London to Kuala Lumpur to Sydney. A total of almost 21 hours flying time, plus 90 minutes to change planes. Flying long distance is peculiar – seemingly endless as it’s happening yet over in a moment once you’re arrived at your destination. The A380 from London to Malaysia smelled brand new, and didn’t appear particularly full. Wall to wall maroon coloured interior, a little queasy in my opinion, but I had a row to myself, space to stretch my legs and a window to look out at those enormous wings. Also was in close proximity to a few too many babies and toddlers for my liking, although I mean, let’s face it, I felt like yowling after 9 hours cooped up in a confined space and I could move about! I must have napped a bit, and worked my way through 5 episodes of a US tv show about a female politician who doesn’t get the presidential nomination but goes on to become Secretary of State (no West Wing but pretty good), plus the film Hitchcock, which was very ‘actory’ and most of the film Zero Dark Thirty, which I want to watch again. I know the general view is not to eat airplane food, but really, what else is there to do on such a long flight? Convinced the flight attendance was making a note every time I asked for some more wine, but I also made sure I drank a vast quantity of water (which, of course had me up and down to the toilet!).
Now, the thing about ‘economy’ is that you’re all fed and then told to go to sleep, regardless of what time the plane departs - it’s a bit like being on a hospital ward without the Horlicks. Also, for some reason they make the cabin so cold, that you’re forced to cocoon yourself in blankets. I always get the feeling that as we are all being tucked up for a while, everyone’s having a party in business class!
All I can remember of Kuala Lumpur is coming into land over forests of palm trees, and a very crowded terminal. First vague signs of sleep deprivation as I navigated my way to the corresponding departure gate for Sydney, and then went in search of the ‘smoking lounge’. Hellish. Only in there for a few moments and am sure I then smelled like I’d been fire-damaged. Back to Gate C34, and then onto a second plane for another 8 hours. Foolish me for not sticking a post-it note on my forehead saying ‘Do Not Wake’ – just as a I finally drifted off, I was woken by a flight attendant asking if wanted ‘chicken or veggie pie’. I was then woken again by the woman sitting behind me asking to bring my seat forward so she had eat her meal, even though she had her entire row empty for her to stretch out.
I may have slept, I think I did, although every time I dropped off, I woke with a start as I was drooling. Regardless, we were eventually all ‘woken up’ by matron brandishing a basket of mini-Magnums that I suspect had been stored in liquid nitrogen, so frozen were they, and finally I disembarked at Sydney, local time 19.15, my time 10.15am. The immigration line felt almost as long as the flight I had just got off (and a vague whiff of it all being designed to be a bit punitive), but at last I was spat out into arrivals. Easily sorted out a mobile phone, picked up my rental car, remembering that to start the engine one has to depress the clutch, set up my sat nav, brought all the way from England (such a comfort to hear that nice, precise English voice), and off I hurtled into the night, all the windows open as frankly the sleep deprivation was really kicking in. 60-odd miles later, I arrive at Katoomba, feeling completely spaced out and am greeted by my old friend Al, laughing at the absurdity of it all as we drag bags and baggage down steep steps to his house.
As expected, only slept 5-6 hours so will be a bit woozy later today, I expect. Also, my mobile broadband isn’t working, so just as I did last year, I have to go in search of a Vodafone shop. Other than that, I suspect today will be quite gentle – a bit of an explore to get my bearings etc.
Oh, and the sun is shining! Glory hallelujah…
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