Flight to Oz: Leg 1

Amsterdam- London
(updates on my flights down under are all posted in Perth, due to no earlier opportunites to upload)

At last, I am on my way!!! I meant to write one last blog before departure. But, I was too busy with the final preparations.

The first thing I tried to do yesterday, was check in to my flights. At least I tried to do so. It didn't work. Apparently, I wasn't able to check in because Amsterdam- Perth was going to be carried out by multiple carriers (British Airways: Amsterdam-London, Qantas: London-Perth). After that, a plummer came to check out the roof of my apartment. Again. Sadly, the roof keeps leaking. Not so nice with the fall being around the corner and me going away for a month. Luckily, my neighbors have agreed to check out my apartment whenever it is raining heavily. As soon as the plummer left, I finished packing my suitcase and my backpack. I quickly cleaned my apartment and then went to the "city" center for some last minute shopping. In the evening, I had my final tennis practice. Before tennis practice I treated myself to a nice portion of poffertjes hmmmm :D!!

This morning I got up at 3.55 am (yawn!!!). My tennis buddy Irene was kind enough to pick me up and drop me off at the airport (even at this ridicuously early hour ;)). Thanks again!! We made it to the airport in less than half an hour. Finally was able to check in, got myself three boarding passes lol. It turned out that the suitcase, that I packed very carefully weighed “only” 14.5 kilos. That is quite an achievement on my behalf. I always tend to pack too much :D. But it seems that I did allright this time. Went through customs hoping to get something to eat before walking to the gate. Alas, most of the restaurants were closed :(.
Eventually I did find a place where I could buy a croissant (the lady in front of me had a really smelly sandwich, yuck, especially at 6 am in the morning). Luckily I also passed a bank where I got myself some Australian dollars.

By then, it was already time to board the plane to London. The plane was a nice British Airways A321. I was sort of nervous for take-off, happen to dislike take-offs (especially when I am in the back of the plane). Don't ask me why, let's just say I am odd ;). But on the runway, I realized that I was finally going on my big holiday, which –along with the fatigue and the nervousness ;)- made me laugh out loud. I suddenly had no problems with the take-off :D.

The first and shortest segment of my flight is now behind me. I arrived at London Heathrow in less than an hour. It was one of the smoothest flights I had in quite some time (only the landing was a little rough). On the way to London Heathrow, I had a quick (but lovely) view of London's city cente. Plane arrived at terminal 5, a bus took me (and several other passengers to terminal 3). It was quite an uncomfortable ride. The driver had a crappy driving style, which made me a little naucious (I am ok now). We did drive alongside the tarmac and, at one point, passed an A380 of Singapore Airlines. This plane is truly enormous, and those engines, wow!!! Then I remembered that I would be flying in this type of aircraft as well. Double wow….

Going to get myself something to eat and drink now. Around eleven, boarding starts for the big flight (in the enormous plane) to Singapore. Hope to post this blog beforehand. Pity, just heard that I can’t. WIFI is down in the entire airport. Well then, I will probably post a blog about my flights once I get to Perth. Don’t think I have enough time in Singapore to post something.

PS. I decided that I didn’t want to travel alone after all. So Hefty Smurf (Potige Smurf) has kindly agreed to accompany me on my travels. He is now comfortably resting in my backpack :D.