Ready for Launch...

---

At an hour unacceptable to most, the Wondering Wanderers arose and underwent final preparations before the taxi arrived to whisk them away to the airport. Ahh... Vanuatu... we couldn't wait!
We arrived at the airport uber early, as we had a few tax refunds we wished to lodge and we didn't know how long the queues would be. When we rocked up to the TRS/Customs Office on level 1 at Brisbane Int'l, the office was empty - so much for the crowds we were expecting! Getting our receipts stamped for items we wished to check-in was a breeze so we ended up having a lot of time to kill whilst a) waiting for check-in and then b) waiting for the call to board. We managed to score a luggage trolley with a few magazines on it so we had some free reading material to while away the time with. After check-in and immigration, we went through to the TRS (Tourist Refund Scheme) desk to get tax refunds on the items we were taking in our carry-on bags (or wearing). (For those who wish to know, the TRS brochure is wrong - the TRS desk is now in the tunnel next to gate 81, which is over to the right after you get through immigration and not where it is shown on the pamphlet).
As we were about to go in search of breakfast, we stumbled across Scott's parents - they were off to Auckland to surprise Scott's sister for her birthday. They hadn't told us 'cause they thought we might spill their secret! *shakes head* As if! After chatting to them for a while, we grabbed some breakfast and checked out what was on offer in dutyfree then headed off to the gate to wait.

---

Photos

Gate 84
Gate 84 at Brisbane International Airport shortly before boarding :)

Our airplane
We were tricked! We thought we were flying Qantas but it was actually a codeshare flight run by Air Vanuatu for Qantas.

The Wondering Wanderers
Pre-flight photo ;)