Australia-Day 19 & 20 The Flight Home

Kristen & Damien once again met us at the hotel, and with our flight not leaving until mid afternoon we took this opportunity to experience (and photograph) Sydney from one of the many available vantage points. One of the benefits of the tickets for the bridge climb that we hadn't yet utilised was the inclusion of tickets to the bridge Pylons, the 4 massive stone pillars that flank and support part of the structure. The reason these tickets are included is that cameras are not allowed on the bridge climb for safety reasons and this allows climbers to take their own photographs from over halfway up. Needless to say, the views were spectacular and we spent some time exploring the vista and the museum inside. Once down we returned to the car and drove to Botany Bay for a fish and chip lunch (eaten on the beach overlooking the airport) and thence onwards there to catch our flight. We were surprised to Find Kristen's parents there to see us off. After check-in we enjoyed a drink and nibbles in the bar before saying our farewells and sadly heading for the gate. Our favourite seats (the 'honeymoon' seats - last 2 on the left in the back of a 747) were waiting for us and we quickly settled in. Take-off went without a hitch and we were soon enjoying the unfolding Australian landscape, including the bushfires that had started around Sydney. Soon the firey sunset was upon us - and then the deep night preventing us from seeing Ayers Rock - the darkness only being punctuated by occasional township lights. Pretty soon after take-off it became apparent that the entertainment system was having issues - so our viewing was limited and we got the first of some very welcome sleep. 8 hours later we were flying over the light bespeckled islands of Indonesia, passing flaming oil-rigs and numerous flotillas of illuminated fishing boats. With little warning Singapore was upon us and we landed with little fuss. We had to vacate the aircraft whilst there to allow for cleaning and some maintenance (I overheard that the entertainment and emergency announcement systems were one and the same). We spent just over one hour airside at the airport only able to peruse the tourist shops there. Luckily Kelly discovered that Mac cosmetics were cheaper there than anywhere else on Earth - so a little spendage was made there. Soon enough it was time to reboard - we did so and found ourselves sitting for ages with very little happening - only a very harried engineer running continuously up and down the plane - and the A/C didn't work at all. This continued for about half an hour when suddenly a booming voice came over the intercom...

"THERE IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION! PLEASE USE THE OXYGEN MASKS! THE PILOT IS DESCENDING TO A LOWER ALTITUDE BUT YOU MUST USE THE OXYGEN MASKS!"

This repeated about 5 times with various flight crews heads popping comically out of their enlosures to add to the surreal nature of this experience. The engineer rushed past us and disappeared round the corner. We heard a curse in an undefined language and the announcement stopped suddenly - only to start again at a lower volume but slightly crackly and distorted. Another curse and the sound of cables being ripped out of a panel and the announcemnt winked out - as did all the lights on the plane. Seconds later the lights came back one - as did the A/C. A feeble cheer went up from those passengers still retaining a sense of humour - and ten minutes later we were under way again. Another 13 hours saw us pass over Afganistan (!), Russia, Poland, Western Europe and soon we were starting our descent into London. Our good friend Graeme dogstand was there (eventually!) to meet us - se wended our weary way home after having been 'on the road' for more than 30 hours. The short sleep we had got on the plane set us up for the rest of the day which we spent unpacking and resting - ready for work in the morning NOT!)