So, I have done it. I am in Auckland City, New Zealand with my sister. Quite frankly, I can't believe it's happening. It just seems still so surreal. We're finally here. And I'm so glad of it after twenty-two hours of travelling, not including the two hour stop in Dubai airport and the one hour stop in Sydney airport. Running on little to no sleep I was just happy to have my feet firmly back on pavement slabs and with a warm bed waiting for me on the other side of town. Joy.
We started at Heathrow, which was admittedly my favourite airport, probably because I wasn't so tired that I could do something other than sit with a grumpy look on my face and wish that I was sleeping. Oh yeah, I'm one of those charmers sat in an airport. (We must bare in mind people, that I had only had four hours the night before and, my time, it was about four in the morning and I hadn't slept on the plane. Grand.) Going through security was fine, the only pain in the ass was that I had to completely unwrap my laptop from its soft case - which is a niggle too tight - and its hard shell, which was a massive pain in the ass when you're still trying to hold onto the rest of your hand luggage - two books, a note pad, some food and whatever else I threw in before leaving the house in the usual rush (never a good way to start a journey) a hoodie and joy of joys a rain coat that keeps insisting on dragging along the floor. Thank you gravity.
As I say, Heathrow was fine. The flight to Dubai was pretty good looking back, I watched a number of films, one being Charade with Hepburn and Grant, you know the one in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts is waiting for Richard Gere as he plays the piano for people he doesn't know because somehow, it's more comfortable. Sorry, I'm rambling. But that one was good. There was an attempt at sleep but it went no where and I ended up watching bed nobs and broom sticks, watching the sunrise just before we reached Dubai Airport.
For the record, the sunrise was absolutely beautiful. A strip of red above the still dark sand with did literally phase into every single colour. I believe we saw a green strip amongst the red, orange, yellow and blue. It was fantastic and I wish I had gotten a photo, but alas, I did not.
When we did reach Dubai though, we were parched and, having forgotten the PIN to our cards, we ended up having to take some money out - or at least I did, I got scammed into that one, dehydrated and in desperate need of water. We brought about two litres of water and a can of coke each, only to find when we went down to the departure lounge that we couldn't carry it on the plane, so we guzzled and discovered that we were not sat together for the next 13 hour flight. Neither of us expected to sleep. Suffice it to say, neither of did particularly, sat beside strangers and watching disney films, old films, musicals and other such. I may now tick Star Trek: Into Darkness off my list. (I would convey my thoughts but am running low on time as I'm supposed to be making dinner. Oops. I shall only say this: Not. Enough. Bones. On. My. Screen.)
To Sydney. Our disembarking delayed by a Customs officer climbing aboard because one bright spark figured it'd be a good idea to have a cigarette in the loos. Don't know who as I missed the action taking a turn about the plane in attempt not to lose all feeling in my legs. 13 hours, is just too long.
Sydney was quick, and luckily we were able to grab seats together as the plane was less crowded, phew. In comparison the flight was short and I found myself missing the end of the film as we jolted back to land and into the country of New Zealand. Our final destination.
We were here. But I was feeling as sick as a dog at this point and could barely keep my eyes open as we got a bus to the centre of town and made our way to our hotel. The first leg of the journey is done. The flights were over. All that comes now is home sickness, jet lag and the adventure of a life time.
As I say, Heathrow was fine. The flight to Dubai was pretty good looking back, I watched a number of films, one being Charade with Hepburn and Grant, you know the one in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts is waiting for Richard Gere as he plays the piano for people he doesn't know because somehow, it's more comfortable. Sorry, I'm rambling. But that one was good. There was an attempt at sleep but it went no where and I ended up watching bed nobs and broom sticks, watching the sunrise just before we reached Dubai Airport.
For the record, the sunrise was absolutely beautiful. A strip of red above the still dark sand with did literally phase into every single colour. I believe we saw a green strip amongst the red, orange, yellow and blue. It was fantastic and I wish I had gotten a photo, but alas, I did not.
When we did reach Dubai though, we were parched and, having forgotten the PIN to our cards, we ended up having to take some money out - or at least I did, I got scammed into that one, dehydrated and in desperate need of water. We brought about two litres of water and a can of coke each, only to find when we went down to the departure lounge that we couldn't carry it on the plane, so we guzzled and discovered that we were not sat together for the next 13 hour flight. Neither of us expected to sleep. Suffice it to say, neither of did particularly, sat beside strangers and watching disney films, old films, musicals and other such. I may now tick Star Trek: Into Darkness off my list. (I would convey my thoughts but am running low on time as I'm supposed to be making dinner. Oops. I shall only say this: Not. Enough. Bones. On. My. Screen.)
To Sydney. Our disembarking delayed by a Customs officer climbing aboard because one bright spark figured it'd be a good idea to have a cigarette in the loos. Don't know who as I missed the action taking a turn about the plane in attempt not to lose all feeling in my legs. 13 hours, is just too long.
Sydney was quick, and luckily we were able to grab seats together as the plane was less crowded, phew. In comparison the flight was short and I found myself missing the end of the film as we jolted back to land and into the country of New Zealand. Our final destination.
We were here. But I was feeling as sick as a dog at this point and could barely keep my eyes open as we got a bus to the centre of town and made our way to our hotel. The first leg of the journey is done. The flights were over. All that comes now is home sickness, jet lag and the adventure of a life time.
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