New Zealand 2012 - Day #17

Monday, November 5th
While Sunday October 21st didn't really happen for us on the way to New Zealand - Monday, November 5th is a marathon day.  I'm currently writing this blog from Gate #84 of LAX - awaiting my 6:55pm flight to Denver (arrival at 10:13pm).

I like to write down the times of travel -- because after years pass -- I want to make sure I can remember days like today.

Today started in Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand.  We got up around 8:30am, grabbed some breakfast and did some Christmas shopping for a couple hours.  We boarded a bus for the airport at 11:45am - we were set for a 2:30pm departure from Queenstown to Auckland, NZ.  We board our flight and begin to taxi down the runway.  The pilot makes an announcement:  "We want to let you know that we will be going back to the gate, as we are hearing some strange noises on the plane".  Not so great --- so we deboard and await our next announcement.  They let us know they are doing "test runs" down the runway to determine if our jet is OK or not.  WHAT??  After 1.5 hours of delay, we board the same jet again bound for Auckland.  I'm feeling less than great about the flight --- but, we did make it to Auckland safely around 6pm local time.

We had to go through some painful baggage manipulation to effectively check our bags.  We could only have 1 carry on at 7kg (around 15 lbs) and could only have 1 checked bag at 22kg (around 43-44 lbs).  Greg was able to make the limits -- just by the number.  I was over.  I ended up needing to check 2 bags - the second one at a cost of $115 New Zealand dollars.  I was not pleased with this.  We did not have to pay any additional baggage fees on the way down.  Only good thing -- after a bit of discussion - I was upgraded to a Skycouch seat (meaning I had 3 seats to myself in a row - and each seat had a footrest that pulled up to make a simulated bed).

The international flight from Auckland to LAX went well.  The flight was 11 hours and 50 minutes in length.  I watched the movie:  "It's a Wonderful Like" (one of my all-time favorites), then had some dinner and then laid out on my couch for a 7 hour siesta.  I didn't sleep great -- but was able to get some rest.  I awoke in the morning to some breakfast and then watched the movie:  "Ted".  The plane was less than a 1/3 full.  The plane was also very nice - one of the best I've ever been on within my international travels.

We arrived into LAX around 2pm local time on Monday, November 5th (more than 8 hours earlier than when we left).  We grabbed our bags, went through customs and then walked over to our appropriate domestic terminals within LAX.  Greg met me at Terminal 7 for a conclusion lunch/dinner.

I'm semi-alert right now and bummed that the trip is over and I have to work tomorrow.  It's back to reality.  I just don't always like reality.  I know I like to travel because of the feeling I get upon return. 

I know I'm very lucky to get the chance to take some of these trips.  This one was really great.  I can't say enough goods things about New Zealand.  I'm lucky to have the health and friends to travel with.  I have some pictures picked out and will plan to post a little video of the trip over the weekend. 

I look forward to the next adventure.  I don't currently have any trips planned until April 2014 - the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa (the 7th and final marathoned continent - and it's an ultramarathon at 34.8 miles in length).  I hope to check in more on the blog with some other activites.  Until then -- stay strong, keep the faith, and just keep making it happen.