The full plane NZ 5 left late at 10.15 pm … Even though I had for this leg a Copa Airline issued boarding pass at Panama City, I still needed another new Air New Zealand one issued at the boarding gate.

Crossing the International date line meant I lost a day. But what a magnificent sunrise I just happen to see as we crossed this point some 3 hours out of Auckland. The orange and red colours were so rich and deep.

I paid an extra NZ $ 75 for an exit row seat on this Boeing 777 series 300 and was glad of this to have the ability to fully stretch out my legs. Still did not get much sleep!

Touch down early at 7.30 am (12 hours 15 minutes flying time) and being seated at row 34 right behind premium economy did help as I was at 8.05 am walking out of the terminal. Yes, I had declared all of my animal, feather, shell, wood items etc plus only had a bit of chocolate and 2 packets of Raro left. Was not surprised that I could not bring in the brightly coloured macaw feather that I had picked up at Macaw Mountain all those many weeks ago. Bags not x rayed … third time that this has happened on my return to NZ. Being organised and telling Customs etc exactly what I had may be the key.

The next Auckland Transport orange Airporter 380 bus to Onehunga leaves at 8.25 am. Do I pay the NZ $ 29 for a Super Shuttle to get be there quickly or wait for the bus? Of course wait for the local bus as that only cost NZ $ 3.40 and then it was a quick 10 minute walk 3 blocks up to mum where my car was parked. So at 9.10 am wandered into #72!

Home to MB and then both lawns and washing done, seen how the weeds and beans etc have grown in my absence… and somehow managed to stay awake till 9 pm. So that was some 44.5 hours since I woke up in Panama City.

Forgot to take out of my first aid kit the "No Jet Lag" tablets ... Somehow on reflection didn’t need them but travelling west has never been a major issue for me!

So my 60 day tour 2013 - 2014 trip has come to an end.

Next is to write up my final Reflections entry of my time away which may well be the best and worst experience, hotel, attraction, meal, tour guide, city, country, border crossing …. rework each entry, label and reorder the photos plus prepare a daily HIGHLIGHTS entry which most people in the future will view.

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