To be honest, even though it was a great opportunity for work, I was not looking forward to leaving Master A for 4 days. In the lead up when he was being his usual cute self, I would get upset that I would be leaving him and he was none the wiser. However on the day I had to say goodbye, I was surprisingly ok about it. I didn't even cry when I drove away!
Now this was no smooth sailing flight. Oh no. I just have to give a quick run down on what sort of mess I got myself into.
Our work books all their flights through a corporate travel agent and they failed to get clarification of mine and my collegues PASSPORT name.
Anyway, so we both go to check in on the direct flight out of Adelaide to Auckland. The lady behind the desk starts looking closely at my passport and BAM! I realise exactly what shes noticed. My passport is under my maiden name as I havent used it since 2008!! Oh Em Gee! So obviously they couldnt accept me and I had to try and change my booking name with the flight company. 90mins later and many a phone call and hold music, I managed to change my name..however when Im trying to check in, my collegue, (whose Sri Lanken and travelling on a Sri Lanken passport) gets pulled up that his passport has his full Sri Lanken name and his booked name is his English name. God damn!
So at the end of the day, we miss that flight, another hour later and plenty more phone calls and hold music, we change his name along with our flights. Luckily we got on one that day however this was now going to be via Melbourne.
No flights to Auckland were safe. Firstly when we tried to book in with Virgin domestic, they hadnt finalised the booking when I was on the phone = 20min delay.
Then in Melb heading to Auckland, my friend gets pulled aside, questioned as he had a name change making him suspicious.
Then at Auckland customs, he also gets double checked as he also didnt have a Visa. (this was ok as he is an Australian resident).
At 2am and 17hrs later, I eventually got to bed.
The rest of the trip was pretty drama free except for being so damn tired.
This was the view from my hotel window...Sky Tower in the background
Auckland street
Breakfast views..
One night we went out for dinner at the Sky Tower...
Views from the Observation deck...
Mmmm Mocktail....
Entree: Buffalo mozzarella with caramelised fig and a sweet spicy sauce
Main: salmon, mashed potato, prawns, bok choy ...delish!
Dessert: Honey panna cotta and in the background, chocolate fondant. So yummy but we couldn't finish them both.
We flew home yesterday and I couldn't wait to hug both my boys
No more trips for a little while again. Glad I can relax and enjoy the upcoming Easter holidays.
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