My flight to New Zealand

Trip Start Dec 02, 2009

Trip End Dec 23, 2009

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(Everett hotels)

Flag of United States Everett, Washington
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Last Sunday, while at a movie I thought heard something like keys fall to the floor. I was unaware I had the spare keys with me. The day before I had gathered the keys to get the for my neighbor. I was unaware they were lost till the night before my departure. My car has a feature that requires the key and door lock fob to be in the ignition in order for the engine to operate. Wednesday morning I was able to able to retrace my keys back to the theater which they had found.

On my way heading home Bill called to remind me he wanted the family tree before I left. I couldn't recall where the storage locker key was. I decide the best to do is simply buy a new tree. I found a deal at ACE Hardware and made the purchase. After leaving Bill I called Dave to let him know I’m ready to go (2hours early). I didn’t want any more distractions.

Dave showed up, we loaded his car and headed to the stadium light rail station. We turned around at Shoreline, as I realized I left my IPod and Passport. Retrieved my passport (and IPod) and proceeded to the station. We stopped at jack in the box for a final lunch. We searched up down 4th and 6th Avenues for the station we finally notice it in between and there was no drive up area. I unloaded on a side street , said my goodbyes and headed for the station.

At Sea-Tac everything went well. I called my mom one last time before boarding. There was screaming child on our approach to San Francisco and the parents were New Zealanders. Boarding the flight went off without a hitch. The meals were ok for flight food. Everything seemed to be working as it should.

Just before landing in Auckland, the flight attendant informed me not to go to customs but go to the transfer lounge. When I got off the plane I thought I was heading the right direction. A service rep even told me I was. But I somehow ended up at the customs check -in area. I got my passport stamped and preceded to the checkout point. I informed them My checked luggage was going to Christchurch and that I somehow took a wrong turn. The customs officer told me my bags were not on the plane (I didn’t him) and proceeded to show me the 10 foot sign stating that bags cannot leave this terminal until after they have gone through customs. I accepted the fact he felt my bags would stay Auckland for two days. And continued my way through customs.

Once in the ticketing area I proceeded to a air new Zealand service desk. They got hold of my plane but it was too late to board. I would have to go to the domestic terminal and board the next flight. I had to get on a bus to go to the domestic terminal, go through security, and up a set of stairs to terminal 33. As I go there they just closed the plane. It was back down out to the ticketing are to their service desk. The representative gave me another ticket terminal 29. After going through customs (2nd time) I looked at my ticket and saw 21. Terminal 21 was not in the area I just cleared. The security officer let me back out and I headed for terminal 21. Reaching the entry point I noticed on the sign air New Zealand was not on the list. I rechecked the ticket; Seat 21F, terminal 29. Back through security (3rd time). And finally on a flight to Christchurch.

At Christchurch I went to baggage service they called and told me my bag was at the international terminal waiting to go through customs. Once moremy bags were xrayed . and I was off to bus to get to my hotel. All this happened and I still arrived at my hotel and hour early for checkin.