When we arrived into Christchurch on Sunday night it was just after 6pm. We were taken by bus a very short distance to the Sudima Hotel by the airport and we waited for about 40 minutes before we were allowed to disembark. The NZDF personnel are now in charge and my first impression of them is really good as they are more efficient than the Air New Zealand staff and border security people. Their uniform says that they mean business but they also showed the human side to all this and are able to see and enjoy humour.
I was the last to be processed and y the time I am in the room it is after 8pm. They have given us a bag for ‘dinner’ and the main food was a filled roll with some biscuits and fruit bar added. The room is actually very nice and is far more quiet (and darker) than the apartment I’ve been at for the last eight weeks. I watched the end of the movie on TV and crashed for the night.
The Monday morning breakfast was a small box of corn flakes with milk and fruit, and an additional muffin for morning tea. It was nothing special but also not a problem either – 6/10. Today we get to go outside twice for exercise and I’m delighted. I’m treating the two weeks as if I am in a kind of fitness/health camp and hopefully I survive. I was able to do an 80 min walk in a circuit around the fenced-in carpark, and normally this would look and feel really weird but not today. We were all in the same boat and all wanted to avoid cabin fever, suited me down to the ground. After I had finished my walk my lunch was delivered to my door. All food will be provided in brown paper carry bags and in disposable trays – no dishes which seems wise to me. Crumbed fish served on a mixed salad and bread rolls. Very nice – 8/10.
After doing paperwork and some blogging I watched exciting Americas Cup racing and had another 30 minutes of walking outside. Dinner was delivered at 6pm. A chicken dish and cheesecake for dessert – 6/10 for the chook and 9/10 for the cake.
I’ve enjoyed my first day and I have very little to complain about!
My Fear Share 