Four flights and 36 hours was the plan and it almost went to plan.
Requested a red wine to match the red eye flight feeling grateful for the business class flatbed upgrade. I woke to see a glass of red as we were descending into Melbourne - oops.
A 5 hour layover before the long haul to LA. The upside was I got to see Bernice because I am a ditz! We went to Egypt and Jordan in July and it wasn't until I was packing I realised she had my second cash card. After doing a crazy dance of options for getting it from Melbourne, bright buddy Hedley says 'uh we're going through can she meet us'. Duh! So she was excited to stop for hello and caught the Skybus in and out for a brief hug and hello and went off to work back on the bus.
All on plan and we left again in our beautiful flat beds. And Mrs. Always Sleeps the Flight had a crash of all of three hours and while Mr. I Never Sleep on the Plane died for about 7! But I saw some movies and chilled. Landed, cleared and off to check in for leg 3.
Thank goodness for Nancy! Despite what our Aussie website says, Canada has moved the goal posts and we needed a visa. I got away with it on my US passport but buddy had to go sit and sort. This beautiful 70 year old lady helped us and put our bags through while we got stuff sorted. She was amazing. Said she works because she likes to feel she contributes. Oh, and by the way, this was Delta Airlines - the suckiest of all airlines!
We were soon sitting in the lounge with a drink and food but alas no shower! Had so been looking forward to that for the second half. And off we go for another 4 hours. Pilot Ben having a yap and talk with the passengers. Beautiful as you head to the north, all green and pretty with water everywhere. Hard to believe it's the end of summer here.
Back down on the ground, wound our way to the next departure gate. Walked almost to the lounge and turned around, it was that far away, but a good walk. Board the plane and the pilot says 'we got a problem - fuel leaking on the wing - if we can fix it we'll be out of here in 10, if not we'll have to find another plane.
They didn't fix it.
So off we hop. Their communications were outstanding and two hours later be boarded for our last flight!
Arrived in Toronto and cleared immigration for the second time today and forward ho to hotel and bed. Arrived at 2:15am and hit the deck showered and unpacked by 3am. Then slept until noon. Can you believe that? I think that's a first in my life!
Got up - missed breakfast :( and got to shopping centre for SIM cards and a little bit of food shopping to pack for the trail.
Crashed back and slept poor. Arrgghhh! Jet Lag! Don't get it often but copped it big time this trip.