Mini-OE to Germany Day 1

Sitting at Auckland airport having the second beer. This day was just flying past, excuse the pun. Packing and tidying up the house. Dropping of the two dogs at Heather’s Kennel. This went better than I thought. Of course they were reluctant to stay. Sneaked out of the room a couple of times. Where crying when we were outside and barking and howling when we drove away. But if I don’t think of them I am actually ok. It is only three weeks and it will be great when we will pick them up again.

Then packing suitcases. Lilo didn’t believe me that we have too much weight. Her suitcases eventually weight in at 25 kg, mine at 19.5kg. Opening Lilo’s again, transferring stuff into backpack and bags we take as on board luggage. Eventually we got it to around 21.5kg.

Our friends and neighbours Doug and Tobby picked us up. Doug the usual joker. They drove us to the small airport of Kaitaia. What a funny experience.All very familiar and cosy. The staff fulfils several roles in one person. Check in  desk clerk, boarding lady and also pushing baggage trolleys etc. A small plane with propellers. I never sat in a plane with propellers. i actually thought it had more push than a big plane. Quite a speed. The weather was actually quite nice and we had  a good look over Kaiatai and I saw our friend’s Francois’ house. We didn’t flyover our far though.

It is a strange feeling first to leave the farm and our house, knowing we will be away for weeks and then being on my way to actually leave New Zealand for the first time since I came here. I had a great feeling of love for this country when we passed over the Hokianga, along the west coast and eventually descended over the Manuka harbour..

We had t kill a couple of hours before we could check in our baggage. Auckland airport isn’t really very comfortable n this situation. There are no seats for a start. The only seats are in the arrival area and upstairs. But if you want to watch your trolley closely there is no real option. So we walked up and down until eventually the check in counter opened. We were glad to get rid of the two big suitcases.

The next surprise was going through customs. One measure we took to reduce Lilo’s overweight suitcase was to transfer a jar of Vegemite for our Ozzy friend Chris and a jar of Manuka honey into my backpack. Oh the surprise when the friendly customs officer told me I am not allowed to take it on board. It counts as liquid. And you are only allowed 100ml of liquid. What a stupid thing. Once through customs you can buy as much honey as you like and take it on board. It is also a shame that they have to throw it away. Lilo said to the officer they should give it to charity. They are not allowed to. Stupid really. But yes, it could actually be plastic explosives or something and you wouldn’t give this to the Salvation Army now would you?

Now sitting here, having a beer and killing  time. One more hour till boarding time. Oh by the way, a glass of Mac’s Gold on tab is $8.50. Arrghh.

Trying to find out how to set my netbook to flight mode. Help is not helpful and of course Auckland airport doesn’t have free Wifi. So no google.. Provincial!