It's been eleven months since we last returned from the USA, so we are very keen to hop aboard the big(gest) white bus and start our new travel story.
As we have relocated to Melbourne and our favoured Virgin doesn't fly direct to LA from here, we are flying with Qantas. I haven't travelled on an A380 yet, so I'm looking forward to the experience (of being on a flying box with 500 other people!).
Breakfast in the Qantas Club in Melbourne was excellent, where friendly, smiling staff made for a warm welcome. Eggs, sausages, pancakes, fruit, coffee, champagne...a great start to holidays.
We've taken to parking at the airport, in the lot closest to the terminal. If you're happy to park in the long term and take the shuttle, it's a very cheap option. By booking in advance on-line, we usually get good deals at the valet or premium self park, which equates to less than cab fares to and from home.
The A380 seems quite comfortable, and not full to capacity. We departed a little late as the aircraft was late on arrival, with a promise from the flight deck to make the lost time up inflight.
Departure was quiet - the quietest aircraft I've been on.
Almost there now. Fourteen hours on a plane always sounds easily done to me, until about hour nine, when I JUST WANT TO GET OFF! The aircraft wasn't full, though, and the service was excellent. There was plenty to eat and drink, and all served with a smile.
We arrived in LA only 10 minutes after schedule, and behind only one plane full of passengers through Immigration. For the second time in a row, we were in a good, fast lane at Immigration, then moved to another 'faster' line. Both times we have been the very last through! I never feel as though I should argue with the staff on the wrong side of the USA though.
Great news for travelers! If you have an E-Passport, and have been to the USA at least once on that passport, you can go through the electronic booth entry system, like we have in Australia. We were very excited until we realized that two out of three of us had brand new passports! Doh.
No dramas getting the bags or the shuttle to Alamo, and we actually got the car we booked, too (a rarity - not usually 'available'). Off through the unusually bad LA traffic (not kidding, it's usually fine!) to collect Gabby from Santa Monica.
After two months on the plains of Montana, Gabby is tanned and fit and happy to see us.
A short drive up the coastal highway to a cafe in Malibu that we found on a previous trip. It had been renovated and renamed, but still served tasty brunch, and good coffee, which was definitely needed by all.
The dollar is the worst it's been in years, with the exchange rate hovering around 70 cents. The fact that shopping is so cheap still makes the USA a great destination, but accommodation and food, and car hire are notably more expensive.
We allowed 3 hours to check out the shops at Camarillo Premium Outlets, and that was enough for tired people to find some bargains. By joining their free VIP club before leaving home, I was given a book of discount vouchers on arrival, with most of my shopping being an extra 20% off.
From past trips we know that a short nap in the afternoon on the day of arrival helps us reset from jet lag, so I'd booked into the Four Points by Sheraton at Ventura Harbour. We enjoyed the location on the marina, with quite a few restaurant options nearby, and the very comfortable beds. The free craft beer and barbecue happy hour was fabulous!
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