All the places you never want to go on vacation: Back to Auckland, plus more pictures

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Yep, we are in heaven now. We finally got to go snorkeling! We have been carrying those darn fins and snorkels and masks around with us, longingly looking at the coral reefs below the surface of the clear ocean waters for a couple of weeks. This morning we got to sleep in (or I could have but woke at 6:30) because E/S Murdock were picking us up at 10:30 to take us snorkeling at a beach about 30 minutes away. They said that there is a better beach, but high tide was not till the afternoon, and we had to get to the airport for our evening flight.

I was not all that enthusiastic at first; it was not all that warm yet for some reason and I knew the oceans here this time of year would not be like the ‘bathtub’ in Mombasa where we first snorkeled many years ago. But once I got in the water (it was at first refreshing) and began paddling around and seeing the little fishes, I forgot about everything else and enjoyed the scene before me. I almost drowned myself at first though using Jim’s mask—it was shot, so traded back for mine and then could keep the water out of my nose and eyes. We saw lots of fishes but they said it was the worst day ever and that usually there are many, many more. Well, it was enough for us. We quit at noon and had a snack she had brought and headed back to our room at the Liahona, showered, packed, and left before 2 PM to go shopping. Jim bought another shirt. I might someday buy a fan if I come back here, especially during the hot season. They have woven ones here of every variety. I just want one that works and it doesn’t have to be fancy.

We went to the office and tried to go over all the many, many sites we had visited—I lost track of how many. I was so tired I just zoned out while Jim and the ladies talked about the projects we’d seen. Many decisions were made but not all, so we’ll be Skyping shortly to continue to sort it all out. I had finished that morning, the trip report for Tonga, but there will be lots of corrections left to do. Tomorrow after church I’ll be typing away, trying to get it all done for our meeting Monday morning in the office.

We took the 7:55 PM flight back to Auckland after stopping off for a quick meal before getting to the airport. We got lucky again—at first she did not want to put us into the bulkhead seat but Jim talked her into it! So, for not extra money we got to sit in matching aisle seats in the exit row for extra knee room. Howard, the man we visited with at the office one afternoon, was on the same plane two rows ahead of us. Lost track of him in the airport though. Presume he’ll be at the Spencer Hotel with us.

We arrived at the hotel by taxi and then I was SO happy that we had a washing machine because we had run out of clothes and both of us needed something to wear Sunday. I am going to tell Luisa (secretary to Hans) how much I appreciate this room with a washing machine. This is a first for us--everything we have is dirty and we haven’t had a lot of time to wash our clothes.

Sunday, November 1^st:

We went to bed about 2:00 AM but I still could not sleep—like a baby that is too tired! I got up again and worked for a while and then went back to bed—I was afraid to look at the time. Then we had to be up before 8 AM to get ready for church and had to walk to church, which begins at 9 AM. It was Fast Sunday so we didn’t go down for breakfast. They were having a marathon so Gary couldn’t pick us up. Luckily when we were half way there a family stopped and gave us a ride! A blessing—kept me from falling over… It finally was not as cold and windy as when we were here last, but our particular hotel seems to be at the edge of a wind tunnel—it is always windy by the front door. I was like a zombie at church. Afterwards the Winters’ fed us lunch (they fast from lunch to lunch) and took us back to the hotel. I slept for 3 hours! Forced myself to get up to finish reports. We can leisurely get up and go to the office in the morning.

I’m attaching more pictures I have wanted to send but didn’t have the time.