SYDNEY to LOS ANGELES to PORTLAND – Qantas, we have lift off – – –
Sunday – – – the day has finally arrived. After many, many, many weeks of planning, printing stuff off the web and annoying Kylie with numerous phone calls, the time has arrived to head off on the adventure.
The morning dawns bright and sunny. A fine cloudless blue sky and there is a tiny chilly breeze so I will have to wear a coat to the airport. No matter – I will put it in my bag after check in.
An early start to the day because I have to be at the airport by 7.30am so a few additions to the packing is done and the customary 50+ checks to make sure that I have my passport, tickets and cameras (National Geographic would be proud – I have added a DVD camcorder to the group) and we depart for the airport. My usual chauffeur Stuart is driving and all the family are coming along plus we are meeting my two amigos – Ann and Rhondda – for breakfast. They must be keen to get up this early just to see me take off.
The parking area at the airport is in total disarray. Heaven knows what they are doing – lots of portable buildings everywhere. We are lucky to find a spot and Stuart does a monumental job of parking the tank. Even at this early stage the airport is packed – so we head towards the check in at counter E and the phone rings. It is the dynamic duo wondering where I am so I give out a few directions.
Arriving at the counter the queue is not very long and it only takes about half an hour to get through. I have two large suitcases – yep the US lets you bring in 2 cases – what a luxury. I could have done with that in the trips to Britain let me tell you! One suitcase is for clothes and stuff and the other is full of food – vegemite, chicken twisties, chocolate, cherry ripes etc for Kylie and Tyler. I am also taking one cabin bag; a large handbag and me.
My bags are OK ; 18.5 and 18kg so I have plenty of room. I have to collect them at LA and then clear customs, even though they are checked through to Portland. I’ll worry about that later on. Ann and Rhondda appear and we are all so excited.
We decide to head for coffee and the family needs to get some breakfast so we head off to the good old Golden Arches of course. I am really too excited to eat but manage to have some coffee. Here are the original three amigos enjoying a farewell cup of coffee. Too early for the bar to open – yes – even for us. A fact which my son has delight in pointing out. Honestly – anyone would think we like a drink!
At 9am after some tearful goodbyes and lots of waving and carry on I disappear through the gateway and head off to clear customs. I then have to make my way to the Tax Claim Back counter to get my GST back for the camera. Everything is done.
Was going to do a bit of shopping and change some money but I seem to have run out of time – bugger. Will have to do it in LA. Head for Gate 8 and only have to wait about 15 minutes before boarding.
There doesn’t seem to be a full plane and I find my seat 47A – right on the wing – not much of a view out the window – no matter. There is a spare seat beside me and on the aisle is a young fellow who is a uni student from Maryland. He and some friends had driven across the US to Los Angeles and then headed out to Oz. He has been to Adelaide, Alice Springs and they have had a great time. I then proceed to tell him about our trip and where we are going.
He tells me about the places I plan to see and it does sound good I must say – although I notice that he has given me a very strange disbelieving look that says ‘you three are driving that far in how many days?’ Even during the flight he continues to give me the ‘what a bunch of idiots look!
Take off is delayed – now 10.45 instead of 10.20. The customary safety talk and then finally down the runway – faster, faster and whoosh and zoom – up in the air we go and head off over the bay and out to sea. Wow!!
Just love the adrenaline rush on take off! Of course it hasn’t taken long before the cameras are in full swing. Here is the obligatory photo out the window. Just cannot help myself. Another woeful look from my seating partner. Then we turn and head for the US.
The welcome aboard address by the First Officer and then my full attention is turned to the flight path screen. Yes, yes I know. The cabin crew is up and running and at 11am our first beverage service. Coke, pretzels and rice snacks.
Now the book comes out and the data taking time begins – Local US time – 6.11pm Saturday night. (Remember it is Sunday morning our time) / Ground speed – 639kpm / Distance to go – 11,673km (7254 miles) / Time to LA – 12. 8 hours / Altitude – 29,000 feet / Outside temperature – minus 40 degrees Celsius / Distance from Sydney – 385kg. Where are we? Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. More updates later.
Check out the movie channels – GI Blues and Blue Hawaii are on to commemorate the passing of ‘The King’ Elvis in August 1977. Was it really 30 years ago? Lord-a-mighty! I think maybe an Elvis hunt in Las Vegas will be in order. On a lighter note – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is also on the schedule. First up decide on Blue Hawaii – will write more later. OZ time 11.20am.
Movie is finished (my eyes are a bit sore) it is 12.45pm (Oz) and time for lunch.
