Well, almost home. March 22 was a realllllllly long day for us, and we only made it as far as Vancouver, but still... Breakfast today was yogurt and some of the fruit we had purchased yesterday - including a "reed" kiwi - which was pretty fantastic!
Leaving Wai Ora Spa and Resort in Rotorua, by about 9:15 a.m., there was plenty of time to get to Auckland International Airport, fill the car with gas, drop it off at the rental car place, and check in for the long flight back to Canada - and get through security of course. That also left time for all those scenic lookouts we've become accustomed to - but which did not really materialize for us this time. Probably because we were on a major 4-lane highway, something we haven't seen for a month or more, and there were really no places to pull off. However, we did want to change drivers, and find a public toilet, so when the turnoff appeared for Karapiro Village, left we veered.
Karapiro as a Village is not very big, only a couple of dozen homes from what we saw, but it was also the site of a major hydro-electric dam and power station. And a lookout! We took advantage and stretched our legs and take a few photos before continuing the journey to Auckland.
There was one more thing we wanted to do before heading home - find a few small treasures, and we really needed another coffee. Not as easy from a four-lane highway as it is from a tar-sealed road that has a cafe every few kilometers. However, Google search found me two of the things I was looking for - a coffee, and one of my treasures (hopefully!). The treasure was a Starbucks New Zealand mug, something I had purchased the last time I was here, but that had sadly broken in a small altercation with my dishwasher a little more than a year ago. I had teased Steve that I needed to go back to New Zealand to get a new Starbucks mug, never realizing that it would actually come to fruition.
The Starbucks also provided lunch - they had sausage rolls, pies, sammies, toasties, and lots of NZ type goodies - and coffee too of course. It was in a shopping mall, which worked out even better, we could wander about and see if we could find any other treasures, but alas, it was full of the same old same old stuff we saw at home (mostly). We would have to finish our souvenir shopping at the airport.
It was time. Off we went to the airport, early, but better early than late. And honestly, I was tired, tired of driving, tired of the noise and busy-ness (more than I'm used to), and ready to stop moving. I was looking forward to going home, and at the same time, wishing I could stay but knowing that I couldn't. So if I can't stay, I just want to go.
The airport wasn't crowded or busy, so we sailed through baggage checkin, and were so early we didn't have have a gate number yet, so no point in going through security. Besides, it still wasn't busy. So we followed instructions....
And still did a tiny bit more shopping. After all, there were still a couple of nooks and crannies in our luggage to fill. Not really.
The flight - once we got going - was pretty bumpy most of the way. Not great for sleeping, as most NZ flights are overnighters - why waste a day traveling? - which helps with the jet lag. But coming into Vancouver things smoothed out, enough that I could get a few shots on approach, something I've long wanted to do and had never had the chance. Every other time I've flown in or out of Vancouver it has either been super rainy/foggy, or dark/night.
Now, we get one more night of rest before heading home to YYZ tomorrow, and having our guys pick us up and take us home. I'm very happy to let Steve drive, as it will take a few days to get used to driving on the "wrong" right side of the road, and car. And hopefully he will not be as tired, too.
The adventure is almost over.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note that comments on this site will be moderated to avoid misuse of this space for inappropriate purposes.