Day 29 Traveling home

Observations in food:

• Lots of steak served, but no steak knives.

• Few green vegetables, but you'll have potatoes with every meal.

• Few opportunities for salads.

• Ketchup is called Tomato Sauce.

• You can get HOT tea everywhere, anytime. But rarely ICED tea (we cheered when it was offered once).

• Baked beans on every breakfast buffet. 

Had breakfast, checked out of hotel, walked across the street with Robin and Bruce to the SYD international terminal. Easy check-in. Had plenty of time to kill. Flight was on time (left a few minutes early?).

Despite a super busy month-long trip, in many cites, in 2 countries, I couldn't sleep on the plane. I took a melatonin tablet, which relaxed me, but I still slept only 1 hour during the 14-hour flight. Instead I watched 4 movies: (An Affair to Remember, Armageddon Time, 500 Days of Summer, Brian and Charles) and took advantage of all 3 food/beverage services.

We actually arrived early to LAX. So early that Customs wasn't open yet. So they made us stay on the plane until 6:00 AM. I had plenty of time before my next flight. 

I cleared Customs quickly, due to my Global Entry membership. My bag was one of the first delivered. I didn't recheck it through American, as I'd made a better flight reservation through Southwest. The only problem was the distance between terminals at LAX, rolling a heavy bag, after almost no sleep. I got through Security super-fast with my Clear membership (thanks @LeeMcCracken). I again had plenty of time before my flight, so I got a bagel and coffee. I then went to my gate, only to have the flight delayed by 1.5 hours. When it finally took off, I fell right asleep (but it's only an hour flight). Again, my bag came out quickly.

I called a Lyft and it came surprisingly quickly too. Unfortunately, there was a traffic jam on the Bay Bridge. My driver almost missed an important turn to my house, but I straightened him out just in time.

I lugged my heavy bag up to the 4th floor and was home at last! 

Max was a little confused at first, but then wouldn't leave me alone. Lucy seemed pissed (pussed?) Off at first. But she too warmed up quickly. I will miss my new friends, Australia, and New Zealand. But it's also good to be home. 

LOTS more pictures to follow, as I weed through the massive number that I took. Check back later here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/J4mRTDsDQXVW8dbu9

Photo: Leaving Sydney.