The cheap way to fly in Kiwi land is standby on Air New Zealand. Traveling worked out perfectly for me today as I flew standby from Christchurch to Wellington for only $79 New Zealand Dollars. That is about $63 US dollars at the current exchange rate. Not too shabby!
I decided to stay at X Base Hostal in Wellington as I thought the one in Queenstown was pretty good. There are five X Base Hostals in New Zealand and three in Australia. It cost me $25 New Zealand dollars for a bed in a six-bed dormroom tonight. This hostal is abuzz with travelers right now watching a movie in the lounge, cooking dinner in the massive communal kitchen, and even some Spanish guys kicking a soccer ball around in the dining area. This hostal building is gigantic with several, spacious lounge areas and a huge bar with events every night.
I walked around Wellington today and ran into Harriet, a girl I met in Auckland while working behind the scenes on the independent film. She was one of the extras in the scenes shot at the bar, Golden Dawn. I recognized her while strolling on Cuba Street. She was watching a busker’s music equipment and told me she came into town to see her friend’s band perform.
Wellington is a bustling city with a business-district downtown, cool vintage shops, great restaurants, and a beautiful waterfront area surrounded by experimental architecture and several museums. At the moment, I have no idea what tomorrow will bring or where I will go.
SWEENEY 