17/2/2026 Samoa to Auckland

Torrential rain poured all night and I shuffled over to breakfast. I can't feel my right arm and it needs a bit of help moving it. Also I cant grip anything in my hands that's not a new thing, just the pinched nerve in the neck and merely another sign I've been overdoing things a bit . sorry Si.

I went in for my last breakfast, nowhere near as dramatic as the last supper but similar. I decided to fill up today as it's a  long arsed  travel day back to Auckland. I had the omlet toast, fruit cereal salad and cakes. What a greedy old trout and I even smuggled some pastries into my bag for later. However my reasoning is, keep the rage suppressed with food and i might make it out of Samoa without stabbing an innocent person for merely breathing. Huzzah! 

I took some last photos around the place, like. I don’t have enough already do I?  And then went back to finish packing. 

I decided I might risk the palm leaf bowls I made but as I hadn’t received a reply from the email I’d sent to New Zealand plant s people, I put them in my hand luggage and declared them on my forms. That way if they were not allowed in I at least wouldn’t get a fine. 

A final Si sweep done, everything locked up in the sturdy backpack and off to reception I went.  Thankfully there is through draught and massive ceiling fans there which made the wait quite pleasant. 

I paid my bill, such as it was, the resort is very much a cashless system so everything was signed for. I say everything …. It was barely anything.  The kindly loves the sturdy one into the luggage room for me and I sat people watching until my list to the airport was ready. There was plenty going on due to the conference and a lot of the pacific islands were represented and shown up in their traditional dress. 

There are gorgeous flower arrangements on the tables in reception, and my only complaint would be that the sofas are a little bit low.  Probably only for me if I’m honest.  

The minibus arrived and they loaded me and the sturdy one in. There were three other ladies flying back to Auckland as well, and they’d been attending the conference. Two were chatty but the other was what I can only describe as miserable and unsociable.  We’d just pulled off from the resort and all our phones lit up saying that the flight was delayed 2 hours. I was grateful it was only delayed and not cancelled which is what generally happens on the Islands. I instantly realised  that when I plan the next trip I need to leave a day or two between islands to take into consideration flight cancellations. Duly noted Mrs Leonard, duly noted.

The trip to the airport was spent with the two friendly ladies trying to sort connecting flights to Wellington. They only had half hour to get from the international terminal to the domestic one as it was and now we were delayed they were looking at spending a night in Auckland.  Luckily bad weather in Wellington meant their connecting flight was delayed so they were hopeful they would just about make it. 

Airport assistance was efficient in Samoa, I was

Whizzed straight through and into the air conditioned departure gate and placesd with two elderly nuns and their carers.  Loading was pretty efficient and there were only 4 of us on assistance.  

The turn around when the plane came in was phenomenal, less than 20minutes between it landing and me being sat in my seat.  The same crew were on board that flew me out and they recognised me which surprised me. It shouldn’t have really , a white bird, brightly coloured clothing requiring wheelchair assistance is probably going to stand out to the crew.  They were very nice and got me seated. I was on the aisle seat of four, it was going splendidly and I began to think I’d have an empty seat next to me. Those hopes were dashed when a young smiling 7 foot tall Samoan took the seat next to me. He was absolutely gigantic, think hulk like proportions.  The aircraft seats were Ryan air small and uncomfortable. I felt so sorry for him having to jam that massive frame into such a tiny seat. He was absolutely solid and being so close to him because it was difficult to avoid contact, I was relieved that he at least smelt good! 

Remember the nuns? Well one of their carers had been put into the extra legroom seats and I was enviously dreaming of being sat there!  However she had to request to move seats because she couldn’t fit into the seat. The arm rests contain the tables and are solid, so she had to sit in the row behind, have two seats to herself and swap with the young couple who were allocated them.  

In the row behind me, a tiny little girl got upgraded to premium economy because the lady next to her was taking up a seat and a half.  You couldn’t see the girl around the lady. Because she was really petite. A lot of the passengers weren’t able to fit the Seatbelts around them, and I expected the giant sat next to me to be one of those , but nopeHe did it up! 

The relief at an aisle seat was short lived when I realised the seat in front of me was permanently reclined and the staff didn’t ask the passengers to put it upright for take off, made eating my chicken salad a problem! They knew it was broken. Sighs dramatically for effect.

The rest of the flight passed relatively smoothly, but I was glad to finally land and get out of the uncomfortable seats. The giant next to me reached down my crutches and my bag, he did it from a seated position.  He didn’t really but it makes for a better story!  Because the flight had been delayed everyone was in a rush to get off and the plane cleared in Record time. I was collected at the aircraft door and wheeled away. As usual I started talking to my wheeler, and she asked me what part of Wales I was from. Two things, I don’t think I have a strong Welsh accent , and her Newport accent was unmistakable!  She's been in NZ for over 20 years her parents are In Hong Kong so it’s the same distance to visit them From NZ as it from Uk.  We had a lovely chat as we went through customs. I sadly had to give up my bowls as I suspected I might but, because I’d declared them I didn’t have to pay a fine. Hurrah for that. However the sniffer dog sat down beside me ! I had been told I had to tell the dog handler that plant materials had been removed from the bag less than 10 minutes ago which was why it was smelling so strongly. It did whiff a bit and I was a tad disappointed at having to give up my baskets. Never mind I have photos. 

We rattled through there and picked up the sturdy one, and she amused me by saying OMG bloody Chinese are all descending on the city for Chinese new year. The whole of Auckland is booked Up solid as they are arriving in massive groups. As we walked out she was telling me why the airport wheelchairs have metal bars on them and it’s to stop people nicking them, the metal bars mean they can’t get them in the boot of the car!  My bus stop was quite a way away from the terminal entrance and I’d been told last time I was in the assistance that they weren’t allowed to take the chairs out of the airport so I was surprised when Lee asked me where I needed to go.  I expressed my surprise and she responded with “if you were English I would have left you at the door but since your a fellow taff and i don’t get to chat with too many out here I’ll take you to your bus stop”. Which she did. I was also really glad as it was the furthest one away!  

The bus came 5 minutes later and I got on. The transport is free and included in with my hotel

Booking. Morgan and I stayed at this place when we came for the lions tour and oh boy has it been done up since then. It’s had a complete overhaul and is miles better.  I had booked an apartment but that was the furthest away from reception. I don’t even know how I managed to do that but there we go. Anyway, I was very tired so I asked if They had a room closer. I was told yes but it was a downgrade. I don’t care, I just need a closer room to reception . The downgrade was good. It’s a family room three beds, kettle microwave toaster and a hob, a lovely shower and the beds were like a cloud.  Soft and squishy.

As I’m flying back out in the morning I was given the bus time table and told to be in reception 20 mins before it’s due to depart and pick up my ticket from there.  No problemo! I made a cup of coffee,  had a shower, set the alarm and fell into bed ready for the next part of the adventure.  

Much love

Mrs Leonard 

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