Cordis Auckland to Papamoa private car — Budi's special occasion

The morning light hitting the towers of Auckland City can be quite something, even from the comfort of a Cordis lobby. It was late November. Warm, muggy Auckland air already clinging to the suit jackets by the time I was signalled to collect my passenger. Budi S. was waiting just inside the revolving doors, looking every bit the distinguished guest. He had a small, neat piece of luggage, smart casual attire, and a smile that seemed a little nervous, a little excited. He was heading to Papamoa, near Tauranga, for a wedding. A good friend's wedding, he told me, one he hadn't missed for anything in years. This was his first time in New Zealand.

We bypassed the usual city traffic, heading south towards the Bombay Hills. The city faded into rolling farmland, the familiar green punctuated by the occasional herd. Budi was quiet initially, taking in the landscape. I noticed him looking out the window quite intently, his thumb tracing the condensation on the glass. It’s always interesting watching someone see the countryside for the first time. The way they notice things you’ve driven past a thousand times – the specific shade of green, the ruggedness of the hills, the vastness of the sky.

He eventually started to open up, telling me a little about Jakarta. A city I’ve only ever flown over, but he painted a picture of constant motion, of intense heat and humidity always present, a stark contrast to the gentle breeze that was starting to flow through the car windows as we dropped down towards the Waikato. He spoke about his work, something in tech, and how he’d always dreamed of visiting New Zealand, a place that felt so distant and serene in comparison to his home.

Our route took us along State Highway 2, which winds through the Karangahake Gorge. This was a part of the journey I particularly enjoy, as the landscape shifts dramatically. The broad plains give way to steeper hills, and the road winds alongside the Ohinemuri River. It’s beautiful, especially on a day like this, with the sun filtering through the trees lining the banks. Budi asked if we could stop for a moment. I pulled over at one of the designated viewpoints. He got out and just stood there for a good five minutes, breathing in the cooler, cleaner air, looking up at the sheer rock faces and the dense bush. He said it reminded him of a different world, far from the concrete and crowds he knew.

Back on the road, the conversation turned more personal. He spoke about the groom, a friend he’d known since childhood, and how important it was for him to be there. He mentioned the wedding was taking place in a beautiful garden setting, and that he was looking forward to seeing it. He also shared, quite candidly, that he was hoping this trip might lead to some inspiration for his own life. He'd been feeling a bit stagnant back home, going through the motions, and he hoped the change of scenery, the new experiences, might spark something. He felt like he was just existing, rather than truly living, and he was searching for a fresh perspective.

The stretch towards Tauranga is always a bit more industrial as you get closer to the port city, but then it opens up again as you head towards the coast. We passed through Katikati and then the final few kilometres into Papamoa. The air started to smell of salt. Budi pointed out the beach, a long, wide sweep of golden sand, and said he was glad he’d booked an extra couple of days to enjoy it before his flight home. I dropped him at a lovely beachfront motel, the sea already audible from the car park.

He thanked me, a genuinely warm handshake, and said the journey had been far more than just a transfer. He felt refreshed, he said, and already less burdened by the weight of his usual routine. It’s always satisfying when a trip feels like it’s been more than just getting from A to B. As I headed back north, the sun was starting its descent towards the horizon, casting long shadows. I thought about Budi, and his search for inspiration, and hoped the wedding, and the beaches of Papamoa, would indeed provide what he was looking for.