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Saved: September 15th 2021
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North Island Countryside
Yes, the white spots on the hills are all sheep. I had hoped that the latest security delays wouldn't affect my flight to New Zealand as I wasn't flying anywhere near the UK.
Getting out of Calgary was easy. Checking in was slow, but I think that was because the Air Canada agent checking me in was a bit of an idiot, not because of exctra security precautions. Getting through US Customs and Security in Calgary was easy--don't think I've ever got through faster actually. They didn't even ask to look at any of my photography equipment, or my mobile phone...
I was due to be 7hrs in LA--a long wait in a dull boring terminal, but I thought it was managable. I had a surprisingly good diner at the LA Roadhouse route 66 dinner--a real gem with fantastic service, and good diner fare. It was like stepping out of the airport for a bit without having to go through security to get back in.
Just about when we were due to board our Air New Zealand plane to Auckland, they announced it was delayed by 2.5 hours. You see the plane had to come from Heathrow, and the extra security checks held it up by nearly 3
hours. Apparently getting through the security alone at Heathrow is taking 3-4 hours right now, never mind checking in etc. I wasn't too worried about the wait--nothing I could do about it anyway. My main concern was getting in touch with my mate in New Zealand who was meeting me at the Wellington airport. I sent her an email, because I realized I didn't have her phone number with me.
When I finally got on the plane at midnight in LA (at this point it had been sixteen hours since I'd arrived at the airport in Calgary), I was impressed. It was a brand new plane, with more leg room than I've ever had in an economy seat, an on-demand video system in every seat, and a blanket that was actually too big and too warm for me! The food, accompanied by fantastic New Zealand wine, was good; I caught a couple of good Kiwi films (In My Father's Den and Sione's Wedding); and I slept more than I usually do on long flights.
I arrived in Auckland with an hour to clear customs, switch terminals, re-check my bags for my next flight, and get on the plane.
I missed the flight by about five minutes, and so after rushing to get to the domestic terminal, I had a couple of hours to wait for my flight. I might have made the flight, but some guy cut in front of me in the queue even though he'd already missed his plane. Not only did he make me miss my flight, he got the last seat on the next plane to Wellington! Oh well. I made it here, and when I saw my friend Janine and her baby girl Anya in Wellington, none of it mattered anymore.
New Zealand was my first love, and it is so good to be here. It doesn't matter how long I am away for--everything is still so familiar, and comforting. I find myself slipping easily back into Kiwi mode--my thoughts come to me with a Kiwi accent, and I use the same language as the Kiwis, although still with my Canadian accent.
Well, maybe the weather could be better. It's winter here, and one of the coldest winter's anyone can remember too. The best way to describe winter on the North Island is to compare it to camping in rotten weather.
Wellington Harbour
Always a welcome sight from the air, because it means I've arrived... It's cold inside, because most older homes here don't have insulation, and the rooms are heated by individual heaters, and wood stoves. Doors are kept closed to keep what heat there is in. I slept with three duvets on my bed last night, and while it wasn't cold, the whole bed never quite heated up. You dress the same to be inside the house as outside. Still, there are lots of comforts, like heat lamps in the bathroom to keep it hot during a shower, heated towels, a hot cuppa, hot stew for tea (dinner), being back with good friends as though no time has passed since the last time we saw each other...
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Syl Cowtan
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Way to go, girl!!
Hi Tannis, I'm having a rather boring day at work so decided to spice up my day by reading about your travels. I see that I will have to live vicariously through you!! Wonderful photos! Have a great holiday in your second "home" Syl