Thank you for sharing your first epic journey with all of us. You share the same enthusiasm and excitement I did in my 20s flying Concorde back and forth in the early 90s. Obviously there wasn't anything like these "Trip Reports" (nor the internet!). I am sure many others here can relate as well. Unfortunately, you are smarter because I don't have the brain bandwidth to flip credit cards and the such for the miles - it amazes me how you are able to do that.

I believe, if it hasn't happened already, after this trip, you are going to catch the travel bug. Once you catch it, watch out :P You will strap a newborn to your back and just go at the drop of a hat.

I won't stay in one place for more than three/four days unless it's Mauritius or the Maldives.

You got lucky with the NZ 777 J seat, they are a little dated now, but much better than the awfully dated J Class 767 they use on this route in the PM and the islands. The three A320s used in the middle of the day used to have a business class, but no more and are ghastly.

Just remember, there are so many magnificent places in the world that's a must see: Africa - from Egypt all the way down to Cape Town. The Middle East (rent a car, dress in local costume with the wifey and drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi), Central Asia like Ashgabat, Bukhara, Samarkand, Nepal, India, it's endless....

The world is yours! Don't ever lose that enthusiasm I see in you now on your TR. If you ever do, you might as well stay home

Three million+ miles under my belt and I still get excited when the car pulls me up to the airport terminal. I have a feeling that will be you and the Mrs ten and twenty years from now (and the time FLIES by FAST). Always remind yourself to live in the moment on these trips; time is so fleeting. You doing these TRs is a great way of doing just that - being in the moment.

Travel Safe!