New Zealand 20/20 trip: Day 14 Escape from New Zealand

By the numbers

2 planes, one cancelled

Walking not very far

I had woken up at 5am, when my alarm had been set for 530am. Deciding the best choice was to check on my flight since I was really early and right outside the terminal. With what was happening, I never knew what was going to happen with the bus service to the airport. Considering I am close to aircraft, I never heard anything at all and was a quietish night. I might stay there again if I have an international flight in the early morning as it is very convenient. I went looking for my flight and gave an audible ‘fuck’ when I seen that my flight had been cancelled. The next flight that was leaving for the Gold Coast was half hour earlier with Air New Zealand. I walked to the ticket counter where people were lined up and took my phone out to search for flights. I was going to get them to sort it out for me, but I was half way through the booking system before the line moved and all I needed to do was pay for the booking. I had my card out and paid for the booking. Within minutes of the booking being processed, I had the flight details, although I had screen shotted the booking reference after losing it last time when distracted on the ferry from Picton. I raced back to the hotel and picked up my bags before going back downstairs to check myself in. At least I didn’t eat anything in the bar or else it would have been costly.

It was relatively easy process for Air New Zealand as I had the self service kiosk to deal with and there were plenty available. The machine even recognised my bag had straps and to put into a basket before it would send it on its way into the depth of the airport where fire breathing dragons live. I was meeting a family member who thought they were not allowed to enter the airport, but I corrected that by telling them that we can as they would have stopped me without my bags. I got to meet Glen as he waited for his son to come through from the US. I waited a little bit before I left as there were quite a bit of unknowns as to what was happening between the outside and the gate. There could be delays for all I knew. The first place to go was to see the lady at the Virgin desk as I hadn’t gotten an email about the cancelled flight apart from the planes being grounded from the 30^th of March. The lady was nice and I told her that I hope people had not been abusing her. I let her know that I would like my flights to be credited and that I had arranged another flight with a rival. She was happy that I had done that actually.

The procedure through security had not changed at all. I had a very smooth transition through the gates. The smart gate wasn’t working, so had to get my passport checked by a human. The lady told me I will be back and when I tried passing behind her there was a barrier that stopped me. One of the immigration guys had to move it so I could get past. I didn’t want to be in trouble for touching something like that. I went through to wait and ended up with some chocolate and even a book that looked interesting. I had breakfast of Maccas in the airport as I knew I would not get a meal unless I had paid for it. I could have, but had paid for a seat and bag combo while looking at the price of the flight. I had let family know of the changes or else they would have wondered why I had arrived early, or seen that my flight had been canned and be in a stressful moment about my welfare. It wasn’t a too bad of a wait until we were on the plane and it was mostly empty. Could be why I got booked so quickly and at the front seats too. It felt like a long flight although could be because of the book, I was reading was about farming history.

It was good to actually land in Australia again, but even on landing there was no escaping the Corona stuff as people were getting ready to get off the plane, some ladies from immigration hopped aboard with paperwork that we had to fill out before leaving the aircraft. It was like school and homework. We were allowed to leave once we filled it out. My bladder was screaming to be emptied after that little bit of work. I bypassed the Duty Free and headed to the line for the smart gates. I did cough once and one guy panicked in front of me and moved away as he looked at me. Once we were waiting for out bags you could see the customs people with their full gear on. Masks and some even had the poncho type gear to cover themselves and the lines were slow moving as they were talking to every individual in line. The guy got to me and spoke to me and I asked questions. I even picked up his dropped pen for him, I just couldn’t really describe him as I wasn’t paying that much attention. A lady I might have, but working retail I forget people as soon as they look at me. He took my form and I was off until it was soon found no one had signed by customs card as there was only a tick. I had to wait and one of the ladies had to grab a supervisor who made me fill out the form again. They would pull out the other one later so there would not be a double up in visits. They impressed on me what will happen, but who knows if there would be health officials or even coppers. Hopefully not something like 3am. Any complaint about people out of quarantine ahead of time will be taken seriously and I am not to leave the house. I can see people with grudges like neighbours making a series of complaints. Though the authorities would know. On parting they asked if I had a mask as I was being driven home and I replied that I do not. They were very nice to provide me with one before leaving the terminal. I was polite to them and I think they would move mountains for anyone who are polite and not shitty. At least I know I will be allowed to leave at 1159pm on the 5^th of April that means I can then go back to work. Think there might be panic attacks from people who see me out and about though.

