I was told at the departure desk in Melbourne that there's a note on my file that says I'm not permitted entry into New Zealand. Doesn't that make me sound like an exciting person? We quickly resolved that one. Once at the gate, they called a "Mister Leigh Mertin" to the desk, which I correctly assumed was me. I thought they changed their mind back and decided I couldn't board, but in fact, they wanted me to know I was in the emergency exit row. An odd thing to warn a passenger about. I loved the leg room.
After an easy flight of eating chicken, ice cream bars and Lindt chocolate (thanks Qantas!), I was on Wellington soil. Lacey gave me very, very detailed directions to find her downtown. For example:
From there you'll go a few stops up to Manners Street (or Manners Mall). It'll be just after the road splits into a fork (bus goes to right side), and right before the bus makes a hard right. You'll want the stop after the body shop (on left)/Burger King (on right). Walk on the same side as the bus in the direction the bus was going to the corner.
These are the kind of directions that work for me. See previous post if necessary.
And then Lacey and I reunited on the street! I've missed my dear friend since she left for New Zealand nine months ago. It's hard to put that amount of happy into words. So, so, so happy.
We cheersed the start of our NZ time together next to the water on a couple of bean bag chairs. Brilliant.
I was about two days away from getting scurvy so was much appreciative of Lacey making a delish dinner that involved vegetables! We strolled along the water in the evening and I got to see the hills all lit up.
Check out how Welly people do the movies. Not exactly the same feel as a SilverCity.
There is lots to see and just a few days to do it before we hop a plane to Queenstown.
