Getting to Australia

Getting there--The adventure begins

We were all packed and ready to go by 1:30 PM.  Unfortunately even to be at the airport two hours prior to the departure time, we were an hour and a half early.  Arriving at the airport at 3:30 we got through the gate in record time.  Time enough for lattes at Starbucks and an hour wait before boarding.  It’s good not to be rushed, I guess.  Could it be that we are some of the few traveling over Super Bowl weekend and that’s why things are going so smoothly?  Arrgh, I forgot to set the DVR to record the game.  Now we’ll miss all those commercials that have already been previewed on TV and the internet over the last few days.

Mary Beth passed the full body scan in Portland going through security with her metal knee.  Just for good measure as I followed her, the TSA security agent patted down my knees as well.  Nice to know we are being kept safe.

Boarding Alaska Airlines Mary Beth used her limp and cane to our advantage.  Boarding first was something we had not been able to do since Emily, now 23, was a baby. 

Mary Beth managed the hike quite well from the domestic to the international terminal and then we went through security again.  LAX does not have the full body scanning equipment so Mary Beth was put in the glass box after passing the metal detector.  We had time for a drink at one of the bars while we waited to board the plane.  $18 dollars for a beer and gin and tonic. Yikes.

On the fourteen hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney we had an open seat between us so we were able to stretch out a little.  We both managed to sleep a little on the flight.  I only managed to watch two movies. 

It was a long trek from the arrival gate to customs.  Once again Mary Beth got sympathy with the cane and we were put in a shorter line. 

Once through customs it was a 20 minute taxi ride to pick up the car.

Getting the car.

We had made arrangements after Mary Beth’s careful research to buy a car from a company called Traveler’s Auto Barn.  The reimbursed us our taxi fare to the airport and after signing numerous documents and even taking a quiz at the end we were almost ready to take delivery of our 1998 Holden Jackaroo.  It’s a 4wd SUV or, as they refer to it down, here a “Ute”.   Unfortunately they were concerned about a check engine light that had come on and wanted to check it out.  Seems one of the sensors did not like ethanol.  We have been using straight unleaded since and never have seen that light come on. 

Finally we got the car and were off.  We started by heading to K-mart and Telstra to pick up camping supplies and a SIM for Mary Beth’s phone.  We ended the day after doing some more shopping and dinner at Costco.  Dinner was a $2.50 hot dog and soda ($1.00 more than in the U.S).