I did have the mask on when I got picked up and am in 14 days of isolation, which should be interesting. I still have that mask as I have no idea if I should be keeping it just in case. Every trip is different and this one has shown when under pressure, I do seem to perform and out do myself. There will be more trips and other things I can do, but for now I can research more journeys into the unknown, but at least I have done the right thing in returning to the country as New Zealand starts locking everything down. I left at the right time instead of waiting for the flight on the 29^th, which would have likely been cancelled. I am happy to have credit that I can use in the future.

New Zealand 20/20 trip: Day 13 Wellington to Auckland scramble

By the numbers

Main Bag 16 kgs

Cabin bag 6.8 kg

8.77 kms

11,888 steps

The morning started with another maccas run down stairs to get some food before I decided to leave. Turn on the TV to watch Saturday Morning cartoons, turn it straight off when I realised it was the Power puff girls. Nothing against them, but I was going for an update on what was happening as I am keeping a close eye on the news and don’t want to get stuck anywhere. I had already had the email to say my booking time had changed. An hour earlier, which I thought was interesting as the other flight simply disappeared. I was not worried, so long as I actually got to Auckland. I headed for the bus knowing that my Snapper card I had bought would not work on this journey to the airport. It had been stopped since April 2019. I had forgotten that it was a Saturday and the bus would be leaving every 20 mins and not the usual 10. I managed to get on the bus even though I knew I would be a touch over 3 hours early for my flight. I did not know what the current circumstances would be like. Turns out the airport was kind of quiet even though there were a few people around. I had sorted out my flight the night before, but in self check in I still had to say I wanted the new flight time.

The Air NZ lady was also nice. I did a wander around Wellington Airport looking for all the Hobbit and Lord of The Rings character, but most of them had gone. Gandalf was above a nice car on his eagle, but apparently they are getting new things put in soon. I would visit the airport just for that. I did hang around the main terminal before wandering through security as it was really light. The flight itself had a few vacant seats as everyone feared the virus on the plane. It was actually a short flight of around 45 mins to Auckland. A whole day saved if I had gone by train or by bus to Auckland. I had to make that choice and I did. I had to use the loo several times after we had landed and on the way to get my bag. The last time was when I came out and see it go out the back again, but I did think I could have let it go another lap around. I soon learnt that the Novotel hotel wasn’t near the domestic terminal, but right outside the arrivals in the International. It actually was not that far from the domestic, so you can easily walk there, but not when it is raining. The International Terminal was extremely busy with people everywhere and in long lines. I am a little worried about the morning, but hopefully I am early enough that it wont be a huge problem. When I checked in, I had no idea what I was expecting in the room, but it was flash and I was on the 8^th floor. I think there are 9 floors, so I get a really great view. I sorted out my flight for the next morning before going out again, so I made sure I was checked onto the plane.

After leaving my things in the room, I had my day pack and took a short trip by bus to the city. There were several things I needed and one was a new belt. I needed a drink as I had left my water back in the hotel and I had a tickle in my throat that made me cough, but a drink cured that. I hadn’t been drinking much and the dry throat was the cause. The one I have been using was basically worn out. There were still people wandering around Auckland, but seemed to be quieter. I had a short wander around, but didn’t want to linger in Auckland city for too long incase a sudden lock down happened, so I would end up being stuck. I wandered to a CD shop that I had been wanting to visit and didn’t really find what I was after, but the guy that served me was wearing the disposable gloves and he had said they had no grip, but they were all told to wear them now. That would explain why the cashier in The Warehouse had them on.

 I went to the airport bus and jumped on to head to the airport, no questions asked, which was good. I got off at the domestic terminal and walked to the International side, which wasn’t too bad. I listened to some Americans talking about their trip to Australia as they must have caught the Ghan. Talking about the flies not biting, but were just annoying as they needed a fly cover of sorts, but they loved the trip. It was interesting to note that along the walk near the International Terminal people with bags were sitting on the grass like that were unable to get flights, or chilling. The news that morning said not to enter the terminal and I had no problems walking through or even getting a meal from there. I headed back to my room with my dinner as the hotel’s dinner service mean you had to use social distancing and they were limiting the people. Tomorrow will be a new day and will see what happens. Should be good to get back home.

New Zealand 20/20 trip: Day 12 Walking round Wellington

By the numbers

13.91 kms

18,164 steps

The day started off early again as I was up well before my alarm went off as I wanted to get some food and then head off to the Weta Cave, which is basically a studio that made Lord Of the Rings and The Hobbit amongst a few other movies. I first had to catch the bus and as it turned out I was waiting at the wrong part of the bus stop and the one I wanted to catch had a shortened service due to the fact there was something called a driver shortage. I sorted out my confusion over the Google Map and caught a different bus with two minutes to spare. I had a snapper card now so I don’t need to handle money, I tried scanning the card in the wrong thing, which was his till. Think he was amused. I looked at my phone to see the route we would take and it didn’t go all the way to the Weta Cave in Miramar. It went along the water front and when we reached a point, I jumped off, because reasons.

