32 Hours

From doorstep (the Atlanta Marriott Marquis) to doorstep (home, sweet home) that's how long my trip home took. I'm now home, partly unpacked, with one load of washing drying and another in the machine and I'm partway through checking my mail and my email and, gee, I realise that I'm partly through a LOT of things and not finishing any. Maybe this blog post will be the trick...

Actually, the trip wasn't so bad. No, really, I'm serious. I allowed loads of time for all my transfers because at the end of a tiring week there's nothing worse than the added stress and worry of whether I'll make a connection if one plane is delayed or if I get lost in getting from one terminal to the other or if one part of my luggage doesn't make it onto the carousel (that happened last year!) First leg Atlanta-LA started with the easiest check-in I've ever experienced, kerbside, quick, efficient, and thereby the antithesis of the inward leg. My gate was in the main terminal; no long walk, no train. My flight was on time and I enjoyed chatting to a real gentleman in the next seat whose quiet southern charm left an impact that pretty much reflected my time in Atlanta.

Next stop LAX where I'd expected a long walk, interspersed with many where-the-heck-am-I-supposed-to-go? moments but the terminals were side by side. Again, no line, easy-peasy check-in, no excess baggage (despite all the extra books and, erm, shopping), and...here's the best part...I got my upgrade to business. This meant access to the club lounge with comfortable seating, coffee, drinks, internet access, although I just read. LA-Sydney was a night flight and man, did I appreciate the skybed. There was a malfunction with the entertainment software so no movies on demand (no problem, since I was sleeping) and also a hiccup with the climate control, which would have been a problem but for the 2 extra blankets and doona the stewardess brought me. She even tucked me in, the sweetheart, and I felt very spoiled.

Arrived in Sydney 6am this morning (Tuesday) and after another smooth transfer (no lost luggage this time, Trish, yay!!!) I caught the final flight, a short hop home. When I find the connection cord between my camera and computer--anyone have any clues where I might have put that???--I will download my photos and share some more of my fabulous week. Meantime, boy it's great to be home.