Saturday 7th April 2013

A leisurely morning almost compared to my usual trips as I could sleep in till a half normal time, work out, have breakfast and partially clean the house all with a couple of coffees under my belt and making my flight without a hassle. An extra coffee for the truck and I was headed out a little delayed waiting for something to upload to my tablet. I was travelling light this time with just my duffle and a backpack. No SLR, no laptop, just the tablet and my p&s.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

I made it to the parking garage with good timing and by the time I hit the terminal since I already had my boarding pass I was looking good if the lines were not to bad, sadly… they were not good. I tried and old trick since the Alaska mobile boarding passes barely showed any information and used the United/Alaska premium security entry and funnily enough they let me through showing my Gold Card. O silly Seattle TSA, how Gullible you are.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

Through security (eventually), grab a photo of one of the numerous Alaska special liveries at SeaTac that morning and onto the Train to the N Gates, popping out just about 10 minutes before boarding should commence. Being mindful that Alaska board almost an hour before departure for some unknown reason. Ran into someone I knew for a quick hello and chat, grabbing a printed boarding pass and then it was to Starbucks for more coffee and a water bottle fill and I was off to the gate, rocking up just as boarding started for general economy.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

Alaska Airlines – AS762
Seattle Tacoma to Kansas City International (SEA-MCI)
1030-1542
Boeing 737-900 (N315AS)
Economy Class – Seat 24A

Boarding: 0950 (Gate N3)
Push Back: 1029
Take off Roll: 1040 (Runway 34R)
Top of Descent: 1513
Touch Down: 1540 (Runway 1L)
Shut Down: 1458 (Gate 59)

Boarding for my area was called and I was off to the back of the flight, all the way back. Being a 737-900 (my 3rd flight on the type) it is like boarding an A321… lots of way to go to the back (not as much though but you get the idea). The whole point of this trip was doing it on the cheap, I wasn’t checking bags or anything so I just sucked it up and went all the way to back like I was meant to. Luckily I was at the front of the line so I did manage to get some overhead bin space. With a full flight expected I stashed my gear and sat down as quickly as possible.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

All my gear stored appropriately and I was doing the usual pre flight stuff (photos, log book, general tweeting) and next thing I know the doors are shut, theres a middle seat next to me free and we are pushing back. SCORE! What was even better was the sun was out as we pushed back and although it was freakishly cold the light was awesome. So as we taxiied past a few specials and some heavies at the South Terminal, I saw the Spirit of Hawaii (which had been parked at the gate next to ours) sitting in the penalty box… o no! We took off ahead of them and pretty soon we were turning left towards the east and parts unknown.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

It was wierd to be using my phone and tablet all the way over as it was my first flight with the new PED rules and I do like it! Managed to get through a good chunk of my book but sadly, no music for the first part of the flight. I hadn’t checked the batteries on my headphones so as soon as I turned them on, they went dead. Checked for spares…none… DOH! So no music till I could take out my earplugs.. dammit, ah well.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

We cruised east and the crew started a very long service process, selling their entertainment systems, then food, then we can get a drink. But it was ok I had water and thought ahead to bring some lunch with me. Bagel, Turkey and some carrots. Boring, cheap ($3 total) and filling enough for a 3 hour flight. With a diet lemonade I was ok enough. Even managed a few rounds before they closed up service. What did I do on the flight? I read, used some free wifi thanks to Gogo and just bummed about.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

We started descent somewhere outside of the airport, I had no idea where I was or what should or shouldn’t look familiar so just took it all in. As we approached Kansas City (Missouri side) you could see a sprinkling of snow around the airport, which did not bode well at all really. It was going to be cold, I had expected that but I didn’t want it to snow on me. We came back around after going the long way into the airport. As we touched down and cleared the runway it was a plethora of trijets on the freight ramp. A couple of 727s and an MD11F, add on a DC9 as well and it was awesome vintage time. Off in the distance was a couple of ex Qantas 767s awaiting destruction as well. It is always unique being in the midwest. The rest of the airport seemed deserted with just one or two aircraft in existence it seemed.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

We pulled into the gates next to a Delta 757 and just like that my flight to Kansas City is over. By the time I Was able to extricate myself from the back of the plane, I was prepped to grab my jacket from my bag before I froze to death. That didn’t take all that long as once you leave the gates your about 4 steps from the landside of the terminal…Aircraft to Landside in less than 10 metres…. SCORE! Next thing I know its time to get my jacket out and get moving, since I had just officially stepped foot in a new state.

