The day before a trip is always tedious, but this one even more so - Tom was at an SES training day, Sophie, Charlotte and Joe were involved in the roller derby grand final down on the plains, Jess had a 30th birthday party to go to (Pete was at cricket) and Shannon and Aaron were doing their usual family things and then Jessie and Shannon, with Oliver, Eliza and Thomas, were going to go and watch the roller derby. I had done my packing. Family history didn't int...

After a long morning, Jessie came up to Hazelbrook and picked us up. She and Pete are going to the northern beaches for a party so we were so pleased to be offered a lift to Circular Quay. Entering the ship was very easy, the whole process streamlined, although might have been easier due to the walking stick - we were ushered through. Our room is as we would expect, although lacking a few amenities we're accustomed to. There are no dressing gowns (which we planne...

So.... Up at 4.30am Tahiti time (1.30am Sydney time) for pick up at 5.30am. Use up some of our Pacific francs for check out. Of course the other snack had not been taken off our bill, but the lovely reception man fixed that with no problem at all. Then began the long day to journey back home. The bus transfer to Tahiti airport, check-in, check out their duty free/souvenir shopping, board the plane. For the long flight back to Auckland we were fed brekky and I wat...