Public Address | Cafe | Southerly: Getting There is Half the Fun https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/ en-us Copyright (c) 2026 Public Address Emma Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290087#post290087 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290087#post290087 Nah, it’s not that bad, as long as you’re not heading to Cairo or similar.

Ahahahahaha... yeah. The first half of the trip we've already booked, deposited, and paid for flights for, is in Egypt. It's our dream trip, and already postponed and abridged (Syria? Yeah, nah) once.

We're not…

]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:12:11 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290084#post290084 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290084#post290084 The aisles on Air New Zealand are so narrow these days that some air hostesses can barely fit down them--and sleeping in an aisle seat means that you get bumped awake every few minutes.

IMHO the number one seat to avoid on a plane is the aisle one on the…

]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2013 09:57:40 +1200 Graham Dunster https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290035#post290035 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290035#post290035 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:51:35 +1200 Graham Dunster https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290034#post290034 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290034#post290034 Amman?

Laughs heartily (but quietly).

Nah, it's not that bad, as long as you're not heading to Cairo or similar.

]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:50:57 +1200 BenWilson https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290028#post290028 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290028#post290028 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 17:52:44 +1200 BenWilson https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290024#post290024 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290024#post290024 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 17:25:09 +1200 Dinah Dunavan https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290007#post290007 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=290007#post290007 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 16:27:17 +1200 Geoff Lealand https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289978#post289978 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289978#post289978 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:30:15 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289970#post289970 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289970#post289970 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:13:59 +1200 Geoff Lealand https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289968#post289968 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289968#post289968 I reckon international travel is as closest as one can get to time in prison without doing a a criminal act ie: cramped living space, little exercise space,
'meals' at specified times, close proximity to annoying people you would usually avoid, being ordered around by uniformed flunkies, being herded in…

]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:05:35 +1200 Lucy Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289939#post289939 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289939#post289939 There are only a few reasons I keep renewing my US passport, but the most important one is that I don’t ever have to experience immigration like you guys.

The last immigration officer I dealt with told me off for responding to the question “Where are you going?” with the…

]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:49:54 +1200 Amy Gale https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289925#post289925 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289925#post289925 I could tell of my experiences of applying for a J1 visa to the US earlier this year–which involved a plague of acronyms, considerable expense and trips back and forth to Auckland.

Previous considerable expense notwithstanding, I don't necessarily recommend doing what I did, which was to rely on the…

]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 02:34:02 +1200 Ben Austin https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289924#post289924 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289924#post289924 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 02:21:43 +1200 Danielle https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289921#post289921 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289921#post289921 Oi. Some of my best husbands...

There are only a few reasons I keep renewing my US passport, but the most important one is that I don't ever have to experience immigration like you guys. Dear lord, what a nightmare. (Every so often I even get a "welcome home" from…

]]> Thu, 18 Jul 2013 00:19:20 +1200 Lilith __ https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289895#post289895 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289895#post289895 I don’t know how people laughed at this

Schadenfreude

I’m not laughing at David and Jen’s suffering, but at an absurd tale brilliantly told.

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:18:07 +1200 "chris" https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289894#post289894 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289894#post289894 Schadenfreude

Epicaricacy (uncountable)

(rare) Rejoicing at or derivation of pleasure from the misfortunes of others.

From Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + χάρις (kháris, “joy”) + κακός (kakós, “evil”).

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:11:34 +1200 Susan Snowdon https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289889#post289889 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289889#post289889 I don’t know how people laughed at this

Schadenfreude Konrad, schadenfreude. I think Germans invented the concept, don't know if that tells us anything about humour and culture.

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:39:51 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289886#post289886 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289886#post289886 being designated as an ‘alien’

There were times when I was quite happy with the assumption that I was not from the same planet as those people – to be fair we were living in Texas at that time.

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:30:29 +1200 Geoff Lealand https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289883#post289883 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289883#post289883 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:20:14 +1200 Gareth Swain https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289859#post289859 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289859#post289859 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:49:38 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289845#post289845 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289845#post289845 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:39:35 +1200 Carol Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289812#post289812 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289812#post289812 You all, weary travellers and otherwise, might enjoy this delightful distraction:
http://www.mobydickbigread.com/
A collaborative project organised by Plymouth University featuring the 135 chapters of Herman Melville's amazing novel Moby Dick read aloud by a range of interesting folks, accompanied by artwork.

