Stuck in NZ: My Only Flight in Two Years!

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It has been over two years since I left the confines of New Zealand, and like many others it has been a massive change in lifestyle.  From being able to travel whenever I wanted to being isolated at the bottom of the world — for two years!

Flying during a pandemic

I’ve heard flying is a very different beast during the pandemic. Tests, isolation requirements, wearing a mask for hours on end and that uncomfortable feeling you could end up with the Big C at any time, smashing your travel plans and your wallet.

 

That hasn’t been option for me and most other New Zealanders. Cut off from the world, we can only imagine what it’s like to galivant around the world again. But from what I’ve seen, it’s a far different world to the one I used to know. I did manage to escape my island for a few days though, on a tiny plane to Stewart Island, the third largest of New Zealand’s islands.

A Scenic Flight to Stewart Island

If 2021 had have been “normal”, I probably would have travelled around Europe or maybe honed my Spanish skills in South America. I would also have tried to get over to England for the World Test Championship final (New Zealand’s greatest ever cricketing moment). 2021 wasn’t normal though — so Stewart Island would have to do. The flight there, which departs from Invercargill, takes around 15 minutes and takes you across the notoriously rough Foveaux Strait.

The planes are tiny and the views are stunning — especially if you’re lucky enough to fly on a nice day.

Flying Again Soon?

Hopefully! It seems silly to predict what will happen in these most uncertain of times, but I really hope it’s not another year of no international travel. There’s so much to see in this world and the “traveller” lifestyle is such a good one if you can swing it.

We’re you a traveller before 2020? How have things been since? Let me know in the comments below.

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Jon Algie

A travel blogger from New Zealand who hates talking about himself in the third person and has no imagination when it comes to naming websites.

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