The Transition: LA to NZ

Some important steps have been overlooked in making the move from US to NZ...

Each transition involved much packing, unpacking, consolidating, and leaving excess crap with people along the way. We thought we had brought just the bare essentials from our home to Jenn's parents (where we stayed for 7 weeks after renting out our place)--but we ended up sending a pickup truck full of stuff to the D.I., and a jeep full of stuff back to our home for storage.

The Subaru wagon is well equipped to transport 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 bikes, 6 check-in luggages, 4 carry-ons, and 3 laptops.

In Irvine, the bikes were loaded into their boxes (we had to give up on removing my seatpost--it is one with the frame).

Next, the big unloading of six overstuffed suitcases, duffles, and backpacks plus two bikes at LAX. Did we mention we arrived 8 hours early, just to avoid LA traffic?


Once in Auckland Inernational Airport one must go through Duty Free and pick up obligatory beverages for the host family, then customs, then biosecurity, where tents and boots are inspected to avoid introducing non-native organisms / pests. Isaac, surprisingly energetic after a short night's sleep, submitted himself for inspection on the biosecurity table--we had to soak his feet in bleach for 1 hour to remove the "oh my god, what is that funk eminating from your child's shoes?" response by agent-NZ-5 (who informed me that no photos are allowed in biosecurity after I took the above photo)--note the Ajax spray bottles.

A final reloading of all our gear in the AKL-International parking lot, where Bryon, Amy, and our 'new' Subaru awaited us. A cold but sunny Winter day welcomed us to the Southern Hemisphere.