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 10:12:38 +1200 Lucy Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289811#post289811 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289811#post289811 If you (anyone) happen to still have an I94 stapled in your passport contact the US consulate now and put things right before you find yourself in some future immigration limbo

I don't, as it happens, because I went to Canada last month and re-entered under the new all-electronic system.…

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 10:09:58 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289810#post289810 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289810#post289810 Actually now that I think of it I think that AirNZ may have been part of a pilot program around electronic I94s – you may still have gotten one if you crossed a land border

Also don't contact the consulate if you still have an I94 – follow these instructions…

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:47:13 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289809#post289809 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289809#post289809 Oh, the I94. They just turned that into an electronic record a couple of months ago, but until that point they certainly hadn't got any better with them – I got a severe telling-off last year for not having made sure mine was taken away before I left the US.… ]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:35:39 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289808#post289808 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289808#post289808 Oh, the I94.

Reminds me of the time we were post-docing in Texas. We wanted to do the cross border thing into one of the Mexican border towns with my father-not-in-law. So we did everything right got all our paperwork sorted before the trip, took an organised (approved) bus tour…

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:34:33 +1200 BenWilson https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289806#post289806 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289806#post289806 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 09:16:44 +1200 Lucy Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289805#post289805 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289805#post289805 One of the downsides of having no exit immigration formalities has been that historically the US got it wrong a lot – that green thing stapled in your passport that the airport checkin people would take from you was supposed to do it – but the airlines apparently sometimes lost… ]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:19:56 +1200 linger https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289804#post289804 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289804#post289804 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:06:58 +1200 Konrad Kurta https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289788#post289788 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289788#post289788 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 17:54:36 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289781#post289781 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289781#post289781 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:21:42 +1200 Gareth Swain https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289780#post289780 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289780#post289780 the new 5 (really 4.5) year [passports]

Grrrrrrrrrr!

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:12:10 +1200 Tamara https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289779#post289779 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289779#post289779 This made me laugh so much, thanks David.

My own little sorry tale – second leg of a trip to Paris with out 16 month old involved her having a sinus infection (which we didn't know about at the time). I had to hold her standing up for 7 hours…

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:05:01 +1200 Peter Darlington https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289778#post289778 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289778#post289778 LAX provided one of our worst experiences of years of traveling with our daughter.

Our Deputy Mayor had a terrible experience coming through LAX with his family a few years ago. His 15 year old son's name came up on the security screen as a "person of interest". He was…

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:00:26 +1200 Peter Darlington https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289776#post289776 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289776#post289776 ...in that she was recovering from heart surgery. By Friday, her birthday, in ludicrous Wellington weather, they were feeling morose and my friend had received no presents whatsoever.

Ahem, I'm pretty sure she'd received one..... from Nelson.

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:20:28 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289775#post289775 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289775#post289775 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:04:23 +1200 Chris Waugh https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289774#post289774 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289774#post289774 on the venerable China Southern. Shudder.

I do not envy you. When I first came to China I flew China Southern from Hong Kong to Changsha. It was a 737-300 or above, but looked and smelled old inside, the seats cramped as close together as possible, dark and dingy. The…

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:59:52 +1200 Konrad Kurta https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289773#post289773 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289773#post289773 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:51:37 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289772#post289772 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289772#post289772 that's the thing our passport is worth something – we're trusted because we carry it – when people like the Mossad screw with it we all lose from that

My 10 year non-ePassport has another year to run on it, I got one of the last ones, one downside of…

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:40:53 +1200 Jeremy Andrew https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289771#post289771 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289771#post289771 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:37:59 +1200 Jeremy Andrew https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289770#post289770 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289770#post289770 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:33:49 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289769#post289769 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289769#post289769 BTW I suspect that evidence in their file on you that you reliably leave before your visa is up probably counts for a lot once they see that you're in, the rest is all pro-forma

One of the downsides of having no exit immigration formalities has been that historically the…

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:29:48 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289768#post289768 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289768#post289768 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:31:15 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289767#post289767 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289767#post289767 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:48:06 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289766#post289766 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289766#post289766 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:47:20 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289765#post289765 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289765#post289765 LAX being bad is definitely not a recent thing. It is the worst airport I have ever been to – a 2 hour transit in 1997, that was inexplicably lengthened to 4 hours, in a grimy room with no windows, and insufficient seating, ventilation, and lavatories, and a complete lack… ]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:35:05 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289764#post289764 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289764#post289764 dislike for Denver

I kind of like Denver. I think it's nice the way they are doing their bit to encourage exercise by making sure that your outgoing gate is as far as possible from your arrival gate.

