Sunday
Ro didn't sleep well last night, despite Sherry lying down with him. According to her, he was swimming in his sleep. Consequently, he was a little ill this morning, but soon cheered up when he got to ride in the front of the golf cart when the bellboy took us and our luggage to the lobby. We dropped Sherry off at Nuku on the way to grab breakfast for us to go, since we were in a hurry. Our cabbie must have sensed our urgency, because he was weaving around cars on the narrow two-lane road as if his meter ran in reverse.
One last look from our patio
Enjoying the speedy cab ride
When we got to the check-in desk at the airport, we were told that our flight was oversold and would we mind flying back tomorrow if they put us up in the Sofitel overnight with $250 for our trouble. A tempting offer, to be sure, but Mark had to work tomorrow, so we had to decline. Next, the agent tells us that there's a problem on his computer with Ro's student visa, so he couldn't issue him a boarding pass. Something about him needing a ticket out of NZ in order to get into NZ. What did they think, that we were going to leave him there as an illegal alien when we went back to the States in a few months? Instead of just calling the NZ immigration department himself, the agent told Mark he had to go buy a $10 phone card at one of the airport shops and then bring it back to the desk so he could call immigration on our behalf. Meanwhile, the line of passengers waiting to check in behind us was growing ever longer and more frustrated. Needless to say, there was no true problem with Ro's visa, and after having verbal confirmation of that from NZ immigration, the agent issued Ro's boarding pass. Nothing ever changed on the computer. To us, it seemed like a scam to sell phone cards.
Pretty much how Ro travelled all day
As we were waiting for our flight, Sherry did a little duty-free shopping, picking up some new running shoes and a visor for her daily runs up or around Mt Maunganui. The clerk even threw in a free pair of souvenir socks with the Fijian flag on them. Our plane had already started boarding by that point, and Mark gave Sherry her boarding pass while she finished shopping, and he and Ro went on ahead to get settled on the plane. Ro wasn't too keen on the idea of mommy coming later, crying out, "but she's going to miss the plane!" He steadfastly planted himself on the outdoor ramp leading to the plane until Sherry caught up.
Our plane for the return trip to NZ was just a 737, with no seatback entertainment system, but it did have a few overhead TV screens showing X-Men Origins: Wolverine. We were stuck near the back, which seemed to be where they put all the families with kids, one of whom kept kicking the back of Sherry's seat. Ro slept almost the whole flight, which meant Sherry was contorted in her seat the entire time to allow him to lie down comfortably. He didn't even rouse on landing, so we let everyone else off the plane before we risked waking him. No major meltdowns, fortunately, just some exhausted whimpering as we carried him through the airport.
Not one for Fijian airline cuisine, Ro only ate his yogurt
Ro wasn't the only one worn out
Ro had perked up by the time we got to customs, and was playing on a railing separating the rows of people. It was a thick, circular, brushed metal double railing, and he was sitting on the bottom rail, hanging onto his airline blanket which he had wrapped around the top rail. He was having fun leaning back, letting the blanket hold his weight. He was being quiet and not bothering anybody, and it didn't look too dangerous since he was sitting less than two feet off the floor, so we didn't think much of it. Well, he must have accidentally let go of one end of the blanket, because down he went, spinning on the slick metal bar, striking the back of his head WHAM! on the thinly carpeted concrete floor. He sprang up immediately and clung to Sherry's legs, tears welling up in his eyes. When we got to the customs kiosk, the friendly agent asked him if he was okay, and he could only muster some more whimpering.
Unlike in Nadi, our luggage was waiting for us when we arrived at the baggage carousel. Sometimes it's better not to be on Fiji time. While Mark fetched the bags with the free baggage trolley, Sherry had a seat with Ro at the complimentary coffee stand (Auckland airport rocks!), while Ro watched the drug-sniffing dogs corner an innocent young lady because she had muffin crumbs in her hand. In order to avoid any repeat of what we now affectionately call The Australian Apple Incident, we declared EVERYthing. So much so, that the customs agent rolled his eyes as we showed him Tic-Tacs, throat lozenges...anything that might count as food. The only things they seemed remotely interested in were the wooden items and shell bowls we picked up in Fiji. They kept asking us what kind of shell they were, and we kept telling them we didn't know. We could have hazarded a guess, but with our luck that would be the one kind of shell they don't allow.
Ro was in an ill mood again as we picked up the car from long-term parking, only now it was because he had a headache. Hoping some food might make him feel better, we stopped for lunch. Ro told Mark he wanted McDonald's, but then couldn't decide on anything when we got there (we think he just wanted to play at the PlayPlace), so Sherry took him nextdoor to Subway for a reliable ham & cheese. Even as he was eating, he continued to complain of his head hurting. Sherry was starting to get worried at this point, since Ro never complains this long about any injury unless something is wrong. We briefly tried letting him sit up front on the way home, seeking to avoid exacerbating his headache with motion sickness, but he wouldn't stop crying that his head hurt. We stopped at the airport observation point to switch his car seat to the backseat so Sherry could comfort him to sleep, which worked like a champ.
The permanent residents at the airport overlook
There was lots of holiday traffic on the way home, and Ro slept most of the way. He woke up around Waihi Beach, and asked if we could stop at the playground in Waihi. We explained that we'd already passed it, and were just glad that his headache was finally gone. No Head CT scan today! As soon as we got home, Sherry headed for New World to replenish the fridge and pantry, while Mark started the unpacking, and Ro played with Barnaby. Sherry surprised us with KFC takeaway for dinner...nothing like a little taste of home. Too bad there's no Bojangles here, eh?
Ro showing Barnaby how to play Morrowind
Trying to recreate the Hilton pool
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