Between 5am and 6am Sunday 16th June 2019 and there is nervous movement in the Redshaw, Simpson and Nilsen households as Kirsteen, Suzanne and Patrice awake and the reality hits – TODAY IS THE DAY! It’s leaving day and during the next 24 plus hours we will be travelling to the other side of the globe.
0730 Patrice and Suzanne head to the Wellington airport to fly to Auckland. Breakfast – yeah, nah, nerves and tears kick in for Patrice so no breakfast thanks. Suzanne needs coffee – that’s a good breakfast.
After the goodbyes, time to board the first leg of the journey – Auckland here we come.
We have already text Kirsteen so we know she is due to arrive in Auckland 25 minutes after us.
After landing in Auckland we check the arrivals board and heads to the Regional Gates to wait for Kirsteen. 1010 am and touchdown for Kirsteen. She wasn’t expecting us to meet her so that was a nice surprise.
Suzanne thought we might need to catch the bus to the International Terminal. However, a quick laugh at her expense made her realise she we would actually take the 10 minute walk over – after all there would be a great deal of the next 36 hours sitting in a plane.
A quick walk to the International terminal, through customs into the departures hall. Ooh, gin tasting. Ok if we must… planning for the duty free shopping on the way home.
Between us we tried a few tasty ones, then oh my goodness, look at the time. A quick sprint to the Koru Lounge for champagne and snacks before boarding. Ok then.. someone has to.
1.00pm and we boarded. Kirsteen was up the front of the plane (thanks Cathay Pacific/Air NZ), Suzanne and Patrice must have been really naughty in a past life – second to back row!
Not a bad flight. We were all determined to stay awake for the whole flight as the next flight was out of Hong King at 1205am which would be a good one to sleep.
One long flight, some movies, drinks and food. Lots of laughter, chatter and planning for the coming days.
The pilot stepped on the gas and we landed into Hong Kong at 8.55pm which was half an hour early. Kirsteen landed half an hour earlier than us – the front of the plane arrived first! 🙂
Next chapter of the adventure to follow.
Girls on Tour 