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

From Kansas City BBQ Run

I had set myself a goal this year to be able to add at least one more state to my list of US States visited and unfortunately I had left it pretty late to get to that point. Without it I would go one short on some of my goals and that could not be so. But I didn’t want to spend all that much money really. It’s the end of the year, travel is expensive in the holiday season so it was time to use up some of those points that are just floating around.

I had enough points in my Alaska account for a round trip economy or enough in my american for a one way in first. So I figured round trip economy would be perfectly fine but if i took some out of each I could get away with a bit more choice. But where to? The two easiest places for me to get to were either Kansas City or Anchorage. Both would add points off my list, both had interests to keep me going for at least 24 hours if required. The issue was picking which one to visit. Yes Alaska at this time of year is freezing cold, but then where isn’t. But the time of year it would not be all that much light during the day, so that would be cool I guess. Getting some plane spotting in for a day and seeing Alaska would be nice. But then there is Kansas City where I can knock two states off for the price of one, as the Airport is technically in Kansas City Missouri a few miles from the Kansas City in Kansas… I like this idea. A friend out there tempted me further by offering to show me around and take me for some good BBQ as well. It wouldn’t be the first time I had flown across the country for BBQ, might as well do it again right?

Flights booked and thanks to using points and times etc it was going to be my most boring trip of the year almost with tickets on the Alaska direct flights in each direction, the price in cash outlay $5 total, points was down a good 25,000 all up with half from each of my Alaska & AA accounts. Not a big deal there. Next came picking a hotel, this was probably going to be the most expensive part of it. But the day after I booked the flights, IHG released their points break list where they offer accommodation for 5000 points, well under what they normally offer. Funnily enough a hotel in Kansas City Kansas was on the list. I snatched it up instantly. Hell I could now justify both states as I was flying into one and staying in the other. It may of been a little bit out of the main downtown core but who cares. Total cost to me $0 cash, 5000 points.

So car hire was booked on the usual last minute specials that National offers and I was looking at a damn cheap trip, what with a cost of less than $45 in cash outlay on the three essentials I was look pretty good, it was just time to wait for the day to arrive.

Introduction
Seattle to Honolulu
Honolulu to Auckland
Auckland to Christchurch
Wellington to Rotorua
Auckland to San Francisco
San Francisco to Seattle

                                                                                                                                                                      

Monday 21st October 2013

A day full of excitement and exhilaration after jumping off the top of a tower, watching as friends did the same and then catching up with a friend for lunch. Before I knew it, our bus to the airport was ready for us and I was heading towards the airport, to begin a long journey home to the USA.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I was heading for Auckland International for my first of 2 legs home and I was fairly sad to do so. I was happy to be back up in the air, to be flying one of the two remaining 747s in the Air New Zealand fleet, but the sad part was leaving all my new friends behind, I didn’t want the trip to come to an end, but thats life right? Suck it up princess!

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

We got dropped off at the Airport by our driver who had been looking after us for the last several days and after leaving a little present for one of my friends who was getting picked up later (Tessa did always want that drink from me) I headed into the terminal and headed towards the Premium Check In area. As I entered the area (which was surrounded by construction panels) I was suprised to find out that they use kiosks now for all flights, including the USA. I knew there would be a problem, but was assured that there wouldn’t be. As I scanned my passport and started the process of check in, I knew things were not going to work when it asked me to confirm I had tickets onward from the USA. Which I didn’t. The staff took over, as I expected they would, as the kiosk errored and did not allow me to check in.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

So off to the counter I went and I was checked in. My seat was moved to an empty row and I was told the space available upgrade I had been told I should get, was not going to happen at all and had it been on the right ticket, would of worked cause the flight was wiiiiiide open. *sigh* Lied to again *sigh*.

