We departed Los Angeles on Monday the 11th and landed in Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday the 13th, which means that technically, the 12th did not exist for Kofi Kingston. We were supposed to arrive at 4:45 in the morning, but due to a two-hour stopover for fuel in Fiji, we didn’t land in Auckland until around 7 a.m.  Anyway, after a 15-hour trip, we have arrived on what will be my first trip to New Zealand and Australia.

As we took our charter bus to the hotel, I noticed that the roads are quite hilly, and there are many houses and neighborhoods, not at all like Jamaica, but more like the United States, which as I think about it now, makes sense. I guess I was half expecting to see more wildlife. Instead, it’s just the opposite and we are residing in a hotel right in the heart of downtown Auckland.  And actually, it was overcast and a little cold.  I wish it were a little warmer! Everything is irie though, because the cars drive on the left side of the road just like back home in Jamaica!

After a much needed complimentary breakfast, a group of us headed to the gym which was cool, because afterwards, I ran into another Dread (probably the only other on the island) while Scott Armstrong and I waited for our ride back to the hotel. We gave each other a pound. For those unfamiliar with the term ‘pound’, a pound is a touching of two people’s fists. It is similar to a handshake, but without the use of the hands … or the shaking. Anyway, the other Dread and I shared a pound. No conversation, just a simple passing pound acknowledging one another’s presence, though we had never met. In many cases, growing dreadlocks symbolizes a spiritual journey taken that embraces individuality and self-love as well as a rejection for that which is restricting and conventional. Nothing about Kofi Kingston is conventional! 

Scott and myself proceeded to ‘St. Pierre’s Sushi of Japan’, which boasts having Auckland’s best and most authentic Sushi. I must say it was quite delicious –possibly the best sushi I have ever had. Sounds like the beginning of a dirty joke, “… so a Jamaican went to New Zealand and ordered some Sushi ….” Well not quite. 

Tonight, the ECW and SmackDown Superstars have a show here at Vector Arena before going on to Christchurch, New Zealand where we will do it all over again. You must read my next entry to find out how it all went down. Peace!