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Round the World 2009-2010

a travel blog by Round the World 2009-2010

Leaving Halifax
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Leaving Halifax

Halifax, Canada

The last few days before leaving were a mad rush. Packing up moving everything to storage and the last minute details were very hectic. Glad to get to Ed and Angela's Sunday evening just to put our feet up. Decided to leave by 7 to catch the 9:30 flight to Washington.

permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 19, 2009 from Halifax, Canada
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En Route

Washington, United States

Flight to Washington took off to the unhappy screams of a four year old boy, who kept wailing he did not want to fly, and why can't we go by bus? It looked like a long trip to Orlando and Disneyworld for his parents but a few minutes later he was happily chirping that he loved to fly. Saw the New York skyline and the gradual loss of winter as we approached Washington's early Spring. Good Bye winter. Just a brief two hour stop. We helped an 80 year old Turkish woman, who spoke no English, to board as United Airlines staff seemed intent on ignoring her. I spoke to them but received a rude answer that it was basically not their problem. Fortunately the aircrew were much more humane and she was met with a wheel chair and ground staff in Los Angeles who looked after her. On boarding I could't help but think how ridiculous the US can be. There seemed to be about five different categories of first class, a business class, an executive class, frequent fliers over 100,000 Miles, those over 50,000 , gold club members, all who boarded before us, shoehorned in lowly steerage. It was only in Auckland where common sense prevailed and the back of the plane boarded first.

permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 19, 2009 from Washington, United States
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En Route

Los Angeles, United States


Glenna taking Photo of 747 which flew to Auckland
Flight to Los Angeles arrived ahead of schedule. Watched in flight movie about the intermittent windshield wiper. Travel books had warned of LA Airport and I can attest it is not for the faint hearted or flying rookie with no time between stops. It would be a good
candidate for a how not to book. Let's play find the sign for the between terminal buses. Airport was definately designed by a minimalist architect who believes less is more. There is indeed one sign and it points outside to left. Start walking, and walk,and walk, and begin to wonder if indeed there is a shuttle, and just where it is. We came upon it eventually. I believe the bus stops are designated by the same company that controls the rented airport luggage carts that are free in other countries. But the best joke for multi-departure terminals is to call some by name and the rest by number. Sleep weary travellers then must be on there toes as the bus weaves through the palm tree lined road between terminals. When the bus comes to a stop and the attendant says terminal two, even though tired and drowsy do not reason that the next stop must be three and drag your bags off the bus. For this is not three, this is the Tom Bradley terminal. Go directly to jail, Do not pass go. Do not collect $ 200.00. This must be the right terminal because I see the Quantas sign. Drag bags 300 yards and attempt to check-in. Sorry this is the domestic terminal. Go out and go to next terminal.
Arrive at next terminal but no Quantas sign. Ask? Check in here for Quantas, under some obscure other airlines name which I have blocked from my mind. Now the fun. Carry on luggage rules are different between United Airlines and Quantas. Glenna frantically re-packed until all bags met the maximum weight restrictions. Our bags in total met the limits but one was over and the contents had to be forced into smaller bags. The ground staff at Quantas were very kind and helpful but warned us if the bags were not-re-packed they could be turned back at security.

Glenna LA Airport

permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 19, 2009 from Los Angeles, United States
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Auckland New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

The traditional South Pacific greeting is difficult to tire of. I re-boarded the plane six times before a kill joy security officer put a stop to the fun. Fromner's and the other travel guides fail to adequately publicize this endearing greeting.

permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 19, 2009 from Auckland, New Zealand
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Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

Kate picked us up at the airport as Heidi the recruiter we have dealt with for the past ten months had been transferred to Auckland. She took us for a brief tour of Christchurch but soon realized we were knackered and dropped us of at 287 Barbadoes Street our shared home for the next month. Our roommates were four young women from Chile in Christchurch to learn English, Anita, Lorena, Sophie, and Carolina, Gonzalo from Argentina, Songho from Korea, Linde from the Netherlands, Georgia and Debbie from the UK, Claire from Scotland, Laurent from Switzerland, and Mark from Wellington the local skydiving and bungee expert. As well there were a number of boyfriends and hangers on to keep the week-end interesting. A very energetic and eclectic group.

permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 19, 2009 from Christchurch, New Zealand
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Lytleton

Christchurch, New Zealand

With bus passes in hand we caught the number 7 and set out for a day trip to the volcanic
town of Lytleton. Glenna thougt it odd that people would pay $ 25.00 to take a Gondola to the top of the mountain when we were going to do it for $ 2.00 each on the bus. She soon found out the road to Lytleton is tunneled through the mountain and the only way up would be walking. A lovely warm and sticky day to make the trek twice as enjoyable. We stopped at the farmer's market where a kind farmer gave us two deep purple plums. They sold by the 5 pound bag but I didn't want to carry them around with us. It took Colin about a minute to have a fine purple stain on his shirt. We climbed up a steep steep series of hills to the time ball, a clock that passing ships use to tell the local time. Views were spectacular of the rim of the old volcano and of the cruise ship the Queen Victoria. Not often you can look down on a ship of this size. The ring of hills are actually whats left of the volcano. Stopped for fish and chips when we got back to the main town. Enough for two in one order at four dollars but we had ordered two before we knew. At this point Glenna realized she had lost her purse. Money, driver's license, bank card, new camera, blah,blah,blah. I hiked up the hills again, altthough was in no mood to stop and chat with Maria or the other von Trapps as I was not feeling that musical. Glenna went off to the police station to report the loss. The hills are practically straight up so once a day is more than enough. I left two amazed sherpas, training at the nearby Hillory Institute,in my wake. As I passed he last of the big horn sheep and mountain goats I knew I was close.
When I arrived at the time ball there was a wedding party of Hell's Angel types, from Nelson, wrapping up a wedding reception and pictures. As I climbed the last few steps one of the women held up Glenna's purse and asked if anyone owned it. To much laughter I said it was mine. I quickly told the storey and was rewarded for my chivalry with a glass of champagne. I found Glenna sitting outside of the local police station, a station which is a dead ringer for the sixties british TV series Heartbeat.

permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 21, 2009 from Christchurch, New Zealand
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Brighton Beach

Christchurch, New Zealand

Caught the bus after supper to take our first look at Brighton Beach. About 10 minutes from city center. The camera does not do it justice. The view goes on forever. Some of the deep background is of the Southern Alps but the camera cannot pick it up.


permalink written by  Round the World 2009-2010 on February 22, 2009 from Christchurch, New Zealand
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