Tuesday 30th June 2009
Day 3
I can't belive it's taken me 30 years to discover skiing. Awoken by a security guard at Eels Point at 5:30am, we set off for Codrona Ski Fields. The van did us proud climbing the mountain with not so much as a wheeze.
We did a morning beginners ski lesson at which point I found out how utterly hopeless I am at skiing. Five minutes into the lesson I was sent down into the remedial class made up of me and a Chinese lady named Pauline. Here we spent an hour learning how to put on the brakes.
The afternoon however, was free for us to hit the slopes. Layla was steady as a rock where as I was all over the shop fearing for my life. At one point I did a 360 twist and nearly landed in a conveyer belt. However, towards the end of the day the penny dropped and it started to become fun.
Aching limbs then drove us to Te Anau, gateway to Milford Sounds but from where we'll travel to its less popular neighbour Doubtful Sounds tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Man and Woman in Van
Monday 29th June 2009
Day 2
Exciting day today as we got the keys to our van which would be our transport, home and kitchen for the next week. Whilst our first camp spot wasn't exactly legal, it was worth it with an amazing sunset view over Lake Wanaka.
Day 2
Exciting day today as we got the keys to our van which would be our transport, home and kitchen for the next week. Whilst our first camp spot wasn't exactly legal, it was worth it with an amazing sunset view over Lake Wanaka.
The Secret to Upgrade Success
Sunday 28th June 2009
Day 1
After years of failed attempts, the secret of how to get a flight upgrade can finally be revealed. No, simple dressing smart just won't cut it and no, complaining about a dodgy seat or broken entertainment centre will only get you moved a couple of rows forward or back.
It was the first leg of our 'big trip' and we arrived at Melbourne airport after Layla's cousin's wedding bash went into the night. The do was in Bendigo and our flight to Auckland at 7am meaning a set off time of 3am, arriving at Melbourne airport a comfortable two hours before departure. Layla got an hour sleep in thanks to being knocked out by a ridiculous amount of champagne, whilst I, designated driver for the night, savoured two draft but ddn't get a wink.
I dread to think what we looked like at check in with Emirates. Layla's breath could strip paint and my eyes had bags the size of moats. Yet, we were kindly told 'its your lucky day' you've been upgraded to Business'. My first upgrade couldn't have come at a better time although we kinda wished the flight was longer than Auckland. Great start to the trip though.
Day 1
After years of failed attempts, the secret of how to get a flight upgrade can finally be revealed. No, simple dressing smart just won't cut it and no, complaining about a dodgy seat or broken entertainment centre will only get you moved a couple of rows forward or back.
It was the first leg of our 'big trip' and we arrived at Melbourne airport after Layla's cousin's wedding bash went into the night. The do was in Bendigo and our flight to Auckland at 7am meaning a set off time of 3am, arriving at Melbourne airport a comfortable two hours before departure. Layla got an hour sleep in thanks to being knocked out by a ridiculous amount of champagne, whilst I, designated driver for the night, savoured two draft but ddn't get a wink.
I dread to think what we looked like at check in with Emirates. Layla's breath could strip paint and my eyes had bags the size of moats. Yet, we were kindly told 'its your lucky day' you've been upgraded to Business'. My first upgrade couldn't have come at a better time although we kinda wished the flight was longer than Auckland. Great start to the trip though.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Breaking the Auckland Airport Jinx
Sunday 28th June 2009
Day 1
In 2004 my cousin and I, exhausted after travelling the length of New Zealand, checked into Auckland Airport to board a flight to Fiji. However, my luck was out as I was told that my passport was too battered and bruised to fly. I said tara to Andrew and headed to Wellington to obtain a new document.
We were eventually reunited 'Shawshank Redemption style' on a Fijian beach but I haven't been able to shake that nightmare since. Until now : )
Here I was back at the scene of the crime with Layla through customs and my passport in a custom official's hands when an airport official shouted that there was a major problem and nobody was to be let through, leaving me stranded as Layla walked en route to Queenstown. It was only some sweet talking that meant I was the last person through customs otherwise I would have surely missed our connecting flight. I felt like I'd broken the jinx...finally after five years.
As for the flight, I would have missed one of themost spectacular decents I've ever had. A range of snowy mountains was more than enough ammo to tempt the pilot into a spectacular fly-by. Once landed it was a quick beer, bite to eat, found accomodation and hit the sack.
Day 1
In 2004 my cousin and I, exhausted after travelling the length of New Zealand, checked into Auckland Airport to board a flight to Fiji. However, my luck was out as I was told that my passport was too battered and bruised to fly. I said tara to Andrew and headed to Wellington to obtain a new document.
We were eventually reunited 'Shawshank Redemption style' on a Fijian beach but I haven't been able to shake that nightmare since. Until now : )
Here I was back at the scene of the crime with Layla through customs and my passport in a custom official's hands when an airport official shouted that there was a major problem and nobody was to be let through, leaving me stranded as Layla walked en route to Queenstown. It was only some sweet talking that meant I was the last person through customs otherwise I would have surely missed our connecting flight. I felt like I'd broken the jinx...finally after five years.
As for the flight, I would have missed one of themost spectacular decents I've ever had. A range of snowy mountains was more than enough ammo to tempt the pilot into a spectacular fly-by. Once landed it was a quick beer, bite to eat, found accomodation and hit the sack.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Penthouse Paradiso
We can't praise our good friends Craig and Paula enough for trusting us with their amazing pad over the last three weeks whilst they were in Italy, the Med and Switzerland. We've just moved in with Layla's brother Ben and his fiance Tia for our final week in Oz which is great.
What was that? Did somebody say bloody freeloaders??
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
VISA Teaser
The lead up to our trip was never going to be smooth sailing but I didn't expect it to be quite so dramatic.
Layla submitted her VISA application to the British High Commission back in April and we were still waiting on tender hooks last week. All sorts of contingencies were in place should it have not come through with Layla's passport tied up in Canberra and her brother's wedding and a big trip looming.
There is a God though - the VISA was authorised today much to our relief.
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