I’ve said a lot of goodbyes to a lot of people in a lot of different ways. I’ve done the walk-with-you-until-it’s-passengers-only farewell. I’ve done the hug-on-a-Wellington-street-corner-and-walk-off-even-though-I-don’t-know-when-I’ll-see-you-again farewell. I’ve done the text message farewell. I’ve done the drive-by farewell. I’ve even done the run-next-to-the-train-as-it-pulls-away-from-the-platform farewell.

This time I tried my hand at the I’m-just-about-to-board-phonecall farewell. Trying to fit everything into a three minute phonecall is a task and a half especially in an age where people don’t use their phones to make calls anymore. I think I summed it up best when I said, “I’ll see you on the Facebooks.”

Pro Tip: For those of you wanting to attempt something similar I suggest NOT sitting underneath one of those loud announcement speakers at the airport. Talk about a conversation killer.

My childhood buddy woke up way early than he’s used to and dropped me off at the airport. We promised not to leave it another 10 years before we catch up again.

He ain’t heavy… he’s my backpack…

Auckland airport has this weigh-and-repack station so I popped my gigantic pack on and winced at the 21 point something kg weight. And then double winced at the pretty much 12kg carry-on bag. Then I thought, “Screw it. I’ll chance it and see what happens.”

What happened was that I was asked to removed something from my check-in bag to put into my already-too-heavy carry-on :S

Thanks to some sneaky hide-and-seek I was able to avoid excess baggage charges and slip the extra weight into my carry-on. Note to overpackers: they tend to miss the 4kg laptop still sitting in the trolley.

I even got an it’s-okay-we’ve-already-checked-this label on my bag which meant it didn’t have to be reweighed at the boarding point. Sweet.

For someone who usually travels light I still don’t know how I managed to pack 34kg worth of crap into two bags. Half of my big pack isn’t mine, 1.5kg is chocolate goodies and my entire carry-on is my guilty pleasure geeky paraphernalia – laptop, dSLR, extra lens, 4 hard drives.

The good great thing about airports

When you’re looking for breakfast at 0930 Burger King will actually serve you burgers not just their dodgy looking bacon/egg creations.

While scarfing down my BK I had one of those mini heartattack moments when I thought I’d checked in both pair of earphones. Thankfully they were just hiding else it would’ve been a boring ass 10.5 hour flight!

I’ve spent the last few weeks saying goodbye to people slowly. It started off with my little bros… then workmates and friends who were off on holiday… then last minute catch ups with friends… then a big ole farewell up the mountain in what turned out to be the best. Leaving. Party. EVER. I said goodbye to aunties/uncles/cousins/granddad then yesterday morning my dad waved me off at the front door and mum dropped me off at the bus stop. You never get used to leaving people behind but it makes it easier when you know you’ll always come back. Just like the Federation t-shirts: I Call NZ Home.

$1 madness

The Naked Bus that I hopped to Auckland cashed in at a whopping $1 (plus $1 booking fee). If nothing, I am a good planner

But bus riding has the unfortunate side effect of attracting all the crazies. My particular favourite was the guy who flossed a few of his teeth then popped the floss into his pocket for safe keeping. He then took out a dry toothbrush and started brushing his teeth sans toothpaste and water. Only on a bus.

Reconnecting

Now, anyone who knows me will know that I don’t have friends from before the age of 21. But a few weeks ago I decided to get in touch with one of my best friends from high school who I hadn’t spoken to in 9 years and hadn’t seen in 12. A few emails and a phone call later and I was greeted at the Manukau bus stop by my childhood friend holding up a sign he had made for me. And it was like we’d never lost touch.

We’re older, slightly wiser, a bit more weathered but still the same. We both know all of each others embarrassing high school secrets that we’d much rather forget. And we both like steak which meant that going out to a steakhouse for dinner was a good choice.

And she’s off…

And now it’s the morning of my flight out to Singapore for the start of what I shall call my Great Big Trip (episode II). I didn’t expect to make so many good friends this time ’round but I did and it made my short stay ridiculously fun with the unfortunate knock-on effect of also being super sad to leave. But, as usual, I’ll make like Arnie and see them all again in the next few years.

And so the blogging begins…