While volcanic ash disrupted flights across Europe, it was smooth sailing for my trans-Pacific flight from San Francisco to Sydney. The lack of flights to Europe meant San Francisco International Airport was the quietest I’ve ever seen it. It only took me a bit over an hour from my house in the city to reach the airport, drop off my bags, pass through security (where I was patted down) and reach my gate.
I don’t normally get to airports early but this time I was at the gate three hours before the scheduled departure. It was a comfort to see that my plane was also waiting at the gate (pictured). This meant that delays were unlikely.
My luck held out on the plane as well and I ended up getting three seats to myself so I could raise the arm rests and curl up for some sleeps. Since I was leaving at 10.40pm and arriving at around 6am local time, sleep was a necessity. I probably managed to sleep for about half the 14 hour flight, which really isn’t bad.
I had a cunning plan to read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, the final book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, on the plane. Unfortunately I discovered at the airport that it’s not out in the US until 15 May. I’m now trying to decide whether to buy it here for $32 or wait until May and spend about half that. Instead I watched some movies and TV, though I managed to overload on Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep. I watched It’s Complicated, which they both starred in, Julie and Julia (Streep) and 30 Rock (Baldwin). I also saw the most excellent British arthouse flick An Education, which had neither Streep nor Baldwin.
I was in Sydney long enough to drop a bag off at my in-laws, shower, have lunch and then turn around and return to the airport for a domestic flight to Brisbane. I’ve been visiting cousins in Brisbane and will see more relatives up on the Sunshine Coast later in the week. Then I’m back to Sydney next Tuesday and staying almost two full weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing family there and catching up with as many friends as possible.
You are really lucky by flying away from volcano
.-= Vi´s last blog ..No departure tax in Kathmandu (KTM) airport =-.
Glad to hear you had no problems during your trip, over here in Scotland the eruption has caused chaos with travellers, we even had a light covering of ash in the north of the country.
Pauline Frommer was saying her flight got into NYC an hour early due to lack of planes from Europe.
.-= Nomadic Matt´s last blog ..Songkran: Thai New Year =-.
Glad there was some upside – my husband had to travel to Scotland by coach and back instead of flying and the French student due to stay with us had to cancel her trip. At least we weren’t one of thos families stranded on the other side of Europe having to make it back as best they could and at some expense with French trains on strike!
.-= Heather Cowper´s last blog ..Cotswold country charm at the Kings Head Inn at Bledington – Video =-.
I always got the train to Scotland – not too bad from London but probably more difficult from Bristol! I hope it didn’t sound like I was gloating about other’s misfortunes. I would hate to be stuck as so many people were. And if I’d been getting married this year instead of last, I might not have made my own wedding! – Caitlin.
Glad to know you had a smooth trip. I heard An Education is a good movie. Did you like it? Update us on the ongoings there in Australia…
.-= Jen Laceda´s last blog ..The Parisian Food Market Jig =-.
I thought An Education was excellent! A good story and also interesting as a period piece of the recent past. – Caitlin.
Alfred molina was particularly good as Jack An Education – another fine example of properly trained theater actors taking their craft into the movies.
In Europe total chaos when the ash cloud hung – a week of no flying – interesting to see clear skies and people who live beneath flight paths appreciate the reduced noise pollution.
.-= David Gregory´s last blog ..Flowers Crisis Volcano Ash Halts Essential Import – No Flowers =-.