After many months of planning the time had finally arrived. Jude and I have shopped and meticulously packed and the boys have put in hours and hours on the bikes, preparing for their ride in the Alpes. I have also spent the last year attempting to learn the language. Très difficile!

Lovely Madeleine drove us all and we arrived to the chaos that is Perth International Airport . We were a bit early, Jude was keen to get this holiday started. We toasted our holiday with bubbles and beer before boarding the Etihad flight, for a long ride to Abu Dhabi.
After many movies and a couple of meals, the hours finally passed. We landed and then spent 30 minutes taxiing around the airport before stopping and getting on buses to drive around the Tarmac a bit more. The security check into the transit area was busy and then we had to walk the entire length of the airport to get to our gate - all at 4.30am Perth time. All that driving and walking reduced our waiting time a little.

Back onto a bus and onto the plane we were determined to sleep the 7 hour flight away. We thought we had scored some extra seats as the plane was closing the door when the "Kardashians"arrived. An entourage of about 10 beautiful people in beautiful clothes with loud voices rocked up and took over those seats that looked so inviting.
It was another hour on the tarmac, but I didn't notice as I had drifted off to sleep, only to briefly wake and notice the time.

The Etihad plane is very comfortable and the food is nice. The airport didn't live up to my expectations, long distances to walk and not the greatest amenities. There are these tiny little smoking rooms all over the place. Made out of glass and only big enough for 2 people they are like a weird freak show. The smoke still escapes into the public area and people line up ready for their turn.
There really is no way to ease the pain of long distance economy travel, we did ok.

Tomorrow - Paris!!!!