Whirlwind 75th birthday Tour. Day six. 9 January 2025. Auckland to Melbourne.

Up and at em early, considering I didn’t shut down till almost 2am after a marvellously magnificent last supper at Ahi.
We met for breaky at 8 next door to hotel. The Federal was an American Diner style cafe.

Suzie and I are using the morning to complete the Hop on Hop off bus – blue route, while Bronwyn and Hayley took off in opposite directions. Bron is having her breaky at Odette’s – a reco from Jordan last night. Also located at an old work depot, now a bit of a trendy place to go. Hayley was off to the shops in search of a NZ charm.

Our blue tour was full of interesting information and the commentary is really cool and casual and teaches about the Auckland area and NZ more broadly – people, places, history, arts and culture. We couldn’t snag an open top bus this am, so no pics just looking, listening and learning.

We actually did the blue tour and red tour again, so good to review what I might not have listened too yesterday as I was busy taking pics.
?id you know that Aucklanders own more recreational boats than any other place on earth?

Sadly the cemetery along the shoreline is the only thing remaining of a Moari Village which was destroyed via burning, to remove all traces and ‘clean up’ the area before a visit by the Queen. The area is now unable to be built on and is shared land, with only the cemetery remaining.

The view to the islands is much clearer today on a beautiful sun shiny day. Blue skies make for blue seas. 

Two HUGEMUMGUS cruise ships in port today. Viking and an even bigger Royal Princess. Downtown might be mad!!!

Met back at Hotel to pack the final bits for our late 12pm checkout (secured when Suzie asked and had a little complaint about the rooms not being made up while we out yesterday) 

Everyone was back on time. 

Quick final pack of backpack and small pack for premium economy small pocket. Then a short relax before meeting downstairs to Checkout. 

Grabbed Camry cab at front of queue and off to final flight we go. Not long after 12. Watched another jumper off the tower as we pulled out. 

Uneventful trip to airport.

Check in was so easy as Business Class and Premium had a separate room for check in. Very spesh!!!

Through security and passport control with no issues. Hayley got her bags drug tested. Very friendly and helpful staff. Loving these New Zealanders. 

A wander around duty free, some pocket money for each of us to spend from our NZ cash kitty. Chocolates purchased all around. 

Still no boarding time so we wandered the duty free. Suzie then went to check out NZ lounge and we went to spend rest of cash on a snack and coffee. Mission accomplished – with $7 bucks tipped in from our electronic kitty. 

Tasting the chocs with our coffee lured Suzie from a packed and busy NZ airlines lounge. 

We had a roughly 20 minute walk to gate 18 and got there prior to boarding call thanks to the travelators that speed up the walk. 

Once again priority check in for BC and premium so on board without hassle.

Very odd configuration of BC has Suzie a bit bewildered – all seats are on a 45 degree angle from the window and feet stick out into the aisle. Weird just a little bit. 

Our premium economy bulkhead seats are comfy and it took us a while to figure out the features eg. Foot rest, tables and the entertainment system.

I bought myself one of those Airfly wireless ‘do dads’ that enable you to pair your own wireless ear buds with the plane system. Took a little to figure out but I found it great to listen to and watch Joy 2. 

Lunch was pretty good B and I opted for the beef cheeks and H the chicken pie. All very nice washed down with an NZ rose bubbly for B and I and Pinot noir for H.

The Air NZ staff were most helpful and very friendly. Lisa who served us called us by name and even matched Hayley to Aunty Sue. 

Very weary and fighting sleep.

Feeling way too full – this has been an eating and drinking experience and it’s going to be hard to pull back from here.  

Back to breaky of mug muffin or overnight oats. Sensible salad and protein lunch and something yum from WW for dinner. Snack of fruit and veg etc etc. need to find the willpower that’s been totally in hiding for the last month or two. 

This flight is our first without delays and we are scheduled to arrive 20 minutes early. Winds must be in our favour. Let’s see how we go. 

Home over Moe. A parachute would be good. Land in the backyard – lol!  I’m in Melbourne at Bron and Mike’s for another night. 

We landed early as predicted and we were off the plane in no time – then through electronic passport check very quickly. It was a long and hot air bridge walk. Bags were also speedy to arrive and we were through customs and out the door in about 20 minutes. So unbelievable, it was quicker than a domestic flight. 

Keith had arranged a car and the driver had texted Aunty Sue, we were to meet outside Hudson’s coffee which was directly through the gate. Our driver was a little late – there are lots of car parks closed which complicates finding a close park. Anyway all was well, we met him and boarded our Black Mercedes Van and soon were whisked through our home city. 

Hayley was first drop off. So it was farewell to Hayls who did a fabulous job on logistics and managing the money and ensuring that all of Keith’s instructions were carried out. Well wrangled and huge thanks to Hayley for assisting Keith to pull this extravaganza off. 

On we continued in the comfort of the van, back into Melbourne city which really is a good looking city and a great city to drive back into. 

We were quickly to South Melbourne where Bronwyn and I disembarked. Hugs and farewells to Suzie and just like that this wonderful trip comes to its conclusion. 

Feeling a bit knackered with late night and now the time difference too. Think it might be an early night. 

Quite warm back in Melb so hopefully a bit cooler overnight to sleep and catch up on lost sleep. 

It’s surreal to think that I have milk in the fridge that will still be good to go. It feels like we have been away for much longer than 6 days and 5 nights. This time last week I was in Moe getting ready for work the next day. 

We packed in heaps and at every turn there was something happening for Suzie’s birthday. Complementary champagne, special meals, another version of happy birthday posted to our What’s App group, complimentary chocolates, happy birthday friand, Dom Perignon and complimentary starter at Ahi last night.

To top it all off Keith had bought tomatoes for Suzie’s tea and had flowers for when she arrived home. Certainly a birthday for us all to remember. 

We all cannot ever thank or repay Keith for the priceless experience and opportunity to spend time celebrating our Favourite Aunty’s birthday together with family. We have made memories that will last a lifetime. 

Thanks to Sue C for chauffeured ride home from the train.