Off on an island adventure

Sitting in an airport hotel restaurant, getting ready to fly to Rarotonga. This will be a big trip for me as it is the first time we have really done any overseas travel since my back operation. I have been making good progress and feel a bit more confident that things will work out OK and I hope not to have too many issues with back pain while we are away.

The next day, we got up at the ungodly hour of 4.00am to walk across to the airport in readiness for our island adventure. Little did we know that it would become a very tenuous thing, our being able to make the journey at all. Firstly, the plane was not ready to depart at the time on our tickets. Ice on the wings – and maybe other parts that might be affecting safety – meant that had to be cleared before we flew. Then the next thing we hear there is a problem with fog and according to the airlines safety policy, we were not able to take off until the fog cleared. As we had to take the domestic flight to Auckland and then on to Rarotonga from there, it was to become a close run thing. We got to Auckland airport later than planned and we weren’t sure that there would be a plane waiting for us when we got there. As luck was on our side for a change, we were to make it after all as the plane’s departure was delayed by the airline so that those of us coming from Christchurch would be able to board. It was very close to us not getting there! We had to have a long trek from the domestic terminal to the international and I tell you; it is the furthest and probably fastest I have walked in probably years! I remarked to my husband that it was a long way and I was getting tired, but other than that we both had to suck it up and hoof it as quickly as possible to get to the gate to board. A very stressful way to start our little holiday!

But finally, we made it on to the plane and we sat and watched movies and tried to get into holiday mode. It took me a while to relax, but ultimately we made it to Rarotonga just 20 minutes later than previously sheduled.

As I type this, my husband and I are shattered, the early start, the stress and just a few minutes ago we finished a lovely meal and are back in our accommodation. I do find that a new thing is that if I am rushed or stressed, or both I tend to feel my legs and my body become very sluggish and it is as if all the energy has suddently drained out of me.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day and hopefully after a reasonable night’s sleep we will be able to pootle about and get into island time and start to relax. Looking forward to sun and snorkeling and time with my lovely husband.

Further reports to come.