Day 1: Travel Day - Tāmaki Makaurau to Singapore

Nau maiYesterday we traveled from Auckland to Singapore. If there was one gift, one priceless skill I received from my time with the 59th Special Forcé Battalionette it was the ability to sleep anywhere. Anytime. Lying down, sitting, standing, crouching, walking - any pace up to a slow jog and I could still turn the lights straight out. Even after a full night of perfect slumber I could close my eyes and rest for another eighteen hours if I needed it for the mission.This tour began like any other, a cold winter morning, a light drizzle falling, loading our gear into the angular trailer of a Super Shuttle as Karangahape Road was just beginning to stir into life. I had packed light, as I always did. I knew the road would provide anything I needed. Just my toothbrush in my left pants pocket and the clothes I was wearing. I would bin these and buy a new outfit when it was time to change. The sun was rising as we drove the motorway out to the airport. The Mainfreight messageboard…