Tame Birds & Volcanoes - To Taupo and Ohakune

 

Heading Inland & South & Up ...

We woke to a  stunning Whitianga sunrise ...

 

volcanic     end-of-the-earth    apocalyptic

... then drove south towards Lake Taupo; the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand. 

To Tutukaka, Whitianga and Hahei

' Triangulating With Friends ... Across Continents & Over Oceans '

We left Paihai, drove southerly then east a short distance to Tutukaka. 

It's on the east coast near the northern end of the North Island.

  

NEW ZEALAND: North Island - Auckland to Paihai

Kia Ora ............ Be Well

 

The NORTH ISLAND


AUCKLAND 

Our longest flight; 9 hours 27 minutes. Also our nicest; Air New Zealand Rocks ... premium economy class, very comfortable seating, probably the highest quality food and wine we've had on any flight. 

We'll only be in Auckland long enough to catch up somewhat, on jet lag (there's a +18 hour total time difference from EST > NZDT) and to pick up a rental car. We'll return here at the end of our trip for a couple of nights and tour the city then.

SINGAPORE - The 19th Smallest Nation

The World's ONLY Island-City State

We didn't leave Dubai on schedule ...

... and, our arrival in SINGAPORE was delayed 24 Hours

The FLIGHT
CAUTION: Mini-rant follows

There's a 4 hour time difference between Dubai and SINGAPORE and this was to be a 6h 30m flight. We were scheduled to leave Dubai 20:00 Feb 5 and arrive SINGAPORE 07:15 Feb 6. We paid for premium-economy class and boarded on time. Due to a repetative technical fault with the aircraft, we spent 5 hours on the plane; either not moving, being towed or just driving around. We were offered water and a few other non-alcoholic beverages, cupcakes disguised as muffins and some peanuts. 

Eventually our flight was cancelled. Along with first and business classes, we were shuttled to a hotel room in the airport by 2:00 am Feb 6. 

This International Group we waited with (clockwise left to right), included travellers from UAE (Bruce), Canada (Helen), New Zealand (June), Philippines, Malasia, Australia (Brad), England, Singapore (Sandeep) and Korea. 

UAE: Dubai - Tallest, Biggest, Expensive, Outrageous

' Dubai Holds the Guiness Book World Record 
... for the City In the World with the Most World Records '

The FLIGHT

        Lisboa to Dubai 

We enjoyed a wonderful experience with a lovely flight attendant on Air Emirates; Anamarija (2nd from left), originally from Croatia. 

Whenever she had any free time, Anamarija sat with us and give us tips on what to do in Dubai. She and several of the other flight crew compiled a list of about a dozen must-do things for us. Near the end of the flight she asked if we would come with her to the rear cabin for a photo. Helen even got to wear part of the Air Emirates uniform, a traditionally styled Emerati veiled hat. With staff like Anamarija it is no wonder Emirates is one of the top airlines in the world.

These pretty ladies are our first Journeymaker Group.  

Thank You Anamarija and Friends ...

 

' Journeymakers  are the people who elevate your travel experience with the passion and enthusiasm for the place they call home and for the interest and kindness they give you, the traveller. '
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