Diary2001 & Images
Auckland.

Friday 19^thJanuary.

Woke and felt it was unlikely I'd go back to sleep so I worked on my web pages from 0325 until 0555 before getting my head down again. I rose at 0930 and packed my bags.

With everything prepared for the next leg I went for breakfast to the restaurant where I sat and enjoyed a full bacon, sausage, egg and tomato breakfast. I went to the counter and asked for marmalade and more coffee. Whilst he was attending to my needs I placed the voucher for my breakfast on the counter for him. He picked it up, looked at it then looked at me and told me it only covered $7.50 and that I had had a $14.50 breakfast. I told him if such was the case he could easily bill the hotel for what I had and let them sort it out.
"It's not the hotel but you must pay now for this."
"Look sunshine. I bought and paid for bed and breakfast. Your job is to give me the breakfast I want from what you have available. Do you understand that?" I was quite firm and expected to be given what I asked for.
"The hotel will only give me $7.50 for this voucher. I know I run this place." He was equally determined to have his way.
"Then I suggest you sort it out with the hotel and get off my back. I went back in the direction of my table intending to sit down again.
He responded, "I'm going to call the police if you leave without paying."
I said, "Ok do that. Your problem's with the hotel not with me." He continued his tirade and so I did not get a chance to eat my toast let alone use the marmalade.
"Look I'm fed up with your attitude and I am going now. I can't enjoy my breakfast anymore with you being so unreasonable."

I got up to leave and he ran a few steps after me. I turned round and he stopped. "I'm going to see the hotel receptionist to complain about your hassling me for money when I told you I have paid for bed and breakfast and I will eat as much as I want. If you feel inclined to call the police then do it but don't come threatening me. OK?"
His slight relaxation of facial muscles and general body language indicated that I would not have any more trouble from him now. I turned my back to him and continued out of the café. He followed me out to the reception desk. There was a very pleasant girl on duty and when I explained my complaint she told him I was right and could have what breakfast I wanted. He argued with her about it and I left them to it. Life is never simple for me.

I have no pictures from Auckland as they got ruined. I set off for the airport to fly to Fiji.

That's all for NZ click next page now..