My final month in New Zealand, so much has happened up to this point that I thought it would be a quiet wind down waiting on our flights how wrong I was...
Rugby time
I know nothing about rugby I picked up some basic facts in New Zealand but still couldn't tell you much about the game, however we managed to get free tickets to our first ever game and you know, when in Rome right?
The same week one of our guests at the hostel was the Tongan rugby team who were lovely it was cool to meet them and also get some answers to rugby questions before my first game.
The game itself was good but confusing Christchurch won the game though so it was a good atmosphere. It was nice to see a game but I don't think rugby matches are for me.
A message from the blue offering some work was a nice excuse to see Auckland one more time which I will never say no to. So it was off to the North for a few weeks. I stayed in an Air bnb with a guy called Bruce right next door to my old appartment no place like home ha ha I could have touched my old balcony if I tried. Bruce was a great host super chatty and made me feel at home, thanks Bruce.
A trip to Auckland means time to see old friends and make some new ones too. A quick visit to Frienz hostel for a few beers with the team was nice, turns out I missed the crazy bunch. I also got a chance to meet up with Sue and Brian who took me in last time I wandered up this way for work it was great to catch up and hear how they had been getting on. Word travels fast in Auckland and soon a few friends had heard I was back in town so it was time for more dinner dates and good laughs as I caught up with them.
I have spent a lot of time on my New Zealand travels in Auckland and feel I know most of it like the back of my hand however there is one place I have not been yet, I put it off for so long out of fear mostly but its an icon and needs to be experienced. The Sky Tower. So I did it the highest building in Auckand. No I did not bungy off the edge but I did walk round the rim on a glass floor which was enough for me. Even the elevator up is glass an interesting experience is how I would put it. At the top I was not alone in my fear of walking round the edge so me and a woman held hands and decided to do it together.
Work was good too I held 5 full day courses teaching managers how to have effective conversations with their teams to maximise performance, met some amazing people and got a catered lunch every day not too shabby.
But as quickly as I arrived it was time to leave again half way to the airport I got a message my flight this evening had been cancelled. I had been on my feet delivering a course all day I was tired, hungry and just wanted to get home to Christchurch and Chris this was not ideal.
I've not really had many cancelled flights and assumed I would be sleeping in the airport until I could get a flight out aw well such is life I suppose. When I got to the airport people were angry shouting and demanding answers from a young woman at the desk, she looked defeated she also must have been on her feet all day just like me and probably wanted to go home because she was tired and hungry too. All my frustration melted away as I looked as her. I stepped back and waited my turn I was last in line. When I got to the desk she was ready for me to shout like everyone else. But I smiled made her laugh we spoke about how bad her day had been. I told her not to worry it was almost over and she couldn't controll the weather (the reason the flights were cancelled was a storm over Christchurch) I explained that I was tired and didn't know what to do, she explained that the airline would provide accommodation for everyone and lifts to the hotels. This was better news than I expected. I took a seat and she handed me some vouchers for food, result! Fed and watered I felt better just tired now. She came over to explain that there were no more seats available to get me to my hotel (all the shouty people got on first) So we agreed that I would make my own way there on the bus.
I got to the hotel around 9pm people were still shouting as they must have been from the airport. The guy at the desk asked my name and smiled "there is a note next to your name" eek this can't be good! Miss Eaton you have been upgraded this evening! He handed me another dinner voucher and showed me to a huge suite it was beautiful. He winked at me and left. Thank you lady at the airport! Sometimes it pays to be nice. I had already had dinner at the airport so didnt't need the voucher but it said it was good for today so I popped into the restaurant as I expected still shouty airport people everywhere giving the staff jip. You would think they would have calmed down by now. I ordered a drink and then gave the rest of the voucher to the manger thanked the staff and explained that they all deserved a drink tonight so to use the voucher between them. It felt right and a perfect end to my time in Auckland.
I spent the next few hours in my room watching the bustle of Queen Street below and smiled this could be the last time I see this city for a while and no matter what other people say I really like Auckland the good the bad and the ugly.
Next morning I was up early for the flight and by 9am was on my way home to my bed, a real cup of tea and the boys ahh.
Only a few days left to work they flew in. We said our goodbyes to the guys and prepared for one final night in New Zealand. The hostel owner gave us a leaving present of money for our travels so nice of her. Our final night in Christchurch was great we went to a gig David Bryn from the talking heads what a gig, it was awesome and one of Marks birthday presents. Then it was time to get going we made our way to the airport for 4am said goodbye to Mark who was off to Bali for some family time with his mum and Sean and boarded our flight to Singapore for the next stage of our journey.
Two short years in New Zealand was the perfect start to our journey we have met amazing people seen amazing things and travelled every inch of this magical country. The mountains, the beaches, the cold, the extreme hot, the families who took us in, the friends we have made the incredible wildlife and so much more. I will miss it all I believe there will be no place quite like it thank you New Zealand for being simply incredible.
