Awake before alarm, checked watch with oven, it hadn't clicked back, so another little while in bed.
Showered and breaky, final farewells to the dogs and even Uncle Keith got up to see us out.
Car waiting downstairs, then around the corner to pick up Jeannie (met and said goodbye to her boys - Ollie the dog and husband Andrew.) Then choofed out to Tullarmarine, bit of rain overnight, but easy trip.
Super easy check in and customs OK, then met Margot and Glenda inside (these ladies have travelled with Suzie before.)
QF 93, departed a little late, maybe 30 minutes of so, some technical difficulty - an indication issue! My minds eye pictured a broke blinker and that the pilot would have to stick an arm out the window when turning. (it was early and I WAS sleep deprived)
Arrived 14 and half hours later at LA, 6.30 am LA time.
Again pretty smooth run through customs etc, then a short walk to another terminal for our Delta check in "experience" OH BOY! Lots of people, luggage, machines and not much help. Lucky we had a 5 hour window to sort it out. We eventually conquered self service check in, only to join a looonnnnggg queue for baggage drop. Got that sorted and into Terminal 5 lounge for a couple of hours wait.
Seems no one had much sleep between home and LA.
Boarding was late but it seems Keith has arranged premium economy type booking for this leg, so we are quickly boarded and amazingly depart right on 12.00pm - on time. A smaller plane, sat next to a lovely couple from Mooloolaba, they had left Brisbane 3 hours before us and still going.
Delta was pretty good - a quirky airline, a bit of humour in safety vid, good drinks and snacks. Unfortunately they were given only Spanish Customs forms for entry to Mexico, which provided a slight challenge, but interpretation over the speaker by the hostie got us sorted.
Our Hotel seems OK, rooms very nice, but let down by some poor service and no bar or alcohol at the restaurant.
Showered and breaky, final farewells to the dogs and even Uncle Keith got up to see us out.
Car waiting downstairs, then around the corner to pick up Jeannie (met and said goodbye to her boys - Ollie the dog and husband Andrew.) Then choofed out to Tullarmarine, bit of rain overnight, but easy trip.
Super easy check in and customs OK, then met Margot and Glenda inside (these ladies have travelled with Suzie before.)
QF 93, departed a little late, maybe 30 minutes of so, some technical difficulty - an indication issue! My minds eye pictured a broke blinker and that the pilot would have to stick an arm out the window when turning. (it was early and I WAS sleep deprived)
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| "pulling back" at Melbourne. |
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| The Bolte Bridge. |
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| Port of Melbourne. |
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| Sunrise as we cross the coast of USA. |
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| LA. I think I may have just missed capturing the 'Hollywood' sign, Somewhere near the motor. |
Again pretty smooth run through customs etc, then a short walk to another terminal for our Delta check in "experience" OH BOY! Lots of people, luggage, machines and not much help. Lucky we had a 5 hour window to sort it out. We eventually conquered self service check in, only to join a looonnnnggg queue for baggage drop. Got that sorted and into Terminal 5 lounge for a couple of hours wait.
Seems no one had much sleep between home and LA.
Boarding was late but it seems Keith has arranged premium economy type booking for this leg, so we are quickly boarded and amazingly depart right on 12.00pm - on time. A smaller plane, sat next to a lovely couple from Mooloolaba, they had left Brisbane 3 hours before us and still going.
Delta was pretty good - a quirky airline, a bit of humour in safety vid, good drinks and snacks. Unfortunately they were given only Spanish Customs forms for entry to Mexico, which provided a slight challenge, but interpretation over the speaker by the hostie got us sorted.
Our Hotel seems OK, rooms very nice, but let down by some poor service and no bar or alcohol at the restaurant.
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| Here we are, our first 'official Dinner' sans drinks. L-R. me, Jeannie, Glenda, Suzie and Margot. |
All looks good so far, the sleep you can always catch up on when you get home :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next instalment! hope you can catch up on some of the missed sleep soonish.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting start to your trip Nicola. Looking forward to following your travels.
ReplyDeleteJust the thought of that long haul flight!!! Well done! Shame about the poor service and no alcohol but have fun anyway!
ReplyDelete