With my bag dropped at the Bag drop (1kg over the 23kg limit for standard econ but thanks to *G I was not worried) and watching as it was safely sent on its way, I filled in my departure card and got a little lost as they had changed the process slightly to get up to customs. You now head up the lift just inside the door where as previously the lift was after the check in desks. Felt like a bit of a dick at that point but hey it happens. Customs was over extremely quickly and then came the hell that was security. It was a MESS. With a few Jetstar flights, heaps of NZ flights, China Airlines and of course 2 of the Emirates A380s departing shortly, of course it was going to be a mess.

Security took about 10-15 minutes to get through the line, but I did get to keep my shoes on which was great. Everything else was pretty standard. Liquids & Laptop out, belt off as well. No big deal, nothing I haven’t already dealt with so many times this year. Once through security I spun the duty free wheel, won nothing all that exciting and headed up to the Koru Club for a bit of a relax before the flight. My main reason for the lounge today was to do a touch of work prior to the flight, back up some of the photos from the day and get myself prepped for the flight. Almost missed the door again to the Koru Club because it was so non descript and felt like a dick again, but meh. I had the usual hassle at the door thanks to the Aegean card (seriously don’t Star Alliance staff know their own partners) and I was finally let in, where I scoped out the power locations and got set up for some work. I checked on seat assignments and was assured that I had the best I could get and to double check before leaving that the seat would be free as if not they would move me to a free row.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I settled in with a coffee and a snack to get some stuff done and the time seemingly flew by, I barely even noticed the hour or so that went past in the lounge and I had to rush off out of the lounge to make a few stops on the way out to the gate. Being out on the end of the NZ flight pier (gates 6 & 8 are always used for the USA flights so they can do the extra checks they always do for some stupid reason) it isn’t as long of a trek compared to the Emirates gates but it is still a good 5 or so minutes from the lounge, add in a stop to change some cash and at the store (still forgot to buy the magazine I wanted…. doh!) it was cutting it close to the advertised boarding time.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

The line for the gate was huge at the secondary checks and by the time I cleared that I was at the gate to see my beautiful Queen waiting for me. Tonights flight was on 1 of the 2 remaining 747-400s that Air NZ has in their fleet and they they won’t be around that long either, but might as well get one last flight on it before they dissapear. Having now flown almost all of the Air NZ long haul fleet in both Economy & Business (just Econ on the 77W to go) I was excited to get back onboard. Todays aircraft may look old and be old, but I will ALWAYS love the beauty that is a 747. There is a reason they call her the Queen of the Skies, it is because she deserves the respect of everyone who flies her, like any Queen should have.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

The gate area was a mess for such a light load and the time for boarding came and went, this did not look good for an on time departure, but hey, what can you do. In between annoucements that LAN had cancelled their flights (suprise surprise) and the boarding instructions, time seemed to just fly past.

Air New Zealand – NZ8
Auckland to San Francisco
1915-1115
Boeing 747-400 (ZK-SUH)
Economy Class – Seat 55A

Boarding: 1900 (Gate 8)
Push Back: 1915
Take Off Roll: 1929 (Runway 23L)
Top of Descent: 1038
Touch Down: 1105 (Runway 28R)
Shut Down: 1118 (Gate 93)

Boarding was eventually called and like the scrums that NZ rugby fans just adore, the boarding area and process turned into one. Originally supposed to be boarded in stages, all the premium were called and irrespective of eligibility, everyone bolted for the gate and the 3 control points. I got into the scrum and soon I was scanned through, heading onto my first 747 in almost 2 years! Hey, I wasn’t going to complain.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I settled into my row and spread out a bit with so much of my crap stored under the seats in front instead of the overhead in case they kept the seat belt sign as I wanted as much access as I could get out of it. I was going to enjoy my time on this flight. Leg space was spacious at the seat and with 3 seats to myself and a galley next to it, I was in for a good time. The people infront of me were moaning that they “paid for premium” and were stuck up the back in Economy. Sorry guys what you paid for was not premium but actually “Preffered Seating” allowing them access to the better seats that came with a blocked seat next to them essentially. Damn americans who don’t read.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

