Thanks all. Yes, a large quantum of luck has been consumed and will be needed till at least end of the year.
Apologies for being a little tardy in replying. Had a full workload on Monday. I finally sat down to watch the 9 O’clock news and it was dominated by film of euphoric travellers from both countries reuniting. Some seeing grandchildren for the first time. Makes one happy to see. Apparently, flights were close to full capacity. I then dropped off to sleep and was later awakened by my wife who had other reuniting in mind, but I was too tired. No doubt I will be disciplined later in the week.
To expand a little. Australia is New Zealand’s largest source of inbound travellers. For Australia, New Zealand was second to China. So now is likely to be number one for some time. It is hoped to expand this travel arrangement to include some Pacific Island nations and maybe Singapore in the next 3 or 4 months. Fiji was probably next, but yesterday morning, news came that after 12 months of no transmission, the sneaky virus snuck out of a quarantine facility. Not what was wanted.
I enjoy the South Island, especially Queenstown and surrounds. Permanently snow-clad mountains, freshwater lakes, glaciers and the majestic Aoraki crowned with the ever present long white cloud are a welcome contrast to the wide brown land. Reminds me of Italian and Swiss lake areas. We were last in there in June 2019. Being close, New Zealand normally requires little planning. The first 2 weeks of July are school holidays, will consider early August.
Our vaccination programs are going slowly and are confronting hurdles. The current plan is for completion by end of year. Anticipate that I will receive my callup next month. The CEO of the flying kangaroo (more the domestic bouncing wallaby for the present), Joycee, is planning for international flights from end of October. Governments are praying he is on the money. Federal government is suggesting strongly that international borders are like to stay closed for remainder of the year.
Patience and a good dose of humour is most helpful. Time is a traveller.
Regards Ron
