If you missed Part 1 of My First Overseas Trip read it here.
Before entering through into the international departure area of Melbourne Airport I was super excited. We had checked our bags with ease and just needed to deal with immigration and take a seat until the plane boarded.
I distinctly remember the moment my excitement vanished and fear set in. What did I find on the other side of the international departure door… chaos. At this moment I could see why they hide it all behind a big wall, if you could see the other side you’d run to claim your bag back (on a previous trip it was not nearly as bad). The line to pass through immigration was all over the place, grumpy staff were informing everyone to have their departure slip filled in. I looked around… crap where is my slip… they aren’t going to let me out… the big fat guy shouting is going to squash me eek.
The next 10 minutes were spent finding the forms (they had run out) and avoiding the mob of people that seemed ignorant to what they were being told. One by one they were being sent to the back of the line after presenting at the counter without their departure slip. It was both amusing and frustrating; I laughed as two people would walk clear of the counter and 5 return to the end of the line, I pointed it out to gf and she just grumbled and told me not to be an idiot.
Eventually we cleared the lines and I wandered off to see what I could find to amuse myself until departure time. My excitement growing as I discovered litre bottles of alcohol and a store full of electronic gadgets. You can however only wander the departure lounge for so long before its gets mighty boring. It was at that moment I wished I was bringing my laptop with me and made a mental note to not forget it next time.
Not too long after they announced it was time to board the plane. Heading towards the gate at 11:30pm I think I had more excitement rushing through my body than ever before, I was like a little boy locked in a candy store for the night and not knowing where to start first. How was I going to sleep when I couldn’t keep still I thought.
All that waiting and I had neglected to have my boarding pass ready (growled at by gf again only to find she had my boarding pass). Onto the plane I stumbled before stopping short of almost knocking the poor air hostess over(I was having a great run). Finding my seat I settled in hoping that all of those people in the departure area weren’t also boarding our plane (turns out they were, the plane was packed).
With the plane full to the brim we departed for the runway and onto Singapore before continuing to Hong Kong.
Coming next my love for a cramped seat and no sleep…
Are yes those amazing and nervous, excitable feelings of first time travel, i remember it well!!! Although i still get that whenever i travel even if it’s only to Syd for a weekend! I’m looking forward to your Cramped seat and no sleep post, oh how that does sound familiar!!! 🙂
.-= Sasha´s last blog ..On UR Way Magazine Issue #1 =-.
hehe I just finished writing the next installment and argh the memories that came back to me. From now on I only ever fly in a window or aisle seat… never again.
Haha! You got excited by the sight of alcohol. Nice!
.-= Monica´s last blog ..新年快乐！ Happy Chinese New Year! =-.
I’m always excited by the sight of alcohol after all I am an Aussie. Even better were the bottles I saw in at the stop over in Singapore seriously cool 🙂
I feel sorry for the poor suckers who buy “duty free” in Australia on their way out, they must feel like numbnuts when they see proper duty free prices in their destination country.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Air Asia X Review =-.
Tell me about it. We grabbed some in Singapore on the stop over to Hong Kong as it was so much cheaper. I can see why they do buy it though especially for first timers.