One week into my first trip to New Zealand, and I have to say, I’m quite impressed.

It’s not nearly as cold as I expected it to be. City is lovely, diverse, laid back and friendly. Although it’s been a bit of a shock being surrounded by English again, for the most part, I’m feeling very “at home” here.

I’ve spent most of my time in the Central Business District so far, as my hotel as well as the offices of the folks I’m working with are here. Both are within a block of Queen St, the main drag through the CBD.

I’ve also gotten a chance to hike around the city a bit. The waterfront area, especially the lively Viaduct is good fun. Going grocery shopping and taking myself out for food and drinks in the evening has also been a pleasant change of pace for me.

Besides the city, the gentleman I’m working with down here kindly gave me a tour by car up to the Mission Bay area and to the district across the harbor bridge. Beautiful volcanic islands and thousands of boats in the harbor. Lush green landscapes, and incredible houses everywhere.

I’ve also had a chance to meet some of the most amazing folks including:

• A local author who has written and published over 92 (ninety-two!) books.

• A local entrepreneur who runs a bunch of real estate and financial companies in three countries – who incidently ran his first marathon when he was just 12 years old. (The youngest New Zealander to enter and complete a marathon at the time.)

• A man who entered and completed the Iron Man competition – five times!

• A film director of television commercials – and his wife, an actress, writer and editor (and much more) who also works for the same company I’m currently working with.

• The CFO of Coca Cola New Zealand.

• An amazing man who coaches others to deal with conditions that cause chronic pain – based on his own incredible personal experience with it.

• The entrepreneur and best selling author I’m currently working with and his wife who have built up a number of profitable companies. Beside all the insight they’ve already provided me about running and growing a business successfully – and ethically, I also have them to thank for introducing me to all the other folks mentioned above.

The conversations I’ve had with all these people have been very eye-opening. Despite the short time I’ve been here, I must say this is already turning out to be a mind-expanding and life altering trip.

…And it’s just getting started!

As usual when I travel, I’ve arrived at the airport long before check-in for my flight even begins.

I’m not a “last minute” type of traveler by any means.

Luckily, the airport has Wi-Fi so I can kill a few minutes typing up a few thoughts about the trip I’m about to take.

1. This is my first trip to New Zealand. On top of that, it’s my first trip out of Japan in over two years. I haven’t been in a country where people speak English for a long, long time. (I’ve been living in Japan for nearly 7 years now.) Looking forward to the culture shock.

I’m also looking forward to meeting and talking with people in person – as opposed to my mainly virtual interaction with my friends and clients during most of the past seven years.

2. It’s 30 degrees C and muggy here in Japan – getting right into summer. When I arrive in Auckland, it will be winter again. I notice the high is 11 in Auckland today. My carry-on luggage is loaded with warm, heavy clothes to change into on arrival. Everone I’ve spoken to whose ever visited the country has fallen in love with it though – I don’t expect to be the exception no matter what the temperature.

3. I’m very curious to discover the level of online entrepreneurship in New Zealand. I’ve heard internet connections are pricey in New Zealand, and I have no idea about the state of mobile internet usage in the country. I have a lot to learn.

At the end of the month, I’ll be attending the World Internet Summit in Auckland too, so I hope to meet plenty of  local online entrepreneurs then – if not before.

(If you read this and you’re going, be sure to let me know via my contact page – maybe we can meet up?)

4. I’m really looking forward to meeting up with my business partner in Auckland. He’s had me working on some incredible projects since the beginning of this year. The most in-depth of these is probably going to go live while I’m down there and I hope we get to celebrate the launch over cigars.

5. I have a couple of online “New Zealand” related side projects I started earlier this year and I’m hoping to work on those some more while I’m in country too.

Will be challenging myself to see how much I can crank out while I’m there!

Looking forward.