What an adventure!! The first leg of the flight was 13 hours, those who know me, know that I have a low boredom threshold!
My flight took of at 9.50am, on the 10th June 2009 (I had a whole 3 seats to myself, fantastic!) I watched a couple of films, the airhostesses kept feeding me and bringing drinks. I read a magazine, walked up and down the plane a few times and had a chat to other travellers getting to know their stories by this time it was 4pm (6 hours into flight) suddenly I started thinking I had until 11pm to go before I landed in Singapore! (Could I cope with the drumming noise of the plane what else could I do to keep myself occupied?) That’s when it hit me, suddenly I visualised the world globe me at the bottom and my family at the top, me going to a country I had never been to before! (looked like in the film “sleepless in Seattle” where there was a red line showing you the flight path across America only mine was around the world) 7 hours before I could have a cigarette!! Ahhhh!! That’s when I started to be sick, filled 3 bags!! Hueeee!! Trying to keep a low profile, I had 3 stewardesses around me, I had to fill my details on a card, they kept taking my temperature, told me that they might not let me on the next flight(my eyes went wide like saucers started to panic!) because they were very strict letting you into Australia I realised they thought I may have Swine flu!! (felt relieved I was just a big whimp and this was the first long flight I had ever done! Being sick is normal to me when I get nervous, just a normal part of everyday life! I’m professional I can handle this!)
When I landed in Singapore was escorted of the plane, I was glad!! Singapore is a huge airport, I would not have known where to go, (now fully appreciate the confusion & disorientation experienced with dementia) was taken to a small office/clinic where I had to see a doctor (it was 11pm our time 6am Singapore time). The Doctor was not available till 8am so I went and got showered (had a cigarette! Ahhhh! Calm and relaxed! Checked out my text messages, Zoe sent me a lovely text. How proud she was of me and didn’t know if she could do what I have done, smiled and thought if only she knew the drama! ) had a cup of tea, checked out where my flight gate was then went back to see doctor, explained first long flight I had done and was air sick, he gave me the all clear and I was ready for my next leg!!!
Only 7 hours!!! (watched yet another film, kept an eye out over Australia where the water holes were just in case the plane went down, I would know which direction to walk in!!) Australia is so vast, hard to take in!
I finally Arrived in Australia at 7pm at night, their time! 11th June 2009, I Was so glad to see Sharon & Lance at the airport, (I think they were glad to see me judging by the smiles on their faces, they were pleased I had arrive safely, they knew it was a long flight, I had not even tried to comprehend the length of time, till I had experienced it) as we drove out of the airport, the first thing I saw was a huge sign of Steve Urwin with the word’s Criiiicccccckey mate welcome to Australia. (ahhh! Friendly familiar face) I had arrived in Australia (was very pleased with myself! I had successfully travelled to the other side of the world all on my own without too much fuss!!!)…………….. to be continued:
Next chapter, The Spider & snake patrol!
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