Arrival

Bonjour, bonjour, bonjour!

I would like to say bonjour from warm sunny climes but no............ Unfortunately we've arrived to rain and only 19 degrees but it is still an improvement on Taupo!

The kids were great at the hotel last night and although a few eyebrows were raised when I said I'd be waking them up at 4.45am at the latest, they were all tucked up with lights out by 8.45pm.
I told them that we would meet by the lifts at 5.45am after all rooms were checked by me. Imagine my surprise when I opened my door at 4.30am (which was right by the lifts), to go and wake everyone up, and I saw already waiting with their luggage and all dressed up in their formals like eager little beavers, but Gabby and Brianna!!  I told them they were over an hour early and to get back and watch some TV for an hour!  Jonty tried to remove two of his fingers by leaving them in the hinge end of the door while someone closed it so that was a 5.30am drama.  It looked jolly sore and he wasn't a happy chappy for a while but it was OK by the time we got to the airport.  I'm picking there will be a couple of black finger nails developing over the next few days though!

We were at the airport to begin checking in by 6.15am.  Luckily we were, because the AirNZ checkin was like Grand Central Station. It was a learning curve for many as we all checked ourselves in at the kiosks and attached luggage labels etc. I won't name and shame those who found that latter task challenging! We went upstairs to go through the gate after instructions were given to empty out food and drink before we went through.............. needless to say someone had to relinquish their water bottle at security  because it was still full!  There's always one......

                                                              Cold outside in sandals!

                                                              Very cheery for 6am!

The flight over was quite smooth with just a bit of turbulence in the jet stream over Norfolk Island so that was great. We were all a bit disappointed to be greeted by the drizzle at Tontouta but it was still warm.  Most fell asleep in the bus during the hour long drive into the city and looked pretty shattered by the time they left the school with their billets at 4pm. We had a warm welcome from the Principal and Deputy Principal and then the kids did a fun activity with their billets in groups to get to know each other better. It was such a good idea because they now know more than just their own billet.

Some were nervous as 4pm approached and they knew they were meeting the parents and going to their new home for 2 weeks. The parents all seemed lovely though and happy to receive them.

The french teacher, Madame Perraud,  had left a 'goody bag' in our car to save us going to the supermarket tonight so that was great. There are a few essentials we need to sample pretty soon after arriving in our room each year! I hanker for the selection of cheeses every year after we return home - the cheeses are so varied and just soooo delicious - with fresh baguette, of course!

                                           Not looking too inviting on the drive in to the city

Unloading the bus

The internet is even worse than normal and it has taken ages to upload these photos!  I will post this and keep trying to put more up after we've eaten some dinner.

We won't be long out of bed, that's for sure - we're feeling just as shattered as the kids I think.

Well, that's it for Day 1 with all fingers and toes crossed for better weather in the morning.

Au revoir from the TIS travellers!