Really - this is a holiday?

The long flight over wasn't as bad as expected - we were delayed in Boise & barely made our connecting flight in San Francisco to Auckland. However, one piece of our luggage did not.

After we learned that Air New Zealand lost our large suitcase, and we then learned how to drive on the wrong side of the road, we headed up north on the coast, stopping along the way. We stopped at a fruit stand along the way to get some snacks, stopped in Kaikoura to have lunch, and then in Picton for bit and walked around the waterfront, but then headed on toward Abel Tasman NP. It was a long day…

And, by the time we reached Marahau and Old MacDonald’s Farm, I was exhausted … but let’s just say, not impressed. It was a small one-room shack with some beds, and the toilets were several ‘meters’ away from the shack. I had to get up & use the toilets 4 times that night (trying to stay hydrated after the long plane ride and running the race on Sat.) & that was not fun. The showers had some hot water, but we showered quick and got on the road.

But, we did have dinner on Tues. night at a little restaruant on the waterfront. PG (Potato Greg) & I shared a rack of lamp, with some apple spice chutney and a salad. It was excellent, but I think the waitstaff were a little annoyed that we walked in just a few minutes before they closed their kitchen. If they were really annoyed, they didn't show it - they were still friendly & service was excellent. A good end to a very long & frustrating day.

PG & I estimated that the bag was lost between San Fran & Auckland, so it would be on the 8:00 am flight arriving the very next day. The lost suitcase had had a lot of important gear (like our underwear), and things we needed to go kayaking in Abel Tasman NP (like our swim suits, underwater cameras, sunscreen, etc., oh, and did I mention, a change of clothing). So, we decided not to try kayaking on Wed., as planned. Instead, we spent Wed. calling the number several times yesterday trying to reach Christchurch Air New Zealand lost baggage, but they had either disconnected the phone (my guess) or it was constantly busy. At 3:30 yesterday in a little town called Takaka, on the other side of Abel Tasman Park, we got frustrated with the lack of cell service & the apparent inemptitude of Air New Zealand at Christchurch, and started calling the 800 numbers for Air New Zealand trying to reach someone.

We reached someone at the Air New Zealand international reservation number, who told me that they had always had problems reaching the Air New Zealand desk in Christchurch & that you had to let it ring forever, but would try to connect me with a different extension. So, while GP was cursing in my ear about Air New Zealand not having a customer support line, a woman in Christchurch answered the phone. Miracles of miracles. With some luck, they had our bag on the flight from Christchuch to Nelson by 5:30, in a taxi at Nelson at 6:45, and here at the Ocean View Chalets in Marahau at 8:00 last night. Yeah!! Yeah!! I cannot express what it feels like to have clean underwear after essentially 3 days.

The Chalets are really nice and I’m grateful for the service (they brought our bag up last night when the taxi got here), and gave us milk & Milo (a form a fortified hot cocoa) to drink for this morning. But, mostly the very nice, hot showers are so great. GP said we should have stayed at the Chalets both nights - I'd second that.