Moments Like These: Home Time (part 2)

DAY THREE

The next morning we were awake at 5.30am to be ready for the airport shuttle due to arrive at 6.45. We showered, cleaned up and packed then we were off to check out... At long last!!!!

My dad had told me that the plane departs at 8.15am but my mum told me that check in was at 8.15... I didn't know who to believe so I just decided to be safe and treat departure as 8.15.

The shuttle arrived after waiting 20 minutes outside in the cold, and we were off. We were at Christchurch Airport by 7.15. We checked in... A little early but the lady behind the counter just took our bags and assured us she would make sure they got on the plane (it's always nice when you get friendly check in staff... They always give a good start to someone's holiday). The next thing to do was go to the upstairs cafe for breakfast!!! Afterwards I took Ben to the rooftop to look out for the plane which was due to land soon!!! As we climbed up the stairs, Ben became uneasy. "Are you sure we're allowed up here?" "There's no signs, we're not allowed here!" he kept saying. I reassured him that everything was ok and to trust me. Once we got to the top, he realised we weren't the only people on the roof and everything was alright.

Excited to go home!

We were looking out for the plane as it was meant to land

We spent a good 30 minutes on the rooftop looking for the Air Chathams plane to land. Every time I saw one in the distance I would shout "It's here!! Look it's the plane!!! YAY!". Only to be let down and realise it was a much larger Air New Zealand plane every time!!! After seeing about 5 planes, we gave up and went back downstairs to check the screen. Turns out, the plane was delayed and wasn't due to land until 9.45 and we would depart at 10am. 15 minutes was going to be a quick unload and reload of the luggage, so I knew there was no way we would leave on time.

One thing I love about Christchurch is that I'm always guaranteed to see someone I know... At the airport I saw my Aunty Lynn checking in at the counter. I snuck up behind her and gave her a huge hug and kiss!!! I knew that if she was there, Uncle Eddie (her husband, my dad's oldest brother) would be there too. I noticed that her grandson (my second cousin) Noah was there too and he was flying home to see his dad. Aunty Lynn then asked me if I would sit with him, so he wouldn't have to be an unaccompanied minor.

Later on, I saw my uncle along with a few other islanders I didn't quite know. We all made our way to the departure lounge where Ben and Noah had huge yarns about 'Ben 10' (a cartoon programm I know nearly nothing about). Soon after, we got to board the plane... and to my amazement... we departed on time!!!

Within 1 hour and a half, we were home!!!!

We got to the airport where my mum was waiting in the truck. She still looked the same =P

When we got home, the first thing I did was go to my mums cafe where Annalise and Tazmin were working while mum was away. I gave them each a huge hug and introduced them to Ben, then put in an order for my favourite burger... a Jackie Burger!!!

The Chatham Island Airport!

Mum's Cafe (next door to home)

While we were having lunch, my friends Jayal and Porsha arrived.... the next thing we knew, we were off to the old intermediate school swimming pool for a swim!!