We had everyone up at 5am-ish to be ready to leave for the airport at 6am. I jumped out of bed full of energy and a smile from one ear to the other – not because I am about to trust in a pile of metal to stay up in the sky, but because I am TOTally ready! Eight loads of washing yesterday (including sheets and towels), all bills paid, house (sort of) cleaned, and bags packed and check-in process completed. And fingers crossed, I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything!! 😬

On the way to the airport I read a news article that due to a malfunction at air traffic control, all flights were grounded indefinitely. We had planned to take the family in to the Qantas Club for a second breakfast, but because of the delays they said we could only take one guest each. So rather than choose a favourite child each, we just sat and waited with the crowds at our departure gate instead – #firstworldproblems….  It did mean we ran into the Stewart’s before they boarded their flight to Nadi, and Ross caught up with Mike while buying us a coffee. 

Our flight was only half an hour late leaving, and the pilot was pleased to announce tailwinds would pick us up and take us there faster, so we would arrive only 15 mins after our scheduled time. My foot is not on the steering wheel or pedal, so I don’t enjoy the ride over which I have no control! I have learnt from experience though and have two new must-haves for a calm flight – noise cancelling headphones and a kids’ version of Valium. Hear me out here…..the doctor prescribed this for Zac who panics and vomits on every single flight (it’s amazing to read back over past trips and see how often I innocently wonder if he has caught a bug!). It was entertaining for the others to see him looking high and happy (singing “we’re going to NZ” over and over), but towards the end of the flight he did look sad and say he had a headache. It was a good lesson for the others not to do drugs! But it also made for an enjoyable flight for Zac (and Belle and I who usually pat him and hold multiple sick bags for him). The headphones enabled me to listen to soothing music and watch “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” and barely know we were in the air!

It was bumpy coming into Queenstown through the mountains (and Zac did ask if the pilots knew how to avoid them!), but the beautiful scenery made us forget all our anxieties. It was a smooth transition to our 12-seater bus, and we were soon at our accommodation for the week. Ross, Jarrod and Zac went shopping for groceries while the rest of explored and unpacked, and given the three hour jump forward in time, we decided to stay in for tonight. Photos below are of the view from the balcony and kitchen – I am looking forward to breakfast with a view like this! Off to bed now thankful for safe and calm travels.