Home at last!
Trip Start
May 31, 2009
1
25
Trip End
Jul 01, 2009
Invercargill, New Zealand
Thursday, July 2, 2009
We had breakfast at a Whole Foods supermarket, which focuses on stocking organic produce, and whole foods (i.e. not much processed/packaged stuff). They also provided cooked breakfasts using these products, or you could do the coffee and donuts style of thing (which Malc and I did - given it was our last day). He was amazed at what was on offer. We had been in one or two of these in other cities. They don't use plastic bags - you are encouraged to use your greenbags, or they provide the old paper saks that we used to have. About one of the only supermarkets I saw using this appraoch - and yet that is all you see on the US tv shows (the paper saks I mean).
Anyway, we headed back to our hotel to drop off the rental car, pick up our bags, and catch the shuttle to the airport at about 4.00 pm. Were at the airport by quarter to five, and then had the wait! We needed to check in by 5.30 pm and then were loaded on the plane at 9.30 pm.
Our flight back was not was chocka block as the flight over. We were pretty much in the same seats coming back - which I think is probably the best area of the plane to sit (at the back). You have more room to move around without disturbing others. Watched a couple of good movies (The Boat that Rocked and Last Chance Harvey), watched some TV, and slept off and on for about 5 hours - which I though twas stunning. I would say the flight was relatively smooth - lots of jiggles but nothing that worried me. Malc commented that I was much more relaxed this time (and I thought I had been relaxed on the first flight!!!).
When we got to Auckland we had a glitch. Nobody had told us we needed to go to the Transit Lounge. We thought we had to go back to the domestic terminal, so we ended up being in the wrong place and unable to get back to our bags. This was partly our fault, but mostly the airport people's fault (well that's my story). We were told we had to pick up our bags at Auckland (by all the staff around) which was contrary to what we had been told in LA and by our travel agent.
However, Air NZ sorted it out. It only meant a 15 minute delay for us in Auckland, and we were soon down to Christchurch, and then on again to Invercargill and home by 11.30 am - which was just great.
It was bloody freezing in Invercargill (4 degrees), but a better day there than in Auckland or Christchurch. Clearer skies and no wind. Great to see the boys and sleep in our own bed again (although we didn't have any trouble sleeping whilst we were away). Left the unpacking until the next day - managed to stay up the rest of the day but hit the hay at about 7.30 pm, and slept for 12 hours. So back on normal time again.
Wonderful, wonderful experience, and we will do it again - but focus more on Canada next time. Yes Ev - we will be back. Just have to save the pennies again. We had a ball!
