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We're here! Finally...how cool is that. One would think that we are the first to travel overseas...& soooo far away to! Still, is our first time & we are very happy with our progress thus far....hiccups & all.
We got to the airport (thanks Todd) to find that we were only allowed 1 piece of luggage each underneath, max weight of 23kgs......would have been nice to know that before we left & packed 2 bags. Still, the lady on the counter was very good & she allowed us to repack & one of the bags that were to go underneath became carryon luggage. We had plenty of time to relax & read some of the NZ tourism books before boarding (still didn't have a plan). The flight was great , watched a TV doco & a few other bits & pieces. Landed in Auckland with no traumas. Swapped to the domestic flight to Christchurch...walked over to the domestic airport in the rain (freshened up the bosses cold😞 ) and a couple of hours later we were off again. All was good until we were 30 mins out when the pilot said he had good news & bad news.....don't like the sound
of that. Can't rememberwhat the good news was- may have been a bit early....then the bad news. There was a fog rolling in & it was curently on the lowest rating that they would allow us to attempt to land........we had enough fuel on board to do 2 attempted landings & then would have to fly back to Auckland!!!!! You have to be shitting me! We had bookings in Christchurch, not bloody Auckland.Must admit to a bit of praying then- didn't want to start this journey in the wrong flipping city with extra expenses on the first day....Ray would curtail my expenditure at the jewellery shops😞
All's well that ends well.........because we were travelling Air NZ, they had the technology to land- apparently if we had been with Jetstar they would have just turned around without trying..........get what you pay for! I did ask the hosties to thank the pilot for his effort- we appreciated it. I must admit you couldn't see jack out of the window, but the pilot had the instruments & that is all that mattered.
Got a shuttle over to the motel, checked in.....reception forgot to mention that although we were on the 1st floor, there
were no lifts! They had valets...hmmm forgot to mention that to....but we did sniff one out & he was great & gave us a few tips.
So, this morning we collected our motorhome....home sweet home for the next month.......got all the instructions & headed for the nearest supermarket to buy our tucker.............along with all the others that had collected their motorhomes this morning & needed food etc- had some interesting conversations with Aussies form Tassie (they are Aussies aren't they) & others as we did the laps of the supermarket. Yep- they are expensive over here, but you have to eat or you don't shit, & if you don't shit you die.....paid too much money to die today😊. Had no idea where we were going, but decided that perhaps we should spend one night in Christchurch & see the sights (?) before leaving. So we found a park & here we are. Found an internet service- after a few hassles...got a powered site.......came back after a little journey to find that the power wasn't working! Grrr.....seems that some helpful soul had turned off the safety switch- helpful harry. Still- all is good now.
We got on a bus...public bloody transport,
can you believe that?? Had an interesting chat with some locals & headed for the city centre. Wow- poor buggers.......there is still a lot of evidence of the quake- most of the city centre is out of bounds- will add the photos........so came home & unpacked our home away from home. Have had spag bol for tea, Ray washed up whilst I have been doing this (role reversal) & I guess we had better have a look at the maps to see where it is we willl end up tomorrow. Raymond is complaining that I have written to much & therefor I must sign off!!!
We managed to stay out of the way of the tornado on the Nth island, so all is well that ends well. Hope this finds you all fit & well. We will stay in touch when we can. Have found out that Ray's breathing machine can't run off the 12v, so we may have to spend every 2nd night in a park instead of every 3rd.......see how he goes without it tomorrow night- wherever we may be.
Lots of love to you all
Ray & Terri
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Jenni
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congratulations!
well done Terri! You'll be an old pro at this by the time your holiday's over. Glad to hear you're safe and well, and that you still have your pocket money for the jewellery store. Take care.