I didn't take a photo of the back, but this is a copy of the map of Alofi I found online. Since I relied of these two maps quite a bit for the week, it triggers very fond memories when I look at these maps.

Here's my trusty map for a week - it definitely had the best info of any of the other maps I've seen - I guess Niue is just a bit out of the way and not very well covered by a lot of the other resources. I added a few interesting annotations to the map as I learned more about Niue, such as "Tapu in centre, beyond ancient wall" to Huvalu Forest.

On the flight back, I was amused to see Shortland Street and Rugby listed as "genres" in the Air New Zealand entertainment system. Arriving back in Auckland, I grabbed a quick dinner at Mentatz Ramen, which I'm a fan of, and went over to Logan's apartment. He was quite startled when he came back and I was in his apartment, since he apparently forget I was coming back that day and I didn't have my phone to contact him with. What a nice guy for having me stay with him for a while.

I thought it was cute that as you left the holding pen to board the plane, a few people from the tourist agency were there to see you off. They hand you a brochure with a farewell message, a few coupons, and a area where with a few signatures.

There was a gate and a propeller as a sculpture at the airport.

The outdoor holding pen for departing passengers. I chatted with a few people who I've become familiar with seeing them around the island for the past week. There was also some music, and the musicians/dancers set up to welcome the incoming flight.

Eventually, we were ushered outside as the indoor area was converted to a pre-customs arrival lounge. We had a surprisingly long wait here, and the plane just suddenly materialized silently out of nowhere as it landed.

The airport was pretty relaxed. Made it through security and to the waiting area pretty easily. Apparently next week is going to be busier in Niue, with 220 arrivals and only 160 departures on this weekly flight.

At 12:30pm, with one last look at the ocean, it was time to head to the airport :(

I spent the rest of the morning reading over the Lonely Planet book about Singapore/Malaysia/Brunei from 2001 on the bookshelf. Soon, there was a big bustle of cars and general excitement in the streets. Today happens to be the day the monthly cargo ship docks, and the weekly flight arrives, so the entire island nation is in a frenzy of activity.

I also enjoyed the view of the ocean at the Crazy Uga. I also wrote and sent a postcard to my parents. Apparently Alexa did not make the 10am cutoff for when the mail on this island nation is collected for the week.

Thought I'd grab a hearty breakfast at the Crazy Uga Café to nurse away the hangover and to commemorate the completion of my visit to Niue, and thus the South Pacific. I ate leisurely and sat around recording my thoughts in my journal.

View of the backpackers from a bit north on the road towards downtown. It's in a great location and has a great setting.

I thought I'd drop in one last time to the tourism office and police station to see if anyone found my phone, but no luck. Oh well, it was a cheap phone, and I guess I'm leaving NZ anyway so probably won't need my NZ SIM card that much.

I woke up and and realized I completely forgot about the morning market - I wanted to see Ed(?), who apparently sells magnets - I like getting my parents a postcard and a magnet everywhere I go. Oh well, probably for the better, since I stayed up so late drinking last night. I picked up a postcard-like magnet at the tourism office instead. The commercial centre had an amusing recycling bin I though I'd take a photo of.