Our worst timing experience was transiting through Mexico city, we couldn't read…

]]> Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:34:03 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289763#post289763 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289763#post289763 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:33:53 +1200 Deborah https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289762#post289762 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289762#post289762 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:57:46 +1200 Brent Jackson https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289757#post289757 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289757#post289757 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 00:04:35 +1200 Lucy Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289756#post289756 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289756#post289756 As Danielle said, SFO is pretty good. Dallas/Fort Worth is great if you’re heading south and can fly through Sydney. Plenty of the internal hubs have a lot going for them – Detroit is nice but weirdly long; Denver is awesome (cowboy hats!conspiracy theories! Chicago O’Hare is awful; Washington Dulles… ]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 23:19:52 +1200 Danielle https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289755#post289755 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289755#post289755 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 23:17:27 +1200 Jake Pollock https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289754#post289754 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289754#post289754 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 22:28:24 +1200 Ben Austin https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289747#post289747 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289747#post289747 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:26:44 +1200 Sacha https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289725#post289725 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289725#post289725 noise cancellation headphones

The New Zealand ones -Black Box by Phitek – are cheaper here than Bose. Got to try some out briefly on a domestic flight and they were great.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:34:20 +1200 Hilary Stace https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289723#post289723 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289723#post289723 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:10:11 +1200 Aidan https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289722#post289722 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289722#post289722 The nice European university who paid for our tickets made a decision (on our behalf) that it would be fine…

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Hell, flying back to NZ with small children is bad enough. I spent two and half hours walking back and forth "jiggling"…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:10:09 +1200 Chris Waugh https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289718#post289718 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289718#post289718 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:37:42 +1200 Carol Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289717#post289717 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289717#post289717 He was called Cnut.

Pronounced canoot, I believe. I know a Canadian Knut.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:24:21 +1200 Paul Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289716#post289716 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289716#post289716 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:08:54 +1200 JacksonP https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289715#post289715 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289715#post289715 Your story is beyond comprehension David. Glad you survived, and best of luck for the return journey.

We seem to be blessed with good travellers now, although I recall vowing never to travel again after a flight with 3 under three, but somehow the actual reason has slipped from my…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:30:55 +1200 JonathanM https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289714#post289714 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289714#post289714 Ah, 55 hours of travel hell only to find you've only just arrived in Hell (the town closest to Trondheim Airport.)

At least in this case Hell wasn't frozen over, it being summer and all.

(I was greatly disappointed to have to get a new passport and thus stop using…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:24:53 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289711#post289711 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289711#post289711 LAX is particularly bad

I almost get the feeling that LAX prides itself on being the most unfriendly airport in the US. It's weird but nowhere in the US have I found the same combination of ugly hostile buildings with staff that will do anything to make themselves less helpful…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:55:40 +1200 Danielle https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289710#post289710 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289710#post289710 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:46:07 +1200 Rachael J https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289709#post289709 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289709#post289709 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:35:46 +1200 Danielle https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289708#post289708 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289708#post289708 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:32:03 +1200 Chris Waugh https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289707#post289707 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289707#post289707 the weirdest cheese ever – brown with a peculiar sugary texture.

And toothpaste tubes of "caviar", or at least, some kind of roe.

Funny thing is, every Norwegian I met hated fish. They associated it with poverty – something to do with a famine in the 19th century, during which…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:27:39 +1200 Danielle https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289706#post289706 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289706#post289706 And that was before the War on Terror. Does anyone have a theory as to why American airports are so rubbish?

Because all queuing in America, for anything, is horrendously lengthy, inefficient and officious (like every form you have to fill out for anything ever). I theorise that it's some…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:27:37 +1200 George Darroch https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289705#post289705 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289705#post289705 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:09:57 +1200 Carol Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289704#post289704 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289704#post289704 Singapore airport is indeed a lovely place to have a transit stop. Massage chairs! Oases of tranquillity! Comfortable public sofas!
I can only agree about LAX, but I think the transit experience has improved a little over the past couple of years. I had a worse time flying out of…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:05:26 +1200 Lilith __ https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289703#post289703 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289703#post289703 the last traces of David’s blood will have been washed from the driveway by the torrential freezing rain we’ve been having in Dunsandel.

Sounds like Alan Bollard has paid a visit!

