I made it to Wellington, New Zealand in one piece and with all my luggage (well, minus my toothbrush).
It was an entertaining trip. I am glad that I had nothing pressing to do once I got here.
We got out of the apartment in Uijongbu at about 3:30pm. Marie came to bid us farewell again. She was also moving into our nice apartment and inherited all sorts of treasures!?
Bus from Uijongbu to Incheon took a good 2 hours. No fee for excess baggage at check-in. Booyah! All though I did have some nice lotions confiscated due to the whole liquid restriction. Trying to reduce weight in the checked in baggage meant that I took a lot of bottles on with me. The customs officers were quite bemused by my collection.
There was an hour delay taking off from Incheon but we did get personal screens with channels which was a bonus.
We sat next to a very sweet Korean guy who was going to Sydney. It was his first time in a plane and he was very excited to be going to another country. He was going to a 10 month English course so that he could become a "salary man". He told us that he is the only child and so his mother cried a lot at the airport. He also would be away from his girl friend of one year.
I gave him one free English lesson and taught him how to say "gudday mate". I think he thought I was crazy.
There was a spectacular sunrise as we hit the Australian continent. It was a blazing angry orange which softened into full daylight as we approached Sydney. We strained our eyes looking out for the Sydney Opera house. Although we couldn't see it the Sydney coast line is pretty impressive. I told our Korean friend that he would have to go to the beach. First, he will need to learn how to swim!
Our late departure from Incheon meant that I missed my connecting flight to Wellington. Clare was still able to connect to her flight to Christchurch. So I got to spend 9 hours hanging out in Sydney airport. The staff were pretty friendly and they gave me food vouchers. I bought a couple of magazines and wandered in circles in between articles. I had a good opportunity to watch the ballet of vehicles and planes on the tarmac. I have the greatest respect for the drivers who reverse the Boeings on to the runway. If you need some onto help you reverse a trailier then call one of those guys!
I arrived in Wellington at about12:30am. My sister Megan was still waiting patiently for me. Out in to the breezy Wellington Summer evening. Lovely.
