How we decided to go: A levelheaded spontaneous decision.
Around August of last year (2011) Shu and I were having dinner at our favourite Japanese restaurant when she absentmindedly made a comment about how she wanted to go somewhere with me in our upcoming holidays. In between stuffing my fat face with food, I nodded enthusiastically and agreed "yeah I'd LOVE to go. You wanna go at the end of the year? Let's go!" And thus, being towed by momentum, Shu replied, "Yeah we should!!!" and we both continued stuffing our faces. In hindsight, I think when she mentioned going for a holiday, she really meant a road trip to... Hamilton or somewhere that doesn't require our passport.
We were just so excited and young, uncaring and determined to go to Japan. Anyway, Shu roped in another friend who is living in Australia and after a couple of months, Shu bought her tickets flying Jetstar from Auckland to Japan (with a stopover in Australia to pick up more passengers). The only thing I've heard from Jetstar is rubbish, so I'm not going to bother regurgitating it. Shu paid approximately NZD$2200 and she STILL had to pay three bucks for a cup of water. You'd think that'd be a some sort of criminal offence against human rights or something... surely on a long haul flight, you'd offer free water!
I refused to travel by Jetstar - mainly because I deemed $2200 way too expensive for a airline that boasts cheap airfares. That and I'm too vain and delicate for mile high horrors. I JOKE. But I didn't buy tickets for the longest time! But we couldn't hide our excitement and spilled our travel plans to everyone. Mr Head Chef was particularly excited for us as he had plans to be in Japan (he was planning his wedding etc) around the time we were planning to go. He urged me to go so we could meet up in Japan. I laughed at him and said we see each other almost every week in New Zealand! He looked at me unimpressed as if he expected much more of me and pointed out it would probably be the only time ever in our lives when we would both be in Japan at the same time. With a bit more prodding, he got me excited too. However I still hadn't purchased my tickets yet. In fact, I put it off for so long that Mr Head Chef actually started being anxious FOR me. Which made me realise how important he seemed to view this. Almost every time I saw him in the next few months, he asked me whether I'd bought my tickets yet. When I answered no, he chided me, told me to hurry up or I'd never go.
I think in the end, I bought my tickets about three weeks before I left. Why did it take me so long to do so? I thought that since I'm going so far, I might as well go to Hong Kong and get my HKPID (Hong Kong Picture identification) renewed. I flew Cathay Pacific for NZD$2400 which took me on this path of travel: Auckland --> Hong Kong --> Tokyo --> Hong Kong --> Auckland. So for a mere $200 more, I went to one more country, sat in more comfortable seats, great customer service, had two meals, snacks and a variety of beverages at no extra charge. Downside? I travelled alone. Which isn't so much of a downside to be honest.
I didn't really do much preparation other than pack my bags at the last second. This was because after my exams, I pretty much worked everyday. Which in turn resulted in near exhaustion and lack of sleep for over a month. The night before I got on the plane, I went to dinner with Rachel, at where else but Nishiki? I feel the need to point out that I chose to have Nishiki as my last meal in NZ! Sadly, it wasn't my first in HK. At the time, the only thing I really wanted to do was to have Nishiki at HK. There’s obviously something wrong with me. Rachel gave me two presents for my departure.
Since I pretty much packed in a hurry, I didn't really feel ready to go. I was actually a little bit worried I might not wake up after the few hours of sleep in order to drag my ass to the airport on time. I wasn't excited. I actually contemplated missing my flight for sleep.
Since my flight out of Auckland was set to depart at 9am, I had to get to get up pretty early. In New Zealand, you have to be at the airport 3 hours before departure so I was at the check in counter at around 6:30 am ish. Late cuz I'm a rebel like that. Not. When I checked in, it was a VERY good looking Pacific Islander guy who was all "SUP, G!" And I automatically went "SUP. How's it." in my fob accent. I can't help it sometimes, OK? I was over by 2ish kgs - I had gifts for various people and a bottle of NZ wine (Oyster Bay's Sauvignon Blanc) since YKR asked me to take a bottle for his friend in Japan, who I was going to meet for the first time. But the nice Islander boy was like "Alguds."
I went through the gates and waited about AN HOUR before I could board the plane. Seriously, I should just not obey the rules and go late. While I was engrossed in playing on my phone (actually I think I was updating Tumblr), someone sat down next to me and started talking to me. When it became clear he was talking to ME and I couldn't really pretend I didn't hear him and ignore him... I looked up and realised why he was talking to me. He's a regular customer at the restaurant I work at. He spent most of the time talking about Christianity and in the beginning I was like "oh please, it's too early for this" but then I felt like I had to converse with him because he's actually a really nice person. His luggage was also over by 2-3ish kgs but his stuff got taken off him. Unfortunately for him, he had jars of NZ Manuka Honey (and that shit is expensive, I swear, people in HK treat that stuff like liquid gold like they treat NZ milk powder as if it were powdered gold).
After finding my seat, I plopped down and looked eagerly at the movie guide. You should know by now how cheap I am - I hate going to the movies because $16 (or is it $18 now?) is way too expensive for a ticket. I was hoping for Mission Impossible to be showing - I do love me some Ethan Hunt, thank you very much! It was unfortunate for me, that wasn't on the list. =(
Then the meals came... (ok, I missed out what movies and shows I watched because I can't remember. I know I watched the Help, and Juno at least, and also a few episodes of Undercover Boss - didn't really sleep, just watched and watched and watched).
Hmmm... what else? OH THE MEALS. Cathay Pacific: gourmet meals. You could argue it's probably because I had low expectations to begin with ("airline food" and all) and I must have been hungry... but seriously. Breakfast was beautiful - had the best croissant I've ever had in my entire life. It was just beautiful. Crisp in all the right places, it had great flavour - didn't even need the jam or butter.
Lunch was ok, I chose chicken but they used chicken breast. I don't like the texture of chicken breast, but MY GOD, the flavour was so good and infused (IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD?!) within the breast. Mmmm.
Ahem. After getting off the plane, I made two short videos while I was walking to grab my luggage but I stopped filming after I caught a glimpse of the customer. Naturally, I felt the need to sit with him (he saw me too) while I waited around for a short while for my luggage - I waited with the customer. It was pretty uneventful anyway, he was probably really tired already so we didn't bother making small talk. He had to wait for much longer, but I didn't stay since my relatives were waiting. My auntie picked me up and we took a taxi to my uncle/grandma's (mother's side) place. I just wanted to sleep but apparently my uncle decided I needed to eat first. My god. Yes, I think I gained like 2kgs in Hong Kong.
After dinner, I went out with my uncle to find travel adapters - I didn't bring any because I couldn't find them at home. I got one for Japan and one for China. When I returned, I remembered that I forgot to call my grandfather (dad's side) who lives in the hometown village in mainland China. I hardly contact him anyway, I don't think he even knew I was going to Hong Kong first - assumed I was going to Japan.
First night in Hong Kong? It was incredibly awkward when I gave in and accepted the difficult truth: that I understand more Japanese than the language that is technically classified as my "mother tongue". I no longer understand a word my grandmother speaks!
Forgot to finish end this post. Wtf? Anyway, that concludes my first day/night away from New Zealand. Excuse me while I go start on part 2!
I think in the end, I bought my tickets about three weeks before I left. Why did it take me so long to do so? I thought that since I'm going so far, I might as well go to Hong Kong and get my HKPID (Hong Kong Picture identification) renewed. I flew Cathay Pacific for NZD$2400 which took me on this path of travel: Auckland --> Hong Kong --> Tokyo --> Hong Kong --> Auckland. So for a mere $200 more, I went to one more country, sat in more comfortable seats, great customer service, had two meals, snacks and a variety of beverages at no extra charge. Downside? I travelled alone. Which isn't so much of a downside to be honest.
Itinerary for my Hong Kong/Japan trip!
I didn't really do much preparation other than pack my bags at the last second. This was because after my exams, I pretty much worked everyday. Which in turn resulted in near exhaustion and lack of sleep for over a month. The night before I got on the plane, I went to dinner with Rachel, at where else but Nishiki? I feel the need to point out that I chose to have Nishiki as my last meal in NZ! Sadly, it wasn't my first in HK. At the time, the only thing I really wanted to do was to have Nishiki at HK. There’s obviously something wrong with me. Rachel gave me two presents for my departure.
