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Published: September 30th 2017
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Geo: 8.95102, -79.5521
.......I will finally see the family again!
Today I am flying solo to Orlando, Florida via Dallas, Texas where I will meet up with Celina, Sophie and Emma at Disney World. I expect to land at about 20:30 27/12/14
The first part of this journey is on QF7 and is 13802 kilometres and will take 15 hrs 20 minutes! On an Airbus A380-800. This is the longest non-stop flight in the world. The A380-800 is a monster. It claims to be 50% quieter than any other and uses 17% less fuel. It carries some 350,000 litres.
Having woken at 530am and completed the last of the chores, I welcomed the Resort sitters to their accommodation for the next 33 days and went through all the what's and how's of the Resort's operations. They should have a great carefree 33 days! I hope you have a great time.
My "sister" picked me up around 12 noon ( you didn't know I had a sister, did you?) yes Deb, she is a champ! Dropped me at Sydney International airport around 1230pm and proceeded to check-in. Bag was 25.9 kg, so well under but still heavy given there was nothing inside ?Absolutely hassle free check-in, seat 54, front of economy on a BIG plane. Got through customs without a bag check, so happy days. Might be a different story when I get to Dallas, but I am well prepared with every document imaginable to support my carriage of a significant amount of medication. I was however somewhat disappointed that I wasn't asked to go through the body scanner!
No point wandering the shopping Concourse, I might buy something! so I proceeded to Qantas Business Class Lounge (had received a complimentary pass - not bad given I hardly ever fly Qantas for business these days. So I settled in for a Waygu Beef casserole, bread role and a "Pipsqueak" Apple Cider. Thought that a good idea as it would help me relax and hopefully nod off relatively quickly. One problem, alcohol goes straight to my left foot and now I am in agony!
Never mind hopefully I will be unconscious soon!
Now on board, sorted my bag and got everything out I could possibly want during flight. Have plugged the phone in and it is charging. Enormous plane! I thought row 54 was along way back but it's actually at the front of economy, comfortable seats, leg room not bad & supposedly1500 entertainment items to choose from.
While I sit on the plane Celina is boarding her plane in Montevideo, Uruguay. It is 02:40 am and she has been waiting for 7 hours. She has 7 hours to Panama City, then 3 hours on her final leg before arriving in Orlando at 11:00 27/12/14. We have been texting, keveryone is tired, but they are all well and safe.
Ok, my flight QF7, is now making its way to the runway, it is 15:36 so we are a bit behind the scheduled 15:25 takeoff. Weather forecast is good and the captain forecasts an on time arrival in Dallas. Expect to arrive in Dallas 13:45.
Here we go!!! It's so quiet !
We are up & climbing ...... Here I come Orlando !!! Watch out !
Flying at an altitude of 11889 metre at a speed of 891 km/hr
Bye for now. Talk to you all next, in Dallas,Texas
Have arrived safely at Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airpot. What an airport, it stretches for miles. The only way to get between terminals is via a free monorail train. I need to transit from terminal D to Gate C11. This has taken about 15 minutes. The airport is massive!
It is still Saturday 27/12/14 some 18 hours later but only 16:00 in the afternoon and I am sitting at Gate C11 waiting for my American Airlines flight 1308 direct to Orlando which departs at 17:40. Very cold sitting here, it is only 6 degrees. Just remembered I forgot to pack my beanie.
I just received a txt ...... The girls have arrived at Disney World Art of Animation and apparently are swimming, so everyone arrived safely! Oh, and I didn't pack my togs. Will have to buy some if I am to enjoy the pool.
The flight to Orlando was just over two hours, but very rough in parts as we flew through a storm with lots of lightning. The temperature upon arrival was around 23 degrees so a marked change from Dallas.
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Cliff Rudkin
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So glad everything has worked out OK. I am on row 47 so it will be a good seat. Looking forward to catching up with you all in London on the 19th