emily@besottied.com

New Zealand Diaries - part two

- April 20th 2012

I’m afraid I wrote almost all of this second part of my NZ diary on planes and in airports. I’m a bit of a plane nerd so happily chirruped on to myself about Boeings and Airbuses and in-flight entertainment. I’ll spare you those details!

Rest assured, by the end of this post I’ll finally be in New Zealand (hurrah). I’ll post part three on Sunday 22 April.

Tuesday 12 Aprill* 2011, Malaysia

* I have no idea why I just spelled ‘April’ with two Ls. I’ll blame tiredness.
In Kuala Lumpur waiting to re-board my flight to Melbourne. Not in a big rush to get back on, though. We switched to a Boeing 777 in Dubai and I’ve been allocated the middle seat of 3 between two big (but sadly, not hot) Aussie guys. I’m going to let everyone else get back on the plane before I do!

I think I dozed a little bit on the Dubai - KL leg but I’m not sure. It definitely didn’t pass as quickly as the first leg. Also, I’ll never have chicken chop suey for breakfast ever again! The two Aussies were right to turn it down. The plane was cool, with a starry ceiling and a sort-of sunrise lighting effect as we flew towards dawn. I don’t have a phone signal here but there is free internet, so I whizzed a quick email to Mutti and [my friend at work] to let them know that all is well, despite my slightly swollen legs and the fact that KL airport has SQUAT TOILETS!!!

12 April 2011/13 April 2011, EK408 en route to Melbourne

Definitely the best bit of the journey so far! Not many people got back on the flight in Kuala Lumpur so, shortly before take off, I left my two Australian chums and chose an empty row of four seats to call my own for the next seven hours. I don’t think I’ve slept but I’ve managed to build myself a lovely comfy nest of pillows and blankets.

I feel as though it’s breakfast time but I think it’s coming up to midnight in Melbourne, which is just over an hour away. The best thing, though, is on the in-flight map showing where the plane is in relation to Melbourne. I can see Auckland on the map, peeking out of the right-hand side of the screen. Not too far now!

Wednesday 13 April 2011, Australia

G’day, mates! I landed here in Melbourne at about half past one in the morning local time, which I think was 4.30 in the afternoon in the UK. I’ve stopped looking at times now really as I’m totally baffled by it all. Anyway, I’ve had a text from [my friends at work] who are still tracking my flights online. They say they can’t believe I’m still travelling. Believe me: neither can I!

I didn’t have any sort of issues at security or customs, thank God. Imagine getting all this way then getting sent back! I followed signs for international transfers and ended up down some corridor that was a bit too reminiscent of The X Files for my liking, with a frosted glass door and intercom at the end. Once I rang the intercom and a man answered (by saying “G’day”!!) saying he’d be down in a few minutes, it all seemed a bit more friendly and much less X Filey. Now all I have to worry about is my case turning up in Auckland at the same time I do!

I’m worn out and looking pretty scary: trying to get comfy by stretching out on a sofa in the departure lounge but I’m thinking quite passionate thoughts about my hotel room in Auckland! Really hope the rest of my journey passes as smoothly as the rest of it has.

Wednesday 13 Aprill* 2011. New Zealand!

* Arrrgh! Why two Ls? Why?!
Just a quick note to say I’m finally here!

Despite plans to go straight out I’ve checked in to my hotel here on Hobson Street in Auckland. I’ve showered, made a cup of tea (you can take a girl out of England…) and am now stretching out in bed! There are blackout curtains, so I’m going to get a couple of hours’ sleep and head out in the early evening. Perhaps not the best idea to venture out as it’s getting dark but I’m not going out now and definitely don’t want to wait until morning. I’m so excited to finally be here!

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