Planes, trains and automobiles - I’ve got this solo travel thing down!

But have I though?

Flight from Edinburgh was fine - except that I got there at 2.30 for a 6.20 flight to London… that pretty much set the tone for the whole journey.

I could only check in for the first 2 flights, the 3rd flight was not open, so it meant I would have to collect my luggage in Guangzhou (China) and re check it.  No problem.

When it came to my second flight from Heathrow, I was at the gate good and early (Emma Gooch would be proud!) and was quietly minding my business when I heard my name being called out to go to the desk - my heart skipped - was I going to be upgraded??  Nope, check-in for my last flight was open so they were going to check my bags right through, I was still in cattle class, and the flight was full… we can but dream.  Why am I telling you this?  All will become clear…

12 hour flight to China was in itself ok, but so much turbulence!  I was in the tail end of the plane and I really felt it, but other than that, the plane was warm, the movies half decent and the food was good - I even got a couple of hours kip.  I have not flown with China Southern before, but they were like Ronseal - does exactly what it says on the tin.  Can’t complain :)

Landing in Guangzhou I did think - either we are flying very low, or those building are very high.... turned out it was both - although the pic does not really show it.

I had a couple of hours layover in Guangzhou - not enough time to go anywhere, but not too long to be a bother either.  As my bags were now checked all the way through (fingers crossed) I started on the trek through 4 different security points - all of which checked my passport and boarding card.  I got to the last one, and steeled myself for emptying my bag into the plastic tray (did not have to do this at Heathrow, just remove my belt!) but at this passport check there was a problem.

The lady checked my name 3 times and then called a supervisor over.  I asked her if there was a problem and she said ‘Yes! There is a problem’. My heart sank - my luggage had not been checked through, but no worries I had time to go back and get it from luggage claim - I asked what the problem was and she said ‘Security check for luggage - you need to open it.  Go and sit on that chair and wait’ So off I went and sat on the naughty step……everyone was looking at me……

I waited quite a while until a very serious security officer came out with one of my suitcases in tow and asked me to open it so he could search it - right there in front of everyone. 

I started questioning all of my life choices - in particular the one to wear brand new trainers to travel in - and to buy trainers with ‘ears’ on the heels which were rubbing, but one choice I did not regret was using packing cubes!  THANK GOODNESS for those little nylon packing bags which meant my not so smalls were not on show to the whole world, because search it he did.

It turned out that I was bringing a couple of my older cameras out for Emily to use here, and as my hand luggage was already heavy, I had packed them in my suitcase, and one of them had a battery pack in the bag.  He also closely inspected my knitting needles, but I think that was just curiosity rather than a security risk!

Crisis averted (it had made it through 2 flights without issue, but the Chinese scanners must be very high res, or my ‘follow your dreams’ luggage cover had attracted too much attention).  Finally allowed to proceed, I did have to empty my flight bag to go through the scanner, and empty my water bottle - neither of which I had to do at Edinburgh or Heathrow. They like to keep us travellers on our toes.

I trudged to the furthest (about a mile) gate to wait for my flight - 3 hours before take-off but my phone was getting low on power and I did not want to fight the young guns for access to the power outlets. I thought it was really odd that lots of people were coming to the gate and taking a picture of the sign, then walking away….. my curiosity eventually got the better of me and I went and had a look, only to find that there was a gate change and I had to trudge all the way back to the opposite end of the airport (yep, really a mile) to my new gate - I was really regretting the trainers now! Odd thing though - people were taking pictures of this gate too - it muct be a new 'thing'.... maybe I should do it? (I didn't).

9 hour flight to Sydney was fine too - the flight was packed and it was a much smaller plane, but I did manage to get about 5 hours kip, so I was all refreshed to walk through the door at Sydney to find Emily with a sign in case I forgot who I was, and a lovely bunch of flowers - oh my heart feels complete again even if there were lots of tears.

Straight into it when we got to Em’s house, (what 3 words vets.reef.toned) she took me on a tour of the neighbourhood so I could get my bearings.  First impressions are that I LOVE this place.  Every building is different - the architecture is a proper hodge podge - as if someone has made a model village and wanted to incorporate all of the styles on offer - I think the only thing missing is a Dali-esque Sagrada Família.  It is clearly a younger, hipper, artistic neighbourhood, lots of coffee shops, artisan bakeries and bars.  The side streets look like they belong in New Orleans with their wrought-metal balconies. A really great vibe. 

It is a Bank holiday weekend and I was thrown right in to Aussie culture this afternoon as we went to a leaving party for one of Emily’s friends, held in Marrickville Bowling and Recreation club (what 3 words vows.shiny.dishes). Not 10 pin bowling, but proper green bowls - apparently it is a huge thing here - who knew!  Not that people were taking the bowling as seriously as they were taking the drinking, so that explained a lot, but we had a really fun time. 

Yep, they are all in bare feet - no shoes allowed on the green....

We then hopped on a bus for the 15 minute ride back to Newtown - which cost 57p, bargain - and home to watch a light hearted movie (Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears - we used to watch a lot of Phyrne Fisher back in the day) and stay awake long enough to go to bed at a reasonable time to try and get onto Aussie time.  BH Monday tomorrow so I think we might go to the beach…. OMG I am an Aussie now :D