Grilled chicken with Fennel and Saffron Sauce Risoni & Green Beans / Cheese and Crackers Splice Ice Cream / Chardonnay in a cute little bottle / Doesn’t it look delicious? It was! Nearly everyone says they hate airplane food. I must be the lucky one who gets the good meal. I have not had a bad meal at all.
Maybe it has something to do with the wine that I also get. But you cannot eat lunch without wine. Out comes the camera again – another you have to be kidding look. Well, I don’t care – unless you have paid for my trip then don’t plan on criticizing anything I do.
Will listen to some music for a while and then turn my attention to Harry Potter.
More details – still over the Pacific Ocean Time to LAX 10.27 hours / Time since departure – 2.12 hours / Distance from Sydney – 2289km (1421 miles) / Sydney time – 12.57pm We are about level with North Island New Zealand / Ground speed – 1113kmh (692mph) / Altitude – 31000 feet (9448 metres) / Outside air temp – minus 37 degrees Celsius (its warming up – practically a heat wave) Local time LAX – 7.58pm (Saturday night) Estimated arrival time – 6.20am Time to LAX – 10.22 hours. I bet you are just blown away with those details!
Now it’s time for hot chocolate with marshmallows. YUM!! Listening to Q Radio on demand – Human Nature and Michael Jackson. Flight is great so far with no turbulence and I am on the sunny side of the plane so it is nice and warm and the sun feels good on my face. Lots of fluffy white clouds lolling about in a so very, very blue sky. By the way – the wing is still there. I think I get to know every little rivet and mark on the wing when I fly.
Radio channel is on and ‘Ain’t no mountain high enough’ is playing. I have to contain myself and not sing out loud. Time has come to adventure to the rear of the plane and check out the loo – that is always a fascinating experience let me tell you. I don’t know how large people manage this pastime. There is barely enough room for me. Just as well I don’t have a weak bladder – but that’s a bit more information than you need to know! Still over the Pacific Ocean (that’s a good thing) 9.33 hours to go.
The crew have handed out the US Customs and Visa Waiver forms – more questions than what is good for you – (what do they do with all this information?) everything is answered OK (I hope) I even declare the food in the suitcase. Going to be interesting if they want to look at that!
More food – Snack-on-Q has just arrived. Apricots, bottle of water, Cadbury Chockie, Jila Mints, Wallaby Bar (NO – not real wallaby that hops around in the paddocks – but yoghurt, fruit and nuts) and a choc-orange cookie. They sure feed you up. It is dark outside but only 3.30pm Sydney time so I settle down for Harry Potter. The movie has finished and still dark outside –maybe I should try and get some sleep and adjust to US night time.
Cannot watch any more movies – my eyes are ready to pack it in – so I’ll put on the ipod and try to drift off. Restless sleep due to excitement – so the light goes on and some more flight details (please contain your excitement) Time to destination – 2.09 hours / Time since departure – 10.28 hours / Distance from Sydney – 10182km / Sydney time – 9.15pm (Sunday) / Ground speed – 920kmh / Altitude – 37,000 feet / Outside air temp – minus 49 degrees Celsius / Local time LAX – 4.11am Sunday / Estimated time of arrival – 6.19am.
Still cannot see anything out the window – but the little plane on the flight monitor tells me we are just about level with Mexico City. The ride is smooth so far – no turbulence and overall a good flight. Crew come around with hot towels – very refreshing. Breakfast is not far away. Sultana Bran Orange Juice Fresh pineapple, melon, mandarin. Coffee. My seating partner is waiting for the photo – but I decide to disappoint him. Time to come into LAX – seat belt sign is on.
WELCOME TO THE GOOD OLD U.S. of A – – –
Coming through a lot of cloud cover before landing – so not very good views. When we break through, I think that LA is a rather drab, grubby looking place. Where is all the glitz and glamour you see on the TV? Might have looked better if the sun was shining and the sky was blue.
Anyway, taxi-ing to the terminal we spot the Qantas VJet that belongs to John Travolta (so the Captain says – but then again he could tell us anything) – but we cannot see him. Most probably too early and he is still in bed after all it is 6.45am. Our flight is a bit late but hopefully I still have time to make my connecting flight around in Terminal 3 (wherever that is).
Stand in the queue to clear immigration and I have both index fingers fingerprinted and they also take my photo. Pretty painless so far – until the questions start. How long are you going to be here? How long has your daughter lived here? Why are you coming here? Etc, etc. Finally I am given the OK and then have to collect my bags. Grab a trolley and spy one of my bags. The carousel goes around twice before the second bag turns up.
Was getting a bit panicky because it was the bag with the goodies and I would hate to be the one to tell Kylie that it had gone missing– but everything is OK again. Trundle off with the trolley to re-check the bags but have to clear customs.
