Homeward Bound

My last night in NZ was cut short by the need to get to the airport early. The sun had just risen by the time I had gathered my things together for the last time - a really long day had just begun. A few people were already up in the hostel so I said my goodbyes and chucked my bag into the now empty car. The morning traffic was fairly light as I made my way to the Jucy Rentals depot just outside the airport. A quick check over and a swift fairwell to a trusty friend as I boarded the minibus to the terminal.

Too early. I was grabbing a domestic flight to Auckland so check-in wasn't open yet. I bought an over-priced coffee and sat and watched the planes come and go from the observation deck in the terminal. The flight to Auckland got me in about 12 hours before I could check in for my international flight. Not wanting to fork out for a bus ride into the city, I decided to wait it out in the airport. I was sick of lugging my now weighty bag around so I took out a few essentials and gave it to the left-luggage attendant. With the weight off my back I started out getting familiar with the airport. I walked about for a bit, bought a new book, found a seat, walked about a bit more, ate some breakfast, looked at the shops, sat down again.... 8 hours til check-in! I decided to try and get my head down, as I never sleep well on flights. I headed up to the upper floor of the terminal and found myself a quiet corner with some seating that was not being used. Bonus! I used my belongings as a pillow and bedded down.

I was awoken by a slamming door and when I came to, noticed that my quiet corner was now populated by a load of women all sitting around me! Confused and annoyed that 'my' spot had been violated, I quickly arranged my possessions and went to find somewhere else to lay my head. Now fully awake and buzzing due to my power nap I couldn't get comfortable again; frustrated, I went to the bar. Sipping an orange juice and watching golf on the TV, I noticed a another young bloke doing pretty much the same thing - looking equally dazed. I went over and sparked up a conversation to pass the time. He was another English guy who had been on a working holiday visa and had spent most of his time in the Marlborough region doing vineyard work. He had some good stories to tell and we chatted for a while - he flight didn't check-in until well past mine!

Finally the time came, So I picked up my bag and made my way though the security checks and made it finally to air-side. Just another few hours to wait until boarding started. The English bloke had also managed to blag his way air-side so we milled around the 'new' shops and kept ourselves entertained. We got talking to the girl working in the newsagent and she said we could take one the key-rings the shop was selling! So we did! However, later we returned the goods as we didn't really need them, and it was essentially stealing. One of the German girls I had met in many occasions previously, Swa, had also turned up! We once gain exchanged best wishes, and said we would probably meet again as she was flying via Heathrow to get her connection back to Frankfurt! That's a long flight!

As we rolled down the runway at 'some' mph, I already had the sinking feeling that comes with the realisation of heading 'home'. 12 hours later I would be in Singapore, then 12 hours after that, the UK.

Til next time, NZ.