Page 14 of mach Travel Blog Posts


Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown November 30th 2010

Made it. Am breathing under the Remarkables again. Another early start yesterday, a smooth flight to Christchurch where I managed to find a screen showing the last day of the first ashes test (replay) while I waited for the next flight. Flight to Queenstown was magical. We rose above the clouds and I jumped out of my (south-facing) window seat as soon as the seatbelt light went off and parked myself on the only remaining seat on the other (north-facing) side of the plane. Already the Southern Alps were in view. Glacial lakes and soaring peaks stretched away as far as my mind could see. Only took about 10 minutes of politely turning down drinks and snacks before the majesty of Mt Cook came into view. Always takes my breath away. It stands so much taller ... read more
zqn_approach

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland » Central November 29th 2010

So, finally made it into New Zealand but it doesn't feel like it yet. Typing from another hotel waiting for another flight. The original three flights have become four. Fly to Christchurch far too early tomorrow morning and then from there on to Queenstown. Three day trip turned into four also though it already feels longer than that. Now going to try to get a wee kip before a ludicrously early taxi to the airport. Didn't sleep much last night and body-clock rather confused now so pot luck as to whether I sleep or not. Can't wait to be out of airportville and surrounded by mountains, lakes, and air instead of buildings, queues, and people. ... read more

North America » United States » California » Los Angeles » LAX November 28th 2010

Well, I shouldn't really be surprised and I wasn't. Typing from the Marriot LAX at the expense of Air New Zealand. Auckland airport was closed while we flew over here - a power cut knocked it out and, without any lights on the runway, no flights got in last night so we're in a backlog clearing situation. Does mean I'll miss both the original connecting flight to Queenstown and tomorrow morning's one so it looks like ANZ will be putting me up in Auckland tomorrow before a flight down Tuesday morning. All in all, should only lose a day but I do feel a bit dirty every time I'm forced to stay in the states. I should listen to myself more - I have vowed many a time never to do LAX again so it's my ... read more
lax02

Europe » United Kingdom » England November 27th 2010

Checked in, passed the entertainment show that is security and there's even a gate number on the board so it looks like leg 1 might be shockingly efficient. Worked out a lag avoidance plan that means I have to try to stay awake on the first leg to LA, then sleep on the second leg to Auckland. Arriving there early morning so that might feel like a "normal" day. Already looking forward to the flight down to Queenstown as we'll be flying almost the entire length of NZ over the volcanoes of North Island, over the sound, along the length of the Southern alps before sneaking in between the mountains to land on the boundary of the cricket pitch in Frankton. And then I'll be back on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Feel a bit like ... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » England » West Sussex » East Grinstead November 26th 2010

Well, my first destination is not East Grinstead but that's the closest thing this site knows about and I'm afraid I can't be bothered to go through the process to request creation of an entry for Dormansland (Rob - perhaps you should request creation of Abingdon House as a location? That should put the poor admin in a pickle). So, this will be the first place I land after I leave what currently passes for home. And a mighty good launch-pad it is too. Good friends, good company, etc, etc. And the fools are kind enough to allow me to land back at their glorious abode on my return too! Many thanks guys. Anyway, I expect one or two panics during the evening about what I may have left behind (I'm sure I used to be ... read more

Europe November 13th 2010

Just got back from a march up to the summit of Pen y Fan. I can feel the familiar ache in my feet. My calves are straining, flexed, waiting to see what I ask of them next. Pain comes in many forms, this one is welcome. Although, to be frank, it hardly qualifies as pain. Anyone who's been up Pen y Fan will know it's not exactly a hard task. And the sun was shining today. The wind, however, obviously had one too many last night and decided to take it out on the foolish humans daring to venture above a thousand feet. Cold, very cold. I doubt you want to know this but it did clear out masses of undesirable matter from my sinuses. Too many people on the hills today and all far too ... read more




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