We pushed back dead on time which was a shock and I was suprised to see that we had loaded a 747 in that short time frame. As we pushed back I snapped away at all the good traffic around us and was especially happy to see a freight Convair 580 powering up and also the DHL 757F on the ramp as well. As we lined up for a 23L departure the sun was setting and it was giving magnificent views. Take off felt spirited but I am sure this lady was heavy with fuel. I still enjoyed the show as we climbed out into the sky over Auckland, turning right over the city, and heading North East towards San Francisco.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

The most brilliant sunset was happening as we climbed out and I was just glued to the window and did not even care about anything else. A brilliant sunset is always going to keep me on a window without the need of something to read. I could of been watching a movie (and next time I will put on some music as the selection had my favourite DJ on it) but instead I watched the Avgeek dream. A Winglet, a sunset and a colour change as we headed up into the sky.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Climb out was gradual and the seatbelt sign was off relatively shortly after take off but it didn’t stay off all that long and was soon back on. Documents were handed out shortly after and I set up my “Poor mans business class” (whole economy row) for the flight ahead. No annoucments about service, no menus on Air NZ, it felt so foreign to me after having some amazing flights this year on Long haul economy. O the differences between airlines you see these days. Me I was just happy to be back in the air really. Spending time somehwere I love (the sky) without the threat of being attached to a rope or being thrown off the top of a tower.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

As the crew prepared for the dinner service they announced that tonights choices were a chicken curry (suprise suprise) or Corned Beef. Having not had Corned Beef in forever I was happy to be going for that, and I settled in and waited what felt like forever for my turn. I found a whole heap of movies I wanted to watch and while enjoying Caddyshack my meal was delivered with an apology. “I am sorry but we have run out of Chicken so you have to have the Corned Beef”. O how shall I ever live with that 😉 I could of faked the fact that I didn’t get a choice and milked it for extra ice cream to make up for it, but I thanked them, assured them it was no problem and waited for a drink before eating.

The dinner looked ok (not sure what the Salad was) but at least the main looked tasty and fairly good proportions of meet to starch to vegies (something that is not often found in Economy). It was very tasty and with a drink and some Ice Cream, I was quite happy to sit back and enjoy it all. What more can I ask for? A Tasty meal, a beverage and a movie while cruising along watching the sun set out my window.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

After dinner was cleared away and I was not offered coffee (sadly) I ended up doing a bit of work on the trip report and we still had the seat belt on after going through the occaisional bit of turbulence (light really) and watching the crew get stuck into the leftover meals (they better have some extra ice cream in there *wishes*). I settled in trying to get comfortable and after a couple of hours I did get that extra ice cream I was after along with some coffee and even tried to get some sleep. Having 3 seats to myself meant I should of been able to stretch out, but the arm rests on these old queens don’t fully go up, so you kind of have a bit of a point where they stop, which is crap but you deal with that. It means that you can’t really lie down without a hassle but I am to tall and big for that anyway and I know that skycouch on the 77W would just be a waste of money, I would rather go for the J upgrade any day.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I did manage to get some rest (I wouldn’t call it sleep) and in between bouts of restlessness I think i got maybe an hour or two. Around about 3 hours out from SFO I woke up from a rest to the most beautiful sunrise out the window, and from that moment on, I stayed awake, starting my “day”, time to start shotgunning the coffee right? I must of passed out again because next thing I know it’s just before 2 hours out of SFO so I quickly got myself sorted as I could smell breakfast getting ready in the galley (which was right next to me). From there I managed to continue watching the hobbit which had turned out to take me almost 6 hours to watch a 3 hour movie. HAH! I kept watching and eventually I settled in for my breakfast. Choices this morning were Cereal or Eggs and they advised that since those in the back missed out on their choices earlier they would start in the back (not that i missed out).

