It’s seven o’clock in the morning on June 27th. Tonight I’ll be flying to New Zealand with my collage as a member of International Paramadina Programme. I’ll going to live the house around two o’clock to avoid the traffic jam. My nephews are going to accompany me to the airport.
At two o’clock as it was planned, we are heading to the airport. As it guess, it heavy traffic jam!. I bit panic, then I looked up mu e-ticket and relief. It’s not 6.30 but it 8.30. So, I have plenty of time. At 4 o’clock, we arrived at Soekarno-Hatta internasional airport. Since we have a lot of time, we taking our time by looking around the airport after praying. Then I meet my friend there. There were Bu Ayu, Bu Gilang and her husband, Pak Agoes, and Mbak Sari.
A Heavy Traffic to The Airport
At 5 o’clock, we decided to check-in, so we can more relaxed. The women at the counter told us that the plane will be delayed for 50 minutes. It’s mean, we are going to take up at 9.20. So, we have much time to do.
Then, at 8.15, we are heading to the waiting room and after waiting for a while, finally we heard the annoucement to get ready to go the plane. Everybody stand up and take a queing, but nobody moves. After 10 minutes, there was another annoucement that said they are having technicall problem and waiting for signal from Sydney. Finally, around 10.30 (I’m not really sure about the time, because I left my watch at home), we take off to Sydney by Qantas.
Around 10 hours flying, we landed at Sydney for transit. All of us are in the rush, because we thought since our plane from Jakarta has been delayed, it would effect to the next flight. Thank God, the plane to Wellington was also delayed for 10 minutes.
Transit at Sydney Airport with Aida and Elly
At The Sidney Airport, Waiting to Transit to The Wellington with JetStar Airline
The crew at the transit plane were very different. At the first flight, all of the air crew look old and the woman doesn’t even bother to put some make up on their face. But on the transit plane (it’s also Qantas, but the small plane), the crew are younger and they are so tidy and friendly. It took us around 5 hours, then finally around 3 pm, we were arrived at Wellington.
Yeay!!!! Alhamdulillah… I’m at Wellington!
The weather is very cold and windy. The Victoria staff – Parichat and Frankly are already waiting for us. From the airport they take us straight to the Victoria University at Kelburn. The view along the way to go there are very amazing! The houses on the hills looks very small, yet unique. The city is hilly and quite. I still couldn’t believe that finally I’m at Wellington, NZ!
They put us at Maclaurin room. They prepare some hot instant soup, tea, coffee, and hot water! Parichat realize that we must be very hungry, so later they gave us the fish and chip! They gave us our welcoming kit that contain, snapper, maps of Wellington, map of VUW campuses, and the time table for bus. It’s very useful for us later. We also meet our English teacher, Heather. They are all very nice and helpful.
At Victoria University Wellington
It’s so cold and windy!
At 6, Franky took us to Pipitea campus where we are going to pick up by our house parent. It already dark and of course, very cold and windy. Then, Barbara, one of the internasional staff are accompany us to meet our house parent. After waiting for a couple of minutes, finally my house parent come. Chris Davies came with one of the twins, Nisha.
The house is in the urban actually, but because Wellington is a small city, it doesn’t feel it so far away from the downtown. Chris told me how I could get to the campus. He also shown me the supermarket, the railway station on the way to the house. Around 8, we were arrived. My mom house parent greet me with the other twin, Isaac. They show me my room and some rules and then they leave me on my own. They can see how tired I am. After i unpacked my lugage, I took shower. Later, I found out that was not a good idea. It’s very very cold! Although I take a bath with hot water, but the after effect were unbearable. I was quickly go to the bed and tried to have a good sleep.
It’s so amazing that finally I am in Wellington, New Zealand. I hope, I can learn a alot and my house parent would not regret having me as their home stay student.
leonitasyarief 