WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menologue; The OZ Venture

Now there was one last little surprise awaiting me from Etihad. Just before I was going to do my online checkin, I got an email. I had been upgraded. To First Class..... Crikey. I already was more than happy with Business; this was another level altogether! First I had to say my goodbyes to Remus and Emm (had seen the boys off to their work earlier). The chauffeur car arrived on time, so there was not time to get all maudlin and teary. Hugs. Lickies. Kissies... another big hug.

Then I was at the airport. A wonderful young man handled all that BIG luggage for me and saw me to the checkin desk. There were only two other First passengers. Then an escort was provided to see me to the lounge. Only an hour to wait there before boarding.

I was welcomed aboard by 'my attendant', Maria (Russian), then by CJ the chef (Filipino), who wished to ensure my food preferences were satisfied. Private cabin. Oh yeah.







































Jess and Eric were well-impressed. Jess? Oh, just a Border Collie stuffie who latched onto me at Maroochydore airport somewhere... She liked the 'comfort pack'... that bag is a traditional pattern from desert tribes in Abu Dhabi. It said so on the card inside.

To add to the comfort and joy of the flight, almost the entire time we were over Australia, the ground could be identified... for all the times I have made that journey, I don't recall it ever being so clear!


























First we had to say goodbye to Sydney and then to the coast of NSW.

Then it was up into the clouds, of which there were plenty. But not so many that one couldn't make out the route.

First outback NSW, then diagonally up country (North and West).

The shot below, through the break in the cloud, shows the West curve of the Warragamba Dam...and the Wild Dog Mountain range.


















































Then we were over the Wilcannia and White Cliffs area, heading into Northern part of South Australia. After which we were over the Simpson desert...


























...which from the angle above doesn't show at its very best. The pure red of it was captured in another shot... which of course is being held for the Tuesday Me-Now-Views post! After this we moved over the McDonnel Ranges just South of Alice Springs... Uluru is somewhere top right and under those clouds!


























A most glorious open view of Lake Bennett was afforded us... it is in the desert WNW of the Alice, half way to the West Australian border. I relate all this because I just know you all are racing to the map thingo...



























As we moved over that desert expanse and drew ever closer to the Western coast, the clouds again gathered. This cumulonimbus formation was most striking.

Almost literally, for there was a great fork of lightening within it as we passed! Didn't get that in the lens - but did get another fabulous frame... (for Tuesday...)

As we went over the coast and finally departed the borders of Australia, Jess and I looked out the window at what might have been a land of snow; or a carpet of cotton and wool...

...and watched the sun set as we chased it round the globe...

I know you are wondering about the rest of the 1st class thing. Tomorrow.



























10 comments:

  1. First class….woohoo!!! Thats just like ROYALTY!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  2. Wow, SCORE! How cool is that? Wonderful pics too!

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

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  3. Nothing butt FURST CLASS fur Jess and Eric... and YOU, Of COURSE.
    Will Jess and Eric be coming to BAR ?????

    OMD the View from ABOVE the clouds... It always makes our mom Shiver at the beauty... and how different thingys look from a BIRD's EYE View.

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  4. Woohoo first class impressive.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  5. I just looovvvvveeee airplane pictures!!! These are wonderful! We get to fly first class on our trip to Hawaii next month....I can't wait!!!

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  6. Crikey ..... first class?????? Mum's never even been business class. How good was that?? Bet that made up for all the rain, aye??

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  7. Hello, wow first class. That is awesome. Great series of photos. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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  8. wow that's a way to travel through the clouds ... my momma laughed as she remembered her flight on cheap plastic seats what gave her a butt slap efurry time the plane met a hole in the air :o)

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