It's time to go home!!

It was bitter sweet to wake up on our last day of our trip here in Miami. Last night after I'd blogged all the lovely staff from the bar hugged me and wished us well for our trip home. I would have loved to stay in Miami longer but it was time to come home.

We got up and amazingly fit everything into our luggage and went downstairs to check out. The reception staff were always helpful too. And we chatted briefly about our stay and how I'd recommend their hotel. It was a cute boutique one that was warm and welcoming. They offered to organise us some transport when we were ready to go. We had to pick up some travel food cause of my fussy eaters plane food was not always an option. We wandered about for about half an hour collecting drink and snacks for the journey then headed back to the hotel. I thought we'd organised a cab but he'd actually called in a private transfer which cost the same a cab would have. The driver was lovely and friendly and happy to chat about our holiday and adventures. It was amazing to see that there was a beautiful rainbow that farewelled us. 

We arrived at Miami airport in plenty of time, and glad we did. We were flying American Airlines this leg back to NYC. Not the friendliest staff, and really not that helpful. However we still manage to navigate our way through check in and then finally drop off our bags. 

It seems that of all the shopping that's been done mine is 4 pounds (1.8kgs) over, Jamei's is somehow how spot on the required 50 pounds, and Boston has a little bit of space so we open up the the well packed suitcases and did a shuffle till it all matched the 50 pounds or less. We all certainly worked up a sweat in the stuffy airport. We must have looked a sight needing two of us to close each suitcase. 

It's a little while before our flight boards so we take the chance to grab some lunch. We had gotten a great deal on a return flight from Sydney to LA so we take a domestic flight back to NYC to meet our flight home. A long day of traveling ahead of us. 

The flight with American Airlines is short but sadly we weren't sitting together. Originally the seats allocated were spread out amongst the plane with no 2 seats together. I thought if I could get the girls together and I could sit with strangers. Their faces dropped as they saw the boarding passes and staff member helping at the kiosk was unhelpful and uncaring to our situation. The only solution offered was to talk to someone at the gate right before we board. 

We were sent off to a holding pen for wheelchair assisted passengers and waited for my name to be called. It was a weird process in comparison to all the other flights and airports I'd been in. But of course always grateful for the help.

We eventually board, after hearing announcements about being overbooked and needed some volunteers to get a later flight and would compensated. Mmmmmmm. Not putting my hand up for that but wondered why they would book more seats than the flight could take. What happens if no one can switch? I guess it didn't matter to us today cause we weren't affected. 

We get to JFK after a bumpy ride and thankfully my girls were on hand to help out with the luggage.

They are simply awesome and haven't complained once about their tasks to wheel multiple suitcases or bags to help get to our next destination in airports. 

We know that we can check in all our suitcases at the next stop so this is great news, and we don't have to pick them up at LAX so they will go all the way to Sydney. We are met by a cheerful Qantas staff member and while we were getting our boarding passes, a young mum with a bub had run out of hands so I offered my help to hold her which was fine for most of the time. The mum was grateful for the help and to hear an Aussie accent too. 

Once checked in they called in a wheelchair pusher who was by far our favourite. He was a young guy so friendly and happy and made us all laugh. We also got some high fives at the security checkpoint for listening to the officer's directions. We agreed it's because we are Australian and the security guard says "hey, I wanna be an Australian". I tell him we accept everyone down under so he is more than welcome. 

We do a small bit of final souvenir shopping and await the call that it's time for o go! It is here that I realise that the boarding passes for the flight we transfer to had a significantly later boarding time. We do have a changing time zone so maybe it's to do with that. 

We feel finally that the end is drawing closer. We settle into our seats and take a quick shot before we leave. 

The 5 hour flight is manned by a great cabin crew and we land safely and I'm wheeled off to the Qantas Club which after confirming we are stopping for an additional 4 hours, I'm glad we have somewhere comfy to be. 

The girls relax and I get a little bit of sleep but the couches aren't comfy to stay asleep for long. 

I am awoken by a Lounge staff member to be told it's time to board. No one had come with a wheelchair to pick me so I thought I'd take my chances at the walk to the gate. It was a bit of a distance so I was regretting this, but went up to the gate staff who kindly arranged to wheel me down to the plane. 

It was the LAX-SYD leg and we were met by the bestest cabin crew. One even took the time to remember our names and addressed us using them throughout the flight. He even snuck us a couple kit Kats. We all got bouts of sleep and watched as the countdown to Sydney awakes. It happens to be the night of Super Bowl so the captain continues to give score updates. 

We finally hear it's not far to Sydney , and I'd booked tickets to be on the left side of the plane to be able to spot the harbour bridge and city skyline on our descent into Sydney. There was excitement as the iconic bridge and opera house show themselves amidst the harbour and the buildings. 

A simple disembark and easy way through customs and we are out in less than half an hour. We meet our driver who has come with our stretch limo to take us the final leg of the journey. 

We enjoy the sunshine as we travel the familiar sights of the freeway and arrive back on the coast in no time. The girls pose for a quick pic as we arrive home. 

So what an adventure we have had! Thanks for coming along with us for the ride. It's been so nicety hear from many who have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. 

Can't wait for the next trip!! This was truly incredible.