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

The cereal was nice and tasty and I enjoyed it, the fruit was fairly bland though which was a disappointment but I had a banana stashed in my bag from the lounge in Auckland. Breakfast was consumed along with a few cups of coffee (I wanted to steal the coffee cup cause it was excellent) and once that was sorted and cleared away, I got myself changed and cleaned up in preparation for descent into SFO. At about the hour from touch down mark I got myself sorted, putting away my gear and getting set (as that is the point I have to put my ear plugs back in) and they announced a bit of a delay to landing due to “congestion” in SFO (which really means fog).

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

We descended into SFO and the fog had burnt out for most of it so there wasn’t to much of a hassle during the descent. I did love the look of the huge 747 flaps and spoilers as we descended over the coast. We made some weird turns over the Bay Area with a right turn south towards San Jose, then a big sweeping right turn back towards SFO. I was wanting to descend into SFO on the fated 28L, but sadly it was 28R (if thats a bad thing).

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Watching the bay area speed by as we descended into SFO and next thing I know I see the runway, the ill fated location and then hello I am on the ground. Touching down on what will probably be my last time onboard an Air NZ 747 since they will be removed from fleet soon enough.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Clearing the active at SFO was quick but i was to busy getting back into the real world and having my phone connect back to my Tmobile account. The flood of activity came back as sms and emails and tweets flooded back in after almost 12 hours of being disconnected from the world. It is sad but I am extremely connected to life that way. I got my email from the guys at Cranky telling me all was good and it looked like I would be ok to make the connection which was great and once we pulled up I just had to wait through the disembarking process before scurrying to immigration.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I finally got out of the aircraft and into the terminal where it was on for young and old to get to immigration. I left my co worker behind as she was on a US passport so would be through quicker than I was, but my line wasn’t to bad as it looked like I beat the rush of kiwis making it to the desks. I wasn’t in line long (maybe 5-10 minutes) and I wasn’t grilled all to badly at immigration (mind you I was half asleep and looked like hell, so I think he went easy on me) and I was through to baggage claim. My bag took forever to come out and then it was out of the secure area, into the terminal, change a few things and onto the Airtrain to Terminal 2 and my Virgin Flight home to SEA.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Introduction
Seattle to Honolulu
Honolulu to Auckland
Auckland to Christchurch
Wellington to Rotorua
Auckland to San Francisco
San Francisco to Seattle

                                                                                                                                                                      

Thursday 17th October 2013

A very rushed morning after a morning run around Wellington Harbour (training) and watching the sun rise and the city wake up. A rushed pack of my bag and a few errands around the city (mission to get things going but unfortunately that did not work all that well. I wish it could of happened a little bit easier but unfortunately, it was not to be. At the appointed time I was in the lobby of the hotel, waiting for the bus departure with everyone else. We were off to the airport heaps earlier than we needed to be but as I had no say in it, I just did as I was told. No group check in or anything like that, but a group bus transfer was on the cards.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

When we got to Wellington Airport I did the right thing and got myself sorted out, I waited forever at the Premium Desk and for some reason they just never came to serve me. What the hell! Bad call Air New Zealand. But eventually I got helped and checked in, with my A3 number added to the boarding pass, *G status showing, bag on its way to Rotorua and I waited for the others to finalise. I had offered to guest in whoever wanted to come with and one person ended up taking up the offer.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Headed to the Koru Club which in Wellington is actually pretty nice. Good runway side location with plenty of floor to ceiling windows and plenty of space. A spacious lounge with plenty of seating options and a really good food spread for that time of the morning. Lots of the usual snack options that you find in Australia (Fruit, really good hand made cookies) and some of the more morning tea options as well like fresh scones and slices. The lunch options were also on the verge of being handed out which was pretty cool as well.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Lots of snacking options (to many really) and several different coffee options being by the pot or a barista service, what more do I need. A couple of cups of coffee later and a good chat with one of the group (I may have been conned into half a scone) and then before we knew it, it was time to head for the gate. As we left the Koru Club, boarding was called.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Air New Zealand (Operated by Air Nelson) – NZ8584
Wellington to Rotorua
1150-1255
Bombardier Dash 8-Q300 (ZK-NEW)
Economy Class – Seat 5A

