Nathan's Insights

Tuesday 07 January to Thursday 09 January 2024
Highlights: Excellent flight home

Today was the start of the long journey home. I started with a basic included breakfast at the hotel (La Quinta Motor Inn) and then checked out. I was hoping to leave my bag at reception and explore the local area before going to the airport but the hotel didn’t hold bags. As a result, I was stuck at reception for a few hours watching YouTube videos.

I eventually got the hotel airport transfer to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Qantas allows check-in 4 hours before their flights from this airport. It took a while to find the check-in counters and there isn’t a lot of help with no information on which airline should which counters.

Eventually, I checked in and headed to security. I noticed my ticket had a Happy Birthday message, despite it being Tuesday 7 January during this flight we will cross the international date line losing Wednesday and landing on Thursday 9 January which is my birthday. A very nice touch.

I found the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. I enjoyed a late lunch using the buffet for numerous small finger food options. The self-serve soda machine was also used to help keep me hydrated for the scheduled 17-hour 45-minute flight.

The Qantas plane looked amazing. I always feel like I’m home the moment I see a Qantas plane in another country. While I don’t always fly them internationally due to limited destinations and high costs I still feel something magical. I guess marketing works.

The flight was better than I expected. It greatly helped I had a spare seat next to me, something that happened a lot during this trip, and also the economy seat seemed a little bigger than normal and was very comfortable. I entertained using the entertainment system. I do think they need to have internet access as a lot of airlines now offer even if the cost can be high and the speeds slow this would be a good service on one of the longest flights in the world.

The flight review is here. It was weird being back home and losing so much time over this day that stretched from 7 January to 9 January.

My amazing brother had volunteered to pick me up from the airport and drive me home. Family can be so great. It was good seeing Reagan and catching up during the drive home. I was back in my apartment before 9 am and getting a run down on the last 6 weeks from my apartment sitters Deb and Neil. 

We had an unfortunate issue with Boots missing. He must have run outside while Deb and Neil were moving their stuff outside. I didn’t find Boots until 10 pm that night. He was hesitating when I found him but eventually, he came over to me and allowed me to pick him up and take him home.

By accident I was originally due to work today, I forgot about the international date line when I submitted my leave 12 months ago. But my boss agreed to extend my leave to cover today and Friday. Something I love about my workplace is they do look after you whenever possible.

During the day, despite jetlag, I stayed awake all day. This was helped by being worried about Boots missing and going out looking for him during the day multiple days. There is nothing like a missing cat to keep you awake. 

Tonight I found myself on my bed surrounded by both my cats and I felt home. Another enjoyable trip with a lot of cherished memories especially the Galapagos Island tour spent with my niece. 

It was time to start thinking of my next trip with my nephew Harry in 2026 🙂