I'm Back (Sydney - Dubai - Budapest)

Well hello dear reader, yes I'm back. Not quite Slim Shady style. Much more subdued and far less violent. Although today's title is attributed to the enduring Eminem, circa the year 2000. Ah, what a year. Not a pandemic in sight. I apologise for the lack of photos to break up the text, I shall do better in future posts.

Sydney

Currently I'm still in Sydney, trying to pack and being distracted by commencing this post. It is, uncharacteristically, a gorgeous winter's day. The sort of weather we used to experience before consecutive El Nina events and the ever increasing impact of climate change. Of course, for the conservative voters amongst you, climate change is just an exaggeration and work to reduce its impact is an impediment to growing a bank balance that you'll never live to spend. Sigh.

I digress. This trip is the twice postponed European river cruise. Cheers Covid. Third time lucky. It would appear, with a little over 24 hours to go, that this time we "might just make it after all." My apology, I came over all Mary Tyler Moore Show theme, perhaps a less threatening choice than Eminem. Anyway, originally this was to celebrate a special birthday for Jayne. Missed that boat, eh? See what I did there? I know, but I'm a tad rusty after being stuck at home for so long.

This time last year we were in a government imposed lockdown. This year the lockdown has been self-imposed as we try to stay covid free. We are still masking up when we go out, unlike the majority of people. We have also received our second booster, so there is little else we can do to ensure this trip happens. Masks are compulsory on the flight. I can deal with that for a few hours, but for 22 hours? It will be a challenge.

Our bags are packed and we are counting down the time for our car to the airport. Surprisingly I just received an email from APT. Hmmm. It won't be good news will it? So, the nice European summer, read drought, (did I mention climate change?) means river levels are very low and at one point we need to transit to a different ship - one assumes on the other side of the dry bit of river. There goes the benefit of not having to pack and unpack. Further, we might not be able to make our final destination, Amsterdam, on the water. In a 'kiss and make up' moment, should the latter occur, we get a 50% discount on an APT Mekong River cruise in 2023. Ok then. I think I can cope with that. I wonder where all the rain is that should be falling on Europe. Checking the weather radar... oh, yeah, right. I can see where it is.

Sydney International

Through the magic of time dislocation we have now progressed to the Qantas First Class Lounge. It is, of course, fabulous. As travel tradition demands, we commenced the evening with champagne, followed by salt and pepper calamari. To this we added a nice 2018 cabernet sauvignon along with cumin lamb with noodles for me while Jayne had slow cooked beef brisket.  Another glass of red was followed by a deconstructed pavlova and Jayne had a tart of some description. The meal and wine went some way to alleviating the stress that going through security always seems to generate. The priority lane is all well and good but the advantage dissipates by the time we all reach the dreaded x-ray machine.

Of course the body scanner rejected me. Now don't be harsh my dear reader, no shaming please. It rejected my boots. The R.M.Williams boots I regularly wear on flights. They have been to many destinations around the world and have passed through all manner of technological machinery. Not today. The attendant pointed to the image and the coloured area at my right ankle. "It's your boots. You'll need to take them off". I responded that these boots had passed through many machines but no, back out, boots off, through again. This time the machine rejected my left bootless ankle and my cleverly hidden handkerchief. Dangerous items, hankies. At least this time he was amused, no boots, same problem, "The machine heard you talking about it," he quipped. After a quick pat down, I was safely on the other side.

Emirates fly from Gate 61 which is almost in the next suburb. We strolled down through the closed shops and renovations, it's still not a pretty picture but looking better than it was. Straight on to the plane, gear stowed, blanket and pillow sorted, champagne in hand - it was all becoming real. When the second champagne was served, it was obvious we had a departure problem. A sick passenger was about to be disembarked which meant their luggage required disgorging from the bowels of the A380. And then all carry on had to be checked. Anyway, we left an hour late and arrived in Dubai and hour behind schedule. We have a four hour layover so it isn't really a problem for us. What's a few hours in the Lounge? We were fortunate, but there were many other people who were rushing to make their connections.

Dubai

The flight was a bit bumpy but uneventful. We had issues with Jayne's headphones which will require a trip to JB HiFi when we return to Australia. The food and wine were very good. Jayne even slept, for the first time, ever, and quietly admitted that Business Class really was the way to travel. Winner. It's taken me years to wring that endorsement from her.

We went through security again. Shoes off, watch off, bracelet off. Computer? Nope, it was allowed to stay in the bag. Off to the Business lounge where we were denied entry. Over to one of the friendly attendants, who looks at my boarding pass and says, "Wouldn't you rather be in the First Class Lounge"? and pointed in the opposite direction, away from the milling crowd. Well, now that you mention it, yes, yes I would.

Looking down on those less fortunate

Magically, pastries appeared

And here we sit, following second breakfast, charging phones and computers while gearing up for the 5 hour flight to Budapest. Australia is such a long way from other parts of the world and a full day in a plane, even Business Class, is not my idea of fun. That said, there is little choice until matter transporters become the preferred mode of travel.

Budapest

Another uneventful flight and one that was quite sparsely populated. We did the usual things, admired the roses, drank champagne, ate food and slipped in and out of consciousness while watching movies. Or  more precisely, staring at the screen. Even as I sit typing this in our hotel room, I am experiencing 'flight movement'. The bed should be extra fun tonight.

Fresh flowers on the plane - never seen that before

It's always a treat to arrive at an overseas destination and walk into the arrival hall to see a dark-jacketed man holding a board with your name on it. Especially when you are totally new to the country, don't speak the language and know absolutely nothing about where you are.

They love their religious statues. A little bit too much.

This post is long enough without any further musings about Budapest. There is much to say but I feel this will be drawn out over the next 5 days or so. I'm tired. You're tired. And I still haven't loaded a few photos to break up the text. I'm on it.

Until tomorrow.