Day One - Heathrow to Dubai

Sunday 12 November London Heathrow to Dubai:  So here I am, early, off course, unable to dumb suitcase so grabbing a coffee watching the world, literally, go by. Already been approached by a woman, around 65, British asking me what the screen means.  In transpires she is on the same flight as me, of course she is, why, oh why are you surprised by that. I explained to her what she has to do and when, so just waiting for her to be in the seat next to me.

Don't get me wrong. As many of you know I love meeting new people.  

However, as many of you will also know, I spend most of my working life being polite and helpful to people so sometimes it is just nice to get some time off. I am looking at the departures board and there are so many places still I would like to visit:  Tokyo, Hong Kong (again, I just loved it there), Delhi (hopefully next year) and there are also so many places I have been fortunate enough to have visited.  However, whilst I am quite used to just 'getting on with it' now, it does not mean that I like it and today, once again, felt a tinge of sadness to think that I won't be sharing this new adventure with Megan.

When I have told people I am travelling to New Zealand (alone) the conversation has gone something like this: 'Oh do you have family out there?' - No. 'Are you on a tour?' - No. 'Are you stopping over somewhere on the way?' - No. Then finally, the ultimate 'It's a very long way isn't it?'.  Indeed it is.  Whilst you all will be safely asleep tonight (Sunday) I will be flying. When you get up and go to work or school on Monday, I will be flying.  When you go to bed Monday night, yep, I will be flying.  Then when you wake up Tuesday morning, I will have arrived.  Yes, it really is a long, long way.

Checked in, got an aisle seat thank goodness, much better on a long journey, then I have a window seat form Sydney to Wellington. Cleared security, got some food and time to sit and chill. It is 19:00 and the gate opens at 19:30 so not long.  I am flying with Qantas and have flown with them before when I first travelled on my own after 'that period of my life'.  I paid £300 extra to fly from Hong Kong to Sydney as I wanted a kangaroo on my plane.  Sad but oh so true. So today I am flying with Qantas again on a A380. I come back from Sydney on one of these and they are massive planes. You board it and you really cannot see the end of it.  I aim in row 67.  I am happy with this.  

I am totally overwhelmed with the response on my FB page. So many people have left some amazing comments and I am a bit taken back if I am to be honest.  I have also forwarded this blog on to so many people, who for whatever reason, want to share this adventure with me.  Whilst, at times like this I miss my Megan even more (if that could be possible), I also feel very blessed to have so many of you sharing this journey with me - so thank you.  

Finally arrived at Dubai.  Not my kind of place and to be honest I can't wait to get back on the same plane and get out of here! I have a 1.5 hour layover whilst they refuel and restock then it is a 14 flight straight down to Sydney.  This is the third UAE country I have changed/refuelled planes in, the others previously being Abu Dubai, Doha and now Dubai.  Ethically, culturally and morally these countries to not suit my outlook on like, so I will sit here and just wait to get back no to my plane. Journey down for LHR to Dubai was great. Food was really good, I always have the vegetarian option which means you get served first. I had a sneaky gin and tonic and plenty of water. I was on an aisle seat with no one sitting next to me which was rather lovely.  I also managed to get about an hours sleep. Not feeling too bad at the moment. But it is early days yet.  What I would say about these Arab countries is I wish they would use deodorant and learn how to blow their nose using a tissue ...... vile!

See you in a land down under.

As always, with my love x