Boarding: 1135 (Gate 7)
Power Out: 1157
Take Off Roll: 1200 (Runway 34)
Top of Descent: 1234
Touch Down: 1251 (Runway 18R)
Shut Down: 1253 (Gate 2)

Walking down towards the single digit gates at Wellington you head out to the gates that don’t require security and I do love that rule in New Zealand for any flight with less than 50 people, no security required. Awesome!! Popped out right at our gate and within a few moments I was scanned through (after a brief pause for my boarding pass to respond correctly and then I was out onto the tarmac. The usual Aussie/Kiwi reaction to a camera on the ground by the staff (No photos, no photos!) and a few pictures as soon as I had passed the staff and I was waiting to get onboard.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I was worried that my camera bag would not fit in the overhead lockers as it was quite big and I know I had issues on the Horizon Dash 8 back in May, I wasn’t sure how it compared to the Q300. Thankfully under the seat in front was big enough space for the camera bag and my backpack into the overhead bin. Got to love some juggling. Laptop out and into the seat pocket, getting myself situated and a few photos, time to settle in.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

We waited for a little bit while the last of the paperwork was fixed and finalised and then the doors were shut and we were off to Rotorua. As the props powered up right next to me, the vibration obviously began but that is always a reassuring thing on a turboprop aircraft. If the vibration stops, that is probably not a good thing. Half the flight was filled with our group and I would be suprised if anyone behind me was paying attention to the safety demonstration as to be honest, there wasnt really one. Instructions to read the safety card was it and that was pretty much it. Powering out from the gate and headed towards the southern end of the runway for our Northbound departure out over Wellington.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

No holding at the runway point, just a quick flick of the throttles to takeoff power and the props spinning up. We were airborne just past the Koru Club I had just barely left and climbing out past the city with a slight right turn but not by much. The city off on my side meant that I could enjoy the departure as we climbed out, off into the skies above. The first ding went off about 30 seconds later signifying electronics are ok and then advised of the service onboard today of tea, coffee, water and a cookie as well (not that I was going to eat the cookie, it would go into the stash).

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

I took the offered coffee (I am quite happy with the Air NZ coffee and the fact that it is french press over instant is a good thing) and watched as my cup vibrated its way across the tray table and also grabbed a water when offered. We flew north along the coast and a lot of clouds below us unfortunately. The flight was very non eventful as we cruised north, I wrote most of the trip report before we had even hit cruise altitude and I instead sat back with my coffee and water and relaxed. Eventually it was TOD (top of descent), power to idle, dip the nose down and down she goes. A quick clean up by the lone crew member and a hand out of the traditional sweets onboard Air New Zealand and we heading fast toward the cloud deck.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Passing through the thick cloud deck we were getting bumped around a little but nothing at all that bad. I am sure some of the people may have worried but I couldnt care less, it was not even remotely bad. As we popped out below the clouds we seemed to track north over the city and the lake. Being able to spot some landmarks on the city was good but having never flown into Rotorua before it was hard to guage runway location or even what direction we were going to land. It seemed the airport was on the other side of the aircraft as we dropped gear half way over the lake and all I had on my side was water.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Right turn with gear deployed and flaps to full, we started our final turn onto the final approach and we made the last minute descent and touch down onto the runway at Rotorua and then that distinctive sound as they threw it into full reverse pitch and wound up the engines to help slow us down. We cleared the runway at the lone taxi location and headed towards the tiny tiny airport, which I swear is New Zealands smallest International Airport (2 flights a week to Sydney). It didn’t take long for the crew to shut down and let us all free and suprisingly the smell did not smack us all in the face. It was there a little but not at all that bad as I had remembered, it must be stronger in town compared to the airport.

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

Took a number of photos before I walked into the Terminal and we met our escort for the next part of our journey and by the time I went to collect my bags it had just dissapeared onto the belt portion where it heads back out around for its 2nd lap. Dammit. Got my bag on the second loop and then it was off into the city, not before leaving a little something on the airport 😉

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island

From AOT NZ Megafamil – North Island