Since arriving in New Zealand its fair to say that our carbon footprint from air travel has increased somewhat. Well it had to really - it was pretty low to start off with - our idea of an exotic weekend was to catch the train to Bruges and hang out in Belgian beer cafés. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It makes perfect sense, being so close to Europe and that, to jump on the 0630 from Darlington only to arrive several hours later in what must be the best drinking city in the world. Without having ever left the ground.
You can't really do that here. It's not that New Zealand doesn't have trains - it does - but even if a weekend in Hamilton is your thing then you are probably going to have to find an alternate mode of transport. Yes there is a train to take you there but it only leaves on a Thursday and doesn't return until the following Tuesday. And that's assuming that you want to travel from Auckland. What's more, the 60 mile journey is going to take you the best part of two and a half hours. It is not the age of the train to say the least. Well not unless the age of the train was somewhere in the 1950s.
There is always the option of driving. There are many stunning spots within a few hours drive of Auckland that would be perfect for a weekend - providing that you don't want to travel on a Friday night. That is definitely a no-no. Setting off early on Saturday morning is the only option if you don't want to spend the whole of Friday night queuing to get out of the city. There is nothing worse than diving out of the office and onto SH1 only to realise that, after several hours of crawling along the motorway, you could've walked the distance in less time and got some exercise into the bargain. Yes, it has to be Saturday morning. And, assuming you chose to go away, you are well advised to return as early as possible on Sunday. Preferably before sunrise. It might not be that busy getting back into Auckland on Sunday afternoon but just in case....
So if you want a weekend away, well one that is going to get you somewhere far enough to actually enjoy being away, you are going to have take to the air. Regrettable but true. Once you have sold your environmental soul to the evil of air travel the possibilities are limitless. Well less limiting that a few hours in Hamilton anyway. And for anyone who has had the misfortune of spending anytime in Auckland's nearest city would realise, that is a price worth paying. Who needs a soul anyway?
Not that it I am heading anywhere more exotic at get moment - I'm on a flight to Christchurch to attend a training course - but the manner of my travel has given me pause of thought to take finger to keyboard. Which is where I came in....
If you are going to travel anywhere....and I mean anywhere... then get first option has to be Air New Zealand. They are, without any doubt, the best. Yes, so okay my current view might be rose-tinted by the fact that I'm on my second complimentary wine but that would be doing the cheese and crackers a dis-service. Not that I can be bought for a few alcoholics drinks and a light snack..... well okay I can but you get my point. "So what?," I hear you say, "it's not as if they are complimentary anyway, it's all included in the price of the ticket."
Sure...well did I mention the lolly? Ah-ha, I knew that would get your attention. After every Air New Zealand flight you get a complimentary lolly....sorry boiled sweet for those who haven't ventured this far south. Now surely that is worth the price of the ticket?
No? Well let me put it this way. Putting aside all of the complimentary niceties, which is quite hard because I've only got a small tray table to put them on, the simple fact is that Air New Zealand staff are wonderful and their airplanes are clean and comfortable. Their entertainment system may not be the most hi-tech in the world but would trade that for the sheer calm and comfort of an Air New Zealand flight any day of the week. Besides, who needs to see yet another episode of The Big Bang Theory anyway when you have quality safety videos such as this....
There is nothing more reassuring when, after taking several long haul flights with other carriers, to step onto an Air New Zealand flight for the final leg and sip on a glass of Sauvignon Blanc the tension of the journey ebbs away..... It's all good. Now where are my cheese and crackers?
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