Rugby time
I know nothing about rugby I picked up some basic facts in New Zealand but still couldn't tell you much about the game, however we managed to get free tickets to our first ever game and you know, when in Rome right?
The same week one of our guests at the hostel was the Tongan rugby team who were lovely it was cool to meet them and also get some answers to rugby questions before my first game.
The game itself was good but confusing Christchurch won the game though so it was a good atmosphere. It was nice to see a game but I don't think rugby matches are for me.
A message from the blue offering some work was a nice excuse to see Auckland one more time which I will never say no to. So it was off to the North for a few weeks. I stayed in an Air bnb with a guy called Bruce right next door to my old appartment no place like home ha ha I could have touched my old balcony if I tried. Bruce was a great host super chatty and made me feel at home, thanks Bruce.
A trip to Auckland means time to see old friends and make some new ones too. A quick visit to Frienz hostel for a few beers with the team was nice, turns out I missed the crazy bunch. I also got a chance to meet up with Sue and Brian who took me in last time I wandered up this way for work it was great to catch up and hear how they had been getting on. Word travels fast in Auckland and soon a few friends had heard I was back in town so it was time for more dinner dates and good laughs as I caught up with them.
I have spent a lot of time on my New Zealand travels in Auckland and feel I know most of it like the back of my hand however there is one place I have not been yet, I put it off for so long out of fear mostly but its an icon and needs to be experienced. The Sky Tower. So I did it the highest building in Auckand. No I did not bungy off the edge but I did walk round the rim on a glass floor which was enough for me. Even the elevator up is glass an interesting experience is how I would put it. At the top I was not alone in my fear of walking round the edge so me and a woman held hands and decided to do it together.
Work was good too I held 5 full day courses teaching managers how to have effective conversations with their teams to maximise performance, met some amazing people and got a catered lunch every day not too shabby.
But as quickly as I arrived it was time to leave again half way to the airport I got a message my flight this evening had been cancelled. I had been on my feet delivering a course all day I was tired, hungry and just wanted to get home to Christchurch and Chris this was not ideal.
I've not really had many cancelled flights and assumed I would be sleeping in the airport until I could get a flight out aw well such is life I suppose. When I got to the airport people were angry shouting and demanding answers from a young woman at the desk, she looked defeated she also must have been on her feet all day just like me and probably wanted to go home because she was tired and hungry too. All my frustration melted away as I looked as her. I stepped back and waited my turn I was last in line. When I got to the desk she was ready for me to shout like everyone else. But I smiled made her laugh we spoke about how bad her day had been. I told her not to worry it was almost over and she couldn't controll the weather (the reason the flights were cancelled was a storm over Christchurch) I explained that I was tired and didn't know what to do, she explained that the airline would provide accommodation for everyone and lifts to the hotels. This was better news than I expected. I took a seat and she handed me some vouchers for food, result! Fed and watered I felt better just tired now. She came over to explain that there were no more seats available to get me to my hotel (all the shouty people got on first) So we agreed that I would make my own way there on the bus.
I got to the hotel around 9pm people were still shouting as they must have been from the airport. The guy at the desk asked my name and smiled "there is a note next to your name" eek this can't be good! Miss Eaton you have been upgraded this evening! He handed me another dinner voucher and showed me to a huge suite it was beautiful. He winked at me and left. Thank you lady at the airport! Sometimes it pays to be nice. I had already had dinner at the airport so didnt't need the voucher but it said it was good for today so I popped into the restaurant as I expected still shouty airport people everywhere giving the staff jip. You would think they would have calmed down by now. I ordered a drink and then gave the rest of the voucher to the manger thanked the staff and explained that they all deserved a drink tonight so to use the voucher between them. It felt right and a perfect end to my time in Auckland.
I spent the next few hours in my room watching the bustle of Queen Street below and smiled this could be the last time I see this city for a while and no matter what other people say I really like Auckland the good the bad and the ugly.
Next morning I was up early for the flight and by 9am was on my way home to my bed, a real cup of tea and the boys ahh.
Only a few days left to work they flew in. We said our goodbyes to the guys and prepared for one final night in New Zealand. The hostel owner gave us a leaving present of money for our travels so nice of her. Our final night in Christchurch was great we went to a gig David Bryn from the talking heads what a gig, it was awesome and one of Marks birthday presents. Then it was time to get going we made our way to the airport for 4am said goodbye to Mark who was off to Bali for some family time with his mum and Sean and boarded our flight to Singapore for the next stage of our journey.
Two short years in New Zealand was the perfect start to our journey we have met amazing people seen amazing things and travelled every inch of this magical country. The mountains, the beaches, the cold, the extreme hot, the families who took us in, the friends we have made the incredible wildlife and so much more. I will miss it all I believe there will be no place quite like it thank you New Zealand for being simply incredible.
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