Having arrived in Auckland around 11:00 pm from Sydney, I realized that I had to be back to airport in the next 5 hrs again, this was finally getting a bit monotonous (airport check-in, security lines, collect bag blah blah blah……). I packed whatever I needed to and we left for the airport around 5:15 am from home, as Neeraj had a meeting that he had to be at 6:00 am.
I want to take a few a lines to really thank my friends in Auckland (Neeraj and Trish). I mean they were really great, to really adjust their schedules around me to take me around, drop and pick me up and just be a lot of fun to be around. Neha and Nikhil reminded me of my two little munchkins (Zaina & Zaid) at home. I really had a great time with them in Auckland and I don’t think I would have covered as much of Auckland had they had not been there. So Neeraj, Neha, Trish and Nikhil --- THANK YOU!!!! (Trish I really want that Lamb curry again…it was awesome)
Anyway back to the airport, being a Star Alliance Gold member really has it’s perks, because so far I have not had to stand in the long security lines at any of the airports, I have breezed through security lines and have had access to the VIP lounges (free food ……lol). Not having had enough sleep and $40 odd NZ and $20 odd AUS dollars to spend somewhere I saw a sign of Massage here sign, so my options were, I can spend time sitting in the lounge and watch World Cup match or get a nice massage to make my 11 hr journey to Tokyo more pleasant. Any guesses what I opted for?
Having boarded the plane we got our breakfast and I started to read my Eyewitness Guide on Japan and things to do in Tokyo and surrounding area. Picking up some tips in the book I started my movie marathon of King Kong, Match Point and The New World. Having gone through all these I still had 3 hrs to go before landing in Tokyo so I took a nap to finally be asked to bring my seat back to the upright position to land in Tokyo.
PS... If you didn't guess I opted for nice back and shoulder (oil) massage :-)
Hey Naveed,
ReplyDeleteI still think you're crazy and don't get me started on my mid-life crisis theory! :) Was a pleasure to have you here, Neha and Nikhil still go into your room looking for 'Chachu'! Looks like you're covering a lot and having a great time.
Am glad you enjoyed Sydney, it's a pretty adventurous place, though not as beautiiful as NZ!! Next time bring Humera and the whole 'whanau' (Maori for family)...
Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana,
Kia tere karohirohi i mua i tou huarahi.
May calm be spread around you, may the sea glisten like greenstone and the shimmer of summer dance across your path.
God Speed
Trish, Neeraj, Neha and Nikhil
Wood Bay, Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand