freespiritbutterfly Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 In April. I've never been before but my friend lives out there. The only thing is i will be travelling on my own . And to add to that I have never travelled on my own to anywhere before let alone across to the other side of the world lol. See everybody didn't think I would do it so it kinda made me do it lol. And to those people i'm all like yeah it will be totally fine and it will be an adventure. Which indeed it will but i'm not telling them that i'm totally panicking about the connecting flights because then they will all be "I told you so" and i'm defo not having that! Anyone been there before and can reccomend things to do because I have a feeling my friend won't be able to be around very much as she is at uni and works. I'm going to Christchurch south island on April 10th oh yeah and i'm flying from heathrow which again I have never done eekkkkk!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 My ES is out there at the moment, I'll ask him. He was at Christchurch a short while ago so will be able to tell me but he's off into the wilds now. Wonderful adventure for you and not too long to wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 The first time I flew any distance on my own was the New Zealand too. I found it very empowering going on my own and it gave me loads of confidence. Heathrow is an easy airport to navigate. Get there in plenty of time, check your bags, note your departure gate and how long it takes to walk there (there will be signs telling you this as some gates are further away than you think!). Then, as long as you keep an eye on the screens, you can relax and enjoy the experience. I don't know who you are flying with or which way you're going but I heartily recommend Singapore Airlines if you haven't booked. Often cheaper than BA or Qantas, or Air New Zealand, excellence facilities onboard and excellent flight attendants. I've flown many times with them and cannot fault them. Take as little as possible on board - my essentials are good book, ipod charged to the max and a book of logic problems/crosswords. Most airlines will provide things like toothbrushes and toothpaste, handcream, sanitary towels etc, as well as pillows, blankets, socks etc on board, so you don't need to bother putting those in your hand luggage. You can check on their websites to be sure. When you get to your connecting airport, again note your departure gate, then look around and relax. Most larger airports have showers than you can pay to use which is nice to do after 12 hours or so in the air - and it kills some time! They provide towels etc, all you need is deodorant and clean underwear. You will absolutely love NZ! I've been to Christchurch but en route to somewhere else so wasn't there long. It was a few years ago now but I'll check back in my books for things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 You'll absolutely love it, I'm sure , & April's a nice time to visit, it's Autumn though, so can be getting a bit chilly in the evenings, especially in South Island, so remember to pack some layers. Day time temps should still be pretty reasonable, but there's a high chance of rain. I've never visited Christchurch myself (although I intend to, just struggling heaps to find the time), but my son went there for a course with school, & came back convinced that that's where he wants to go to uni next year. Anyway, I could talk about NZ for ages, we emigrated here 18m ago & I love, love. love it........have no desire at all to return to the UK after experiencing the lifestyle here, but that's just me of course, it's not for everyone. But I can't imagine anyone not loving this country when visiting as a tourist, it's clean, friendly & mind-blowingly beautiful I'm not on Omlet very much these days, but if you want any info or advice about NZ just drop me a message, I'm happy to help if I can. And of course if you're passing through Rotorua, just give me a shout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Wow! How fantastically exciting! I bet it does feel a little bit scary, but just try try try and relax, give yourself plenty of time and i bet you will have the experience of a lifetime. I am soooooo jealous, you'll have a wonderful time, and Im already looking to seeing your photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 How exciting for you. What an adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 This is for reassurance. My mum flew to Australia in october on her own to meet some newly discovered cousins. She is 70 and was utterly terrified. She coped marvelously and enjoyed doing things for herself - possibly for the first time in her life. I think you'll be fine and will have a fantastic experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 You will be fine You are a sensible girl, so have nothing to worry about, the airports are geared up for connecting flights, so don't worry What I am interested to know, is what happened with the fella that you met through the shop we haven't had an update in a long while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Thank you you've put my head at rest now phew. I'm flying with Air new zealand I got what im thinking is a good deal £982 return going via L.A and auckland then onto Christchurch. I'm defo going hot air ballooning over their even if I am on me own and maybe if the weather is ok I might go whale and or dolphin watching or swimming. hehe I can't wait though 95 days to go till I go hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Thank you you've put my head at rest now phew. I'm flying with Air new zealand I got what im thinking is a good deal £982 return going via L.A and auckland then onto Christchurch. Your flight