I said I'd let you in on the fiasco in my next blog. I suppose I should do that now. I have so much to report on, this trip certainly has had its' ups and downs!
So, I'll bring us back to Sydney on December 1st. Mom and I were checking in with Pacific Blue at the airport. We figured we had 4 hours between flights, we had lots of time. (ha! you know what assume means) anyways.. mom got through ok this time.. it was ME... First off, my passport. It is set to expire on March 15th 2010. We are in New Zealand from December 1st to December 19th 2009. The problem is that New Zealand wants visitors to have a passport that is valid 3 months beyond their departure date. If you look at the date on my passport, it is 4 days less than the 3 month requirement. The check in lady at the airport did not want to let me on the plane. I had to change my return ticket to be December 14th in order to fly into New Zealand. Of course, with the type of ticket I have, she could not do that at the desk, I had to get out of the queue and use the phone to call the airline to change my ticket... at a cost of $50. argh! So I finally got that done, and mom had thankfully stood in the line again to get me back to check-in, when I got there, they didn't want to ok my leaving because my travel change was not on an official ticket, but a number scribbled on a paper while I was on the phone. AHHH! They DID finally accept it, then we weighed my large backpack which was 22kg (they only allow20 I think) then... they weighed my CARRY ON luggage! can you believe it!? It had to weigh only 7kg... mine weighed 15kg. So I had to empty out my carry on into my already bursting backpack and pay the difference! (which meant to do the switching I had to get out of line again!) INCREDIBLE! So, finally after paying $30 for overweight luggage and $50 to change my return flight they gave me my boarding pass!
The flight was uneventful, bit bumpy, but overall, it was fine. Got to Auckland at about 11:30pm where we stood in line at customs for about 1 hour. The customs' line I picked was 3 times as long as mom's. Again he looked at me funny with my scribbles for my return flight but wished me a warm welcome.
Finally got to mom and she'd collected our luggage.
Oh! I forgot to mention! Mom got bomb searched at the airport .. too funny. At 11:30pm they searched my mom for bombs.. lol.. they were good sports as was mom and they wished us a good trip :)
So finally in Auckland to settle in to sleep at the airport. We saw the check in counter and figured we could find a place to rest our heads for 4 hours before checking in. We each got a 4 seat bench to stretch out on. There were several people doing the same thing. We didn't get too much sleep though, there were people working on a machine they kept on backing up with the "beep beep" sound, and a floor polisher that sounded like a jet engine beside us. At least we weren't stuck in a wee seat on a plane! :)
We got up every once in a while to go for a walk around the airport. Some things were open all night, like the little corner store and a food place. I was starting to get my cold at this point, which wasn't good.
At about 4am, mom decided to get herself some breakfast (a cafe just opened) so she got herself a coffee (late) and a savoury muffin. Thinking it a good idea, she brought it to our seat on a tray. Not noticing how unstable her drink without a lid was on such a contraption. Well in trying to sit down, she managed to topple the entire late all over my backpack and splashed her luggage our seats, pillows, and floor in the process. WHAT A MESS!!. I quickly tried to remove as much of the coffee from my backpack as possible, I had some extra napkins in my purse and quickly got to work... my backpack wasn't quite waterproof so somethings got damp inside it from the coffee, but nothing serious.. though I have to say it's probably the backpack's last trip... and I'm quite happy it's black!
We decided that we'd been there long enough and it was time to check in for our flight to Christchurch. We were both exhausted and trying not to be miserable. I think we did a good job. Neither one of us bit each other's head off, though I'm sure there were many times we both wanted to... especially mom wanting to take my head off for putting her through sleeping in an airport. We survived though, thank god!
So we went to check in, only to realize we were at the wrong airport!!! we were at the international airport and we needed to check in at the domestic airport! sigh. Luckily, it is only a 10 minute walk away from the international airport. Mom and I felt we needed the walk and fresh air after a night at the airport.
So at 4:40am we walked over to the other airport. It only opened at 5am (glad we didn't go there right away.. we would have been sleeping outside!!) I have to admit, it was pretty neat. We checked ourselves in, weighed our own luggage, put it on the conveyor ourselves! very neat. Then we had to wait for security to open at 5:30am to catch our 6:15am flight. The flight was excellent and it was raining when we got to Christchurch, but we had a driver waiting to bring us to the hostel.
That's enough for another episode... I'll write more in a bit!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Mom, Southern WA, Adelaide and now NZ
Hi Everyone...
oh my goodness. lots has happened since I last wrote.. I hope I'll get it all in!
So mom arrived safe and sound, though with badly blistered feet. We stayed with Hossein and Linda, though Linda left on Saturday morning (mom arrived Friday November 20th at 8pm).
Saturday was a day of laundry and packing then a dinner with Anka. She's so lovely. I am missing her already. She and mom got along peas and carrots!
Sunday Hossein was our tour guide... after a large breakfast, he brought us to a flea market then we visited Kings Park and did a mini tree top walk. Mom loved it and her feet survived!
