New Zealand - Dunedin - Welcome to the Bermuda Triangle

I arrived in Dunedin airport not even knowing which way was up. I had gone with Mick to the airport in Santiago at about 1pm, despite the fact that my flight wasn't until 11pm since we were low on cash and reluctant to go the bank AGAIN. The Scotiabank branch manager back in Ottawa has already emailed me to remind me about international ATM withdrawal fees. Thanks, sir, but I am aware and would certainly be using affiliated ATMs if I could find them.

Anyways, this meant that once Mick was checked in for his flight at 2:30, I had a glorious 7 hour wait to endure in the terminal before I could even check in. Two books and one two hour conversation with an elderly South African couple later, Qantas finally opened a counter. I fought my way through the hordes of American tourists who had all just arrived to fly home to Dallas after a cruise to Antarctica to get to the check in desk and was rewarded for my absurd earliness with an aisle seat next to an empty seat for my 13 hour flight. Unfortunately, that massive line of cruise passengers got ahead of me into the security and customs lines, so some more line ups delays passed my time before the flight actually left.

The flight wasn't too bad... after 24+ bus rides, 13 hours on a plane doesn't really compare. I did overhear a rather disturbing conversation behind me where some Aussie girls were advocating the mandatory drugging of infants and young children on flights to keep them quiet. Which was totally uncalled for in the case of the six kids on our flight, who slept soundly through the night and the one baby who really only fussed when the plane was landing.

After deplaning (which I maintain should not be a word), I then was thrilled to find out that the check in counters in Auckland don't open before 5:30am. It was 3:30am when my plane landed. Sigh. I took my time going through immigration and customs again. In New Zealand, it turns out you have to declare hiking boots, since they may have foreign bacteria or plants in the soles, so the agent had to check my shoes. It was no easy task wrestling with my shoelaces at 4am, let me tell you. And let's be honest, I'm hardly outdoorsy... the guy was more likely to find gum from the city sidewalks than foreign plant species from tramping in the woods. And so I passed on, shoes unconfiscated, to wait to check in for my connecting flight to Dunedin.

On that flight, I had an early introduction to the craze for low fat food in NZ cuisine. I had the choice between low fat muesli or a fat free muffin with a low calorie orange juice or water for breakfast. Having now been to the local grocery store as well, I can tell you that every product comes in either light, low fat or fat free varieties. Except ice cream, which is an institution around here.

Finally made it to Mike and Ashley's place around 10am, no thanks to Mike. He figured it would all work out by itself. Luckily Ashley was a bit more proactive and emailed me the address, directions, and transportation options from the airport, as well as leaving me the key and detailed instructions in the mailbox. I was overwhelmingly happy to get in and throw my bags on the couch and then spent the rest of the day puzzling over what kind of jet lag would eventually settle in. Turns out I just wake up a bit early... should be over that soon.

Mike and Ashley have scored themselves a nice 2 floor flat (in which I have a bedroom all to myself!) in what is known as the Bermuda Triangle. Maitland Street, their place of residence, earned this nickname through having a somewhat shady reputation, which originates from a couple of halfway houses and group homes on the street. Mike, Ashley and I have decided to believe it's just bad press. We shall see...