SkyCity Hotel to Sandy Bay private car — Khalid's holiday

The calendar turned to February 12th, a Thursday, and the Auckland sky was doing its usual dramatic number, a mix of bright sunshine and dramatic grey clouds rolling in from the west. The kind of weather that keeps you on your toes, and keeps my Intercity Cabs van looking its best with a quick wipe down. My first pickup of the day was for a Mohammed A, booked through the SkyCity Hotel, heading out to Sandy Bay. Airport pickup, but starting from the city. He was already waiting in the hotel lobby when I pulled up, a sharp contrast to the usual slightly-flustered tourist wrestling with luggage. He looked relaxed, organised.

He explained he was on a holiday, a proper escape from the bustle of the UAE. He’d been spending a few days in the city, doing the usual tourist circuit – the Sky Tower, some of the museums, a bit of shopping down Queen Street. But it was time to get out of the urban sprawl and see some of the coast, the real Kiwi scenery he’d heard so much about. Sandy Bay, he’d been told, was a gem, and he wanted to see it for himself. Good choice, I thought. Sandy Bay, up past Whangārei, is a beautiful stretch of coastline, often a bit quieter than some of the more famous spots further north.

As we headed north on the motorway, the city skyline slowly receded, replaced by the rolling green hills that New Zealand does so well. Even with the dramatic clouds, the farmland was vibrant. Mohammed pointed out the sheep, remarking on how few he’d seen in the city. He told me about Dubai, the sheer scale of it, the towering architecture, the desert landscapes. It’s a world away from here, and you could tell he was soaking in the change of scenery. He spoke about the heat, the constant hum of activity, and how he was looking forward to the more relaxed pace of New Zealand life, even if just for a short while. He mentioned he’d been to Australia before, but New Zealand had always been higher on his list. The natural beauty, he’d read, was something else.

We bypassed the city centre traffic, heading straight up State Highway 1. The air started to get a bit fresher as we moved further from the urban core. He asked about the route, and I explained the general geography – how we were heading up into Northland, past places like Warkworth and Wellsford. I mentioned the drive to Whangārei, and he made a mental note, I think, looking at the map on his phone. He was clearly interested in exploring more of the Northland.

We passed through Whangārei, its harbour and city centre a busy sight, but our destination was a little further on, heading towards the coast. The road started to wind more here, offering glimpses of the Pacific Ocean through the trees. The sea was a deep, moody blue under the overcast sky. Mohammed remarked on how different the vibe was compared to the Persian Gulf. He described it as more rugged, more untamed. He appreciated the vastness of the ocean, the sheer power of the waves crashing against the shore.

As we turned off the main highway and onto the smaller roads leading towards Sandy Bay, the landscape became even more picturesque. Lush native bush lined the roadside, with the scent of damp earth and salt-filled air drifting through the open windows. He mentioned how nice it was to have that connection to nature, something he found harder to come by in his everyday life. He spoke about the importance of green spaces, and how he admired the way New Zealand seemed to integrate nature into its everyday existence.

We arrived at Sandy Bay. It’s a stunning beach, a curve of golden sand fringed by pohutukawa trees, even though they weren’t in full bloom yet. The tide was out, revealing a wide expanse of wet sand that shimmered under the diffused light. There were a few other people dotted along the beach, walking dogs or collecting shells, but it was far from crowded. It had that perfect sense of peaceful seclusion. Mohammed thanked me, his eyes scanning the horizon, taking it all in. He paid the fare, and I watched him walk down towards the water’s edge, a lone figure against the vastness of the ocean. He seemed exactly where he wanted to be, ready to immerse himself in the tranquility of the New Zealand coast. It’s moments like those that make the driving worthwhile – seeing someone find that bit of peace and beauty they’ve travelled so far to experience.