The mighty mighty Kong

First stop after a few days in NZ is the mighty mighty Kong to visit the Wests. As per usual, I'm terrified all day about the dreaded moment of check in when they have to weigh my bags. As a nomad, airlines rob you of the joy of flying because you are usually flying with your entire world accompanying you. My world weighs a little more than 20 kilos. So with heart pounding, brow sweating I sidle up to check in counters, always with family and friends strategically hiding around the corner with my 50kg carry-on. I know the worst that can happen is that they'll charge me, but I feel like I'm on 'The Biggest Loser' and they're going to evict me from the plane if my bag is too heavy. I've perfected the art of making carry-on baggage I can hardly lift look like it's featherweight.

It was such a treat to see Annie, Matt and meet little Noah. He is so cute! I was excited to see him but a little bit terrified about having to touch him. I'm completely inexperienced with newborn babies and being clumsy, I tend not to be a good combo with anything fragile...that and the whole wobbly head on neck-stalk thing is all a bit freaky. But actually, it's just like having a kitten only cooler because he sits on your knee longer than a kitten does....well if you can call it sit. He can't actually sit yet and coz of his wobbly head he kinda leans against you - but anyway...he is just the coolest little man and I love him. We got to take him everywhere with us and Annie is (of course we all knew this anyway) the most amazing mum, somehow managing to be tour guide to us and figure out the hugely complicated issue of feed times, sleep times, emptying the boobs evenly and making sure Noah is happy (which is dizzyingly confusing when babies have minds of their own and don't set themselves to the correct timeline). My eyes have been opened to the trials of being parents to newborns so hats off to anyone who has done it - you are brilliant!! When we weren't playing with the cool new toy, we met up with Catie and Matty and Matt W and had fantastic meals, hung out at Matt's footy club (amazing big country club with pool and restaurants...all charged back to Matt!) and enjoyed Hong Kong. It's such a rad bright and busy city.

And the most exciting part is that Noah totally got to grips with the smile thing while we were there...and once he discovered it he was loving it! Awwwwwwww.......