Let's go...off to NZ

The long hesitation has finally come to an end. Despite the current situation not being entirely appropriate, I have decided to travel to New Zealand. Two days before Christmas, Christoph takes me to the ICE train to Frankfurt, where the journey begins with a 50-minute delay at 4° and drizzling rain. But it should get warmer; in Christchurch, it’s 26°.

It would have been nicer to arrive with a layover, for example in Thailand or Australia, but the express route through Dubai is cheaper.
Frankfurt - Dubai is 6.5 hours, with a 2.5-hour layover just enough for a quick breakfast, then 15 hours to Sydney, with a 1.5-hour technical stop for refueling and stretching legs, and another 3 hours to Christchurch. There is no faster way.

As we approach Christchurch, we fly over the Alps again, I can see Lake Pukati and Lake Tekapo, but the mountains are hiding in the clouds. This feeling of arriving in New Zealand is always accompanied by the friendly welcome from Duncan at the airport.

The drive home takes us along familiar roads, we take the obligatory welcome photo first. Then finally a shower...

Arriving on the 24th at 14:00, there is a welcome BBQ with the neighbors starting at 18:00, a different way to spend Christmas Eve.