Day Twelve: Final Day, Haere Ra!

posted by Jazz and Rosie

An NZ song of farewell, at the end of a special occasion, or to farewell loved ones on a voyage. We also sang this song in the action style of 'Auld Lang Syne' at the close of the Maori cultural show at Rotorua.

http://folksong.org.nz/poatarau/index.html

NOW IS THE HOUR Now is the hour, when we must say goodbye Soon you'll be sailing, far across the sea. While you're away, Oh please remember me. When you return, you'll find me waiting here. Te iwi, te iwi, e te iwi e Tahuri mai ra te ngakau e Ki nga kupu o te Rongopai He oranga o te iwi e "Haere ra," te manu tangi pai. E haere ana, koe ki pamamao. Haere ra, ka hoki mai ano, Ki-i te tau, e tangi atu nei

Everybody, everybody Turn back your heart to the word of the Gospel for the welfare of all of you. "Bon Voyage" cries out the seabird as you depart for a distant land. "Farewell, but return again to your loved one, weeping here."

Wheels away, up into the cloud at 1:40pm - Auckland in an hour, then a short wait at Auckland International for the early evening Qantas service to LAX.

"Haere ra Joe and Yvette - we enjoyed having you share your special time with us, and we look forward to your 10th anniversary visit"

Away she goes - into the strong breeze, a quick takeoff.




Taxiing out toward the south western end of the runway
ON the move!


Firing up the starters....



Leaning into the cold easterly gale - nearly escaped, and still smiling!


Out the door, airside...

Into the line, out the single door to Gate 5.
Top up the fuel, on with the baggage, kick the tyres! (that's kiwi spelling for tires ;-)
Boarding call, time to go...

The ATR-72 service to Auckland arrives...


Baggage checked in with time to spare, checking the boarding passes (Joe, Yvette, Rosie)

After some frenzied last minute retail therapy Rosie and Yvette returned home. When the panic over a possible miscalculation of airline departure time was resolved (phew) Rosie knocked up a batch of cheese scones, and blueberry muffins - then it was off on the arduous 8 minute drive to the Palmerston North International Airport.