Day 1 - Wednesday 25 April - Canberra to Wellington

Our flight was at a very civilised 10:55am, so got up at normal time (well I did heh) and we left home around 9am (thanks to Pete for the lift!).

Security and immigration was all very painless (hey, it's Canberra!) and then we sat around in the international terminal for three quarters of an hour.

The sweetie and I on the plane
The sweetie and I on the plane

Boarded around 10:30 and was instantly disappointed - my window was all scratched up and pretty much impossible to photograph out of :(:(:(

Scratched up window on the plane :(
Scratched up window on the plane :(

Even more disappointing was not being able to document the amazing flight path we had out of Canberra - taking off to the north, then banking left all around the city, flying to the south of Parliament House. It was an amazing view and I doubt I got any photos that worked. Ok so it looks like the ones of the northern suburbs mostly worked, but nothing much south. Sad times.

Belconnen town centre from the air
Belconnen town centre from the air.  At least some of the photos of the north of Canberra turned out.

This was the best photo I could get of the Parliamentary Triangle :(
This was the best photo I could get of the Parliamentary Triangle :(

To add insult to injury, the GPS refused to get a signal, so I've got no data at all for the flight :(

And finally, the entertainment system was being a big poo. Very unintuitive interface, and the volume controls wouldn't work. I started watching a documenatary on James Cameron and the Titanic, but there was an "elapsed time" message on the screen that wouldn't go away and when I hit a button to try and fix it, the whole thing died. I had lunch while it sat in the naughty corner and after lunch it must have rebooted because everything was working properly, including the volume. Finised watching the Titanic documentary and then started a bit of a silly documentary called Drain Alcatraz. Didn't get to finish watching that because we landed.

But on a positive note, the 777 did have a lot of leg room - probably the most I've ever seen in economy.

Probably the most leg room I've ever had.  Stu's knees weren't hitting the chair in front
Probably the most leg room I've ever had. Stu's knees weren't hitting the chair in front

Lunch on the plane - Pan Fried Chicken in Herb Gravy, served with sauteed vegetables and mashed potato
Lunch on the plane - Pan Fried Chicken in Herb Gravy, served with sauteed vegetables and mashed potato

Meandered through immigration (Australian e-passports work there) and customs (had to declare the mini bar of Toblerone they gave me going through duty free heh), withdrew some cash (for some reason the pin on my card is not working :( ) and jumped in a taxi to go into town.

Hotel is ok. Doesn't have a super fancy view, but does see up to Mount Victoria, and the room is actually pretty nice - very large and even has a kitchenette.

Room 657, Quality Hotel, Cuba Street Wellington
Room 657, Quality Hotel, Cuba Street Wellington

Dumped our stuff then went for a wander.

Headed down Cuba Street to the harbour.

Sculptures next to Civic Square by the waterfront
Sculptures next to Civic Square by the waterfront

Me and the sweetie by the Wellington waterfront
Me and the sweetie by the Wellington waterfront

Wellington at dusk
Wellington at dusk

The Boatshed, by the waterfront
The Boatshed, by the waterfront

Then headed back. Stopped in Bad Grannies for some beer, then went across the road for Mexican at The Flying Burrito Brothers, which was good, but really really didn't need dessert hmm!

Booze!  Sign at Bad Grannies Pub
Booze! Sign at Bad Grannies Pub

Chilli Con Queso - Sizzling spicy cheese dip served w corn chips.  This stuff was amazing and we practically burnt ourselves trying to devour it.
Chilli Con Queso - Sizzling spicy cheese dip served w corn chips. This stuff was amazing and we practically burnt ourselves trying to devour it.

The sweetie had enchiladas - Holy Mole: Chicken w Mole Poblno sauce
The sweetie had enchiladas - Holy Mole: Chicken w Mole Poblno sauce

I had tacos - Tacos al Pastor - braised pork topped w smoked pineapple salsa, Chicharron slaw.
I had tacos - Tacos al Pastor - braised pork topped w smoked pineapple salsa, Chicharron slaw.

The sweetie had Banana Chimichangas - Bananas wrapped in a tortilla, fried w sugar cinnamon, served w icecream, and I had Cajeta Cheesecake - Baked with Goat's milk caramel (cajeta) w tequila laced berries & ice cream.
The sweetie had Banana Chimichangas - Bananas wrapped in a tortilla, fried w sugar cinnamon, served w icecream, and I had Cajeta Cheesecake - Baked with Goat's milk caramel (cajeta) w tequila laced berries & ice cream.

Then back to the hotel. It's 9:30pm now here, but ony 7:30pm back in Canberra. So even though we're tired I doubt sleep will come easily...