On the Bottom Half

Completely Around the Earth.

I've arrived safely back in Australia after yet another unplanned adventure. The flight out of Calgary was not without it's problems as the crush of post-New Year's bashers dragged their hinies out of bed early enough to completely fill Calgary airport at 0500 on 2 January. I arrived at about 0505, and was just able to make it to my gate for boarding as the last two people slipped past the gate entrance at 0650. Then we waited on the ground for the rest of the people clearing customs and security until about 0730.

Upon arriving in L.A. at 0930, I had about 12 hours to kill until the flight to Aus started off at 2030. I went for a walk around the city near the airport, then got back at about 1615. The scale of operations at LAX is staggering. There are so many airplane movements that two sets of parallel runways cannot get ahead. There was always at least one waiting to go. Massive...

Anyway, I got back to the QANTAS lineup in time to see that my flight was delayed. The information board said delayed until 9:30 AM. AM?!? I thought that surely can't be right. They must mean 9:30 PM.

Nope.

The airplane went mechanical in NZ the night before and wasn't able to takeoff in time for U.S. Customs to be open on arrival. To Qantas' credit, they put us up in the Sheraton, paid for dinner and breakfast, and got us out the next morning. However, they boarded us about an hour late and I didn't get into Melbourne until after midnight. The original time was supposed to be 0925 on the 4th January.

So, that all means that I've flown entirely around the world, but not without delays, in the last 6 weeks. And, my bags didn't even get lost!

Had a wonderful Christmas seeing all of you. Sorry I didn't get to see everyone. Miss you lots. Love y'all!

posted by Kyle @ 07:08