We've crossed the Tasman Sea

Uploaded by ladyhedda.

We finally got our stuff packed up and vacated Karen's spare room for the last time and headed to the airport to get on our flight to New Zealand. We'd collected so much extra crap during our Australian adventure that we were a little concerned about the excess baggage charges that a surfboard bag containing 4 surfboards could incur. We love Air New Zealand, they didn't charge us a cent!
I did check in a full 20kg (44lbs) backpack, which is pretty dang heavy, but I am carrying around a tent, 3 season sleeping bag, sleep mat and assorted other camping bits and pieces....
We landed at Christchurch Airport at 11.30pm, and made our way through immigration and onto customs. New Zealand has some strict laws regarding gear, and we had to declare all of our camping and hiking equipment including hiking boots. They are protecting the natural environment and want to keep foreign bugs out. Our tent was given the once over, including a vacuum and our hiking boots inspected for any nastys... Once given the all clear it was 1am so we picked our corner along with plenty of others and bedded down for the night. I got a pretty good sleep, once they dimmed the lights!