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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
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“switch your brain off from normality” |
Steve likes his fry-ups, so we head to the restaurant for a buffet breakfast. We then decide to book a flight to see the glaciers and Mount Cook. It seems the Lloyd will be alright travelling in a plane, so we book it up for 6pm that evening from Wanaka. Worryingly the plane that leaves from Makarora broke down that morning! Doesnt leave me with greatest confidence, but best not to think about it.
We make for Wanaka, again the views are brilliant within the Park. We follow 2 lakes most of the way, with very little traffic around. We dont stop as much as we would have if we didnt have the kids, as LLoyd tends to wake up whenever the motorhome is stopped, and Matthew always wants to get out. We actually dont take half the photos we would if we didnt have the children, but you cant do everything. The camcorder has only left its bag twice so far, its just impossible to get it out and cope with filming. We should make more of an effort though, I will try as want to get some moving footage of the kids.
On the subject of travelling, the kids travel well. Lloyd is good at not over-sleeping (or is that bad), and still feeds regularly without me having to prompt him. Matthew likes "driving" with dad, and really doesnt sleep much, but will have his afternoon nap if we happen to be driving. We dont drive all day, every day, you just cant do that with the kids. But when we need to drive they seem to be quite accommodating (touch wood) so far.
Its been a hard couple of days, and its a relief the journey down the Wanaka is brief. The sun is shining which is also a relief. We later learn that the heavy rain around the glaciers was hot news amongst the tourists, and that Wanaka is a much warmer drier climate.
The day is spent shopping, washing, playing at the playground, and feeding LLoyd (as always!). Matthew gets a wasp sting after doing his first "head first" trick down the slide. He doesnt really understand what has happened, and gets quite upset. Its distressing when there is nothing to be done to help him. Cold water seemed to make him feel better, as did distraction with the trampoline.
I decide to buy a new phone, as not comfortable with idea of not being able to contact england easily. Another 60 quid down the drain, but worth it I think. I also find a place for Steve to but a US to NZ adaptor for his shaver. This was the only item Steve had to pack and he forgot the UK lead for it!!!
We head for our scenic flight at Wanaka airport. The plane looks like a tin can, and I start to feel like its best to try not to think at all else I'll just freak out! It helps in these scenarios to have 2 children to distract you. The look on the face of the other couple who were also flying was funny when they saw us 4. But the kids were very well behaved on the flight, though trying to breastfeed LLoyd in the tin-can wasnt much fun. On the plus side I couldnt hear him crying as had on a headset! He fell asleep pretty quickly after the feed thankfully.
Matthew stayed awake the whole flight, he was good, though I was worried (read paranoid) he would start touching controls and pushing doors off, etc. We were literally behind the pilot, I could reach out and steer the damn thing, it was quite surreal. There was not room to swing a mouse, let alone a cat within the plane, I suppose to give some dimensions it was about 10-12 feet long internally, and as wide as me and Steve squashed together. There were 6 adults and the 2 kids flying in it!
The flight itself was brilliant, the views of the mountains and glaciers were unbelievable, it was like watching a movie. It was hard to get a perspective on the scale of things, but when we saw a helicopter below us it was pretty scary to see how small it was. I would definitely recommend the flight to other people, you just have to switch your brain off from normality and you are okay. I was a bit uncomfortable (read petrified) when we hit turbulence at Mount Cook, especially as Matthew had chosen this time to lash out his arms and legs also. But apart from that was great. We landed and felt a bit in shock I think, like it never really happened. Steve said he felt a bit green whilst up there with the turbulence, so nothing changes.
Still havent got an internet connection, though know where there is wireless point in town. We headed for it on way home, but park just out of reach, and by the time we have eaten Im too tired and we head home. I think we have been very unlucky with the internet. Last night I couldnt get on in Makarora as the computer was broken, and we have had a couple of other times where there have been problems stopping me. Hopefully this will sort itself out soon.
The kids are both awake still at 10pm and Matthew only goes to sleep when Steve retires to bed. Its now 12am, and its nice to have some peace and quiet. I can barely keep my eyes open though - it has been a pretty full day.
Tomorrow we plan to stay in Wanaka, maybe change campsite though, and head out to a place called Puzzling World, then go to an adventure playground I spotted in town that looks good, and also goto a summer show which seems to be on in town. I'll also try to get online. I bought a paper today (finally gave in to temptation), and have a good supply of non-alcoholic beer (plus a bottle of wine that Im sneakily drinking), so will now go read it and have a drink.
previous travel blog entry
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