On the Ground

Well, we made it. Landed in Sydney 3 days ago. Left Vancouver in a whirlwind of good intentions and goodbyes. Rushing through last minute instructions to family and friends who graciously offered to deal with the shrapnel of our departure. I don't even know what's been forgotten or left undone. I know we'll find out eventually . . .

Our flight was great thanks to having an 'inside connection'. Once the kids were happily plugged in to their personal TV's (took Ethan about 2 minutes to figure out all the controls!), flight attendant Marilyn escorted Martin and me to first class where we were treated to 'bed pods', champagne, great meals with real cutlery, blessed sleep!, and a continuous update on our 3 little people who were left on there own to slum in economy class. Thanks Marilyn, economy class will never be the same!

Our non-stop flight was 15 hours and after our arrival and spending 5 hours in the airport trying to book, arrange, find accommodations, we headed into town with our 3 little people and 15 suitcases in tow. We generated a few looks along the way - me or Martin pushing two luggage dolly's at a time or me pushing two along with the help of Ethan & Patrick (not great steerers!) Seems everything arrived safe and sound.

Here's a few quick observations & tidbits from our adventure so far:

• Patrick indicating there was nothing good left to watch on the in-flight television as he'd watched everthing. When I asked he admitted 14 hours of non-stop television was maybe a bit too much!
• Don't shop in airport gift shops for a camera replacement - they run about 33% higher in price than an in-town shop!
• Don't assume a bank draft issued in Vancouver on a Sydney bank will be honoured by the exact branch in Sydney the draft is issued from!
• Weekends, stat holidays and the Sydney soccer equivalent of the Grey Cup weekend make it difficult (understatement) to shop for and purchase a vehicle.
• First Australian wildlife observed: an ibis, followed a few hours later (at dusk) by flocks of giant (seagull-sized) bats flying overhead.
• Best aussie phrase heard so far; Australian equivalent for a man's speedo swimsuit - a 'budgie smuggler'!

The dream has begun but the stress continues . . . still on the list; purchase vehicle, computer and cell phone. Drive 1500 km to Melbourne to catch Thursday night ferry to Tas.

Goal: To arrive safely in Tas with a few dollars in our pockets . . .