Well the captain didn't have a clue about the arrival time. The computer was right within a few minutes, and we arrived ahead of schedule in Sydney. Now I know what purgatory is. 16 hours on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight from Buenos Aires. An old plane, average service, things broken, and no entertainment whatsoever. They did have one screen for the whole of the economy cabin, and it showed a 2 hour Spanish movie at some stage without warning. The rest of the time it was off and the cabin dark so you could sleep.
16 hours is pretty boring without entertainment, but without much food or drink as well its pretty horrible. They served a stale croissant, caramel sauce and a banana not long after take off. Then after about 6 hours they gave us a lunch which wasn't too bad. But that was it. For the next 9 hours nothing was served. We had one attendant for the whole of the economy cabin, and she had her two kids on board so she sat in her seat most of the time and talked to them.
After about 12 hours the troops got restless, so she put some soft drinks and cups out in the galley without announcement, and people started going in and helping themselves. When I worked out what was going on, it was like a rugby scrum in the galley. People were opening cupboards trying to find things. We finally landed in Sydney, and all the Argentinians clapped. I know why!
It had been 45 degrees the day before in Sydney, and the airport staff were well and truly worn out. However, being Saturday afternoon everything was quiet. Walked straight up to customs, and the luggage came promptly. Hustled over to Virgin transfer and got checked in, then took the transfer bus to the domestic terminal. What was expected to a very rushed connection worked out fine.
There I was, sitting in the domestic terminal with a drink in my hand watching the Australian Open on TV, and waiting to board my last flight. I never want a holiday to finish, and I'm ready to go again tomorrow. However, having Mandy waiting for me at home is great compensation. Where to next?
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