A foray out into the Dubai evening air for some photos of the illuminated Burj Khalifa was somewhat surprising. Glasses immediately misted up, as did the camera lens, calling for a quick retreat inside. Also surprising ( although not sure why really) was that the sun went down at six and it was dark by half past.
Traffic was heavy, and the spaghetti junction of roads beneath the Burj Khalifa was hectic. Tried some night time photos through the bedroom window instead, but ...
A fairly early bedtime as take off was planned for 10:15 in the morning - plenty of time for rising early and leisurely breakfasting from six before catching the Metro back to the airport. So alarm set for 5:45am. I think you may be able to guess what happened next - yes the alarm didn't go off, or at least not at the correct time, and slept till half six. Still managed to fit in fruit, cereals and some croissants though. Could have stayed at the breakfast buffet for a while as the benches are heaving with all sorts of delights, which unfortunately we didn't have time to sample.
Out into the incredibly foggy morning and it was like stepping into a sauna - very warm and damp. No sign of the Burj Khalifa. Metro was busy and mostly occupied by specimens of the male variety, some French schoolchildren and the occasional lady, so had to stand for a while. An easy journey to the airport, to find our flight delayed an hour because of the fog - that hour turned into three (2 of which were sat on the aeroplane). Never mind, plenty of films to watch and seats not too bad - only another eighteen hours to go!
Eric plays his part as one of the cabin crew.
Eric asks can we go up here? (stairs to business and first class).
The Captain announces that with a good tailwind and the fact that he has put extra fuel on board means he can make up some of the lost hours (good time-wise but not environmentally perhaps). The flight to the refuelling stop at Melbourne takes just over twelve hours instead of the anticipated fourteen. Later in the flight someone laying on the floor at the back of the plane being attended to and when we arrive a Melbourne a slight delay while the medical team comes on board to extricate them (let's hope they are OK) before everyone else disembarks. Through security again and a wait while they clean and re-fuel.
Eric waits patiently for re-boarding at Tullamarine airport.
Only another three hours to go. Rather a bumpy ride and landing and it's now 3:45pm local time so only two hours behind schedule.
Our last transport into Auckland.
Longish queues for bio-security check then out into arrivals hall. Airport is buzzing with people, welcome balloons and banners abound. They obviously knew we were coming! As we are waiting at the hire car desk, what we can only suppose is a 'good to see you back' type of haka breaks out, with lots of loud shouting and slapping of thighs. A rugby team turns up so the banners weren't for us after all.
It's about an hour's drive to our B&B for the next four nights, but we get stuck in Auckland's rush-hour traffic.
Are we nearly there yet?
Finally arrive at our destination with good weather and gorgeous views out towards Orewa.