Monday we were off to Augusta in the south of Western Australia. What a lovely trip! we meandered down, stopping at many little towns. We managed to get to one cave, Mammoth Cave. It was lovely, but I have to say the 342 345 626 754 stairs to get out of the place was definitely a workout! Our room was amazing. The Bayswater (I believe). For a hostel.. listen to this.. we had our own room with a balcony over looking the ocean. Our room had a tv, a fridge (with chilled wine glasses in it and ice cubes in a tray), we had a kettle, a toaster dishes, an ensuite... it was the ritz!
Tuesday Nov 24th, we made our way up to another cave, Jewel Cave. It was lovely and also had many stairs. From there we visited Margaret River and we went to a cheese factory and a chocolate factory.. YUM! We stayed in Walpole that night in a hostel. I was tired of driving by this point. It was beautiful... the uber tall trees and winding roads... but doing that at 90-110km/hr... my knuckles were a bit white by the end of the day.
The hostel in Walpole wasn't as fancy.. I think I spoiled mom too much on her first experience. It was like a little cottage room with a sink and two single beds. We had to share the washroom with other guests. We did have fun getting to know the others at the hostels though.
Wednesday Nov 25th, we got up early and went to a climbing tree... hmm.. starts with a G... anyways.. there are these wee little posts sticking out of a really tall tree that you're supposed to climb to a look out above. I got to the 4th rung I think before I turned back. Mom didn't make it past the second rung I think! lol We walked around in the forest then made our way to the Tree Top Walk. Man, that was really neat. The walkways were swaying with the wind, we were way up off the ground... they said over 40 meters.. whatever that is.. :)
From there we went to Pemberton which was our stop for the night. It was good to just have an early night for a change. We were in a cottage across the street from an IGA. The cottage was shared by others.. strangely enough.. others from the other hostels we were staying at! We met up again! That was fun. The room was good and facilities shared.
Thursday Nov 26th we did a little tour on the Pemberton Tram. We saw an emu and its' baby on the track so the conductor had to slow down. It was a great little ride, though really cold! mom was shivering! We left there and drove back to Bobbi and Wayne's for a good-bye dinner.
Friday we went to my offices to introduce mom to the crew... no one told any bad stories about me, so I think it went alright! We then went to Fremantle to check out the market and the cafes, have dinner and then on to our torchlight tour of the Prison. That was well worth it! what a blast! we had bodies falling down on the suicide mesh, actors playing the parts of convicts and ghosts... lots of fun.
Saturday we left for Adlelaide where Les (Mavis's ex-brother-in-law) greeted us. We had dinner and a tour of the city.. rainy and cold! lol. (so far, mom's not too impressed with the weather! lol)
Sunday Nov 29th (happy birthday to Aunt Shirley and Brenna) we went to a wildlife sanctuary where mom got to hold a koala and pet walabys and kangaroos. She was VERY happy about that! After that we did what all self respecting tourists did... visited yet another cheese factory and chocolate factory! Oh.. forgot.. we went to a little touristy german town for lunch... Handorf or something like that..Michelle & Keeleigh and Kaycee (sp?) and Lynette THANK YOU FOR TAKING US OUT!! I had such a blast! and Paula and Bella, thank you for joining us! it was loads of fun!
Monday Nov 30th we spent the day in downtown Adelaide. We walked around the botanical garden and then to a coffee shop for our obligatory morning coffee. We walked to the Dulwich Centre (the heart of Narrative Therapy) Where they were holding a session. (I'd have loved to have been part of it.. it's held every 2 years) Slowly David Denborough and Cheryl White's memories were jogged as to who I was and what our connection was. Mom came with, and we got to meet a great lady who goes by Auntie Barb. What a beautiful woman! She allowed us to sit in on her session on Lateral Violence.. VERY interesting. Mom also got to learn about the Stolen Generation of Australia. There were 2 Canadians taking the course, one of which I'd met earlier this year in Toronto. It was good to catch up and everyone was really friendly. We then met Jane (Les's wife, with whom we were staying) at her work and came home quickly to change before going out to dinner with the whole family.
MAVIS: WHAT A HOOT! your family certainly knows how to show people a good time! We went to a pub/hotel for dinner and got to meet Lynette's husband and Michelle's husband and of course everyone else was there. It was great to be able to make the connection of how the family tree is shaped. I was able to put faces to names as I'd already visited with Damien and Jo earlier on.
I know mom and I felt really welcomed and as a part of the family. THANK YOU!!!!
Lynette and her husband brought mom and I to the airport on Tuesday morning. Again, the generosity of your family, Mavis.... it has no ends. Such WONDERFUL people!
So we safely left Adelaide, and got to Christchurch via Sydney and Auckland. I will save that fiasco for another post!
Tired and sick hugs (got a cold... all part of the next post)
Till next time!
oh my goodness. lots has happened since I last wrote.. I hope I'll get it all in!
So mom arrived safe and sound, though with badly blistered feet. We stayed with Hossein and Linda, though Linda left on Saturday morning (mom arrived Friday November 20th at 8pm).
Saturday was a day of laundry and packing then a dinner with Anka. She's so lovely. I am missing her already. She and mom got along peas and carrots!
Sunday Hossein was our tour guide... after a large breakfast, he brought us to a flea market then we visited Kings Park and did a mini tree top walk. Mom loved it and her feet survived!
Monday we were off to Augusta in the south of Western Australia. What a lovely trip! we meandered down, stopping at many little towns. We managed to get to one cave, Mammoth Cave. It was lovely, but I have to say the 342 345 626 754 stairs to get out of the place was definitely a workout! Our room was amazing. The Bayswater (I believe). For a hostel.. listen to this.. we had our own room with a balcony over looking the ocean. Our room had a tv, a fridge (with chilled wine glasses in it and ice cubes in a tray), we had a kettle, a toaster dishes, an ensuite... it was the ritz!
Tuesday Nov 24th, we made our way up to another cave, Jewel Cave. It was lovely and also had many stairs. From there we visited Margaret River and we went to a cheese factory and a chocolate factory.. YUM! We stayed in Walpole that night in a hostel. I was tired of driving by this point. It was beautiful... the uber tall trees and winding roads... but doing that at 90-110km/hr... my knuckles were a bit white by the end of the day.
The hostel in Walpole wasn't as fancy.. I think I spoiled mom too much on her first experience. It was like a little cottage room with a sink and two single beds. We had to share the washroom with other guests. We did have fun getting to know the others at the hostels though.
Wednesday Nov 25th, we got up early and went to a climbing tree... hmm.. starts with a G... anyways.. there are these wee little posts sticking out of a really tall tree that you're supposed to climb to a look out above. I got to the 4th rung I think before I turned back. Mom didn't make it past the second rung I think! lol We walked around in the forest then made our way to the Tree Top Walk. Man, that was really neat. The walkways were swaying with the wind, we were way up off the ground... they said over 40 meters.. whatever that is.. :)
From there we went to Pemberton which was our stop for the night. It was good to just have an early night for a change. We were in a cottage across the street from an IGA. The cottage was shared by others.. strangely enough.. others from the other hostels we were staying at! We met up again! That was fun. The room was good and facilities shared.
Thursday Nov 26th we did a little tour on the Pemberton Tram. We saw an emu and its' baby on the track so the conductor had to slow down. It was a great little ride, though really cold! mom was shivering! We left there and drove back to Bobbi and Wayne's for a good-bye dinner.
Friday we went to my offices to introduce mom to the crew... no one told any bad stories about me, so I think it went alright! We then went to Fremantle to check out the market and the cafes, have dinner and then on to our torchlight tour of the Prison. That was well worth it! what a blast! we had bodies falling down on the suicide mesh, actors playing the parts of convicts and ghosts... lots of fun.
Saturday we left for Adlelaide where Les (Mavis's ex-brother-in-law) greeted us. We had dinner and a tour of the city.. rainy and cold! lol. (so far, mom's not too impressed with the weather! lol)
Sunday Nov 29th (happy birthday to Aunt Shirley and Brenna) we went to a wildlife sanctuary where mom got to hold a koala and pet walabys and kangaroos. She was VERY happy about that! After that we did what all self respecting tourists did... visited yet another cheese factory and chocolate factory! Oh.. forgot.. we went to a little touristy german town for lunch... Handorf or something like that..Michelle & Keeleigh and Kaycee (sp?) and Lynette THANK YOU FOR TAKING US OUT!! I had such a blast! and Paula and Bella, thank you for joining us! it was loads of fun!
Monday Nov 30th we spent the day in downtown Adelaide. We walked around the botanical garden and then to a coffee shop for our obligatory morning coffee. We walked to the Dulwich Centre (the heart of Narrative Therapy) Where they were holding a session. (I'd have loved to have been part of it.. it's held every 2 years) Slowly David Denborough and Cheryl White's memories were jogged as to who I was and what our connection was. Mom came with, and we got to meet a great lady who goes by Auntie Barb. What a beautiful woman! She allowed us to sit in on her session on Lateral Violence.. VERY interesting. Mom also got to learn about the Stolen Generation of Australia. There were 2 Canadians taking the course, one of which I'd met earlier this year in Toronto. It was good to catch up and everyone was really friendly. We then met Jane (Les's wife, with whom we were staying) at her work and came home quickly to change before going out to dinner with the whole family.
MAVIS: WHAT A HOOT! your family certainly knows how to show people a good time! We went to a pub/hotel for dinner and got to meet Lynette's husband and Michelle's husband and of course everyone else was there. It was great to be able to make the connection of how the family tree is shaped. I was able to put faces to names as I'd already visited with Damien and Jo earlier on.
I know mom and I felt really welcomed and as a part of the family. THANK YOU!!!!
Lynette and her husband brought mom and I to the airport on Tuesday morning. Again, the generosity of your family, Mavis.... it has no ends. Such WONDERFUL people!
So we safely left Adelaide, and got to Christchurch via Sydney and Auckland. I will save that fiasco for another post!
Tired and sick hugs (got a cold... all part of the next post)
Till next time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)