The trans-Pacific trip was a bit bumpy, but relatively pain-free; however, we were disappointed to find out a bit late in the game that our older model Qantas 747 did not actually have the “lie-flat” “beds” we’d been promised. Apparently, if we write them a letter, we’ll be somehow compensated.
Upon arrival in Auckland, the first New Zealander I talked to was a rather surly immigration official who berated me for the (alleged) shabby physical state of my passport. The second person, a much friendlier customs agent, immediately asked us if we were happy about our new president. He corrected himself, “President elect.” (NZ is having it’s own national election Saturday).
As the customs agents x-rayed our bags, they found a couple apples we’d packed for snacks but subsequently forgotten. We were then lead to something labeled the “Infringement Desk!” and fined $200 for not declaring them and disposing of them. I’m sure our money will go to a good cause.
After a somewhat brutal five hour layover in Auckland, we finally boarded our plane to the south island. It was easily the smallest plane I’ve even ridden, and apparently there’s no such thing as airport security here; we just walked out to the runway and got on the plane – our bags were never searched or x-rayed. The flight really wasn’t that bad. The best part was that there was no door to the cockpit, so you could look out the front of the plane. Very fun, especially while landing.
After landing in Blenheim, we drove to our B&B, the Straw Lodge, which is located on a vineyard. The owners told us they were bracing for a possible frost which could potentially wipe out their entire crop for the year. They warned us that they’d likely have to run on their frost prevention windmills which would probably keep us awake all nite if they did.
After settling in, we met the other two couples at the inn. The first couple was from Chapel Hill, NC. The woman was the librarian of the journalism school when I was there. I’m nearly certain I remember her. Her husband is a history professor. The second couple is here celebrating the husband's five year anniversary surviving pancreatic cancer.
Then we had dinner. Then we went to bed. Apparently the frost never came, but they did run the machinery, which did not awaken us.
(Kristin with backpack, frontpack, and smoothie at Auckland Airport)
(The view from our room at the inn, plus the dog.)
(if you look really close you can see a whale tail)
(luxury accommodations aboard the Fiordland Navigator).
(Kristin, foreground. Fiordland Navigator, background)
(into the Tasman Sea)
(and back...)
(we clearly need a new camera...those are seals on that rock...)
(it's sort of the Budweiser of the South Island actually...)
(Kristin can't believe she almost at the whole thing...)
(Not Harvey, as it turned out, just some guy from Boston who seemed pissed McCain lost)
(in Middle Earth, we figured out our camera had a timer!)
(prior to human settlement, there were only two mammals native to Australia, and they were very small bats, not bison)
And a decorated bed...
If you look closely you can see the head of a whale in the clouds over Kaikoura - a good omen
The people on the boat who weren't busy puking saw two sperms whale; one whale twice, and then another.
(neither of the whales were white in color...)
(Thar she blows...)
In New Zealand, this is called a crayfish (hint: it's really a lobster)
(a nice German guy took this bad picture of us on the cruise around the sound)
(view from the Queen Charlotte Track)
(and another)
(whaling related mural in Picton)
(The 9th oldest ship in the world)
(Kristin with backpack, frontpack, and smoothie at Auckland Airport)
(The view from our room at the inn, plus the dog.)
