Sleepy with food and wine and time of day (LA time), I watched and dozed through “Ice Age.” But really saw all/most of it. Somewhere around 11:00 NZ time I turned everything off, took a sleeping pill, slept for awhile, awakened, slept, took another sleeping pill, slept, etc.
Somewhere around 4:00, I started to watch “Madagascar 3.” Wanted to doze on and off and did. And around 5:00 am I gave it up … just in time for First Breakfast (oh, that’s a Hobbit thing, of course) of fresh fruit, granola, yoghurt, and, dare I say, a hot, buttery, flaky croissant with jam. When this was done, we had Second Breakfast where I chose the three-cheese omelette with chorizo sausage, potato wedges, and spiced tomato relish. Could not finish all that.
Meanwhile, since I am sitting on the left side of the plane, I saw sunrise and, I hope, got some good pix of it and the clouds. For a while, I couldn’t figure out why, when flying southwest, the sun was coming up on my side. Referring to the video screen showing flight progress, I figured it out … east, sort of, is on my side of the plane. Duh.
Pat O is sitting right behind me. She said she got in about six hours of sleep. Can’t say I did altogether, but I’m not dragged out right now (it’s 6:30 am), but we shall see as the morning progresses.
Got into Auckland on time. Passport and customs were not long. Rechecked bag in international terminal and then walked, what was supposed to be 10 minutes, to the domestic terminal. Took about 20 and I was pooped with my backpack and computer bag. Waited for our Christchurch flight and worried again about the 15 pound limit on carryon since they kept announcing it. Seems as if we’re exempt since we came over on an international flight.
Took about an hour to fly to Christchurch. Stewart was there with the van and a trailer and our driver, John. Along with the four of us that had travelled together, we were joined by Usha and Kumar from Texas. City Centre Motel is nice; plain but nice. David M. and I have a two bedroom suite. Too bad it won’t always be this kind of a room.
Went to lunch near here. Then, Pat, Fran, Chuck and I walked over to the Botanic Gardens to marvel at the flowers, the huge rose garden, the Avon River, and, especially, the trees, which are huge and magnificent. From there, we walked over the city centre and went to the area where they have set up a whole set of shipping containers converted to restaurants and shops. Very colorful, original, and interest. The other three took a bus back; I walked. Long walk! And I never did get close enough to the central square to see the ruins of the cathedral, but there are ruins and rubble everywhere in the city.
Dinner was at a neighborhood Indian restaurant, Himalaya’s. Excellent food and we met Phillip, our other guide/teacher. Stuffed, we came back to the motel. Are heading out at 9:00 am tomorrow. I hope I sleep through the night since I am exhausted.
Somewhere around 4:00, I started to watch “Madagascar 3.” Wanted to doze on and off and did. And around 5:00 am I gave it up … just in time for First Breakfast (oh, that’s a Hobbit thing, of course) of fresh fruit, granola, yoghurt, and, dare I say, a hot, buttery, flaky croissant with jam. When this was done, we had Second Breakfast where I chose the three-cheese omelette with chorizo sausage, potato wedges, and spiced tomato relish. Could not finish all that.
Meanwhile, since I am sitting on the left side of the plane, I saw sunrise and, I hope, got some good pix of it and the clouds. For a while, I couldn’t figure out why, when flying southwest, the sun was coming up on my side. Referring to the video screen showing flight progress, I figured it out … east, sort of, is on my side of the plane. Duh.
Pat O is sitting right behind me. She said she got in about six hours of sleep. Can’t say I did altogether, but I’m not dragged out right now (it’s 6:30 am), but we shall see as the morning progresses.
Got into Auckland on time. Passport and customs were not long. Rechecked bag in international terminal and then walked, what was supposed to be 10 minutes, to the domestic terminal. Took about 20 and I was pooped with my backpack and computer bag. Waited for our Christchurch flight and worried again about the 15 pound limit on carryon since they kept announcing it. Seems as if we’re exempt since we came over on an international flight.
Took about an hour to fly to Christchurch. Stewart was there with the van and a trailer and our driver, John. Along with the four of us that had travelled together, we were joined by Usha and Kumar from Texas. City Centre Motel is nice; plain but nice. David M. and I have a two bedroom suite. Too bad it won’t always be this kind of a room.
Went to lunch near here. Then, Pat, Fran, Chuck and I walked over to the Botanic Gardens to marvel at the flowers, the huge rose garden, the Avon River, and, especially, the trees, which are huge and magnificent. From there, we walked over the city centre and went to the area where they have set up a whole set of shipping containers converted to restaurants and shops. Very colorful, original, and interest. The other three took a bus back; I walked. Long walk! And I never did get close enough to the central square to see the ruins of the cathedral, but there are ruins and rubble everywhere in the city.
Dinner was at a neighborhood Indian restaurant, Himalaya’s. Excellent food and we met Phillip, our other guide/teacher. Stuffed, we came back to the motel. Are heading out at 9:00 am tomorrow. I hope I sleep through the night since I am exhausted.
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