So, we're finally here - and we're not disappointed!
Although for a moment there at Auckland airport we did have doubts as to whether we'd be at the other end to meet Trigger off the plane. In the build up to this trip getting the correct information from the correct people at the Niuen end has not been easy - so when I was told 'not to worry about visas until you get there' I should have have known to in fact - worry!
Just as well we decided to get to the airport early due to the ridiculous amount of luggage we had, as so began a two and half hour check in (no queueing - that's just the time we were at the desk!) followed promptly by a mad rush through the aiport with far too much hand luggage and a toddler, just in time for our final call!
On the plane - 9.15am too early for a stiff drink??
We're then treated to a small insight to our destination when the captain announces we'll be away in a few minutes but will take slightly longer due to the unique way the aircraft has to be hand loaded due to the limited equipment at the other end...
Some of you will have seen a picture on Facebook of Niue from the aircraft, well my ipod didn't quite capture it but you really can see the whole of the island from one airplane window. But what surprised us even more than that was the colour of the sea, a blue I've never seen the sea before, we figured it must be because you would never normally see the sea that deep and clear from an airplane so low anywhere else - but we could be wrong!
Leaving the airplane we're hit with a wall of lovely heat and a very pleasant breeze - perfect!
As we head towards the aiprort building we're greeted by children singing and dancing as they welcome visitors to their tiny South Pacific Island. Normally this is something that I would receive with a slight edge of touristy cynicism but here it seems like a genuine heart felt welcome to their once weekly arrival of guests in their country. It very almost brought a tear to my eye, not sure whether that was my incredible softness or something more to do with a slight letting go of another full on build up to leaving yet another country!
First things first... Did the dog get here too? Yes, Trig has arrived safe and sound but needs to be the last thing to leave the airport, so we collect our luggage and go through to be met by the High Commissioner who helps us load all 10 of our suitcases into the van that they've hired for us. Everyone we meet is incredibly kind and welcoming although honestly - Daisy was clearly the main event! And she put on her bestest biggest smiles for the occassion.
We get the dog who does her own wooing of the locals and we're whisked away (about 3 minutes down the road) to our new home. At this point it's fair to say that the pictures we were shown and information we were provided about the house were ever so slightly misleading - it's small, dirty and and just a bit broken! Long and short of that one - we're moving again.
Leaving the house behind us we head off into town to catch the supermarket before it closes and get our first proper glimpse of Niue. The rocky, coral coastline is dramatic and beautiful, the greenery lush and plentiful - palm trees ten a penny and sweet smelling frangipani scattered perfectly. Niue is clean, beautiful and friendly...think we're going to enjoy our new home...
