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There aren't too many photos in this section, as we were more focused on getting to and from Tauranga to see friends.
Tauranga has some delightful beaches, but I suspect it's just a tad too cool for us tropical types. Also, the sand is white, and it's actual sand, not pebbles.
While in Tauranga, our friend asked if we'd been to Classic Flyers? I'd never heard of it, but it's yet another aircraft museum!
As with the other aviation topics, they're in a separate blog. Try here
Tauranga, featuring Mount Maunganui at the entrance to the harbour. Tauranga is on the cruise liner itinerary. The big white boat at right is the 'Carnival <something>'.
Only one of these is a natural flyer.
A rather bemused tree
NZ road signs are always helpful.
After driving back from Tauranga, we checked into our airport hotel (ready for an early start tomorrow), dropped off the hire car, then went out for dinner with friends who live in Auckland. When we got back to the hotel, I pondered if I should check my email... Hmmm
Readers who have been paying attention may recall that we started this trip with a less than welcome email that started "<airline name> regrets to advise...". Guess what was in my inbox?
It would seem that for "Technical Reasons", ANZ had swapped the normal B777 for a B787.
Problem: There are 40+ Premium Economy seats in a B777; there are only about 20 on a B787. We were booked Premium Economy (we both are getting to the stage of wanting a bit more room). Guess who is going to get bumped down the back?
Resolution: We got on the flight AND got the difference in fares refunded AND paid $350 each in cash as an 'Inconvenience payment'.
Hey - it's only a 3hr flight. No big deal.
You might be forgiven for thinking that Auckland was Air New Zealand's home base.
Goodbye, New Zealand. We had a great time and you put on pretty good weather. Thank you! (Auckland Harbour below)
The sign that greeted us as we exited the International Arrivals Terminal in Brisbane.
Is it any wonder that overseas visitors think everything that runs, crawls, slithers, flies or swims in Australia is out to kill them?
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