Any food they ask? I had already ticked yes – so obviously they cannot read. I am in the land of Deliverance! I should have drawn a picture! Yes I answer. What sort? Chocolates, twisties and vegemite. That brings a smile to his face and he lets me through. Just as well they didn’t ask how much – it may have been rather embarrassing to say the least. You could feed an entire third world nation on what I am carrying.
Bags rechecked through to Portland, now all I have to do is find Terminal 3 and Alaska/Horizon Air. After asking one of the helpful airport staff for directions, I have a nice little walk – out the terminal, turn left and walk about 500 metres which is a good chance to stretch the legs. Find Terminal 3 and think what a dump. No signs to say where anything is let alone the departures, so keep on walking around trying to find someone to ask.
Mission impossible – and then I spy a lady looking just as lost as me. She doesn’t have a clue either, so we head up this lousy looking escalator that is about 18 inches wide and we come to a sudden stop. More security – up another escalator – even more security and scanning.
I have to take off my shoes (just as well my socks are clean) and my belt. Anything metal has to come off as well. She scans the cabin bag twice. Anyway, everything is OK and I proceed on my way.
Find gate 30 and sit down. Decide to have a little walk and look at the shops – what a disappointment. Nothing spectacular and come to think of it I did not see any Duty Free at LAX. Anyway, back to gate 30 – sit and wait – due to board at 9.15am – still an hour to go. I sit and listen to the ipod again.
Well, finally onboard Horizon Air – 2 seats on either side of the aisle and about 30 rows of seats. The sun is finally coming out and the plane has a full load. Take off at 10.15am – still hazy but sunny – views of the LA beaches – Surfin’ USA comes to mind – and then out over the ocean. When we head north I have the land on my side of the plane.
The cabin crew – a guy named Cliff and a lady whose name I cannot remember but I will call her Lady Humour. They are really nice and she is hilarious but apparently I am the only one to smile and laugh at her jokes.
Some spectacular scenery out the grubby window – yep, I still take some photos. Mountain ranges, valleys, lakes and volcanic peaks. The flight is good – we are served our beverage – orange juice and 2 cinnamon biscuits.
Coming into land at Portland first thing I spot is a monstrous IKEA store. Apparently it is only new. I love IKEA. They have so much good stuff that I come away with usually not what I went there to buy.
When we land, people start to jump out of their seats – yes apparently rudeness exists here – but Lady Humour tells them in no uncertain terms to sit back down and not to get up until we reach the terminal as ‘no passenger has ever arrived at the terminal before the plane!’ Chuckle – chuckle. Many sour faces but I have a huge grin!
When the plane comes to a stop I wait for Clan Impatience to push and shove each other then I gather up my belongings, head to the door and thank Cliff and Lady Humour for the trip. I think they are astounded that someone on the plane actually has manners and I head off to recover my bags.
This airport is huge and so much nicer than LAX. How on earth am I going to find my bags let alone Kylie and Tyler? They are not at the arrivals gate so I head off to get my bags and run into Tyler who tells me that Kylie has headed off to arrivals. Feels like the Marx Brothers have re-united. They look at how much stuff I have but I tell them that everything in one of the bags is theirs and that soon soothes them. We trundle off to the car – load in the bags and head off.
It is afternoon and they are hungry so we stop at the ‘Golden Arches’. As if the food on the way over was not enough I get a grilled chicken honey mustard wrap. YUM!!! Arrive at K & T’s and what a quaint little house. Unpack all the goodies and relax a bit before heading off to Tyler’s parent’s house for dinner. On the way we do a bit of shopping at Wal Mart (like Big W only bigger) and I get some make-up, shampoo and another photo card for the camera – just in case the one I have doesn’t hold all the photos I am going to take!
Tyler’s parents Chris and Paul live in a pretty part of town and their house is nice with a big backyard that backs onto a reserve. Tyler’s Nan and Pop are there and also his brother. We have BBQ hamburger patties, macaroni cheese, salads and fruit and Chris makes her famous Margaritas. Oh yes, very nice. With all the food I have put away since leaving Sydney there will be no need for me to eat for another two weeks!
On the way home after dinner we call into Safeways to do a bit of shopping for the trip! The main shopping will be done at Costco – a place that I am looking forward to seeing. Kylie has told me all about it – apparently it’s a supermarket on steroids!
Once we get home we sit and rest for a while before heading off to bed. K & T have work tomorrow and I need to catch up on some serious relaxing sleep. Needless to say once I hit the pillow I am away with the pixies.
Highlight of the day: Seeing my girl – it’s been a long time!