Heading Home

 After a week here in paradise, we woke early for the last time and completed our packing.



The flight back to Rarotonga was at 9:10 am so plenty of time but we then had about 6 hours to kill in Raro before flying back to Auckland.

Breakfast was Corn Flakes and Banana/Pawpaw to use as much of our supplies as we could. Last night's dinner was also stuff left over in the fridge. For a week here with no ready access to shops we didn't do too badly.

After flying to Rarotonga and storing our luggage in a locker, we headed into town. We did plan to catch the bus but, since they only leave every hour (clockwise around the island) and half hour (anti-clockwise) it's a bit of a lottery as to whether a bus will come along in time.

Luckily for us one of the chefs from the Islander Hotel had finished for the day and offered us a lift into Avarua in her car (it's only 5 minutes away) so that saved us some time.

We wandered around a bit and bought some souvenirs and then headed for Trader Jacks for Lunch. Sushi/sashimi for M and Fish & Chips for me. It was too hot and muggy to do much more walking.



Then it was back for the 1:30 bus to get to the airport in time to check-in.

The flight back was uneventful except that we had aisle seats one behind the other. Miriam had a mum and two year old next to her. The child decided to start screaming and complaining that she didn't want her seat belt on. This went on for about 40 minutes until, eventually, the child's meal arrived and she finally settled down. Not really a problem but not what you want to have on a long flight! Meantime I had dad and the 4-year old boy next to me. They just played video games while I watched a movie.

After landing in Auckland and getting through immigration and customs, we only had just enough time for walk over to the domestic terminal for our flight to Christchurch.

Now all we have to do is plan the next trip!

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