will be easy then . I've done the Air NZ Heathrow- Auckland via LA & it's simple. You say goodbye to your luggage at check in LHR, & you won't see it again until AKL. The flight to LA is pretty long & boring, around 10 hours I seem to remember, but the food is OK, & there's plenty of it...they just seem to keep it coming. There's a huge selection of films, no really new releases, it'll probably the stuff that's playing in the UK cinemas now, so best not watch any current films for the next 3 months . At LA they take you off the plane & you're literally herded into Air NZs transit lounge. No chance of getting lost, you're very closely guided in a huge shuffling queue. You have to complete US immigration cards...take your time, get that right, & if in doubt ask the cabin crew for help before you leave the plane, they're fantastic at helping out even with what seems to be the silliest query. US immigration are pretty pedantic & if they don't like what you've written you get put to the back of the queue. Fortunately your queue is only for passengers off your flight, so not too arduous. You have to answer a couple of questions, very straightforward though, get fingerprinted & retinal scans done. Again easy, the immigration officer tells you what to do....and you just do it . Once through that you're into a private transit lounge where there's free tea, coffee & soft drinks, & I think we got crisps, biscuits & apples too. (Of course if you're travelling business or 1st class you go into the posh side of the lounge, behind screens & I have it on good authority that you get a greater selection of refreshments there. Sadly I didn't get that experience ). I seem to remember waiting around an hour or so, after all that flying it was good to stretch the legs. Personally I'd have loved some fresh air, but no such luck. There's restrooms provided so you can freshen up. Then they herd you back on to the plane with a change of crew, into the same seat that you left (although you're not allowed to leave of your hand luggage on the plane, the Americans, understandably these days, are a bit twitchy about unattended stuff on or near planes. And it's a happy 12hrs flying over the Pacific to AKL . Food & entertainment again is plentiful. I loved NZ, the staff are great, food good & the seats just about as comfortable as an economy class airline seat can get. AKL is a comparatively small , so you should find your away around easily. I'm guessing that you;'ll be reunited with your bags there, although Cch does take international flights in, so possibly they'll delay the customs, passports & MAF stuff until there. No big deal but MAF does want to know about any foodstuffs, bee products or plants that you might have with you. Do not bring beeswax anything or it will be confiscated to protect our native bees. Do not bring seeds or spices, nor untreated wood. Pretty much everything else is OK, but do declare it. You'll need to move from the international terminal to the domestic one for your flight to Chch, there's plenty of shuttle buses right outside the door, or it's a short walk....just turn right & follow the blue line and you'll be fine. The staff will direct you, they're very friendly & helpful. Hope that helps, good luck & enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Well done for deciding to do this trip First major trip by yourself is a bit daunting But when you come back you will feel like you can do anything. Keep doing as you are and get as much advice before you go - you'll have a gerat time ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Thank youu all soooooo much for your advice its all really helped. Thanks for telling me about no beewax anything i have a burt bees lip balm that i did plan on taking but apprently not now lol. I think ive done my visa thing for the US. I did it online and got accepted woo!! Thanks again soooo much Emma x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 Does anyone know if i can bring dairy milk into nz? My friend has asked me to bring some hehe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I think you are very brave doing this by yourself. Imagine how proud you'll feel when you get back. You'll be off all over the place on your own. In a way, it might be better as you only have yourself to worry about. I've found it quite stressful going on a plane with my kids as I had to worry about them, getting all of us ready on time to be there on time. I would really love to go to NZ and I hope one day we will. We've often spoken of emigrating there, but I can't say for sure unless I've actually visited the place Have a wonderful time and don't worry about what others think. They are probably just concerned. Just a thought; if you have a smart phone make sure the roaming thing is switched off otherwise you'll have a massive bill when you get home. Heard this on the news a couple of days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I presume you mean the chocolate. If so yes you can bring it in but you will have to declare it on arrival. I believe there's restrictions on how much too (i.e. not boxes of the stuff but a few bars is probably OK). When you're on the plane you'll get a form to complete where you can say if you want to declare any food. Once landed and going through Customs they will ask you what the food item is and grant access or not. You should be OK as long as you declare it, otherwise they will fine you and take it away. There are restrictions on certain food items such as meat, dairy products, honey etc. More information here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 Yes lydia i do mean the choccy stuff lol forgot that bit. Thanks very much all not long to go now hehe x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
