Greetings from Christchurch!
I've finally made it to the south island.
Even though I've just begun my travels it already
feels like I've been gone weeks. I find that time
takes on a different dimension when you travel.
I'm in an internet cafe now, writing this blog and working
to get my pics up in a Picasa public gallery. Right now I am
experiencing technical difficulties but if I actually get it
sorted out, then look for a link to it on this page. That is where
I will post all my pics from now on.
Now here's an update to bring you all up to speed.
For the last 48 hours, life for me has been a whirlwind
of airports, buses and ferries. The flight over was long,
due mainly to the fact I started my journey in Florida, which
feels like the furthest point from NZ. Plus, I had a 7 hour lay
over in LA before I even got on the plane to NZ.
But when you are flying for free, you really can't complain.
By the time I finally boarded my flight to NZ I had already been
traveling for 12 hours and had another 12 to go.
But once I ate, indulged in the free wine and
took some sleeping pills, I was out. Thankfully,
I slept most of the way and was awake for only
the last three hours of the flight. Just enough time
to see Jamie Oliver's new show on the BBC, "Cooking from Home" good stuff!
Quantas has this novel concept of putting all of their entertainment
'on demand' so you can select what you want to watch and when.
What a great idea, how come our airlines don't do that?! Or maybe they do now?
I arrived into Auckland at 6:30 am on the 29th so I
had a full day in the city to burn. Once I got my luggage sorted
and checked-in on my evening flight, I boarded a bus to downtown.
There I boarded a ferry to Waiheke Island to spend the day exploring
and visiting wineries.
On the boat ride over I met the first of three groups of fellow Americans.
Turns out the first family on holiday in NZ included a sister who lives in Tampa
and graduated from USF - "it's a small world after all". Chatted with her brother Michael on the ferry ride over and ending up running into the family again on the ferry ride back. Turns out his brother found them an mazing deal and they all flew business class to NZ for $1500. What a score!!
On the bus I met my second American family, this time from California.
We were all heading to the same destination, so they let me join their group
for the afternoon. We hit two wineries, the second one being a recommendation of a client of mine in Tampa. He told me I had to try the "crack blue cheese" and so I did, along with some sheep's and goat cheese. The food, wine and ambiance at Stonyridge was fabulous and great way to kick-off my trip.
On the bus ride back to the airport I met my other set of Californians
who live on Waiheke. Got the local insight into the area and learned that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were just on the island. Apparently he is very cool
and down to earth.
I then got on my evening flight to Christchurch. I am staying at Coachman's Backpacker, in a 6 bunk dorm room, for $25 NZD a night. It's basic, quiet, clean, centrally located near the main downtown area. I heard from one of my roomies that the big new year's celebration at the Lux has sold out and is "the place to be" on NYE so I feel fortunate to have already bought my ticket.
It's 2pm now so I need to wrap this up and go seize the day. I will try to update the blog as often as time and money will allow. Hope you enjoyed reading about my travels thus far. I'll do my best to keep them entertaining.
I've finally made it to the south island.
Even though I've just begun my travels it already
feels like I've been gone weeks. I find that time
takes on a different dimension when you travel.
I'm in an internet cafe now, writing this blog and working
to get my pics up in a Picasa public gallery. Right now I am
experiencing technical difficulties but if I actually get it
sorted out, then look for a link to it on this page. That is where
I will post all my pics from now on.
Now here's an update to bring you all up to speed.
For the last 48 hours, life for me has been a whirlwind
of airports, buses and ferries. The flight over was long,
due mainly to the fact I started my journey in Florida, which
feels like the furthest point from NZ. Plus, I had a 7 hour lay
over in LA before I even got on the plane to NZ.
But when you are flying for free, you really can't complain.
By the time I finally boarded my flight to NZ I had already been
traveling for 12 hours and had another 12 to go.
But once I ate, indulged in the free wine and
took some sleeping pills, I was out. Thankfully,
I slept most of the way and was awake for only
the last three hours of the flight. Just enough time
to see Jamie Oliver's new show on the BBC, "Cooking from Home" good stuff!
Quantas has this novel concept of putting all of their entertainment
'on demand' so you can select what you want to watch and when.
What a great idea, how come our airlines don't do that?! Or maybe they do now?
I arrived into Auckland at 6:30 am on the 29th so I
had a full day in the city to burn. Once I got my luggage sorted
and checked-in on my evening flight, I boarded a bus to downtown.
There I boarded a ferry to Waiheke Island to spend the day exploring
and visiting wineries.
On the boat ride over I met the first of three groups of fellow Americans.
Turns out the first family on holiday in NZ included a sister who lives in Tampa
and graduated from USF - "it's a small world after all". Chatted with her brother Michael on the ferry ride over and ending up running into the family again on the ferry ride back. Turns out his brother found them an mazing deal and they all flew business class to NZ for $1500. What a score!!
On the bus I met my second American family, this time from California.
We were all heading to the same destination, so they let me join their group
for the afternoon. We hit two wineries, the second one being a recommendation of a client of mine in Tampa. He told me I had to try the "crack blue cheese" and so I did, along with some sheep's and goat cheese. The food, wine and ambiance at Stonyridge was fabulous and great way to kick-off my trip.
On the bus ride back to the airport I met my other set of Californians
who live on Waiheke. Got the local insight into the area and learned that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were just on the island. Apparently he is very cool
and down to earth.
I then got on my evening flight to Christchurch. I am staying at Coachman's Backpacker, in a 6 bunk dorm room, for $25 NZD a night. It's basic, quiet, clean, centrally located near the main downtown area. I heard from one of my roomies that the big new year's celebration at the Lux has sold out and is "the place to be" on NYE so I feel fortunate to have already bought my ticket.
It's 2pm now so I need to wrap this up and go seize the day. I will try to update the blog as often as time and money will allow. Hope you enjoyed reading about my travels thus far. I'll do my best to keep them entertaining.
