WINDING DOWN

We have a good night and hang out until we go to the airport for the trip back to Sydney. We just ponder and wonder at the crazy route home but when we're using frequent flyer miles so the options are limited. Here's another good one for you. Each person leaving New Zealand must pay a $25 departure fee. You go to the Bank of New Zealand window located in a handy spot next to customs, and get the necessary sticker on your boarding pass. No sticker, no go. I don't know what happens to people who spend all their money (kids) and have just enough to get home on. Too bad, I guess. We have a smooth trip to Sydney and give it a go to see if we can fly straight to LA from Sydney and avoid the trip back to Aukland. As Aunt Ginny says, "If you've got the money, you can take the train." Common sense won out when it was about $600 to change. On to our hotel in Sydney.