G’day mate!
Today was our last day in Queenstown. We all woke up in our bunkbeds in the Pinewood Lodge and quickly packed our suitcases before our 10:00 check out. Since we did not have to leave for the airport until 12:00, the Pinewood Lodge was nice enough to store our things until we had to leave. While our personal items were stored away, we explored downtown Queenstown for the last time! Many of us ate delicious breakfasts in various restaurants downtown. Libby and I, along with a few others, ate at Vudo Cafe where we enjoyed a nice plate of pancakes, fried eggs, and lemon bread. After breakfast we shopped for New Zealand souvenirs and last minute gifts.
Us excited to leave our tight space in Pinewood Lodge
Breakfast at Vudo Cafe
Once we met back up at the Pinewood Lodge, our group traveled to the airport to leave New Zealand. Since the airport did not let us enter the gates until closer to our 3:30 departure, we waited in the lobby for a few hours. After getting through security, it was finally time board the plane. Once on the plane, we had another long wait of airport delays, but then we were finally en route to Sydney. The flight itself was uneventfully eventful. We enjoyed a nice meal and ice cream bars provided by the Quantas Airlines staff. During the flight many of us caught up on our readings, watched movies, and took well deserved naps. However, everyone’s full attention was captivated during the plane landing. Because of Sydney’s windy weather, our landing was quite bumpy and gave us all a scare. However, it all turned out fine (even though I still have a red spot where Devon tightly gripped my arm during the landing). We then exited the plane, went through customs, and met Jenn and Rebecca in the Airport lobby to transition to the hotel.
Sunset on plane to Sydney
Passport pic 🙂
Once arriving at our VERY nice hotel room, we unloaded our bags, showered, and ordered complimentary slippers to our room. The generous people at TEAN ordered us pizza, and we enjoyed a nice meal with our roommates in our apartments. This has been a long, yet exciting day. We are sure to sleep well tonight and are excited to start fresh in Sydney tomorrow.
Australians welcoming us the best way they know how!
Our room in Sydney! Definitely a step up from the Pinewood lodge
Devon, Katie T, Libby and Kate enjoying our complimentary slippers
So glad Kate you and Libby had each other ( and other friends) to enjoy the sights with and to cope with the all the little fun challenges that always comes with travel!! The accommodations look great!