Does anyone need more?
I do.
I'm sat in the Air France lounge which, might I point out, is like being on the set of Barbarella - it's a very sixties-inspired, space age, minimalist spot which serves good coffee, bad beer and things you would never put near your mouth (although I probably would). Anyway, I'm seeking refuge from the shops at the airport which are driving me mad, being as full as they are of things that I want. No, not want, things that I NEED!
I've already got three more bags than I started with and in the last 45 minutes I've managed to buy three t-shirts for various nephews, nieces and hangers-on, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, a bottle of Suntory single malt (it's my birthday treat to me), a Hello Kitty biscuit barrel (ditto) and various foodstuffs for people at home who deserve better.
Jeepers, it's out of control. Or I am. I think it's me.
Anyway, having left Wives Nambawan and Nambatu to head back to the delights of Canberra (current high 12 degrees) on Friday, I got all day Saturday in Noumea, to sit on the beach, get some sun and generally wish my holiday wasn't about to end. And boy did Noumea deliver me a great day. I took the water taxi out to the ile aux canards (yes, duck island) and sat on the beach, contemplating my navel, my fate and my general good luck. The sun was belting down, the sea was clear and the little fishes came and nibbled at my toes whenever I went for a cooling paddle. Paradise.
I left Noumea this morning, travelling via the emergency room at the hospital to see if they could give me something to 'settle my stomach' for the flight. I seem to have picked up some kind of tummy bug in Vanuatu and the thought of 22 hours in the air was starting to worry me. Anyway, the lovely doctor (who I'd sign up for as my GP any day of the week) sorted me out. At least he did once I'd explained to him the consistency, frequency, content, etc. I'm guessing he was less enthralled by me than I was by him.
With the first 8 hours behind me, I can confirm that all is well and good in the stomach department. Just a small hop of thirteen hours and I'll be back in Paris and holidays will be but a memory.
I'll try not to cry. But I can't promise anything.
12 commentaires:
The going home is so depressing after a lovely being away ... I think you did remarkably well in the shopping at the airport .. those shops are always my weak spot .. Glad the tummy is behaving ..
:-Daryl
I recommend Acidophilus pills, or yogurt, for the upset tummy. Works wonders in a short time. As for two hours in Tokyo....I did the same thing in 1983 going from Los Angeles-Tokyo-Singapore. In the Northwest Airlines terminal.
Ah welcome home I'm sure Paris will be pleased to see you
Just been reading through. Sounds like you've had a wonderful time there 'Big Fella':-)
Hope your journey home is safe and sound.
Have a good trip, it cannot be too bad when going home means going back to Paris.
i used to travel twice a year from washington, dc to manila for college and one of my favorite stopovers was tokyo. i had to fly northwest and always got a kick out of the 'japanese' toilets vs the 'western' toilets in the waiting area. not sure if they're still like that though.
Sun sand sea and shopping - what about the other S?
lol hope you had a blast, ive been away working and in a sort of bubble, missing reading teh blogs I like.
Daryl, those airport shops are shockers. I find them too tempting too - "ah look, just what I need, a new Vuitton pencil case with detachable rain hood".
And Lewis, Air France goes from the Northwest terminal these days - and I got a peek at the NWA lounge - those boys have it good, it's very fancy in there.
Breezy, not half as pleased as I was to see it! When you're going home, you're going home - so it's nice when getting home brings a smile to your face...
Lane, a wonderful time indeed. I could have done with your mother's new shopping trolley for my airport shopping though!
Brett - you have a very good point there, sir.
Mike, I love those toilets. The one in my hotel room had three different jet positions, 8 different power settings and a temerature control too. And not forgetting the water flow control - shooting jets or solid flow, anyone? I could have sat there for hours.....
VM, what happens in Vanuatu stays in Vanuatu. That's all I am allowed to say ;-)
Why do such good things have to end?
I'd cry if leaving a beach like that!
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