Young at heart

We hung out in ‘The hangout’ with all the ‘gap-year guys n gals’ until one by one there was just us in the hammock and lounger and a group of six playing pool.  In fact the hub wasn’t as alive as our first night in New Zealand,  but it was definitely noisier. 

Whilst cooking dinner we had already been talking to a group. Two couples in their early thirties, who were on their way back to Malaysia.  They had spent two weeks in NZ and had taken the helicopter ride over the glaciers as well visit a few of the major towns around stopping in hotels.  The guys told us we were in the wrong bodies, as we were way too young, too adventurous, and made them feel old.  This, we believe, was a compliment so we didn’t have the heart to tell them just how broken our bodies were from all the walking, caving, climbing, rafting and kayaking.

The group who stayed up late consisted of six individuals who had all met earlier and three of whom we’d talked to.  There was one New Zealand lady, who currently resides in Oz, one Chinease gent (both in their 30s and both working in the area for a few days), two Americans (one from LA and one from Ohio), a German and an Austrian.  The latter four, all in early twenties, were on working visas.  This six, who were a little louder than everyone else, helped us stay awake with their noise and camaraderie which was great as time past much faster.

Into the dark

As soon as the last stragglers headed away at around 01:15 we decided we had better stop lounging around and get ready or it would be a case of missing the plane through sleeping.  Two hot drinks before picking up our bags from a secure room, as we had basically blagged a free night at the hostel. This meant we used their facilities to cook, shower, use their towels, charge all our devices and powerbanks ready for the journey home.  They also kindly stored our luggage.

Earlier in the evening when we’d popped out to spend our last NZ dollars we’d picked up two trolleys from the airport long-stay car park two minutes from the supermarket.  Luckily they were both still there when we left so used one to take our luggage the one and a half kilometre walk to the terminal.  Why get two when we only needed one?  Just in case anyone else needed one, we had a better chance of at least one still being left.

Black stocking moon

We hadn’t seen the moon much in NZ, maybe this was because of the mountains, trees or just how low it resides in the sky at night.  We weren’t sure why, but tonight it was out in all it’s glory.  It looked like it had been to the Electric Avenue concert in town, staggering as it returned and flashing its black stockings.

The ghostly Airport

As instructed we got to the airport a few hours before the flight was due to leave.  Like all the other people doing the same, we felt very silly as there was only a small area open and all the chairs were long gone.  With people sleeping wherever they could find, a wall, a doorway or floor space. We eventually found enough room for both of us to slump down on the floor.  It was over an hour before we saw any activity from airport staff.  Eventually we were able to offload our luggage, including one extra bag for free, as they needed to limit luggage in the overhead lockers due to it being a fully booked flight.  We made our way to the gate area where a well needed chair or two were at hand.

Homeward bound

Checked in and now finally on our way.  For the next two days we would be travelling home.  Let’s hope we don’t get the seat on the plane where the kid is kicking the chair from behind or next to the person who’s aim is to drink Quantas dry.  Our first trip is the three and a half hour hop across to Sydney where we will be lucky enough to spend seven more hours in The Land of Oz. Unfortunately we won’t be allowed outside the airport.  We did get a nice breakfast on the meal and both opted for the mixed fruit platter choice.

Boom-erang

It took us three weeks to return to Australia after some magical adventures in New Zealand.  It was like we had been thrown out of this airport like a whizzing boomerang trough the air, then we returned to sender.  Somehow though, something was different.  We left Australia in 35⁰C+ temperatures from the Gold Coast and returned to Sydney where it was raining with a grey filled skyline.  We could see the customary cruise ship berthed opposite the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge which was probably getting ready to sail to warmer climates.

Definitely not the Sydney we remember.  All of those fantastic adventures with Benny and Steph,  catching up with Ronan and unfortunately missing Fergal.  Seven hours,  just sitting and waiting.  In fairness, this went quite quickly.  I was also able to blag some hot water for my last sachet of coffee and very appropriately make it in Steph’s mug she gave me.  Most of our last snacks were also eaten here whilst we played cards to help pass the time.

A Singapore thing

Time to sling our hooks from Australia and head northwest to Singapore.  We were lucky, as although we were on an airbus A380 and seated in row 87 – middle isle, we had no one next to us.  This meant that Sarah was able to put the arm rests up and lay down across three seats and get some well needed rest, albeit broken sleep.  During this flight we had a cooked meal, I had the beef and mash while Sarah had a vegetable curry which proved to be too spicy.

Remembering how impressed we were on the way over eight weeks ago with Singapore Airport, we were looking forward to grabbing a coffee and water (make my own) by the oasis and under the palm trees of this absolutely luxurious stopover location.

After disembarking the plane there was a young lady holding up a sign saying Gate 49 – 45 minutes for anyone going on to London.

The only problem was, although we were right next to it, the whole area was closed off.  We went to find the oasis area and after a ten minute walk, still ages away from the café and with no chairs available anywhere, we decided we had better head back.  Still no chairs and it took a further hour before they opened the lounge by the gate.  Truthfully, it was a bit of a let down.  Had the sign said one hour fifteen when we arrived we would have gone to the centre of the airport, the hub of the eating and seating areas. Ce la vie, ce sara sara, things could be a lot worse as we would soon find out.

When we did go through, the young airport attendant let us both go through with the priority bookings to the comfortable lounge.  Maybe we looked broken by this stage and she was taking pity on us.  Whatever it was it was very welcome.

London’s Calling

We got on the plane and it was a whole new crew.  The stewardess informed us the plane was full on this leg.  With WiFi still on from the airport I am just about to put it in airplane mode when I see a message from a mate,  ‘brother’, in the states.  If you remember, there were four Daves and a Simon who were meant to go to Oz nearly thirty years ago and Simon couldn’t make it.  Well, he gave brief details of what was happening in the middle East and that flights were being cancelled from everywhere.  A quick news check and Holy Maloney, the world just gets madder by the day.  Luckily this isn’t affecting our flight but we do feel for all those it is.  Phone off and we are up and away.  Next stop England.

The long leg

Although we are on this plane for some time and it will be the longest leg of the trip, we are able to stretch our long legs out (or not so long in Sarah’s case), move around and get a full dinner and night cap before finally sleeping on and off. 

Two days later (48hrs) from when we set off, though only one in actual terms as we are travelling backwards in time and are back in London. Now all the formalities of luggage and customs before the trip home. 

We are not booked on the coach for nearly three hours but if things go our way,  and they seldom do,  we might make the earlier coach.  All was going great as we got to baggage and our bags are practically the first off – Yippee.  Oh hang on a minute,  we had three bags as we checked the extra one in free in Christchurch and only two had arrived early.  One of the last bags off was of course ours.

Here comes the hot stepper

We weren’t running from the law,  but we did need to get from one side of Terminal 3 to the other side near Terminal 2 for the central bus station as fast as we possibly could.  A quick check of the board, gate 8, through the doors and there was the coach with ‘Poole’ illuminated on the front.  The driver kindly allowed us to jump on board this one. Thank God he wasn’t a jobsworth. We hit the road and we were now almost on the home straight.

Home, cold and ready to chill

Arrived in Bournemouth, jumped in a cab home. Washing on, quick grocery shop and dinner cooked.  Time to relax in front of a toasty warm fire. 

Thank you Australasia

OZ and NZ – what an adventure, or series of adventures you have given us.  Thanks to everyone having a hand in this unbelievable experience of a lifetime.  Thanks also to everyone for taking time to  read our ‘crazy dayz in so many wayz’ blog – see ya on the flip side next time.