- Chapter 22

We are now reporting with our last entry about this journey. We have been back in Germany for about a week and a half now. After the government was allowed to resume the repatriation operation, we unexpectedly found ourselves on the first flight back.

It all started with a notification by email. On the evening of April 2, 2020, before going to bed, we quickly checked our emails. And there it was! The message from the Foreign Office that we would be taking our return flight the next day. We were supposed to arrive at Auckland Airport at 11:30 a.m., exactly 4 hours before departure.

We couldn't believe that we would be sitting on the first plane after the resumption. However, we still had a few questions: "How are we going to get to the airport and what are we going to do with our car?" We turned to the owners of our accommodation, who continued to provide us with advice and support.

After a private shuttle service cancelled on us for the next day, we didn't know what to do for a brief moment. But that too was resolved, thanks to the helpfulness of the beach house owners.

Once that was sorted out, we had to complete the remaining tasks: pre-cook meals, pack, and prepare the rest to leave our accommodation as we found it.

The next morning, the alarm clock rang extremely early. We loaded all our luggage into the car and left Tauranga and the beach house behind. The first intermediate destination was the farm of our former acquaintances. There we were allowed to leave our car and were taken to the airport.

It was a bit strange to be in an empty airport. Only a large group of Germans gathered. The ticket and passport were checked at the entrance. Then we went to check-in our luggage. At the subsequent security check, only one counter was open and everyone was checked one by one.

Shortly before boarding, each passenger was questioned again about possible symptoms and general health. After we went through this, we were invited to board the plane one by one. The flight attendants wore masks but were always helpful and friendly.

Our route took us via Vancouver to Frankfurt. After we had completed the first long flight, we were informed that we all had to stay on the plane. In order not to arrive in Frankfurt too early, our stay in Canada was longer than planned. For about three hours, we were asked to stay in our seats so as not to get in the crew's way. Over time, it became increasingly uncomfortable, but we had to endure it.

Upon arrival in Frankfurt, we were instructed over the speakers to disembark one by one. We went through passport control and had to submit a document that was distributed on the plane and among other things indicates exactly where everyone was seated. This can later be used to determine who may have been infected in case a case of Corona is confirmed.

Upon arrival at the airport, we were picked up by a parent and taken home. We are now in a two-week voluntary isolation. Even though our trip ended differently than planned, it was an exciting and beautiful journey.