At Last!

We are an hour behind NZ in time so it's 7.30pm here and Alex and I have just got to our apartment! It feels like midnight! We had a reasonable trip up in the bus with a couple of stops for queasy tummies. The weather got worse the closer we got to Auckland.

Excitement was palpable on arrival at the airport but departure proceedings went smoothly. Holly was thrilled when a Frenchman checking in at the counter next to us said "pardon Mademoiselle!" to her when he accidentally cut across in front of her!  The airport wasn't too busy and we had half an hour to spare before boarding while the shops got the once over from everybody. It's amazing how shopping appeals so much to girls though, no matter what the age!
  The flight was fairly smooth and everyone engrossed themselves in movies, games etc until that beautiful ocean was sighted from the windows. "We're actually here at last" they said. 
The airport is a much finer building these days and we didn't have to walk off the plane over the tarmac - very flash! It's been a work in   for about 6 years but the airport is now a beautiful building and not a makeshift-looking one.  The temperature was the best part though!  It is wonderful!

                                               Baggage Carousel in Noumea - do they look hyped??

 The bus was waiting for us outside the airport as usual and it took one back (well....one of us back!) to the good old psychedelic hippy days.... what a paint job!

 

Le Bus!

 

The male contingent

 

 The French kids were out on the street waiting for us as the bus pulled up. Our kids were remarkably OK and we got no "why did I get myself into this?" backward looks as they went off with their families. Lily positively bolted with no goodbye - just couldn't wait to leap into the car with her new 'sister'! The families were lovely and greeted our kids with warmth and friendliness.  I have had no desperate phone calls as yet so all must be well!  They will all be tired so I'm sure they will sleep well tonight.  We look forward to seeing them all in the morning and hearing all the first impression stories.