David, I was feeling sorry for myself today, but your column has cured me! And the tears of mirth…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:01:55 +1200 Raymond A Francis https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289702#post289702 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289702#post289702 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:57:08 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289701#post289701 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289701#post289701 while the parents are several rows ahead

snort ... and you thought that was an accident

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:05:24 +1200 Hilary Stace https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289700#post289700 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289700#post289700 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:57:09 +1200 Alice Ronald https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289699#post289699 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289699#post289699 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:57:06 +1200 Rich of Observationz https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289698#post289698 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289698#post289698 I have been to Trondheim (for work) – it's like an antipode of Invercargill. Are you aiming to sell your children into the oil industry or something?

On US airports, they are typically operated by local government. The dominant ideology of the US is that government is terrible at running…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:49:23 +1200 Chris Waugh https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289697#post289697 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289697#post289697 Indeed all the sardines and herrings you can eat – and more!

I was tempted to try the hvalbiff I saw in a fish market in Trondheim – having just spent a year in Changsha I'd certainly seen and eaten weirder. But I did meet one vegetarian in Trondheim. I…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:40:00 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289696#post289696 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289696#post289696 Everything about Singapore airlines and the hub at SIN is worth the extra money, especially if you are larger than the size other airlines decide is sufficient* for seat spacing.

It’s fascinating to note the difference between transiting in Singapore and doing so anywhere in the continental US. Both countries…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:01:37 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289694#post289694 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289694#post289694 go via SIN

+1

Everything about Singapore airlines and the hub at SIN is worth the extra money, especially if you are larger than the size other airlines decide is sufficient* for seat spacing.

*sufficient meaning unlikely to result in class action suits for inhumane treatment of animals

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:49:49 +1200 Ross Mason https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289693#post289693 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289693#post289693 And I’ve never liked the idea of flying Cathay Pacific because I don’t like their logo, which is a stylized image of a burning plane.

On my flight to Hong Kong from Auckland on Cathay Pacific, there would have been no image of a real burning plane on the internet.…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:45:20 +1200 Mike Dickison https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289692#post289692 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289692#post289692 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:44:08 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289691#post289691 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289691#post289691 On slightly practical note – a while ago I splashed out and bought Bose noise cancellation headphones – in the US because the NZ Bose agents seem to think doubling the price is just fine.

The difference in how I feel after a flight with or without the headphones is…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:24:16 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289690#post289690 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289690#post289690 A longer stopover somewhere would’ve required an earlier departure, and would’ve thus required us to miss an important Pirate Party. As it was, the timing was perfect. Because hosting a band of 6 year old pirates in the rain was a ideal pre-departure activity, and prepared the house beautifully –… ]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:21:00 +1200 Hebe https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289689#post289689 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289689#post289689 Soz, but my injured darling and I did actually laugh when I read this out loud.

Ditto for your post. Laughing with not at.
Hashtag: Dogs Don't Do Menopause.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:19:43 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289688#post289688 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289688#post289688 ... and a litter of puppies born at about four hours’ notice to an old dog who we didn’t even realise was pregnant.

Soz, but my injured darling and I did actually laugh when I read this out loud.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:58:50 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289687#post289687 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289687#post289687 But in the five minutes I had for shopping, I bought her a book by Julie Burchill. It seemed to help.

I… can’t… even… What?

Her novel, Ambition. I gather it's a good read.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:56:50 +1200 Hebe https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289686#post289686 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289686#post289686 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:50:36 +1200 Lucy Stewart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289685#post289685 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289685#post289685 Oh God, I've also enjoyed the pleasures of Continental and made the same vow. It's rumoured that Continental used to send their staff to Aeroflot for customer service training.

I have good news! Continental no longer exists.

I have less good news. They merged with United. If you book a…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:49:11 +1200 Stephen R https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289683#post289683 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289683#post289683 Finland air now do a direct flight to/from Helsinki to Hong Kong, so my next trip to Finland will be that way. It will probably shave 5 hours off the trip by not having to muck around in Frankfurt or some other hub.

We had some friends from Helsinki come…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:40:36 +1200 Jen Hay https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289682#post289682 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289682#post289682 The nice European university who paid for our tickets made a decision (on our behalf) that it would be fine

I need to defend the Nice European University, as they would've in fact paid for whatever route we chose. Being an educated person, I certainly did NOT think a non-stop…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:39:05 +1200 Hamish https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289681#post289681 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289681#post289681 Any friends in Canada?

Actually yes. The last time (1 x 2.5 yr old) we stopped in Vancouver for a friend's wedding. That was downright pleasant.

Also: Air NZ & Thai are superb with children. Luftansa, on the other hand, are… sub-optimal.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:33:33 +1200 slarty https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289680#post289680 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289680#post289680 I call it my traveling stance – I try to mentally reduce my IQ to the level of whoever designs aircraft and the systems by which the self-loading baggage are herded on and off.

