Memorial to Tanya Burr, killed 15 September 2002

The Norwegian Segment of Tanya's trip

The Journey: 12-13 August 2002

Anyway, in due course we reached Wellington and Tanya's own words from the diary she kept of the first half of her trip tell the story of the subsequent two weeks........

Tanya's Diary, Day 1: Monday, 12 August 2002

"Caught a bus to Wellington to catch plane. We were behind a truck and its door opened and calves started falling out on the road and we had to dodge them. I think most of them were OK but it was very sad. Not a nice start to the trip.

We arrived in Wellington airport and Mum stuffed around with the baggage for an hour putting on unnecessary tags and straps. Finally go to check in baggage and weigh it. Mum forgets something in her suitcase and climbs on the next scale to reach it and it starts flashing: over!, over! 100kg!, over!. Me and Kieran couldn't stop laughing.

Went to the cafe there, ordered cheeseburger which was disgusting. Sat at table, some people had just left their tray there with a sandwich, which Mum picked up and ate. (see below!) So embarrassing, had to leave her because I don't know her.

Boarded our plane to Sydney, beginning of long boring journey. Four hours later arrive there, find smokers' lounge where I spent most of my five long hours in Sydney. Looked at some shops there but didn't buy anything. Got my smokes and perfume in Wellington. My stupid mother left my bag sitting alone for anyone to steal or courier their drugs. I was so mad.

We finally boarded plane to Singapore at midnight NZ time. Got pillows, socks and eye covers. No good, can't sleep sitting up."

(Footnote: They wouldn't eat the sandwiches I made for them, so I was forced to, and the sandwich was still in its wrapper. She was so delighted to have written about it in her diary though - at Tom's the next day. She called over to where we were sitting and laughingly announced that she had recorded it for posterity. I don't weigh 100kgs either. I think that included some of our baggage!)

Tanya's Diary, Day 2: Tuesday, 13 August 2002

"Arrive Singapore Airport about 4am their time. Find smokers' lounge, its outdoors and so unbelievably hot and humid. Can hardly breathe.

Try to board plane after one hour but they won't let me because they think I'm a terrorist or drug smuggler with stolen passport. Pulls me out of the line and starts speaking to other security in Chinese so I don't know what they are saying. Mum gets there and shows them hers and Kieran's passports and they quiz her about me and finally I can get on the plane. I will have to dye my hair blonde again before I come back so I look more like my photo.

Long boring flight to London. We finally get there and have to fly in circles 'cause airport is full.

We find out when we get there that dumbass travel agent (now long since forgiven!!!) has booked me on separate flight to Oslo than Mum and Kieran. I miss it as it leaves before I get off (previous) plane. Mum's flight is full so I have to go on standby, but luckily I get on and don't have to spend night at Heathrow. Short flight to Oslo. Tom picks us up and takes us back to Årnes where Russell, Jenna and Paul already are. We have dinner and I can hardly eat cause sick and tired. Then I try potato moonshine. I learn that scull here in Norway doesn't mean to drink the whole drink. Its just a sip. Finally I can sleep."

Tanya 'enjoying' the trans-Tasman leg in a Qantas flight.. She 'enjoyed' the two little kids - especially the boy - seated in front of us even more. The kids' mother was 'enjoying' their company similarly by the time we reached Sydney. (Photo: Val)

Sydney's International Terminal, by which time both Tanya and Kieran had had enough and would have preferred to go home. (Photo: Tanya)

The Spartan smoker's lounge at Sydney (Photo: Val)

The beautiful garden smoker's lounge at Changi Airport, Singapore, at about 4:00 local time and who-knows our time. (Photo: Val)

Back on the Qantas 747 for the gruelling 12-hour Singapore-London leg (Photo: Val)

Seriously pissed off at the British Airways Terminal at Heathrow, London, after about 35 hours in transit from Palmerston North, NZ. (Photo: Val)

Norway at last! A rather blurry photo as we emerged from Gardermoen International Airport, Norway, with no-one giving a damn about what snakes, bugs, contraband or anything else we may have brought with us (we hadn't brought any), unlike NZ Customs later. (Photo: Tom)