Off to gate 31. Leading the pack
We arrived at Air New Zealand, checked in, got our Business Class seats and a invitation to the VIP lounge. We had a wonderful continental breakfast. The lounge was packed with liquor of all kinds, soda, juice, crackers, candy. So this is how the other half lives…. We sat in this very exclusive lounge, being treated like royalty. Needless to say we gorged ourselves with muffins,
chocolate biscuits, juice, coffee and then took a doggie bag. But soon, we would have to leave for the departure gate, which again was on the other side of the airport. So off we went again, wheeling our carry on's to gate 31. Taking the outside route to the gate since the weather was so beautiful especially with a nice balmy breeze. The Riki Tiki bus ran around the terminal. Why didn't we take it Austin asked us? We passed our gates and outside seats that we sat on last year. I remember the inside of the airport was so cold we sat outside to warm up. It was about a 10-15 minute walk to the gate, and we boarded the plane right away.
Business class was empty, only 10 people there. A lot of empty seats. I really don't know how booked the economy section of the plane is for we were just about the last to board. Doesn't seems to be a very popular route or destination. Should I worry now or later? To late now. The seats are very comfortable, almost like a recliner. We got our menus for a choice for breakfast. I chose just to have a croissant and the fresh fruit and water, Austin had cereal and scrambled eggs, toast and yogurt. Sharon had the fruit and crepes . What an appetite on this kid!! We even have our own little video screen that is playing about 9 different movies. I watched this movie with Robert Dinero, don't know the name since I started watching it after it started. It was very good. Passed a couple of hours away. Austin has been very good so far, he is busy playing with his Game Boy, watching a movie, playing with his Lego's. In fact he is sitting by himself with no one next to him. The seats are configured 2-2-2, with a lot of leg room. Sharon sat herself next to the window on the opposite side of the plane also watching a movie on my very own movie screen. Both Sharon and I watched a movie with Keanu Reeves and Charlie Theron, don't know the name because we started watching after it had already started. The flight itself was really enjoyable considering the length of the flight. The service was wonderful and Austin was great, enjoying his game boy and building with his legos. After dozing for a bit I was able to watch a "Friends" rerun.
Now that I know the destination of our family vacation I can really get excited because I can begin to read up on where we're actually visiting. The "Lonely Planets" book the travel agent always gives us is very informative on where we are going.
We are getting close to Tonga now, we are flying over the Island of Samoa where we went last year. The water looks so clear with patches of light green, blue, reef patches clearly visible from the plane. I can make out the inlet right by the Coconut's Beach resort where we stayed last year. It is the only inlet from the Ocean to a freshwater mango area.
To the right is the other island of Suvaii, Samoa. We did not get to go there only because some other guest went there and said it was wasn't worth the money, so we passed. We are now over the Island of Vava'U, Tonga where we will be going in one week. It looks like Bora Bora from the sky.
July 18th, 2001
July 20th, 2001 