No problem taking the boat to the Bora Bora airport. Absolutely no security, or air conditioning. But it’s quick turn around. We strategically took seats on the back of the plane so we could be the first to disembark. It worked and we were first off the plane. The airport was much smaller than we remembered. I waited for our luggage while Jim used the facilities.

I quickly learned that we had gotten off the plane on the wrong Island! The guys on the ground had a good chuckle and led us back onto the plane. We had gotten off on Morea and they never said anything about where we were landing, at least not in English and our French has not improved in 5 days.

But, no harm, no foul. We left the plane for good on the correct Island, gathered our bags and made our way for the international gates and Air New Zealand.

Unfortunately, those gates wouldn’t open for about 1.5 hours. So we ventured back to the small, hot little cafe were we settled down with a couple of cold beers, a small baguette sandwich with some ham-like substance and purchased internet. We did some texting a got to video with Jasmine and James. He thought it was pretty funny that we were in the IPad and he tried to play catch with us. The internet didn’t work vey well, but it was great to see them both.

Poor Jim had begun melting while we waited at the Bora Bora airport and kept melting when we landed in Papeete.

When it was time, we headed to security hoping we could get to a cooler place before Jim completely melted. It was strangely comforting to see the real security. Unfortunately, we had an issue with my carry-on bag due to the amazing polished conch shell that we were given as a gift. Again no harm no foul. We ended up checking it and that led us to the air conditioned cashiers room. The temporary cooling allowed Jim to stop melting. We tried to buy other things so we could stay in the cooler space, but she was pretty quick, so we ventured forth to the Air New Zealand terminal hoping for a cooler spot.

Alas, the Air New Zealand terminal is not air conditioned but it does have much better air flow. We each washed off in the bathroom with some cool water. I procured some cold diet coke (which I almost never drink, but it was ridiculously good given the circumstances) on ice (given grudgingly) and some chips so I could get some salt into Jim who was clearly in need.

It’s almost time to board and Jim is cooler and revived. We are ready to enter the space-time continuum and jump from Sunday night to Monday night in just 6 hours.

It was a long day, but we have arrived in Auckland.  We slept very well in a lovely soft bed and are ready to face the day with a quick tour of Auckland and then we are on to Rotorua by car. We will have to engage  our team driving on the”wrong” side of the road.