Getting There -- Down Under Version

Moose in Airport

When we came to Newfoundland, we were known as "Come From Aways", meaning that we were not native Newfoundlanders.  Now, as we embark on a side adventure in the midst of our grand adventure, we are off to visit relatives in Australia as well as tour New Zealand and Fiji.  This will be the first of several blog posts chronicling our "trip of a lifetime".

At the beginning of our flights -- we are awake and smiling.

After checking in online with Air Canada the day before departure, we found the check-in process at the airport quite easy.  Fortunately, even though our suitcases were both heavier than the weight allowed, the check-in clerk did not ask us to pay extra.

St. John's airport is not busy, so there were no long lineups to deal with.  The flight was uneventful, other than some turbulence, unlike people travelling to Halifax who were advised that all flights scheduled to depart from there had been cancelled due to bad weather.

After a 2 hour layover in Montreal, which was almost completely taken up with disembarking, making our way to the international terminal and clearing U.S. Customs, we took off on another Air Canada flight to Los Angeles.  We were a bit surprised that a meal was not included in the airfare but had to be purchased.

We followed the sun going west

The lights of L.A.

Six more hours in the air brought us into L.A.  The airport is much larger than Toronto, but we had no problems finding our way to the next Departure gate.  By now, our body clocks were screaming that we should be asleep, since it was now the middle of the night back in Newfoundland.  But sleep would have to wait until we were in the air.

In contrast to Air Canada, Qantas was a much nicer airline to fly on.  They provide blankets, pillows, headsets, meals, snacks and drinks (including alcohol) for no extra charge.  These were greatly appreciated, as the flight was nearly 14 hours in length!  We both got some sleep, but not nearly enough.

Qantas plane we were on from L.A. to Brisbane

We flew Qantas again, but on a regional 737 jet.  Still, they provided a good meal, drinks and snacks included.

At long last, after nearly 28 hours in the air and over 12 hours in waiting rooms, we arrived in Perth.  It was a pretty city from the air and will likely prove to be so on the ground too.  Al was able to adapt quickly to driving on the left and we made it to our accommodations in Mindarie, a suburb of Perth.  Now, for a good night's sleep!