So this was a long day due to a 9 hour delay of our flight which was supposed to leave at 10 p.m. in the evening.
We ended up leaving at 7 in the morning. This means I still get back on Sunday but at 430 p.m. instead. Timezone math is so confusing for me. I get SO confused. I refuse to think in days of the week because of it. I just have to remember what I need to do in terms of activities and cross my fingers that is enough.
But let us begin at the beginning, lol. Early in the morning, Jenna said she was getting another bag, I got one too. I went downstairs to weigh my bags and I was pushing it. But due to the second bag … I went shopping! I was even thinking Christmas. Then I really did need to repack. I was going to try to make it to the Fish Market, Maritime Museum, and Ahi..
It turned into WIPCE, Maritime Museum, dinner at Ahi., more shopping, and our delayed flight for a memorable end to New Zealand leg.
When I checked out at 12, I walked out to a parade in the street. It was the different indigenous tribes and nations going to Aotea Square.
It was a busy and crowded event and I saw someone from Cook Island and I managed to by a souvenir from there even though I was worried about getting one prior, due to luggage across countries and New Zealands strict customs policy.
I wasn’t going to go but it kind of hit me in the face when I walked out the hotel and I was like, it only makes sense to go up and check it out. I saw three nations do offerings of cultural dance in the street and up at Aotea Square the New Zealand contingent did an opening for each nation, welcoming them into the square. I then saw some friends from work. It actually made me feel overflowing seeing Hawai’i representing here when I was visiting so randomly myself.
Then I went to the Maritime Museum and learned more about boating, sailing, the America cup, waka, Māori wayfinding and culture through some of the exhibits. I even saw some of the crew from Polynesian Voyaging Society.
Dinner time. Then we found out about the delay of our flight.
But this I especially liked about the Sunday drive to the airport to ask the desk what we can do for accommodations for the evening.
I saw the sunset in New Zealand! Although we were close to the harbor, I was surrounded by buildings and didn’t have the views I had prior. No surprise there, but it was a nice little capper for me. Part of me really thought it was a perfect and fitting moment for me to have on the last evening there.
Monkiyo's Musings 