Houston TX

Brad picked us up to take us into the airport at 2.30pm.  Just as well we had loads of time before our 4.45pm flight to Auckland as there was a delay in getting booked onto the replacement international flight.  However we were able to wrangle good seats on it - 42 F & G, two of the centre four and the one next to me was empty.

We still had enough time in the Wellington lounge for one final proper coffee followed by a cheeky glass of Pinot Gris.  The flight to Auckland illuminated an amazing sunset over the Marlborough Sounds and to top that off the flight was that commuter one where they serve beer and wine!.  Of course I did - and just as well because we didn’t have time for refreshments in the Auckland Lounge due to the new US driven Homeland Security additional security processes for all flights to the USA.  This interview took place after customs but before entering the departure lounge.  We had a lovely kiwi lady interviewing us and we spent quite a few minutes with her. The leaflet provided by Air NZ requires travellers to carry a printed or digital copy of their flight itinerary and travellers may also be asked to switch on all electronic devices, so we were to ensure they are fully charged.  She didn’t go that far with us luckily as we had four phones, two kindles and a laptop in our carry-on luggage.

Update on security processes for travel to US (hope you can read it)

Luckily the plane wasn’t overly full and the fact that we weren’t on the original intended Dreamliner plane (which all have to go back to Boeing for the engine recall) didn’t matter at all, in fact we are pretty used to this configuration.  And the bonus of an empty seat next door was a very nice cherry on top.

Watched three movies:  I, Tonya (glad I didn’t pay real money to see this one at the cinema)

The Greatest Show on Earth – quite liked this one, a bit of a weak story line but some good honest philosophies showed through.  Pitch Perfect 3 – funny!!

Kim watched some Star Wars and Mow ‘Em Down and Burn ‘Em movies and we both seemed to have a pretty good sleep during the night.

On arrival into  Houston we had the feeling we were just about the only ones in the arrivals lounge, were only had one couple in front of us in our queue at immigration, our two cases were already on the carousel as we rocked up to collect them and nobody even asked for our arrival card so we toddled off through the welcome doors and hello Houston.  

Where is everyone, this is a major US airport!

A  minor hiccup with the Hotel’s Shuttle, he was waiting upstairs in departures not downstairs in arrivals where we were waiting, but a phone call soon sorted that out and within five minutes we were being driven to our hotel.  We arrived here the equivalent of 5.30pm NZ time, so a total of 20 hours since leaving home to arriving in our room at the hotel, door to door.  We are on the ground floor and a sliding door looks over the pool.  There is a shopping centre next door, that’s where I am going next.

Pool from our from and the buildings yonder is the shopping!!

Spent a couple of hours over at the shops, mainly in Ross and had a great time but only came out with three parcels, I swear I tried on 20 items, probably 30 counting shoes!  Could have done more but Kim came looking for me as he was ready for something to eat so we wandered over to Whataburger. These are generally good burgers but I picked the wrong one, should have stuck with the salad which is always nice! Food done, back at the hotel by 9pm local time and spending a few minutes completed the blog so everyone knows we got here safe and sound.  Oh, did I mention it is warm!!