We left Ron's Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa!) in the morning of February 2 after spending an enjoyable and relaxing four days with them. It was a lot of fun for the girls to catch up with them and just hang out before the first really big leg of our trip. We rented a vehicle and drove to LA (just under 6 hours); we weren't really sure if driving would be the better option, but everything turned out great.
Stayed at the Radisson right across from LAX (very nice) and had all Monday to go to the beach and explore before leaving that night (Feb 3) at 9:30. The day was cool & windy, but sunny, and Teaghan and Rowan had a blast running along the beach and shrieking whenever the frigid Pacific Ocean lapped at their toes. It was the first time either of them had seen the ocean!
We left Los Angeles on Fiji Airways on an Airbus 330 and we were able to all sit together in the middle row. The girls both conked out quickly and we had to shake them awake an hour or so later to have supper. They were both able to sleep most of the night (unlike Judy or me - 2 hours tops!) and seemed well-rested when we landed in Fiji around 4:00 AM local time. A few more hours in the Nadi airport, then it was off to Auckland (just under 3 hours). The take off offered spectacular views of larger and smaller islands surrounded by multiple shades of blue water, from turquoise to bondi to midnight - breathtaking!
A quick turnaround in Auckland (just over an hour) to clear customs, recheck luggage, and walk to the domestic terminal and we were off to hop over to the south island. An hour and twenty minutes later, we were on the ground in Christchurch - we had made it! The girls experienced a special treat on this short flight. To find out what it was, check out their blog pages.....
Arrived at the motel by shuttle (The Ashford Motor Lodge) in the Merivale section of town, about 9 kilometres from the airport around 6:00 PM local time on February 5th - almost two days after taking off from LA!!!!! It actually sounds more dramatic than it really was. We crossed the international dateline (a first for us all except Judy) and "lost" Tuesday. The manager, Neale Price, was a wonderful man who had been a farmer near Invercargill for 30 years before changing careers. He really helped us get settled and feel comfortable. As well, he gave us many "insider" tips of places to visit and routes to take that we hadn't previously considered/known about.
I picked up the car the next day and only had one near head-on collision on my way back from the airport! We drove out to Akaroa (really Duvauchelle on the Banks Penninsula) on Thursday the 6th in afternoon; this day is a New Zealand national holiday, Waitangi Day, which celebrates the signing of the treaty making New Zealand a part of the British Empire in 1840. We met John & Julie, they showed us around their beautiful home overlooking Okain's Bay, and we were ready to begin our adventure on the South Island.
Stayed at the Radisson right across from LAX (very nice) and had all Monday to go to the beach and explore before leaving that night (Feb 3) at 9:30. The day was cool & windy, but sunny, and Teaghan and Rowan had a blast running along the beach and shrieking whenever the frigid Pacific Ocean lapped at their toes. It was the first time either of them had seen the ocean!
We left Los Angeles on Fiji Airways on an Airbus 330 and we were able to all sit together in the middle row. The girls both conked out quickly and we had to shake them awake an hour or so later to have supper. They were both able to sleep most of the night (unlike Judy or me - 2 hours tops!) and seemed well-rested when we landed in Fiji around 4:00 AM local time. A few more hours in the Nadi airport, then it was off to Auckland (just under 3 hours). The take off offered spectacular views of larger and smaller islands surrounded by multiple shades of blue water, from turquoise to bondi to midnight - breathtaking!
A quick turnaround in Auckland (just over an hour) to clear customs, recheck luggage, and walk to the domestic terminal and we were off to hop over to the south island. An hour and twenty minutes later, we were on the ground in Christchurch - we had made it! The girls experienced a special treat on this short flight. To find out what it was, check out their blog pages.....
Arrived at the motel by shuttle (The Ashford Motor Lodge) in the Merivale section of town, about 9 kilometres from the airport around 6:00 PM local time on February 5th - almost two days after taking off from LA!!!!! It actually sounds more dramatic than it really was. We crossed the international dateline (a first for us all except Judy) and "lost" Tuesday. The manager, Neale Price, was a wonderful man who had been a farmer near Invercargill for 30 years before changing careers. He really helped us get settled and feel comfortable. As well, he gave us many "insider" tips of places to visit and routes to take that we hadn't previously considered/known about.
I picked up the car the next day and only had one near head-on collision on my way back from the airport! We drove out to Akaroa (really Duvauchelle on the Banks Penninsula) on Thursday the 6th in afternoon; this day is a New Zealand national holiday, Waitangi Day, which celebrates the signing of the treaty making New Zealand a part of the British Empire in 1840. We met John & Julie, they showed us around their beautiful home overlooking Okain's Bay, and we were ready to begin our adventure on the South Island.