Study - travel - explore: Air New Zealand

17/09/2014

10 days in Tonga

It was hard to believe that the first half of the semester had past when the Spring Break started on 6th of September. Our group of 12 people decided to go to Tonga for ten days, hoping that the weather would be sunnier than in New Zealand. The flight to Tonga took 3 hours and the cost was back and forth around 290 euros, which was totally an acceptable price. In Tonga we had a nice beach house with a private beach for 20 euros per night per person.

In general, Tonga seemed to be a very authentic pacific island group, and so far it is not spoiled by the tourists. If you want to party and have a luxurious holiday, don't select Tonga - go to Fiji for example.

Tonga is one of the easternmost places on earth

What? A tasty chicken salad and a glass of Mud House PN was included in our economy ticket. Thank you Air New Zealand!

A view from our beach house

Our beach during the high tide

Enjoying the sound of the ocean around the fire at midnight

Rene's surprise birthday party!

Ha'amonga 'a Maui trilithon, built at the beginning of 13th century

The fresh water cave, a place where you could swim in the darkness with bats

A view from Hufangalupe land bridge

The water is rising up to 18 meters from the blow holes!

*****

Over night trip to Eua

After experiencing all the main lookouts and places of the main island, Ryan and I decided to go to Eua, which is located 50 km to south east from the main island. Eua is more tropical and and montainous than the flat main island, so we thought it should provide some nice hiking opportunities. Tenting on the shore was memorable, you could only hear the smashing waves and singing parrots.

Boat trip to Eua took 3 hours and cost 10 euros

At the highest point (300m) we faced pines!

The sunrise at east shore of Eua

A view to east from the cliff at 300 meters altitude

The Rat Cave

*****

It's Sunday and it is time for a brunch!

Last dinner at local street kitchen

Leaving back at 3 am on Tuesday 16th of September

10/07/2014

From Helsinki to Auckland

Leaving Finland and all the dear friends for a half a year felt a little sad. While saying good bye to friend and to another I made a philosophical thought: Every time I say good bye in Finland, it means that I will face a new acquaintance in NZ!

The last week was quite tough due to all the moving and preparing the departure. On sunday, a day defore the departure, I organized a Champagne tasting with my wine friends. It was maybe the best way to spend the last evening in Finland by tasting 11 different Champagnes with great food and company. As a last dish we had some Pavlova which is popular dessert from New Zealand.

The flight departed from Helsinki airport at 5pm on Monday 7th of July and it took 9 hours to get to Shanghai. There I had transfer to Auckland with 7 hours of time. First I was planning to visit Shanghai CBD but since I had to pick up my luggage and check it in again I didn't have anymore enough of time to see the fascinating Shanghai. Luckily I found from the departure hall a nice café with AC and wifi so the time passed by quite fast.

Even though Shanghai is relatively far away from Finland, the next flight to Auckland would be even 2,5 hours longer. For my misfortune the Air New Zealand's Boeing was not equipped with AC, so instead of writing stuff with laptop I decided to sleep. This seemed to be a good choice because when the flight arrived to AKL at 6am on Wednesday I felt fresh and vibrant. Before the departure I thought that 28 hours of traveling and a time difference of 9 hours would have been a tough bite but actually it went through quite painlessly.

I bought my flights (HEL-PVG-AKL and AKL-HKG-HEL) in the end of May and they cost me 1380 euros. That is about the average but if you are lucky you can get these tickets for less than 1100 euros. Leaving NZ on 12th of January 2015 is so far just a distant though. Lets keep it like that.