After a subdued breakfast we went to help Heather clear her room as they could only keep one room. Her packing was a disaster but she said she would sort it out again later!!! We all then went for a walk on the beach and our last dip in the sea. Jane and Jason went shopping and Jon, Heather and I went for lunch and we just had to have somewhere that was air conditioned so we went to Two Chefs again. Jane and Jason joined us when they had finished shopping.
After lunch Heather stayed with Jane and Jason and we went back to our room to shower and finish packing.
We had to be out of our room by 3.00 so we went down to reception to pay the bill and it was so hot. They put the fans on for Jon and gave us some cold towels while we waited till 3.30 for the car.
An Australian couple and their 23 year old son were going to the airport and were on our flight. The son rushed off to change some jeans and was late getting back and his parents were not happy with him but we were only about 10 minutes late leaving. it was worse for the driver as he had to get back to the hotel and take Jane, Heather and Jason at 5.30 and the traffic was busy but we now know they were OK for time.
The security at Phuket is incredible! You are x-rayed as you go in then you go to check in and they search your cases and bags, then you check in and then going through immigration they check your hand luggage and then again before boarding the plane! Never been scanned and searched so much! Fortunately as we were flying premium economy we were able to go to the front of all the checks so didn't have to wait.
We had a drink when we were through and Jon used up the baht by buying me a silk glasses case and a little notebook, very sweet.
I went to the loo and as I was coming out a girl threw up in one of the basins as all the loos were full. Not very nice but I felt so sorry for her and she was so embarrassed. I managed to find a cleaner to go and sort her out and then had to try and block it from my mind.
Our flight was not called but we saw people near the gate so went over and they were boarding! i suppose they would have called us eventually!
We took off on time and the flight was very smooth. Dinner was OK and I watched a film. I took out my contact lens but didn't manage to sleep. The flight was only 7hrs 20 minutes and so we were being woken for breakfast just as I was settling down. We arrived in Melbourne 35 minutes early.
We were booked through to Auckland and told to get our boarding cards at the transit desk. Unfortunately, there is no transit desk and we eventually found someone who said we would get our boarding cards at the gate before departure and to keep checking the board for the gate number.
We then went to have some breakfast but I felt so ill with tiredness I really didn't know what to do with myself, it was a horrible five hours. Had we known we would be in early we could have gone on the Emirates flight that left an hour after we landed and it was horrible to see it taking off and us still waiting!!
Eventually we went to the gate and after a whole lot of hassle we got our boarding cards two minutes before boarding but at least we were at the front. We had to fly pacific blue which is a bit like Ryan Air!!!!! Say no more.
I can't complain about the flight as it was smooth but I had a large lady next to me who squashed my left side and a Chinese boy behind who kept climbing over his parents to get out and nearly took my head off each time - he seemed to have a weak bladder too!!!
Well safe and sound we landed in Auckland and got the shuttle bus to our hotel and had a nice cup of tea and rest before going down to dinner.
I chose simple fish and chips which was really good. Jon had a steak which was really bad and he sent it back and the next one was just as overcooked so he sent that back too and shared my fish and chips!
We were so tired we went to bed at 10.00!!
WEATHER
Very hot and steamy in Phuket and sunny and pleasant in Auckland.
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