SkyCity Hotel to Waitomo Glowworm Caves private car — Liesbeth's business trip

The security guard at SkyCity pointed me towards the valet stand, a sleek black sedan already pulling away. That’s what tipped me off, the quiet efficiency that often signals a business traveler. My passenger, usually prompt for a hotel pickup like this, was about to emerge. The morning sun was already strong on Federal Street, promising a warm late-February day.

Out she came, a woman with that unmistakable, slightly tired look that a long flight can impart, even a few days later. She had a smart, dark carry-on bag and a professional air about her, carrying herself with a quiet confidence that suggested she knew her purpose. Her name was Liesbeth V., and she was heading out of Auckland towards the south, all the way to Waitomo. The reason, she explained briefly as we navigated the Bombay Hills traffic, was a series of site visits. She was in construction, or rather, engineering consultancy, and was assessing a project’s progress. The glowworm caves themselves weren’t the point; they were just the closest major landmark to where she needed to be. My usual route along SH1 would take us past Pokeno and onto the Waikato Expressway. She had a planner open on her lap, tapping away at it from time to time. The light glinted off her laptop screen.

As we cleared the last of the Auckland sprawl and settled into the rhythm of the highway, the urban hum faded. Fields of green unfurled on either side – grazing cows, the occasional farmstead. We passed through Pokeno with its famous ice creamery, a place I’d often stop for a break myself when the timing was right, but Liesbeth was laser-focused on her schedule. The Waikato flowed past, wide and placid. I recounted some local history, the old railway lines, the land’s original contours before the highways carved their paths. She listened, nodding occasionally, her gaze often drifting to the passing landscape, a subtle shift from her initial focus on the screen.

We talked about Brussels, her home. She’d described it as a city of contrasts – grand old architecture alongside modern developments, a place where history could be felt at every turn. She mentioned a particular fondness for the small, independent bookshops dotted around the older districts. I found myself thinking about how a person’s chosen profession can sometimes surprise you. An engineer, yes, but with an appreciation for quiet, discovery-filled spaces, like those little shops or, indeed, the caves she was heading towards. It wasn't a direct path for her; her final destination was a building site a bit further on, but the caves were her drop-off point for my service. She’d then arrange local transport for the last short stretch. She had a meeting rescheduled for later that afternoon, and she seemed keen to arrive a little earlier, to get her bearings.

The turn-off for Waitomo arrived, a gentle ramp leading away from the expressway. The air grew marginally cooler as we descended into the valley. The landscape became hillier, lush and green, the road winding through a patchwork of farmland. Trees lined the verges, their leaves rustling in the breeze. The entrance to the Waitomo Caves precinct came into view, a cluster of buildings and parking areas nestled amongst the trees. It was quiet mid-afternoon, the peak tour times likely passed or yet to come. I pulled up to the designated private car area, the engine humming softly. Liesbeth gathered her things, a quiet thank you offered. She stepped out, adjusted her carry-on, and looked towards the cave entrance. There was a sense of anticipation about her, a readiness for the next step of her journey. As I pulled away, I saw her take a deep breath of the fresh country air, another stop on her journey through the Waikato.