Travel VIII, Welcome to Island No. 7

Brussels to London.
1.15hr late departure, pilot couldn't remember where he parked the plane. We were stood on the tarmac while he wandered around pressing the Unlock button on the key.

Eventually we took off and the nice lady offered me a Chicken salad with a choice of wines; "which one do you recommend?", "This one's 13%", "You're English isn't it?", "Yes", "Me too, I'll have the 13% thank you very much"

Couple of honeymooners across the aisle were already pounding the champagne and taking pictures with the flash. I asked for a bucket of ice water but we were too close to landing for drinks. It's a short flight.

The video announced we were landing in terminal one, nooooo!, but the fella next to me cleared it up. Interestingly the hostess announced the correction in English only. BA's vision of Europe doesn't quite match with the other airlines.

London - Bangkok
Because of the previous delay there was no time to hang around in lounge, we jumped straight on-board. "Is there anyone famous here?" , "there's a couple of jazz musicians on board, but they're flying economy. I can make them play for you, it's in the ticket conditions", "That's very nice of you to offer but I'm not really into jazz. More rock music, you know", "Of course sir, did you catch the Graspop this year?", "I wouldn't be here if I'd caught Graspop", "More champagne sir?", "Just leave the bottle"

Old fella across the aisle is explaining the route to his wife, She seems to be riveted with flying over Bangalore. I watched Ghost Rider, slept, watched shooters had breakfast and that's ten hours done.

Bangkok Airport
There's a new airport in Bangkok, they seem to have taken the Brussels approach to design. Let's make the buggers walk a mile before there's anything to do. The fight crew told us there was only one hour to boarding again so we all left the lounge and sat at the gate for an hour before take off.

Bangkok - Sydney
Same as the last bit, but I didn't watch any films.

Sydney
Arrived on time, unfortunately the luggage didn't. It's on the next flight, the late departure from Brussels cost me my luggage and two hours hanging around the airport. Got to the hotel at 9.45 and fortunately they've upgraded me a suite, rooms are all taken. No kidding, this suite is bigger than my apartment. However, a months rent would only get me five nights here and it's bloody freezing. Air conditioning is extremely effective but I wish I could turn it off. It rained all day and the sun set around 5pm.

Wandered around the harbour (Darling Harbour), did some shopping so I've got new trousers, shirt and shoes for tomorrow. Fish and Chips for dinner, not to bad a day in the end. Oh and I've booked a Whale Watching trip for Sunday Morning.

It's 00:56 Wednesday morning here, 16:56 Tuesday in Brussels

Goodnight.

JJ