An early 4:30 start after seeing Jimoin the night before. A quick shower and a cup of Swiss coffee, which was interrupted by a car pulling up in the driveway. Yep a car, even though we had booked for a bus. I was getting my bag into the car and Zuz informed me that her bag has a had a malfunction. Oh nooo. Zipper busted. Too late for a repack so it was safety pins to the rescue. The driver of the car was from our destination, Christchurch. Go fiqure! We picked up one more at East Corrimal and had a real smooth ride to the airport.
Check in was open and we got in line. All too easy. Zuzi’s bag weighed in at a whopping 27.3kg and mine a lean 23.4kg. Lucky we were flying Emirates with a 30kg limit. As usual, they are rebuilding the airport and for once in my lifetime – No Macca’s when we wanted one. So it was a muffin and some yogurt for breakfast. Then we had to join the biggest line up to get through immigration. Then through security. The lappy bag went through the x-ray 3 times before they decided a manual search was the way to go. After getting through that they collared me for an explosives test and a pat down as Zuz got to sit and watch. Finally, now we could go to the gate after a window shop and some m&m’s for brunch.
At the gate we got to see the Emirates A380 cruise past our lil old 777. As we were at the back of the bus, we got to board nice and early and got the pick of the newspapers and magazines. We got to our seats and the entertainment screens are even bigger now.
Still way too much available for a long haul flight, let along a 3 hour hop. When you include all the safety videos, I was lucky to get in and episode of Mythbusters and one of Top gear in. Of course, Zuz watched a chick flick. Lunch was lovely and what one would come to expect from Emirates. On route we were given an awesome aerial view of some of the snow-covered mountains, rivers, a nice blue Lake Coleridge and flat green farmlands. That was worth the 3hour flight alone. A bumpy landing and all but last off the plane.
Another airport window shop saw us walk away with a 1L bottle of Gentleman Jack for $50Au. BARGAIN!!! after I had also recommended it to fellow Jack drinker. Then into another big line to clear immigration to be near the last ones through. Well at least we did not have to wait for our bags before proceeding to customs. Any Hiking boots? Um, yep we do. Ok, jump on the end of that long line there. We make it to the table and got our boots from the depths of our bag. It was a nice feeling when he commented that mine don’t have much tread left. Sign of a good boot I say. Then someone else had managed to leave some Coolendel wombat crap on her boot and it needed to be cleaned. Ty ty ty Zuzi.
We were freed from the grasp of bureaucracy and finally made it as free people into New Zealand. We cashed up from an ATM and headed for the bus / shuttle. Found a dude who was doing 2 for $25 to the door of the hotel. Ok, were in. A very pretty drive. As we hit the city it felt very English. Checked into the hotel, a small room with 2 double beds. Did not stay long and back out and across the road so Zuz could get a pie.
Then onto Cathedral Square, 2 min walk form the hotel to check out the church. Very nice may I add too. We followed the tram track up over the Avon river (very pretty, but small), past the Arts Centre (also very pretty), the Gallery ( again, very pretty and very modern) to the Botanic gardens. Guess what? Very pretty as well with lots of flowers and trees in blossom. Huge fat Sequa’s and we spent a fair bit of time soaking it all up until the sun disappeared.
We ended up at Barcelona restaurant for tapas for dinner. Zuz had a French onion soup and I followed it up with a warm seafood salad and a lovely wheat bear (3 boys). Yummy. Then a quick trip back through the square and into Maccas for a Sunday. What do you mean NO Chocolate?? Sorry then buddy, forget it. Got a Hungry Jacks one instead but I really should have passed. Back to the Hotel to a message that we would be picked up at 9:30. Watched Grand designed as Zuz washed out the toiletries bag after the shampoo had leaked though it before hitting the sack.