Down Under Part 6...Why won't you just let me leave Oz?

Wow it's been a while.  I really should have done this sooner so I didn't forget anything.  Sunday morning November 9th we got up at our motel and took a shuttle to the airport to head back to Auckland.  So we get to the check out counter or ticket counter or whatever you want to call it and the lady is seriously terrible.  All we want to do is go back to Auckland where we have a 3 month visa there.  She wants to see every single one of our full itineraries and showing her one isn't good enough...she has to see everyone's with their name on it.  I'm pretty sure it's none of your business lady.  Don't worry about it just let us leave for heavens sake.  Well after some time she finally let's us get our tickets and check-in.  Thanks.

I don't really remember the flight to be honest.  I'm guessing I took a nap and ate their food they gave us.  I do remember when we got into Auckland though...it took a few hours.  Those who had newer passports got to take the express lane and those of us with older ones (they all expire this year--me, Caryn, and Liz) got to take the long unpleasant journey with the rest of the riff-raff.  On the bright side I beat a few levels of the rarely played Candy Crush Saga.  Of course by the time we get through line one our luggage is not still just going on the conveyer belt.  Thankfully Erin had waited for us near baggage claim with our stuff that we had checked.  Then we got in line two that took another bit and where they questioned us about the stuff we brought back.  We all passed the exam and met up with everyone in the waiting area.  Thank Goodness!

Just a note...

At the point Liz, Sarah, and Kristina rent a car and Bri, Caryn, and I rent a car.  Heaven help New Zealand at this point because they drive on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road.  Erin was kind enough to ride with me and talk me through the backwards round about.

We survived the trip back to Erin's and then went to her friend (and our new friend) Crystal's to eat.  It was so peaceful at her house.  They had an amazing view of the water/ocean? there and it was so nice after our yucky travel day to just sit and look out on the water.  Crystal also fed us some local cuisine.  I remember one dish specifically that I think had cumin in it and it was really good.  Also I think there were rolls of some sort that maybe I ate like 5 of.  Maybe.

That night after we went back to Erin's I think we crashed.  It's possible we watched a movie, but I think I mostly participated in sleep.  We had some travel ahead and I needed it.