Getting to NZ

Saying Our Goodbyes

Saying goodbye to everyone was really hard, we all cried lots! After we checked in James and I realised we had spent a lot of time planning our trip and being excited and not enough time preparing ourselves for all the tears!

Manchester to Dubai

After we checked in our luggage (both bags weighing a whopping 10kg each!), we went for a browse around duty free. There were only a few flights going out of the airport so shopping was very quiet. James treated us both to some new perfume/aftershave and then we ate at the Soho coffee bar, well recommended by Ros and Phil - thank you! We boarded the plane, a Boeing 777, and couldn’t believe how big it was! I exclaimed to James that the propellers on the plane were huge - although I’m well aware the planes do not have propellers they have engines, James hasn’t stopped laughing. since When we were seated the staff brought round hot towels, then drinks, then lots of food, which was quite nice as far as plane food goes. If we hadn’t of walked through business class we would have thought we had it good, however, business class looked amazing, and our cattle carriage was rubbish by comparison.

Dubai to Melbourne

We landed at Dubai airport in a terminal dedicated to Emirates flights, the Terminal was lovely, a huge waterfall, fish pond and lots more duty free shops. After a coffee and a croissant we boarded the plane to Melbourne, an airbus (with two propellers), which was even bigger than the Boeing, but frustratingly had less leg room. On the plus side there were only two seats on the aisles so we didn’t have to sit next to anyone. Again staff came round with hot towels, drinks and lots of food. Whilst I spent most of the flight sleeping uncomfortable, James made his way through the extensive film library on the in flight entertainment.

Melbourne to Auckland

The last leg of the journey was the hardest, we were both tired, our legs were sore, and I was sick. But then I slept the rest of the way and woke up as we were descending to Auckland. We finally landed at 12.45pm, after eating five plane meals, consuming endless amounts of free drinks, watching 6 films and about 10 TV programmes between us, our 28 hour flight was (thank God) over. Tired, sore but excited we went to collect our bags. After a minor panic that they weren’t on the plane the finally came crawling out of the carrousel. We were given our visa, without having to show any proof we had bought a visa, any evidence of funds, or that we could get ourselves back home if we needed to. A very trusting nation! Off we went to catch the bus into Auckland.