Taking off from Sydney airport I get the same feeling of exhilaration and joy in life that I always get, that same sense of awe and anticipation as it dawns on me that it really is happening. We watch magnificent views of a crystal blue Sydney Harbour slide quickly out of view beneath us.
 

The 13 hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles went well, we even managed to sleep a little, our seats were on the window towards the rear where there is a little more room beside them where the fuselage begins to taper.

We arrived feeling pretty good and smiled because Qantas played Cafe Del Mar as we left the plane.

Denise Frick (an ACD friend who lives near LA) had offered to pick us up at the airport and we wondered how we would recognise her but walking through the arrivals gate our eyes locked onto a picture of our very own Boyd and Bess from our website!  It was such a thrill to meet Denise, Steve and Becky and then to see beautiful EZ waiting for us in the car as well.
 

We had a delicious BBQ dinner that night with Denise's friends and family: chicken wings, steak and salad followed by superb Peach Pie and Apple Pie - Yummo!!