We're HOME!!!!!

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After just about 24 hours of travel, we're home!!! At least home in Santa Barbara. It's strange to be back among the reality of computers (although we had ours with us), cell phones, driving on the "right" side of the road, and our instruments.... (although I had mine with me all along, it wasn't used AT ALL!). So, here we are amongst reality!

The time difference between Thailand and California is 14 hours. When we were posting our blogs in Thailand at the end of the day, all of our family and friends were just waking up to a new day (that we had already experienced!) Strange how that works, huh?

After our wonderful sushi in Tokyo, we didn't have time to use our access into the "club" at the airport. We were given access in both Tokyo and Bangkok because Jeff is such a frequent flier. He has "gold status" on Star Alliance and thus gets entrance to the club. It's cool to go and sit and eat (free) food, and relax in big chairs. Not a bad way to pass time in an airport!

Jeff and I enjoyed our flight on Singapore Air from Tokyo to LAX (although we decided that Thai air was our favorite airline we flew with..better food, faster service, more leg room...) They gave us a pair of socks, a toothbrush, and toothpaste when we got on the plane. Most excitingly, it was my first ride on a DOUBLE DECKER plane! Although we didn't get to go upstairs to first class, Jeff told me it was really cool up there (he's been upstairs before.) We didn't do much movie watching on the plane, as we were trying to acclimate ourselves to California time and spent most of our "air time" asleep! We did watch "The Other Boleyn Girl" (which was good research for me, since we're doing Anna Bolena at AVA next fall). The flight was just over 9 hours....and it flew by! (Literally!!!)

We were met at the airport by my mom (who was literally jumping up and down when we came out of security). We loaded our luggage (we somehow added an extra bag to our luggage along the way), and we were off.

A two hour drive was split up by a much anticipated stop at "In 'N' Out" burger half way between LA and Santa Barbara.

We arrived at mom's house to Keila (her dog) jumping up and down (like owner, like dog)....and had lots of fun going through our luggage showing mom our purchases.

After taking a nap, I'm now up, and I believe Jeff is still asleep... (I think I hear him snoring from here!)

Anyway, we're hoping to have a relaxing few days here in SB while Jeff gets his chops in shape for 2 concerts on Sunday, and I get to work on learning a new opera.

Our trip was amazing, and we feel really lucky to have experienced something so wonderful. Thank you all for following along for the past 3 weeks! As you can tell, we did SO much that we're a bit exhausted and have been joking that we need a vacation from our vacation.

Keep checking back for more blogs!

Love,
Nina (and Jeff)

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Photos

Dancing in the back of the plane...
About 3 years ago, Jeff and I flew to London, and out of nowhere he danced with me, in the back of the plane. It was one of the things that made me fall in love with him. Every once in while, he'll follow me to the bathroom, and surprise me by twirling me! This time he had a camera....isn't he SWEET?!?

Comments

[Sharron]

Awwww...
It's over - now my travels have ended! This was such an amazing vacation - thanks for taking us along. Enjoy your rest! Love to you both - Sharron