December 28, 2012 Traveling Back to USA

This morning we got up somewhat later, because we had done our major packing last evening.  We went to Tatler for breakfast and used their WiFi to connect and email back home.  Around 10:30 pm we checked out of the hotel and drove to the airport to return the rental car and check-in for our flights.  Because checked bags have a 23 kg limit and carry-on a 7 kg , we had to move a couple of items to meet these restrictions.  Fortunately, the airport had free Wi-Fi and I could finish up posting pictures and information to the blog site.

Our NZ 644 flight was on time and we began our flight to Auckland where we have a 3 hr layover before our flight to Los Angeles this evening.  NZ 6 flight from Auckland to Los Angeles was also on time.  This flight took 11-1/2 hrs and arrived at 10:00 am (still December 28th!); 20 minutes ahead of schedule.  The process through customs was very easy and we proceeded to the Delta terminal to find that there was space on the 1:00 pm flight to Atlanta and they could place us on that flight.  Unfortunately, we had checked our checked through to Atlanta in Queenstown and we had dropped that luggage at the connecting flight station in customs.  That luggage could not now be retrieved and we could not be booked on the 1 pm flight without the luggage.  So, we will still arrive in Atlanta around midnight. 
Our Delta flight to Atlanta left 45 minutes late from LA, but we managed to make up that time and arrived at midnight.  Luggage was ready for pick-up when we got to baggage claim.  From there we went to the Park N Fly Plus pick-up spot and were taken to our car.  So, by 12:45 am (12/29/12) we were on the road to Birmingham.  Although there was a light rain most of the way, we made it home by 2:15 am.  What a wonderful trip!!!