Going 'Back to the Future'*

(*With apologies to Zemekis, Spielberg et al!)


Today would be my second attempt at leaving New Zealand for the Cook Islands and I was determined not to miss my flight this time! I got up early and after breakfast went out to buy a large book (I decided to go with Shantaram) following the advice of the Lonely Planet guide. I took the bus to the airport as early as was sensible, went through check-in without any problems, paid my departure tax and wandered around the airport shops doing some window shopping.

On boarding the plane I found out that I had won the seat lottery and had the entire three seats to myself! I watched the in-flight film (Jane Austen Book Club starring the lovely Emily Blunt) during the short flight to Rarotonga and on arrival we entered Rarotonga Airport to a ukulele serenade - which is something that you don't get everyday! - and after a quick stamp in my passport I was aboard a minibus to the hostel. As soon as I entered my room I dropped my bags and went straight to bed to sleep.

The next day I woke up and it was yesterday all over again! Thanks to the mind-bending wonder of crossing the International Dateline I had gone back in time and now had the chance to live the same day twice!