![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
AKL-CHC
I had thought that our late morning flight was going to be quiet, seeing as when we made our seat requests (about a month ago) we got row 4 with lots of choice available. I thought again... it turned out to be quite full, and running a little late due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft (where have I heard that before?).
Flying domestically in NZ seems quite a straightforward and relaxed affair; they run a variety of services all over the country, with aircraft large and small - CHC-AKL probably sees the highest traffic. They have self-check-in kiosks, and security was comparatively relaxed. (I somehow forgot to remove my mobile from my pocket so set off the magnetometer; I realised, found it, apologised and was simply sent back to put it through the x-ray. All clear second time; with a smile, the security officer said "there's always one".) En route we saw the Southern Alps give way to the plains of Canterbury, and lots of long white cloud.
Chch is sufficiently low-traffic of an airport that there's no dedicated airport bus service; a handful of local buses connect the airport with the CBD by various routes. We had to walk a couple of blocks to get to our motel, but it wasn't a problem (and darn sight cheaper than a cab would have been).
After checking in and catching our breath we walked into town for a mooch around. We were amused to see a bicycular brass band turn up in Cathedral Square - one of them on a penny-farthing! We watched them play a handful of numbers and then pedal off before walking out to the city museum and botanics, then back to our room.
Christchurch is getting on with it since last year's earthquake. Of what we've seen, a few buildings here and there are fenced off - old ones, so not up to the building code adopted following the 1931 Hawkes Bay quake - and we saw one or two places which evidently used to be buildings but have been pulled down while the land owners figure out what to do next. Generally, though, the city is open for business as usual; yesterday was Boxing Day II, after an aftershock closed the CBD on Dec 26th last year, and the news is reporting that takings are good. (Added later: But sadly, not for long.)
It showered on us today. Not a lot, but it was glorious compared with the heat and humidity on North Island. In fact it was almost chilly in the wind and rain - but as each shower passed the heat seemed to quickly return.
Feeling lazy, we rang out for a takeaway delivery tonight - a local outfit calling themselves "Healthy Kiwi Dinners" provided roast meals (veggie for C, of course). It was not stellar - presumably pre-cooked and microwaved from frozen - but pretty good for what it was. Interestingly, fast food deliveries seem to be generally not free in NZ; a few places here in Chch charge a flat rate NZ$7.
Yet Another accommodation review:
The Airport B&B in Mangere (5 minutes drive from AKL): it's a B&B, not a motel (i.e. no cooking facilities). The owner provides transfers in her minivan, which is just as well as the public bus service from the airport is pretty awful for getting specifically here (it seems not bad from downtown). There are a few places to eat within 10-15 mins walk (and some will apparently courtesy lift you). We had a sticky hot night but the Aucklanders admitted that even they found it hard, so not an issue on balance (and the standing fan made it tolerable). Breakfast is a limited buffet in the communal area, but was good enough for us. I was slightly surprised at the 2% credit card surcharge - very few businesses in NZ seem to levy it - but it's not unreasonable.
I had thought that our late morning flight was going to be quiet, seeing as when we made our seat requests (about a month ago) we got row 4 with lots of choice available. I thought again... it turned out to be quite full, and running a little late due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft (where have I heard that before?).
Flying domestically in NZ seems quite a straightforward and relaxed affair; they run a variety of services all over the country, with aircraft large and small - CHC-AKL probably sees the highest traffic. They have self-check-in kiosks, and security was comparatively relaxed. (I somehow forgot to remove my mobile from my pocket so set off the magnetometer; I realised, found it, apologised and was simply sent back to put it through the x-ray. All clear second time; with a smile, the security officer said "there's always one".) En route we saw the Southern Alps give way to the plains of Canterbury, and lots of long white cloud.Chch is sufficiently low-traffic of an airport that there's no dedicated airport bus service; a handful of local buses connect the airport with the CBD by various routes. We had to walk a couple of blocks to get to our motel, but it wasn't a problem (and darn sight cheaper than a cab would have been).
After checking in and catching our breath we walked into town for a mooch around. We were amused to see a bicycular brass band turn up in Cathedral Square - one of them on a penny-farthing! We watched them play a handful of numbers and then pedal off before walking out to the city museum and botanics, then back to our room.Christchurch is getting on with it since last year's earthquake. Of what we've seen, a few buildings here and there are fenced off - old ones, so not up to the building code adopted following the 1931 Hawkes Bay quake - and we saw one or two places which evidently used to be buildings but have been pulled down while the land owners figure out what to do next. Generally, though, the city is open for business as usual; yesterday was Boxing Day II, after an aftershock closed the CBD on Dec 26th last year, and the news is reporting that takings are good. (Added later: But sadly, not for long.)
It showered on us today. Not a lot, but it was glorious compared with the heat and humidity on North Island. In fact it was almost chilly in the wind and rain - but as each shower passed the heat seemed to quickly return.
Feeling lazy, we rang out for a takeaway delivery tonight - a local outfit calling themselves "Healthy Kiwi Dinners" provided roast meals (veggie for C, of course). It was not stellar - presumably pre-cooked and microwaved from frozen - but pretty good for what it was. Interestingly, fast food deliveries seem to be generally not free in NZ; a few places here in Chch charge a flat rate NZ$7.
Yet Another accommodation review:
The Airport B&B in Mangere (5 minutes drive from AKL): it's a B&B, not a motel (i.e. no cooking facilities). The owner provides transfers in her minivan, which is just as well as the public bus service from the airport is pretty awful for getting specifically here (it seems not bad from downtown). There are a few places to eat within 10-15 mins walk (and some will apparently courtesy lift you). We had a sticky hot night but the Aucklanders admitted that even they found it hard, so not an issue on balance (and the standing fan made it tolerable). Breakfast is a limited buffet in the communal area, but was good enough for us. I was slightly surprised at the 2% credit card surcharge - very few businesses in NZ seem to levy it - but it's not unreasonable.
There are no comments on this entry.