Flight updates but I'm here now!

10:40am BC time. Not sure of the time in Australia, but I know that I left at midnight yesterday in LA and I’m now blogging in Word on the plane till I get to an internet source. Our flight path says we’re going 883km/h, it’s -52 outside, we’re flying at an altitude of 38000ft, and 2hrs 40mins till we reach Brisbane. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable 14hr flight though! Almost better than from Spokane to Seattle (turbulence has been a bit dodgy), and my bottom is feeling rather squished despite the lunges, stretches, and tours up and down the sleepy aisles. We’ve crossed over the international date line by now, so by the time we reach Brisbane it will be about 7:30am Australian time on Thursday March 10th, after leaving LA at midnight on Tuesday the 8th. This sure is a long haul – 30hrs is a long time to be on and off aeroplanes, in and out of airports. Not that I’m complaining because soon I will be in Australia and changing into my shorts! This Qantas flight is really great – never had one quite like it. Let me explain. There are little screens behind every headrest, with TV/movies/everything on demand – complimentary of course. Good movies too! I’ve watched Life as we Know It, started Black Swan, and a couple episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. If you like the last show, watch the one with Rosie O’Donnell and where Larry dates a woman in a wheel chair... I was “LOL”ing the whole time. Our dinner was delicious – not just delicious for aeroplane food, just delicious in general. I also enjoyed a vodka ginger beer with dinner – never had that combo before! Complimentary booze – wowza! Trying to stay hydrated so avoiding anything more to drink. What a good girl. After dinner we were all handed little bags with snacks for later like chocolate, chippys, bottle of water, eye cover, tooth brush, headphones. We’ve gotten apples, and breakfast is sure to come soon enough. I arrived in LA at sunset, and I am now looking out over the Pacific Ocean to what appears to be a sunrise. Blues, pinks, yellows layering the horizon. Perhaps another hour or so of shut eye would be in order. It is something like 5am in Aus after all and that’s far too early for this chicky to be awake.

8:30am, March 10th AUSTRALIAN TIME
Yep – I’m sitting in the airport at my final gate waiting about one hour till I board the LAST plane up to Cairns, 4/4. The long haul was thoroughly enjoyable, and it’s even greater to be here now! And boy it’s hot. Mid 20s already and it’s early morning. And humid. Apparently the humidity will be even worse once I’m up in Cairns, but I kinda already knew that when my step sister Lisa said it takes ages for long hair to dry... No worries, mate! I’m loving the palm trees here, the greenery, and the sunshine. The people are pretty awesome too. Picture me with white Ainsworth bag flopped over my shoulder, purple duffle bag in the other hand, walking down the corridor, BEAMING, through a crowd of aussie men in business suits. Seattle is definitely the “coolest” airport so far with free wifi... the hotel should have something and I’ll send out some “arrived safely” email. Love to y’all.

Well, made it to Cairns safe and sound – Gordon was delayed, so sent one of his travel planner helper people to pick me up – with a “NICOLA HENDERSON” sign – never been greeted like that! Drove me to the hotel, told me about crocs found in the sewers and to be careful around the creeks, and dropped me off at this luscious tropical hotel. I get into my room, dump my stuff, and immediately head for the balcony and see these large prehistoric birds flying about – then I notice they’re really big brown bats! Like 2 foot wing spans large! Pretty cool though – and the noise from all the other birds in the trees is pretty amazing and unique too. After jumping around my room in excitement for about a minute I decided I better hit the gym in an effort to help out the old body after 30hrs of sitting and carrying around awkward baggage. Now catching up on emails, then going for a swim! It’s raining, but who cares? It’s still hot, and humid! The moisture feels really good. Gordon should be getting here in a couple hours so I’ll have lots to keep myself busy with in that time. This is truly amazing. Wow.