Tin of mints: "You say I'm a BITCH like it's a bad thing!"
Luggage tag: "Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere." This was because Rachel is a good girl and so she's stuck in Auckland but I'm a bad girl and going all over the world! Ok, just to Hong Kong and Japan.
Since I pretty much packed in a hurry, I didn't really feel ready to go. I was actually a little bit worried I might not wake up after the few hours of sleep in order to drag my ass to the airport on time. I wasn't excited. I actually contemplated missing my flight for sleep.
Goodbye Auckland…
Totally not Cathay Pacific, but here's a picture of Air New Zealand.
Saw these adorable animal luggage bags you could buy for an overpriced amount while walking to the gates.
I went through the gates and waited about AN HOUR before I could board the plane. Seriously, I should just not obey the rules and go late. While I was engrossed in playing on my phone (actually I think I was updating Tumblr), someone sat down next to me and started talking to me. When it became clear he was talking to ME and I couldn't really pretend I didn't hear him and ignore him... I looked up and realised why he was talking to me. He's a regular customer at the restaurant I work at. He spent most of the time talking about Christianity and in the beginning I was like "oh please, it's too early for this" but then I felt like I had to converse with him because he's actually a really nice person. His luggage was also over by 2-3ish kgs but his stuff got taken off him. Unfortunately for him, he had jars of NZ Manuka Honey (and that shit is expensive, I swear, people in HK treat that stuff like liquid gold like they treat NZ milk powder as if it were powdered gold).
Onboard Cathay Pacific CX118
Oh Cathay Pacific... what can I say about you? Always a pleasant flight, hostess uniform has changed and I think I much prefer the current colour it is. Ok, I just had to Google it again because I forgot which one it was. It's now red instead of green. I might be a bit biased because I love red and I rock red clothing. /shamelessAfter finding my seat, I plopped down and looked eagerly at the movie guide. You should know by now how cheap I am - I hate going to the movies because $16 (or is it $18 now?) is way too expensive for a ticket. I was hoping for Mission Impossible to be showing - I do love me some Ethan Hunt, thank you very much! It was unfortunate for me, that wasn't on the list. =(
Then the meals came... (ok, I missed out what movies and shows I watched because I can't remember. I know I watched the Help, and Juno at least, and also a few episodes of Undercover Boss - didn't really sleep, just watched and watched and watched).
Hmmm... what else? OH THE MEALS. Cathay Pacific: gourmet meals. You could argue it's probably because I had low expectations to begin with ("airline food" and all) and I must have been hungry... but seriously. Breakfast was beautiful - had the best croissant I've ever had in my entire life. It was just beautiful. Crisp in all the right places, it had great flavour - didn't even need the jam or butter.
Lunch was ok, I chose chicken but they used chicken breast. I don't like the texture of chicken breast, but MY GOD, the flavour was so good and infused (IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD?!) within the breast. Mmmm.
Ahem. After getting off the plane, I made two short videos while I was walking to grab my luggage but I stopped filming after I caught a glimpse of the customer. Naturally, I felt the need to sit with him (he saw me too) while I waited around for a short while for my luggage - I waited with the customer. It was pretty uneventful anyway, he was probably really tired already so we didn't bother making small talk. He had to wait for much longer, but I didn't stay since my relatives were waiting. My auntie picked me up and we took a taxi to my uncle/grandma's (mother's side) place. I just wanted to sleep but apparently my uncle decided I needed to eat first. My god. Yes, I think I gained like 2kgs in Hong Kong.
After dinner, I went out with my uncle to find travel adapters - I didn't bring any because I couldn't find them at home. I got one for Japan and one for China. When I returned, I remembered that I forgot to call my grandfather (dad's side) who lives in the hometown village in mainland China. I hardly contact him anyway, I don't think he even knew I was going to Hong Kong first - assumed I was going to Japan.
First night in Hong Kong? It was incredibly awkward when I gave in and accepted the difficult truth: that I understand more Japanese than the language that is technically classified as my "mother tongue". I no longer understand a word my grandmother speaks!
Forgot to finish end this post. Wtf? Anyway, that concludes my first day/night away from New Zealand. Excuse me while I go start on part 2!
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