Heading Down Under

G’Day Mates!

Welcome to Bob and Beth’s initial blog from our Down Under adventure.  Hopefully, we’ll say something of interest or be brief. . .

Bob and I are currently enjoying life in the American Airlines Admiral’s Club at the Los Angeles airport courtesy of a free day pass that Bob got for us by applying for a credit card.  It is our urban spa retreat before our 15 hour flight this evening to Sydney.  I am loving the cucumber water and the hand lotion in the bathroom!  Also hoping to catch a cat nap too, as I was up early for a 16 mile run in the very hot and thick Austin air.  Looking forward to experiencing the Kiwi version of winter beginning Saturday afternoon when we’ll finally land in Auckland.

We have a longer layover in LAX than planned due to the cancellation of our original flight.  Bob survived phone queue hell last night to get us on the new flight this am.  More from me later.  Miss all of you already but super excited for this adventure!

See Bob’s blog below.

I think this blog is going to be different than our Bicycle-Across-The-USA Blog back in 2012. That seemed easy as everyday was a unique ride. This go-around I am hoping to develop some daily routines and really get to know the New Zealand and Australia ways-of-life. (Sidenote: am I using dashes to much?!?!).

Anyway, I’m pumped to get there. Can’t say I’m excited about the 15 hour flight to Sydney, then a 4 hour layover than another 3 hour flight to Auckland. But I’ll take the $19.50 cost for a one-way ticket from Austin to Auckland (plus some airline points). So, total cost for both Beth and I from our condo door to the Jucy Hotel in Auckland is $60.04 ($0 Uber in Austin, $39 AA/Qantas and $21.04 for airport shuttle bus). That’s all for now-except if you want to experience what I’ll be experiencing soon, go sit in a non-reclining chair for 15+ hours!

Bob

Bar/restaurant in Admiral’s Club

View of terminal from Admiral’s Club

All smiles before loooong leg!