This made me laugh out loud. In a supportive way.

I have discovered two tricks in…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:29:48 +1200 Emma Hart https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289679#post289679 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289679#post289679 But in the five minutes I had for shopping, I bought her a book by Julie Burchill. It seemed to help.

I... can't... even... What?

I do have to ask, you and Jen are both intelligent, you’ve both heard other peoples travel stories, what made you think 55 hours non-stop…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:25:28 +1200 Rob Hosking https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289678#post289678 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289678#post289678 "My nose was throbbing like a bad nightclub...."_

Magnificent simile.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:23:37 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289677#post289677 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289677#post289677 No worries, I figured (also from your atypical Hard News silence) that something was up. Very much hope you're over the illness & injuries.

Nothing serious, just something of a 12-day blur involving finishing Media3, finding short-term work, coming down with the flu, consequently missing an important day's work MCing NetHui,…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:20:10 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289676#post289676 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289676#post289676 On the upside, it’s much easier coming back.

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that... and, by the way, I'm very sorry to trigger your PTSD. I'm thinking maybe a week halfway would help things on your next trip to Finland. Any friends in Canada?

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:19:04 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289674#post289674 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289674#post289674 > I’m not a vegetarian

Huh? When did that change? Was it Bob deciding burnt meat was good?

Just a bit of gentle vegetarian irony. Norway is not good for my people (although it's lovely in almost every other way).

I do have to ask, you and Jen are both…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:14:30 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289673#post289673 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289673#post289673 I do have to ask, you and Jen are both intelligent, you've both heard other peoples travel stories, what made you think 55 hours non-stop was feasible?

What made you consider experiencing that zombie like state when after 12 hours in a noisy cramped bus you have have to straight…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:01:17 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289672#post289672 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289672#post289672 I’d never ever get annoyed about other people’s kids on planes

You a better human than I. After 10 hours on a plane I struggle to let bureaucracy/security/queues just wash over me. My limit is children, at other times I can just be a grumpy old man about children, but…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:51:24 +1200 Bart Janssen https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289670#post289670 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289670#post289670 I’m not a vegetarian

Huh? When did that change? Was it Bob deciding burnt meat was good?

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:45:56 +1200 Hamish https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289668#post289668 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289668#post289668 never be more… ]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:21:26 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289667#post289667 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289667#post289667 that was the time we promised to never ever fly Continental

Oh God, I've also enjoyed the pleasures of Continental and made the same vow. It's rumoured that Continental used to send their staff to Aeroflot for customer service training.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:10:48 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289666#post289666 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289666#post289666 sainthood is yours. Enjoy every sardine

Thanks, Jeffrey!

Indeed all the sardines and herrings you can eat — and more! I'm just glad that I'm not a vegetarian; I'd be pining for tofu and fresh vegetables by now.

P.S. Funny you should turn up just when I was mentioning a…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:03:55 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289665#post289665 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289665#post289665 For which I – yikes – have not till now thanked you.

No worries, I figured (also from your atypical Hard News silence) that something was up. Very much hope you're over the illness & injuries.

Wait until you're fully well to read the book. It's a hell of a story,…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:57:30 +1200 Jeffrey Holman https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289664#post289664 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289664#post289664 Dear David, Jen, Bob and Polly.

I am sorry to say that the travel miseries of other people can seem very funny when they are written down with such class.
Why is that? If I had been you, I would undoubtedly have been in jail by Hong Kong, arraigned before…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:54:24 +1200 David Haywood https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289663#post289663 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289663#post289663 Highly delighted that our suffering has not been in vain, Susan — and has, in some small way, brought pleasure to others. (Well, one other, at any rate.)

The trip back has a fortnight in the Jennifer's former home of Chicago, so should be much less painless.

I do know…

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:47:52 +1200 Paul Campbell https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289662#post289662 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289662#post289662 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:44:32 +1200 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289661#post289661 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289661#post289661 At the airport, I sponged the worst of the blood out of my beard, and mailed a last-minute package to Russell Brown.

For which I — yikes — have not till now thanked you. Thank you!

(In my defence: illness, injury, travel.)

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 08:44:31 +1200 Susan Snowdon https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289659#post289659 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289659#post289659 Mon, 15 Jul 2013 07:51:37 +1200 Public Address https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289658#post289658 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/southerly-getting-there-is-half-the-fun/?p=289658#post289658 Discussion from blog post.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 07:51:37 +1200