Tuesday 24Apr
Early morning start again today. 4am. Its been so long since I have seen what 4am looks like. I hope that after the next two days I don’t have to see it again for a while. At the airport by 530am and I was the only person checking in. Quick as anything check in, asked for an upgrade to business class, was asked if I wanted to pay anything, I said no, she said “Fat Chance.” So after clearing immigration and then security which was painful considering I was carrying war medals and an umbrella (apparently umbrellas are now dangerous), I had a walk through the International Terminal for my first time ever. Its quite boring actually. Nothing like what I imagine Singapore’s airport to be. A lot of shops, a lot of waiting areas and a few cafes. Sat down reading an Australian Aviation (still don’t know why I only seem to buy the mag whenever I fly) and sat back to wait for my flight. By the time boarding came around there was not that many people waiting for the flight. I overheard some staff saying 62 people. 62 people onboard a 747-400 which can hold around 400ish. So I take my exit row seat and wait for the close up and everything and one of the staff members came up and asked me if I would like to sit in business. I mean HELLO! dumb question. So I move up to the 2nd business cabin on the aircraft. 14 seats and I’m the only one in it. Now I have flown business with Qantas before and the thing is that would not be such a huge thing. However I was flying an International Spec aircraft. That meant Qantas Skybeds. Now if you have seen the ads for these seats you would know just how awesome they look (link) They are awesomely comfortable and so much fun to sit in and use the AVOD and also the massage function *drool.*
Once arrived in Sydney it was raining, so scrapped the plans to stay and take photos at the Airport. Saw a United new colours and Thai 744 in new colours as well so was muchly dissapointed. Spent the morning bumming around the city and then spent the afternoon the Talleh (one of my friends from OCAU). Tuesday night was spent with Talleh, Mibba and Nav (all from OCAU) at the Chasers War on Everything Taping. I was very impressed by the taping. It was good, the guys were very funny. Sadly didn’t get to hug Andrew Hansen as I was ordered to by Nat (sorry) but maybe next time.
Wednesday 25Apr
Hello 4am again. My new arch enemy. Up at 4am, quick change and walk around the corner from the Menzies Hotel to Martin Place for the Dawn service. I get there and feel a few sprinkles on my head so I hide in a doorway of some building on the corner out of the rain while the sky opens and the heavens pour down. After the service I scurry back to the hotel and decide its back to bed for me and the March will be watched from the comfort of my hotel room. (Little did I know that my cousin Lindy was going to be marching for my Grandads Brother). I met up with Lindy and Sophie and Andrew at the 2nd/2nd MG Btln Association lunch. This was the first time I have ever gone and it was definately something different. Lots of toasts to the Queen and the battalion and fallen comrades and the like. A lot of people to meet and see the sort of people that my Grandad fought with in the war. It was an eye opening experience. I am definately returning next year (and hell I may even march).
After leaving the Menzies it was back to the airport and this time rather than push my luck I just asked for an exit row seat, and I got it. Spent the time at the Airport drinking coffee, reading my mag and perving on the gorgeous girls in the Airport and hoping that one of them would be next to me on the flight. There was some Qantas crew looking like they were returning home to Brisbane and one of the girls was drop dead gorgeous, I could not keep my eyes off her. When boarding began I sat down in my seat, asked for the usual extension belt and was told by the Flight Attendant that CASA does not allow fat people in the exit row (well he didn’t use those words but thats what he really meant) and that he would have to move me to a new seat. I was not really caring considering there was a row of 3 just next to me with the same amount of leg room and plenty or space to stretch out. Was hoping to just have a nice pleasant trip home when the Flight Attendant comes back and says “would you like to come up and sit in business.” I mean WTF! twice in two days. So up to business I move. What a trip home. Although not as good as the Skybeds but hell, I wont complain. Got home last night, read through my emails and uploaded photos off the cards and went to bed. A tiring 2 days.
