Well, hello. We are back! So nice to be communicating with you again dear reader.
Thank you to The Eagles for the title of today's post. Despite the industrial action by immigration officials at Sydney international airport we sliced through the queues courtesy of an 'express' pass we were provided at check-in. Got to love Business Class. As I sit, sipping bubbles in the Qantas lounge, tapping away at this, the first of many posts, life looks pretty good. Somewhere, out there in the seething mass of humanity are the teachers and students from my old school heading to Japan for the exchange program. So glad I'm not with them.
Where are we heading this time, you ask? Flying into Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas for a whirlwind three day stop-over to sate Jayne's JFK addiction. For the Gen Y peeps reading this, that is John F Kennedy, former President of the United States, assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Following a brief stop on the grassy knoll and a stay at the luxurious Adolphus Hotel, we are flying to New York (economy - sad face) where we have three weeks in an apartment in East Village.
From there it is London for not quite 2 weeks. We are staying in Fitzrovia. No. I had never heard of it either, but it is the other side of Russell Square and near to Bloomsbury and Camden. In London we are going to catch up with Emilio Martinez, an ex-student who is playing soccer with the Nike most wanted squad, his mother Patricia (also an ex-student from MacKillop days) will also be there. Quite looking forward to hearing about Emilio's experiences.
Why London? It's not usually part of the return trip to Sydney from the States. Funny story ... when we were researching the US trip, the boy wonder, aka Daniel, decided he was going to accept a post in London. We thought we would be good parents by extending our trip and visiting him and Alycia because we thought they would be homesick. However, Daniel's plans changed and he is still in Australia in a different job. "Sorry Dad." We're not complaining, it's been 12 years since we visited London and we didn't see much then, so this time will be different.
Time for a brief pause while we refresh our bubbles.
Ahh, that's better, a pity it's domestic bubbles.
I am now sitting at my desk at The Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. It is truly an old-world hotel and the service so far, has been delightful. We are just unpacking before a shower and change of clothes. Even business class can't totally negate 15 hours on a plane.
Jayne is still undecided on whether business class is worth it, but I am a devotee. The welcoming glass of champagne as we waited for the plane to load was very pleasant. We had to order breakfast, hotel style, and dinner ... anyone who complains about airline food is travelling in the wrong part of the plane. A garden salad with balsamic vinegar and sourdough to commence, followed by grilled snapper with a mustard sauce, baked fennel and garlic roasted potatoes. It was lovely. Jayne opted for the lamb which looked a tad too much like a club roast. Dessert was chocolate salted caramel ice cream and Jayne had a rhubarb tart with creme anglaise. All suitably washed down with premium Australian wines.
The entertainment choice was as per usual and for once I didn't overdose on movies. I watched the latest Mad Max film - outstanding and The Last Cab to Darwin, also a good movie. Then it was push a couple of buttons and turn my seat into a flat bed. I could stretch out - and you know dear reader how important that is to someone of my height! Despite being able to lie down I still didn't sleep very well and neither did Jayne. The turbulence was fairly constant throughout the night so whether that was the reason I am unsure. That all said, I feel remarkably good after 15 hours on a plane and throwing my body clock into disarray. At the moment it is 5:45am at home and 2:45pm here, so really I should just be getting up and thinking about going for a ride.
Until tomorrow, gentle reader.
Jayne is still undecided on whether business class is worth it, but I am a devotee. The welcoming glass of champagne as we waited for the plane to load was very pleasant. We had to order breakfast, hotel style, and dinner ... anyone who complains about airline food is travelling in the wrong part of the plane. A garden salad with balsamic vinegar and sourdough to commence, followed by grilled snapper with a mustard sauce, baked fennel and garlic roasted potatoes. It was lovely. Jayne opted for the lamb which looked a tad too much like a club roast. Dessert was chocolate salted caramel ice cream and Jayne had a rhubarb tart with creme anglaise. All suitably washed down with premium Australian wines.
The entertainment choice was as per usual and for once I didn't overdose on movies. I watched the latest Mad Max film - outstanding and The Last Cab to Darwin, also a good movie. Then it was push a couple of buttons and turn my seat into a flat bed. I could stretch out - and you know dear reader how important that is to someone of my height! Despite being able to lie down I still didn't sleep very well and neither did Jayne. The turbulence was fairly constant throughout the night so whether that was the reason I am unsure. That all said, I feel remarkably good after 15 hours on a plane and throwing my body clock into disarray. At the moment it is 5:45am at home and 2:45pm here, so really I should just be getting up and thinking about going for a ride.
Until tomorrow, gentle reader.
Great review on QF, hoping the same can be said about BA on the LHR to SYD. I agree business is a great option when flying. Expecting loads of pictures from Dallas.
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