gone to Ph. They should have asked the guard to get info.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
25 Oct 16
oh, i bet t'was a shock to yer system to arrive where such's still cold. so glad that'cha made't there alright, e'en though sounds most stressful. don't reckon i knew ya were gonna be stayin' with a friend there? that's wonderful news coz they can show ya 'round 'n help get'cha acclimated to yer new surroundin's. rest 'p, my friend ~ big hugs!
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
Thank you great lady for your comforting words. That was a terrible experience of mine nobody picked me in airport. What if I did not have Philippine money to be converted to NZ $, I will be in distress. I am so thankful to bring with me my credit card and ATM cards.I am still sleepy until this time hehehhe. I feel your warm hug. Thank you dear.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
25 Oct 16
@crazyhorseladycx Oh, thanks dear , you are having a lovely soul.Your family and hubby must be proud of you, for being so thoughtful and loving.Thanks for the warm embrace, I feel it's warmth here.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
27 Oct 16
So happy for you Erly.
Wish you the best of luck and happiness.
It happened to me years ago. My relative said he came a bit late but I waited for him for an hour after the train reached!
All is well that ends well but changing money at airport is quite expensive! siva
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
25 Oct 16
Am happy to know you landed safely in New Zealand. Good thing you saw that money changer for your taxi fare. Good luck on your new "adventure" there.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
27 Oct 16
@acelawrites , That is true friend, it is not easy to travel without a credit card and ATM .Thank you friend.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Oct 16
@acelawrites , yes friend, at first I was so horrified for what I had was pesos forgetting our money can buy NZ dollars. I was so relived after.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
26 Oct 16
@cacay1 as long as you have the money, you can not worry; and of course you always know what to do; just presence of mind.
3 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51523)
• Philippines
25 Oct 16
Well, the important is that you didn't get lost or in trouble over there. Stay safe and have a nice day too.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Oct 16
Letranknight2015 , At first I was in troubled state in airport seeing no one to pick me. I was really terrified, it was so cold and people almost had gone.There were 2 Pinoy couples I talked to, but they are also in waiting mood.I am thankful to od for guiding the right thing.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
25 Oct 16
$50 for a taxi! Wow-that is an expensive ride.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Oct 16
@PatZAnthony , That is right, but I do not have a choice.The taxi driver also pays entrance/ exit at $10 each passing, so that's the reason why expensive.huh huh huh.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
26 Oct 16
@jaboUK , Thanks friend, that was really stressful moment having no one to meet me with money in peso. I am so thankful to our dear God for guiding me what to do. Actually, I paused for a moment and asked God what to do and he dictated me to buy NZ dollars thru Philippine peso which was successfully done. Plus, money changer office is just beside me. I feel the complete happiness. I thank the Lord for He is me, you and all of us all the time.
1 person likes this
@AkoPinay (11544)
• Philippines
25 Oct 16
I haven't traveled. I am nervous because of stories like this. 
It would be different if there is a direct flight with hotel accommodation so I'll just wait for someone to pick me up from the airport and wait a friend to knock at my hotel room.
I also suggest to my friends to buy a plane ticket with hotel accommodation. I hate waiting and I don't want to wait at the airport. 
I want to fly to NZ and experience fruit picking
It would be different if there is a direct flight with hotel accommodation so I'll just wait for someone to pick me up from the airport and wait a friend to knock at my hotel room.
I also suggest to my friends to buy a plane ticket with hotel accommodation. I hate waiting and I don't want to wait at the airport.
I want to fly to NZ and experience fruit picking 1 person likes this
