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When I heard I’d be travelling to Auckland for work, I did the usual happy dance. I was going away. And to an exotic place I’d never been to. For months I’d fantasied about the Te Aurora hiking trail that runs through the north and south islands of New Zealand, covering historic and culturally-significant sites. It’s a 3000-kilometre trek, one that’d take three months for an experienced hiker and about eight months for me. That’s all I knew about New Zealand. Pathetic. That’s why excitement ballooned in me as I fastened my seatbelt, scarf and jacket on, ready to face the unknown weather conditions kiwis were conditioned to. When I landed at 12:30 am, it was chilly and breezy. But hey, I’m from Canberra—chilly and breezy is my jam now. I’d researched and planned to take the public bus to my hotel, a mere 500 metres from the bus stop. What I didn’t anticipate, though, is the lack of meals in my flight. Argh, vegan problems. I touched down with a rumbling stomach. The only place open at 2 am (security checks are a pain in the ass) that isn’t a McDonalds or Hungry Jacks was another burger place: Lord of the Fries—a complete, vegan junk food chain. Oh, well. Dumping the public transport system, I chose the capitalist corporatism of Uber to feed myself. When I slept that night, it was 3:40 am. Batman was on television. Every time I’m in a new place, my energy levels are bafflingly high. I was up and charged to explore at 9 am. I soon realised Auckland’s public transportation system is fantastic. Their bus card, called AT HOP, comes in two variants—a standard plastic card like the rest of the world or a key tag for practicality. Of course, I went for the key tag. With a dangling key tag full of bus cash, the streets became my oyster. Wandering, I walked past the Sky Tower, spotting it from every corner. It’s a telecommunications and observation tower in the heart of the city, and like any massive piece of architecture, a tourism magnet. I’d seen a few towers to know my money’s better off someplace else, but I took plenty of photos for free. So far, Auckland seemed abundant in glorious buildings. And every shop—cafes, restaurants, bars—quoted reasonable prices. Auckland was far more affordable than what I’d become used to. Nothing to complain. When I researched activities nearby, my top hits were Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. Two dormant volcanoes—havens for trekkers. Bring it on, I thought, tracing the route to Mt. Eden. The bus dropped me off in about thirty minutes from the city. As I ascended, I saw a notice declaring the Mt. Eden trek as part of the coast to coast walking trail—the same Te Aurora I’d had my eyes on for ages. Elated, I figured this’d be a practice session for when I’m indeed ready for the actual one. It was easy enough. Joy and excitement are great motivators when you’re climbing a hill far more massive than your imagination. I felt a spring in my step with every forward step. I smiled at trees, chuckled at bushes bursting with blossoms, and marvelled at the study ground that pushed me back as I pressed down on it. All around me, nature showered hundreds of shades. Flowers in yellow, white, purple, and red laughed at me as I scaled their home, welcoming but also doubtful—as if skeptical I’d make it all the way up. Ha, I never shun from a challenge like that. Breathing in some of the freshest, crispiest of airs, I powered through. The higher I went, the more I saw of a deep gash in the ground. A valley sunk downwards, a clear sheen of grassland, except it looked like a mountain turned inside out. From the top, I saw it for what it was: a massive hole in the hill, covered with green, green, and more green. Looking down at the city, spotting the Sky Tower and the thousands of miniature homes that housed Aucklanders, I knew it was my utopia.