FFS What Has Taken You So Long
Well, I have been very slack in getting this story started. Every passing day made it harder and harder to get my shit together and put fingers to keyboard! I am not sure why, perhaps because its been so long since I documented the little voices in my head. I mean they are pretty loud and often quite funny, but they have been locked up for a while, do I really want to let them out and give them a platform?
Sure, why the hell not! Plus, I have pages of mental notes rattling around in my head that need to get out.
So, come along for the ride, or not 😊 those of you who have read my meandering thoughts before are well aware of what you are in for.
Preparing For Liftoff
On the 30th May I had a wee accident and tore all three hamstring muscles off my pelvic bone. Yes, ouch, fucking ouch. This resulted in quite major surgery on the 12th of June to have them all reattached (the details are gross, and I can happily share separately). The surgery was done three months and one day before this trip was meant to start.
Three months for me to rebuild my strength and stamina, and it is not recommended that you fly any long-haul flights for at least three months to avoid any DVT issues. I was in the clear, because I had three months and ONE DAY!
Needless to say, some pretty intense rehab and physio to ensure I was as ready as possible!
Here we are! In Canada, hiking, walking, and surviving (touch wood) the 13-hour flight to get here.
A massive shout out to my physio Nathan Carloss and my wonderful PT Bec Giles from Lifted for helping me get here (let me know if you need amazing help in these areas).
13th September 2024
Brisbane – Auckland – Vancouver
I log out of work, see later applications – you are DELETED. And we head to the airport with lots of time to spare. Check in does not go smoothly, surprised?? Not for a second. Apparently, the very pleasant 12 yo who was checking us in, Air NZ cannot issue our boarding pass for our Vancouver flight. After standing around for 30 minutes, watching him type some very impressive codes into the flight system, we were told there was no point waiting and to simply pick them up when we get to Auckland, it will not be an issues.
RED FLAG RED FLAG WARNING WARNING.
We slum it in the lounge having a champagne breakfast, well I did, sometimes I do wonder about Jason’s commitment to the holiday spirit. I mean seriously, orange juice?
Anyway, I took one for the team and had bubbles with my breakfast whilst we waited for our boarding call.
I am sure I have mentioned this in previous blogs, but according to my wonderful, handsome and amazing husband, being on time is late.
So, before any boarding call is made, we are downstairs and standing in line. And standing. And standing. And standing some more. The flight was delayed by 45 minutes, well, we weren’t late. But I was well over standing around by the time we finally boarded the plane 😀
Due to the delays, we arrive late in Auckland, our connection time is cut, and we don’t have any boarding passes for our Vancouver flight. But it will be simple to sort, right! Right? RIGHT!!! Its not like we are travelling on Friday the 13th or anything like that SIGH.
After trying the Air NZ lounge, we are pointed to the Transfer Desk where the queue is very long. And we wait, and wait, and wait. Thank fuck I am a patient person right.
Eventually we get sorted. What gets sorted? No idea, but we have a boarding card, and we can relax in the lounge before our flight.
The flight to Vancouver is on time, and we make ourselves comfortable. I swear that our premium economy seats last time were way more comfortable with seats that reclined further, but perhaps I am a spoilt shitbag and should be thankful for the extra leg room and lovely service.
Our flight attendants are fantastic, a couple of gay guys who were a great laugh and clearly a lot of fun. Supplying me with great info about Vancouver as well as business class treats like nuts and chocolate. They were the best. And I truly hope they had a wonderful time in Davie Village, where they were planning on going partying once we landed and they had gotten rid of us all.
Due to the surgery, I am wearing knee high travel socks to help with avoiding DVT. Being the forward-thinking person I am, I also bought some of those slippers that they supply you at hotels, so we don’t have to put our shoes on every time we go to the bathroom.
So clever. As I was leaving the little bathroom cubicle, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, the black socks the white slippers, I look like some sort of weird German hiker! WTAF! This is a sight that does not need to be seen, however, there is a photo below for those who are interested.
The service was great, and the food was good, I had venison. Yes really. I didn’t like the other choices and, to be fair, it was pretty damn good. Nothing like we cook at home, but I enjoyed it. Don’t judge me.
As we prepared to sleep, 13 hours people, 13 looooooooooooooong fucking hours, I watched a couple of VERY disturbing episodes of True Detectives Season 4 – HMFSB that shit is twisted (I will definitely be watching that when I get home). I popped a couple of melatonin tables (thank you science) and managed to get a reasonable amount of sleep as we sored our way to Canada.
13th September 2024
Going back in time, we land 6 hours before we left Auckland.
And landed in some true Wellington weather, ummmm, excuse me, this is not what we had ordered and certainly not what we had been promised. To make it a truly Wellington experience everyone we spoke with told us it was “the first bit of rain they had seen in MONTHS” and “if you had only seen the weather yesterday, it was magical”.
Mate, save it for someone else 😀
A very quick and efficient trip through customs, even if I did end up in the wrong lane because it looked shorter!!!! “um madam, this is for Canadians”, apparently wanting to be a Canadian is not a great reason to join their line.
Meh, I made it through and Jason glares at me, he is not amused! I am, of course, amused.
The efficiently of the airport is second to none, we are out in record time and into an Uber, with the lovely and very informative Navin. He is a Singaporean native, supper friendly and helpful, and if you ever happen upon his Uber, tip him big!
The Killalea-Walford Travel Blog 