ldsant
Nov 2, 03, 5:09 pm
Arrived in AKL after flying SEA-LA-AKL (trip report to come later on that one). Mr*Alliance was at the airport to greet me. After screaming hellos and lots of hugs (which, I learned later kiwis don't hug others unless they're family), we headed out to view AKL before I had to get back to the airport for my flight to CHC.
Driving in Mr*'s car, we arrived in city center. AKL is a huge city. I decided after we got there that I was pleased that I was heading off to other less inhabited parts of New Zealand later that day. We walked to the waterfront where the America's Cup had been held. Some of the buildings have interesting architecture e.g., the Ferry Terminal Building. Found a place where we could sit outside and eat breakfast on the waterfront. I ordered the French Toast and Mr* ordered the mixed grill. The breakfast arrived and was served. The French Toast was wonderful! It was served with some grilled bananas which were sweet but not overly sweet. Mr*'s plate was filled with LOTS of food and meat! Reminded me of some FT dinners at the Buenos Aries grill in Seattle. After our breakfast (and me being amazed at meeting a person "live" with whom I had been chatting with for what seemed forever and a day). . .we headed up to the Sky Tower. This is the large tower in AKL that is on every postcard. Reminded me of Toronto's Sky Needle (or whatever it's called). We went to the top. Not the part where you bungee off of, but the platform above that. Walked around looking at AKL through the glass. It was a clear day so the views were really quite great. I had a touch of "vertigo" when I had to step on the glass floor, but this was a great way to view the city. Able to see other islands out in the distance as well as the city, the waterfront, and AKL itself.
After that, it was time to head back to the airport so I could catch my flight to Christchurch (CHC). I was flying Air New Zealand. Mr* dropped me off at the airport where I was able to walk in, and although I was stressed because there was only 30 minutes until my flight was supposed to leave, Mr* assured me it wasn't a problem. Turns out he was right. Five minutes later I was at the gate ready to board. Flight boarded and I had the first row to myself.
Talked with the Flight Attendant the entire way down (well, while she was seated). They served the Air NZ cup service which means they give you a nice styrofoam cup that has a "biscuit" (read chocolate chip cookie) in it and is ready for coffee or tea service. Upon seeing a live sheep for the first time, I started yelling I was so excited! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Half the plane started cracking up. I was taking lots of pics from my digital camera. The FA invited me to come visit her at her home since she has sheep at her home as pets. I couldn't believe it!
Plane landed in North Palmerston on the South Island. We then took off about 15 minutes later towards CHC. Same service as before. The biscuits are great btw.. .
Landed in CHC (after seeing even MORE sheep on the way there). Greeted at the plane by a visitor's tourist person with brochures on what to do in CHC. Headed off towards the visitor's centre that is in the airport. Was told that everything was booked that night (since I didn't have a hotel reservation this brought about some concern). I figured I would just go to the place that I had read about on the web a few days before (courtesy of my FT friend Darren sending me a link re: b/bs in NZ). Showed up there and sure enough, they had a room! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif $180NZ per night (included breakfast which was toast and cereal basically)which was more than I expected to spend, but the room was VERY large (with two queen beds in it and a separate bathroom), the hosts were wonderful, the other guests delightful, and it was centrally located for being able to walk around CHC easily. Dorothy's became my first "home" in NZ. It would prove to be a very interesting few days. . .
Driving in Mr*'s car, we arrived in city center. AKL is a huge city. I decided after we got there that I was pleased that I was heading off to other less inhabited parts of New Zealand later that day. We walked to the waterfront where the America's Cup had been held. Some of the buildings have interesting architecture e.g., the Ferry Terminal Building. Found a place where we could sit outside and eat breakfast on the waterfront. I ordered the French Toast and Mr* ordered the mixed grill. The breakfast arrived and was served. The French Toast was wonderful! It was served with some grilled bananas which were sweet but not overly sweet. Mr*'s plate was filled with LOTS of food and meat! Reminded me of some FT dinners at the Buenos Aries grill in Seattle. After our breakfast (and me being amazed at meeting a person "live" with whom I had been chatting with for what seemed forever and a day). . .we headed up to the Sky Tower. This is the large tower in AKL that is on every postcard. Reminded me of Toronto's Sky Needle (or whatever it's called). We went to the top. Not the part where you bungee off of, but the platform above that. Walked around looking at AKL through the glass. It was a clear day so the views were really quite great. I had a touch of "vertigo" when I had to step on the glass floor, but this was a great way to view the city. Able to see other islands out in the distance as well as the city, the waterfront, and AKL itself.
After that, it was time to head back to the airport so I could catch my flight to Christchurch (CHC). I was flying Air New Zealand. Mr* dropped me off at the airport where I was able to walk in, and although I was stressed because there was only 30 minutes until my flight was supposed to leave, Mr* assured me it wasn't a problem. Turns out he was right. Five minutes later I was at the gate ready to board. Flight boarded and I had the first row to myself.
Talked with the Flight Attendant the entire way down (well, while she was seated). They served the Air NZ cup service which means they give you a nice styrofoam cup that has a "biscuit" (read chocolate chip cookie) in it and is ready for coffee or tea service. Upon seeing a live sheep for the first time, I started yelling I was so excited! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Half the plane started cracking up. I was taking lots of pics from my digital camera. The FA invited me to come visit her at her home since she has sheep at her home as pets. I couldn't believe it!
Plane landed in North Palmerston on the South Island. We then took off about 15 minutes later towards CHC. Same service as before. The biscuits are great btw.. .
Landed in CHC (after seeing even MORE sheep on the way there). Greeted at the plane by a visitor's tourist person with brochures on what to do in CHC. Headed off towards the visitor's centre that is in the airport. Was told that everything was booked that night (since I didn't have a hotel reservation this brought about some concern). I figured I would just go to the place that I had read about on the web a few days before (courtesy of my FT friend Darren sending me a link re: b/bs in NZ). Showed up there and sure enough, they had a room! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif $180NZ per night (included breakfast which was toast and cereal basically)which was more than I expected to spend, but the room was VERY large (with two queen beds in it and a separate bathroom), the hosts were wonderful, the other guests delightful, and it was centrally located for being able to walk around CHC easily. Dorothy's became my first "home" in NZ. It would prove to be a very interesting few days. . .