Arriving half way around the world

Arriving in New Zealand hasn't been the exciting journey that it was supposed to be. After thirty hours of traveling, via Dubai and Brisbane, I arrived in Auckland only to be told that my luggage had been left in Dubai. The journey itself with Emirates was very peaceful, very long and very tiring, but there were some fantastic views along the way. After much umming and ahhing about whether or not to have the fish (universally known as a bad choice when it comes to airline food) discovered that the salmon was in fact absolutely lovely.

Our carriage awaits

Sunrise somewhere over Iraq

Morning Rush Hour at Dubai Airport

The tallest building in the world

Somewhere over the Indian Ocean

Taking off from Brisbane for the final leg to Auckland

Remote Island in the Tasman Sea

Forty eight hours went by before my bags arrived in Hamilton (where the training with CTC is carried out) which put a downer on the whole first weekend really. I would have written this sooner, but my power cables were in my luggage! In a bid to try and forget my troubles and to start exploring this much acclaimed country, a few of us went to visit the renowned volcanic area of Rotorua. This small city, smelling terribly of sulphur from the bubbling mud pools and thermal springs is a rather quaint place, with a lake as clear as glass. The scenery on the drive there and back is simply stunning, and the whole place seems so friendly and laid back. Arriving here at the start of Autumn, we get very hot days with cool mornings and nights.

Living just up the road from Hamilton Airport in CTC's very nice accommodation, with sliding patio doors to each room and the sun shining so unlike back home in Britain, I can eat breakfast outside in the fresh morning air and look out onto the approach path for the airport.

A room with a view

Today we started the ten day long ground-school. As I passed all fourteen of my ATPL exams all I have to do is a New Zealand differences exam and a New Zealand Air law exam. This first week comprises sitting in a classroom studying for these two exams, though it is amazing to be here and able to see the aircraft that we will be flying in the coming months.

For now though, being thirteen hours ahead of the UK it is time for bed here, so I shall wish you all a good day.