Got up about 9.30am, showered & dressed, made sure everything was packed away and threw away that which I wasn't taking with me, the hotel room looked like no one was in it, except for the 5 big suitcases & 1 carry-on taking up all the room in the lounge area.
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| My luggage - 5 large bags & 1 carry-on. |
About 11am I went down with my luggage & checked out. The hotel stored my luggage for me as the car wasn't coming to pick me up until 4.30pm, so I had time to take a last wander down Hollywood Boulevard. And do some very last minute shopping. LOL Of course since it was nearly lunch time the first place I headed to was Mel's Drive In.
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| The Supreme Burger & 50/50 Spiked Shake. Absolutely awesome last USA meal. |
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| And of course a Chocolate Sundae. |
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| Goodbye Mel's Drive In - till we meet again. :-) |
Got back to the hotel about 4pm, sorted out the last wee bit of shopping I had done, then the car arrived, the valet packed my bags into the car and was pleased he got them all to fit. LOL Then it was off to LAX to catch my flight home. Got to the check in counter with plenty of time to spare, checked in my luggage and was well under my weight allowance!! Allowance is 23kg per bag times 5 bags equals 115kg, my 5 bags only weighed 110.8kg!! I know, my first thought as well was 'I could have bought more stuff.' LMAO Headed over to the x-ray machine and all bags got through fine, then stood in line for security for a while - no jumping the line here, even those flying business class. Got through security all fine, then made my way to the gate and waited for the boarding call. Made a last phone call to Vicki (my American Mom) which helped to make the time pass. Got onto the plane, settled in to my seat and shortly after we were on our way up into the air. Watched a couple of movies, listened to some music and slept for part of the flight.
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| This looks very much like the plane I arrived in. Hhhhhmmmm. Well it got me here safely, it should get me home safely. |
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| Ulrich making sure our luggage gets loaded. |
Got woken up about an hour before landing for breakfast. Got my stuff sorted, filled out the required forms and next thing you know I look out the window and there it is - New Zealand - felt rather surreal, like I hadn't been gone for very long, but at the same time felt like I had been gone for ages.
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| Ulrich getting a first look at his new home. |
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| This was SO surreal - the silhouette of our plane on the clouds. |
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| Ah, the green, green grass of home. |
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| There it is, my home 'town', the 'big' city of Auckland. |
Once we had landed I turned my phone on & got a text from my brother saying he was going to be a bit late picking me up & hoping my flight was late! LOL It was all good tho as I never rush off the plane. I got off the plane, got a trolley and then waited for my luggage, and didn't have to wait long as it was some of the first bags off the plane. I went forward & got the 1st bag, turned around & went & got the 2nd bag, I think people expected me to leave at that point but a short while later I saw my 3rd & 4th bags & got them as well, and then the looks really started as I turned around and picked up my 5th bag. Would have been interesting to hear what people were thinking. Got my 5 bags & 1 carry-on stacked on the trolley and made my way to customs. Got through customs all good, got a few looks of surprise but when I said "I've been away for 3 months" the looks became understanding. Got out the arrival doors & didn't see my brother, so I headed over to McDonalds & got a milkshake and when I turned around there he was. He pushed my bags out to the car - coz he is taller & could see over the top of them - and then it was a short drive and I was home. Ahhhhhhhh. Home Sweet Home.