I jumped off as I had come across a site that I had not seen since my nephew had been born around 5 years before. That time I had done a huge walk against the wind, against Wellington wind from Miramar to the city. This place was called the Evans Bay Patent Slip and had been opened in 1879 and closed in the 1960s. It was lucky that what was left was preserved and the road goes over part of the slip way, so no boats are going to go down that way. Its good that something was left instead of being wiped away. It was around a 40 min walk to the Weta Cave and I ended up walking the whole way there as it wasn’t that far to be honest, I did get to see planes take off at the airport on the way past. I mucked around with the trolls out the front and then went inside. They had changed it alot as there were displays from previous movies like Ghost in The Shell. There was more room to move. I had been told about the tours, but somehow I weasled my way onto a tour as they were having reduced numbers and the guide ok’d it. Much to my pleasure. The tour went around the props like the ones they had made for movies like Lord of The Rings and even spoke to the guy who worked on many things like The Matrix and something for Aussies. He had created The Gobbledok (chippies, chippies), that branded me as an Australian right away. I thought it was pretty funny. The tour guide was from South Africa and he mentioned in passing that they had a person on a tour in the last couple of weeks who was from Italy and coughed. Everyone did a step back except for the guide who gave her a hug. All the people I was on with were Americans and Canadians. I was surprised to hear they had not heard of Thunderbirds and I had thought they were joking at first. I did go through the shop again and wanted to buy a few things, but couldn’t as I don’t have enough room for figurines. I did get a shirt though.

I wandered off to get a bus and along the way had a small coffee. I caught the bus and got off at the Massey university thinking about using their loos, but kept on walking down to the National War memorial where I used the loo there and sat for half hour in the sun charging my phone and eating some nut bars that I had bought along for the ride. I took my timer in leaving and walked along Courtney Place where I visited a bookstore that I knew of. One that I liked and found several books that I was wanting. Hopefully my bag isn’t too heavy when I am at the airport to fly off the next day. It was already getting late and I had to head back as I needed a shower and to start packing my things as I was going to be leaving. I ended up in the Gastro pub again for dinner where I had chicken. It wasn’t too bad and it was a full meal. I also made sure I would be catching the bus from the right place as I don’t want to be stuck in the wrong area like this morning and have to catch another bus. Tomorrow shall tell me what is happening and my flight had been moved to an hour earlier, which doesn’t bother me at all. So long as everything runs smoothly I will be alright and happy when everything falls into place.

New Zealand 20/20 trip: Day 11 Wellington Archival fun

By the numbers

7.51kms

9,949 steps

I had my day mapped out as I wanted to spend the day in the National Archives hoping that they would not be shut because of the virus that is going around. I would never know if they had shut on short notice. I had made the correct choice by staying in a private room in the hostel, even though I do not like them much. I prefer the YHA, but they were booked out. I had some bad experiences where I am staying with the hostel rooms especially after the room tango last time. This time I made sure that would not happen.

I soon learnt that Maccas downstairs doesn’t have coffee. They have tea, but not coffee, which is weird. When I sat down, I got a message from the archives in Palmerston North asking if I was still coming and I quickly replied that I would not be  and the guy said his leave had been cancelled too. I ate my breaky and was then off to the archives, where I did get my coffee. I could have gotten a full breakfast there too as they have changed since I was in Wellington last. I had some files ordered already for me to pick up. I had to fill out a form giving my address and phone number due to the virus just in case someone was infected and you needed to be contacted. I grabbed the records I wanted and started taking photos. I spent all day in the archives only moving to the desk to get more records I had ordered, or to the loo. I left around 430pm as I felt I had done all I wanted to do. When I did transfer my photos over to a hard drive, I found I had 1888 files, so that was an effort in itself.

I grabbed food on the way back to my room and watched a little bit of TV and a shower before going out for a walk before it became too dark. I took a wander around parts of the shorefront and nearly missed a ship that was camouflaged with artwork. There was a big hand on top of the art gallery that I knew about and I ended up at a Cuba street bookshop before turning around and heading back to the hostel. I didn’t buy anything as all the shops were closing or had already closed. I asked about a travel card for Wellington and found the shop I thought sold them, didn’t. Luckily I hadn’t gone near the trains as they were having issues when I was on my way back as some were delayed. Once I returned, I sorted out the last of my bus tickets by cancelling the journeys, which puts me in line for being ready to fly home without too much dramas. I learnt Australia and New Zealand both had shut their borders, but I would be allowed to return home on Sunday, which is good news for me.