I woke up really early due to intense excitement and had to mess with my i-pod for a bit before making a racket so Ian would wake and I could get up to make coffee. We finished packing, and after much deliberation and two lots of scales determined that my giant case was only 20killos, how is that possible? I rushed around trying to find extra stuff to take, then decided I can bring back loads of stuff now. Because of all the presents in all the cases a discussion ensued as to what to say when asked 'did you pack everything yourself' at customs. We decided to risk it that Auntie Irene is not using us as drug mules (a close call) We then packed Corrie off to her grandmas ( she sensed the impending desertion and refused to get in the car!) and had the usual last minute hiccups, Kathy hadn't sorted out any insurance, Ian couldn't find the rechargeable batteries for his camera, Kathy couldn't find her camera case, Kathy couldn't find her earphones, Ian had packed his eye drops and had itchy eyes. We finished off all the leftover food, bacon, eggs, sausage, bread, scones, prawns, loaded up the car, locked up the house, and were off!!!
I got sat in the back with Chris and Ernest (his backpack) who proved very comfortable to cuddle up to. Shame he won't be sitting next to me on the plane. We listened to our holiday CDs, always bring a lump to the throat, while Kathy and Ian discussed their mutual loathing for lorries overtaking lorries.
We arrived at Heathers without any hold ups, she was really excited for us and jealous all at the same time. Chris was just excited!
We took a turn around the aquadrome and had tea then it was time for David to take us to Heathrow. Heathers jealousy was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Never mind Heather, you can live it through this blog. We sailed through check in and security, probably because we did as we were told and removed liquids, I-pads etc, unlike 95% of terminal 4s other travellers, and with minimal wait boarded the biggest plane in the world. Do not approach the boarding gate until called said the lady, cue 400 people rushing the gate. Rows 60-78 only please said the lady, that's us but we can't get through for the idiots in rows 1-59. what a nice plane with loads of room, especially as it wasn't full. They gave us nuts, then apple juice, then beer, then a big meal, then wine, then coffee, then snacks. I started watching the hobbit but nodded off to wake around 3am, good long sleep for a plane, then dozed till 8 when they brought us water, then a three course meal, then orange juice, and wine if you wanted it, then coffee. They made sure we were well fed. Then we had arrived, a 12 hour flight gone in an instant and I never finished the hobbit!
We disembarked in Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, feeling pretty fresh, although Kathy and I changed clothes as it was now the next day. I changed some dollars I found in my purse for strange looking malaysian money in order to have a Starbucks.
We decided to have a wander around the in-airport rainforest just as a big thunderstorm rolled into town, Kathy was not pleased.
So she left
Some planes were delayed so we are keeping our fingers crossed for ours
We decided to have a beer at the rainforest bar. It was now 7.45 in KL so I felt like it was evening, even though it is only lunchtime in the uk. Chris was still excited.
Our next plane left bang on time, and arrived half an hour early, and there was plenty of food again.
So we arrived in Auckland with plenty of time to spare to get the car, ( nice man came in a van to take us to car hire place) and get Vicky (who had been holidaying in Queenstown). The signs on arrival made us all very afraid, things like 'declare all your biohazards or be thrown in gaol without a trial', so we declared everything that could possibly be linked to the things on the list, like boiled sweets and paracetamol. In the end they were very relaxed, so much so that when Chris said he had last used his walking boots in Peru, instead of being surrounded by armed guards with dogs like he expected, the man just said 'Peru? Awesome!!'.
Vicky was just walking out of arrivals when we entered the domestic terminals and after much hugging and many tears we set off into Auckland, There was some shouting and swearing at the sat nav and each other on the way to the hotel, but all in all we found it pretty easily. parking outside was another matter with three trips around the block needed before we made it. The Waldorf stadium apartments are very nice with two bedrooms and a little kitchen.
We all showered then visited Vickys digs ( mainly so she could get her washing to put in our machine) and the countdown supermarket for breakfast supplies.
We took a scroll along the harbour and ate at a nice restaurant in a converted garage, by which time we were all asleep on our feet. So it was back to the hotel and off to bed
View from our balcony of night time Auckland
Heather is still jealous but is prepared to be with you all in spirit. The journey and all the food sounds great. I look forward to hearing more.
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