Diary 1

Kia ora everyone

It was a lovely, sunny start to the day in Kerikeri this morning. I am sure, like the ambassadors, that you were hoping it would be similar throughout the rest of the country as you made your way south to Christchurch.

Kerikeri to Auckland

It was 9:40am when the call came to board the aeroplane at the Bay of Islands Airport. You scanned your boarding pass at the gate and made your way across the tarmac towards the small Beechcraft 1900B. These are the smallest planes in Air New Zealand’s fleet – with two rows of seats on either side, everyone gets a window seat! You can even see down the aisle into the cockpit and through the front windscreen – which can be rather interesting during a windy landing!

It was a quick flight to Auckland. Just as well too, because it turned out to be a bit cloudy on the way so there wasn’t much to see. The plane came out of the clouds just as we flew over Waiheke Island, before landing at Auckland International Airport.

Security issues

You only had a short time before the next flight to Christchurch. This time you had to go through security before heading to the departure lounge. Everyone has to make sure there is nothing in their pockets. All your carry-on bags are scanned in the x-ray machine, and then you walk through a metal detector. You might like to discuss with your class what items security staff could be looking for.

It is interesting that you only need to go through security screening when travelling on larger planes between the main city centres. You may have read about this process in the background page titled First Time Domestic Traveller. Can you think of some possible reasons why passenger security screening isn’t done when travelling between the smaller regions?

Auckland to Christchurch

Soon the flight to Christchurch was announced. Once again you scanned your boarding pass, but this time you walked through an air bridge to get to the aeroplane. An air bridge is a covered walkway that takes you to and from the aeroplane door.

It was a much bigger aeroplane for the flight to Christchurch, with three seats on each side. Your seat number was 5F which was a window seat – yay! Unlike the first flight you had great views all the way to Christchurch – except I kept nodding off! I don’t know what it is about me and planes – they always make me sleepy.

One hour and 20 minutes later you touched down at Christchurch International Airport, which of course is where the field trip will be this week. You left the plane through another air bridge, and then you went to the luggage conveyor belt to collect your bags.

I have to say that Christchurch Airport is certainly looking good since the new terminal has been built. It has a nice atmosphere and I like the feeling of spaciousness that it has. It is certainly going to be an interesting three days exploring how the airport operates. I’m sure you are looking forward to it!

See you tomorrow morning!

Andrew