New Zealand Trip Report

[Guest Darren Masters]

Here is just a little trip report from my recent trip from Sydney to Christchurch NZ onboard Jetstar.

 

Tuesday 29th July 2008

 

Aircraft was A320 VH-VQR. I am in 28A (window seat). Check-in was a little lengthly but finally got there. I arrived at the airport at 6.55am. Got out of bed at 4.45am to have a shower but did not want to get out of the warm bed! Anyway, checked-in and had no issues with my carry-on baggage. Surfed the free internet at Sydney Airport for a while which was painfully slow. After that changed some AUD into NZD. Filled out the departure card for immigration then proceeded through immigration. It was quick. Was security searched and frisked. I boarded on time from gate 60 through the aerobridge. Flight was absolutely full. The weather outside was cold and raining. Pushed-back on time at 8.50am. Taxiied out to RWY 16L. Straight-out departure with a slight left-hand turn over La Perouse. Weather on take off through the cloud was extremely bumpy with a massive drop which caused a few pax to scream. We were on the way over the sea (my first trans-Tasman flight) at FL 350. Weather outside at cruise was brilliant, sunny with warm sun coming through the window but still quite choppy turbulence. Arrival time into Christchurch was going to be 1.49pm (Christchurch local time). Captain advised rain and 8 degrees. Ordered orange juice, chicken, pesto and sundried-tomato wrap. Was quite nice. Filled out the immigration card for NZ. Had a little bit of a sleep too. All blue sea below and no land in sight. Started descent above Hakitika on the West Coast of NZ (South Island) for an approach onto the N NE runway at Christchurch. Amazing snow alp views on descent! Took some pics out of the window. Descent through thick cloud and massive pain in my left ear due to a cold. The scenery on approach into Christchurch was mostly rural properties. Weather was partly cloudy. Landed nicely with a slight cross-wind. Took a while to exit the aircraft then took a while to go through customs and quarantine. After that, went out the airport and took a bus to my hotel which was really nice and about 25min by bus. NOTE: Click on the links for pictures. NOTE: Please click on URL for pic.

 

Some pics of the flight out below.

 

My aircraft A320 VH-VQR waiting at gate 60

 

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Out the window with the Tasman Sea below

 

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Descent over the West Coast of NZ with the beautiful snow-filled alps below

 

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Some views around Christchurch

 

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Some pics from where Lord Of The Rings was filmed

 

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Had a good time although the weather was cold and raining. Worst floods in 20 years and I happened to be there! NZ is definitely a place I would visit again though. Flight back was Jetstar A320 VH-VQT. Got up at 3am (Christchurch local time) and had a shower. Got an airport bus to the airport. JQ check-in had stacks of people waiting again and it must have taken me 30 mins to check in. Did that then changed some NZD back to AUD. Had to pay an additional $25 NZD departure tax which is not included in the ticket price. Went to duty free and bought a 1. something litre of Johnny Walker Red Label for $19.90 NZD. Bargain!!! Went through customs and immigration there without a problem. Was still raining and cold outside. Departure was about 6.45am. Not too bad on take-off. Saw most of Christchurch before getting into cloud at about 5,000ft. Cruised up to FL 360. Watched the sunrise on the starboard side and as the flight was half empty was able to move around and take some video of the sunrise. Unfortunately no pics as my camera battery was flat. Quite a few bumps most of the way home. Had a sleep for a good while then descent into Sydney. We were a little late due a strong Westerly head wind. Landing was onto 34L with a holding pattern out to sea on finals. One of the best landings I have ever experienced though. Very smooth. We exited the aircraft via the stairs and a bus as there did not seem to be any gates available at the time. No problem with customs and immigration although a little bit of a delay getting through immigration due to so many other flights having arrived at the same time. All in all, a good trip and a place well worth visiting. TIP: Change your money when you get to your destination. You get a much better rate. Next trip planned for me will be back to Vietnam in December. Won't be doing any international in the mean time. Maybe some domestic reports to come! Hope you enjoyed the trip report.

 

 

[Guest Flying Red Fox]

Very nice trip report well done. 8) Nice selection of photos too.

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Great report mate and piccies :)

 

 

[Guest OzChris]

Hi Darren - good report mate...love the pics!

 

I love NZ... 8)

 

 

[Guest Darren Masters]

Thanks for the comments all :D

 

 

[Tim E]

Goodonya Darren.Thanks for the report. N.Z is high on my list to travel to and spend some time there. Best friend lives in the Bay of Plenty and have promised her I will get there!

 

Actually will be passing through there in October on the way back from USA via Papeete but only one hour in AKL before leg back to Aussie. Cheers Tim

 

 

[Guest David C]

Thanks Darren ... I love trip reports , a bit like taking a holiday from your armchair at home . Cheap too !! . Seriously though , great photos and it's really got me thinking about my trip to the UK in October via AUH . Good to see you met up with my old mate Johnnie Walker too :lol:

 

Dave C