Our trip between the islands of Aitutaki to Atiu was supposed to be swift and relaxing, since we were able to get on the direct flight from Aitutaki to Atiu, which only leaves once a week on Wednesday afternoon.
However, on the day of our departure we were woken by Steve, our host, around 08:30 am, who shouted through the screen door of our bungalow that we had to be at the airport in … 15 minutes! Change in plans, schedule whatever: “Hurry up”! We stumbled out of bed, stuffed all our belongings into our backpacks and jumped into Steve’s jeep waiting for us.
At the airport we literally jogged straight from the jeep onto the airfield and climbed into the tiny plane and took off. What destination? Rarotonga!
Our 15 fellow travelers gave us this typical harsh look destined for people who are always late. In the course of all this rushing and running, we learned about the reason why we first had to go back to Rarotonga, the main island, and then fly out to Atiu. The direct flight was cancelled “as usually”, we were told afterwards.
Once we caught our breath, we stopped complaining to the other passengers because we arrived in Atiu two hours earlier and saved 110 NZD per person, not paying for the flight to Rarotonga, which other tourists naturally did, who were told the truth right away that they cannot go directly.
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