The alarm did not go off, so with 5 minutes after we were scheduled to be picked up Tom and Georg did some fast moving. They charge you if you show up or not, so we hustled. Fortunately the driver was in the hotel lobby waiting for us. We eventually arrived at this big soccer field and the 20 or so riders have to help get the balloon and basket off the truck, unroll it, inflate it and then you finally jump into the basket as it is lifting off the ground (the pilot actually needed our weight to bouy the basket back to the ground) for your ride. BTW, when you see us or talk to us next ask us about the origination of the word "pilot" It was incredible-so quiet and peaceful. After about an hour we landed in some random farmer’s field. The ground crew goes to the farmer’s door with a bottle of champagne and ask if they can go get their balloon. Most farmers say yes, so then we jump out (OK, not so gracefully), roll the balloon back up and wrestle it back into the big bag, hoist the basket onto the truck and bounce out of the field. Oh yes, don’t forget to scrape the cow patties off your shoes! Georg is to the left of the balloon, holding it open so the hot air gets inside. Tom is helping fold it up.
The rest of the day we did some creative packing-gotta make room for the cool stuff we bought.
This was one great trip. Each and every one of you should be lucky enough to visit this beautiful country. And take us with you!
TGT
Monday January 6, 2008
Monday January 6, 2008
Today was met with some failure and some successes. We planned a hot air balloon trip; we had to call at 4:00 am to see if our flight was a go or not, and unfortunately for us the flight was cancelled. We rescheduled for tomorrow... The silver lining in this cloud was that were able to sleep in! Around 9am we all went to the botanical garden in Hagley Park across the street from our hotel. Very nice rose garden and water gardens. Thelma pushed her wheelchair all over the paths and got some good exercise. We did a bit of sightseeing downtown. The center of the city is a very nice stone cathedral and big square. We took another stroll and did a bit of punting on the Avon river-little flat bottom boats are sort of poled up and down the river by a guy in a straw hat. The fun part was getting Thelma out of the boat, but many amazing things have been accomplished on this trip.
For dinner we were on an old tram circling the city center. The tram goes down the track and the chef prepares a yummy meal while we waved at the people on the street. We all thought the tram dinner was a trip highlight.
Today was met with some failure and some successes. We planned a hot air balloon trip; we had to call at 4:00 am to see if our flight was a go or not, and unfortunately for us the flight was cancelled. We rescheduled for tomorrow... The silver lining in this cloud was that were able to sleep in! Around 9am we all went to the botanical garden in Hagley Park across the street from our hotel. Very nice rose garden and water gardens. Thelma pushed her wheelchair all over the paths and got some good exercise. We did a bit of sightseeing downtown. The center of the city is a very nice stone cathedral and big square. We took another stroll and did a bit of punting on the Avon river-little flat bottom boats are sort of poled up and down the river by a guy in a straw hat. The fun part was getting Thelma out of the boat, but many amazing things have been accomplished on this trip.
For dinner we were on an old tram circling the city center. The tram goes down the track and the chef prepares a yummy meal while we waved at the people on the street. We all thought the tram dinner was a trip highlight.
1 comment:
So glad you came by my blog and left a comment so I could find your here! ( and reaquaint myself with you )
It looks like you covered a wide area and saw a variety of places , so that is brilliant.I have not been to Abel Tasman Park so you are one ahead of me there. Then Chateau Tangariro is lovely so hope you enjoyed that. Have you got more photos to show us?
Regards, Alison.
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