Alaskan /Canadian Holiday

Alaskan and Canadian Adventure 2009

Day 1

31^st August

We have to start on the 31^st because the packing and last minute stuff that goes with a big trip is all a part of it really. So with the last round of washing, yard stuff and tidying done, all attention was turned to the packing of the suitcases. Knowing the limits the airlines place on the weight of bags we were very conscious of the need to keep within range. We actually managed to come in with a kilo to spare in each bag - that is if our scales were correct. With the packing done we headed off to pick up a hire car to get to the airport. We got a little Kia Rio – it would fit into the Fairlane’s boot – but Rick thought it was OK and it did the job.

Needless to say we were later leaving home than anticipated and we still had to drop in to say goodbye to Kaitlin and Mikayla. That was very hard to do knowing that Kaitlin is about to give birth and we will desperately miss not being there to be with her. Mikayla will be so different in 2 months time – she may even forget who we are?????

Mum and Dad had generously cooked a lamb roast for our going away dinner and although the veggies were a little crunchy (due to our late arrival) it was yummy. Meg joined us as well so we had a nice Aussie farewell before leaving Australian shores, however we didn’t invite Tom Cruise.

Off to bed for a couple of hours sleep (3.5 exactly) before an early start…

Day 2

1^st September

Rising before the crows and the roosters – at 3.ooam – we had a quick shower and headed to the airport. We said goodbye to the little car and checked in for our 5.50am flight to Melbourne. All went smoothly and we left Brisbane on time. Amazingly the flight was absolutely full – all the suits heading to Melbourne for business and a sprinkling of non suited folk going elsewhere.

Arriving in Melbourne we headed to the Check In counter only to be told that we had been UPGRADED - the very word that anyone who is an accomplished “cattle class” flyer dreams of hearing. As we already had seats in Premium Economy that meant we were UPGRADED to BUSINESS CLASS. The Holy Grail! We were stunned. We not only managed this incredible feat, but with it came the benefit of the QANTAS BUSINESS CLUB Lounge (who knew these things existed?) and Express tickets that allowed us to by- pass ALL the queues at Customs and Immigration. Straight through and NO waiting at all! A little taste of the bliss to come! In the Lounge there were free drinks –alcoholic and non alcoholic – we stuck to coffee as it was still only before 9.00am, and breakfast. Everyone was quiet and composed as if they were used to this sort of thing (spoiled brats!). Richard was happy because the Stock Market Report was live on a big screen in the business centre of the lounge. It was like checking into a plush hotel - big glass doors, reception counter, lovely décor etc…. We were really enjoying this trip now and all the last minute rush around was quickly forgotten. We are obviously easily pleased …

The toilets were like no other airport toilets we had ever been to and therefore are worth mentioning. They were clean! There were no bits of paper on the nicely tiled floor. It had always amazed me how untidy airport toilets are generally, so this was a pleasure. But there was more… toilet seat liners, enormous cubicles large enough for half a dozen ladies (Rick says 3 guys in their cubicles) at the same time, no graffiti on the walls, great hand basins, thick hands towels that didn’t need to be pulled out of a dispenser but were neatly folded for our convenience, hand creams – a choice of 2 from some famous cosmetics maker whose name I have now forgotten – and a lovely vase of Australian flowers (what a nice touch). I made two visits so as to make the most of our 1 hour in the QANTAS Lounge for Business travellers. I might join the QANTAS Club before we travel overseas again – we loved it.

AS part of this express service we didn’t have to board the plane until they called us 10 minutes before departure (unlike ‘cattle class’ who board 30 -40 mins. ahead). It was just a short walk to the plane – separated from the non business class folk – and greeted by the lovely smiling stewards, who were dressed in high class livery, and who directed us to go upstairs (they have upstairs in planes??). This just got better as we went along.

Did you ever wonder what was at the front pointy end and upstairs of those jumbo jets. Well I can tell you now – the pilots, and 24 business class seats. Very exclusive spot. First impressions were WOW! Look at the seats! Look at the space! Where are all the people? Directed to our seat with a “Welcome Mr & Mrs Shaw” from a friendly smiling steward “May I hang your jacket for you Mr Shaw?” This was shortly followed by the offer of champagne, orange juice or water – it is never too early for champers. I hadn’t even had time to buckle in before there was a glass in my hand. I wondered what it was like in “cattle class”, knowing that the rest of our flights will be in with the masses but determined to make the most of the unexpected and gratefully received experience.

The meals were yummy and were from Neil Perry’s Rockpool Restaurant in Sydney. All were served on CHINA and glasses were GLASS, forks and spoons were silverware – knives plastic anti-terrorist variety. Our tray tables were covered with white linen tablecloths – WOW! - and serviettes were also linen. Impressive, to say the very least.

And on the toilet theme again, we had our own private toilet to share among the24 of us. No queues or waiting at all. Once again flowers in a vase, hand creams, and disposable cloth hands towels. We were also given a beautiful thick blanket, a personal care pack (eye mask, socks, ear plugs etc). Believe it or not they also gave everyone a pair of QANTAS pyjamas to change into if you wanted to – some did and most didn’t. They have become our first souvenir.

Now to the seats- how extraordinary they are. They were enormous and the SPACE! I literally couldn’t reach the seat in front of me – I had to stand up to do so. You could lie down and stretch out completely and you didn’t interfere with anyone else. We each had our own TV/DVD screen and could watch whatever we wanted independent of everyone else. We both made the most of the seats and, no doubt, arrived in LA some 15 hours later feeling better than if we had travelled in our usual manner.

Speaking of LA, what a huge city! We flew for a good 15 minutes over the city before reaching the airport. There are large bushfires circling the city and a significant amount of smoke in the atmosphere – just adds to the smog. We could actually smell the smoke in the plane which required the captain to announce that there was no need to panic (not that we were) but it wasn’t the plane, just bushfire smoke. The landing was perfect – barely noticed the touchdown. Great pilot! (or perhaps autopilot?). My faith and belief in QANTAS has been restored from this entire experience.

LA airport was singularly UNimpressive. Dingy and uninviting. Lots of customs and security people bossing everyone around. So many of them were Hispanic or Negro, but mainly Hispanic. It only took about 45 minutes to get through immigration – which we thought was fairly good and another 20 minutes or so to get to our hotel shuttle bus. The driver (Hispanic) was helpful.

We are staying at the Holiday Inn Express which is only a 5 minute drive from the airport. We were able to check in straight away – about 9.00am (that’s 23 hours after we left Mum and Dad’s this morning.) No wonder we are tired. Although we tried to stay awake today we both ended up have a short nap but will sleep well tonight. The hotel is perfectly fine for an overnight stay. The area around is not so conducive to us going out for a walk however, as it appears to be a lower socio-economic region of the city. There is a Sizzler right next door to the hotel and we had tea there tonight. Bec, you and Dave would have liked it as it was cheaper than at home. In American fashion you have to tip everyone so it seemed a little odd to just throw money on the table when we left – just like in the movies.

We have another early start in the morning (6.30am) so we can get to the airport to fly to Anchorage. That is another 8 hours flying with a stopover in Portland. That’s when we really start the holiday I suppose.

We are off to bed shortly as it is 9.00pm (Tuesday 1^st Sept and 2.00pmWednesday 2^nd in your neck of the woods) here now.

Goodnight and Love from the Wanderers