G'Day from Down Under!!!
Mark and I have arrived safely in Australia!!
We left Toronto on Thursday November 22nd. We left our house and it took over an hour to get to the airport when it usually takes about 15 minutes. The weather was horrible! We made it in to the termial and they were checking us in (a mere 20 minutes before the flight closed) and asked Mark about his Australian visa. They said he didn't have one. I had one but he didn't. It was odd because Mark did both of them together! They said another one would be $25 - we said go ahead. The counter lady said that we couldn't just do that because if there were two visas with the same name it would freeze both of the visas. CRAP - time was creeping by. She tried to re-enter the visa - but Mark's middle name was causing a problem as in one place was the initial and other was the name.
A supervisor was called to investigate. We were getting many dirty looks from the people in the line because we were holding it up and occupying the time of the ONLY check in lady.
Finally the supervisor comes back and says that we are good to go - we had to RUSH through American customs and immigration and make it to the gate. They were boarding. We get on the plane and everything seems good. Then they announce that we have to go for de-icing...we sat in line to be de-iced for THREE HOURS!!!! I was thinking by this point that we should just turn around and go home! They turned on the entertainment system and I watched 1 1/2 movies before we took off!!
We made it to LAX and only had 3 hours, instead of 6 hours, to blow there and it went by fairly quickly. We went through Auckland to Sydney.
We were picked up by friends and are currently at their place. We have had a shower and are refreshed and getting ready to go out!
From leaving our house to arriving in Sydney was 31 hours!! Can you say TIRED!
Currenlty it is 11:32 am Saturday morning - that makes is 7:32pm Friday night in Toronto.
I am wearing shorts and although it is raining a bit - it is WARM!!
24 comments:
WOW Michelle! How fun. Glad you arrived safe and sound. Can't wait to see and hear more. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!! :)
k
Glad you made it there safely, even with the snafus. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics *hint hint*
Have a great time!
Awesome!! Glad you are there and safe and sound. I worried about you yesterday and was glad to hear from you last night.
Have a wonderful time with your friends and try to bring some of that warm weather back to chilly Toronto, will ya?
Australia?! Wow! Have an awesome trip!
I am super happy to hear that you made it safe and sound. The delays are maddening but put it behind you and enjoy your visit. Miss you already!
Keep smilin@
Always wanted to go to Australia! Have a wonderful trip...looking forward to Pictures!
Holy cow! What a marathon! I'm glad you're there, safe and happy. I too look forward to pictures.
P.S. Colorado's only three measly hours....
Bummer about the de-icing delay. Glad you made it there safe and sound.
Enjoy your trip!!
Smiles! :o)
Nikki
Hi Guys!!! Glad you made it there okay. Hope you have a blast:o)
Have a great time and bring some of that warm weather back with you!
Glad you're there safe and sound! Not fun waiting for the de-icing but glad you didn't have quite so long to spend at LAX. Hope you've had some rest by now and are ready to par-tay with your friends.
Enjoy your warm weather. It's not like that here so enjoy it while you can!
Well, after that hassle getting there, your trip is BOUND to be great! Can't wait to see the PICTURES! (no hinting there, just blatant demands....)
So glad you're there safe and sound. Airports are fun, aren't they???
Are you going to make the Aussies your famous salad while you're there?
Cari
Have an amazing time! I can't wait to see some pictures!
Glad you were able to get on with the visa issue. Have fun. Stay warm and bring me home a snowglobe!
Glad you got there safe and sound! I was thinking about you on Thursday with the crappy weather.
Glad everything got sorted out with Mark's visa. Red tape, gotta love it!
Have a great time! Can't wait to see the pics.
So great that you were able to make it on the plane after all that confusion! And so cool that you're Down Under right now! Have a GREAT time!!!
Have a wonderful trip!
I wondered where you were.
have you seen any kangaroos yet?
Glad you got there safely, now get out in that warm weather and show us some of Australia! :O)
some shrimps on the barby and you'll forget all about the check in/out
The weather sucks here, I suggest you stay awhile.
That flight from LAX to Sydney is brutal. Did you fly Quantas? They treat you like kings and feed you like queens.
Just stumbled across your site... have a great time in my homeland... I am heading back there in January - cannot wait... me, I am from Newcastle, NSW originally... have been to Blue Mtns many times... nice huh!
hi michelle,
i didn't think to read your blog, because you were not home, but wow what beautiful pictures..you make me jealous for sure....i can hardly wait until i get a chance to go there...take care and talk to you soon
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