And so it begins; with time differences, Ian has calculated we will be travelling for 48 hours - still at least we are both feeling a lot better than when we embarked on the outbound journey.
We had a nice lie in and then left the hotel at 1100 to catch the Skybus to the airport. The bus left from just behind our hotel and of course we were there early so having carefully packed all my camera gear away I then had to get it back out to photograph trucks (seen loads all holiday but not taken many pictures).
(no it's not your eyes, the truck isn't in focus - oops!)
And a couple more dizzying skyscrapers. The first is currently Melbourne's tallest but will be superseded by the second one on its completion.
A few photos as we neared Perth.
This isn't the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Super Pit as it's too close to Perth, but it's certainly a big hole.
Unfortunately we had a couple of hours to wait at Perth before we could check-in, although Qatar weren't quite the sticklers for the 3 hours as they were in Gotenburg. The lounge was very, very quiet and I was able to enjoy a lovely shower and change of clothes.
The flight was considerably busier than on the way out and although the staff were lovely, I did feel we were rather rushed through everything and the food wasn't very nice at all (in fact I had to double check they'd served me what I'd ordered as some bits weren't obvious - like the raita! and the chicken was horrid) and Ian's lamb was completely inedible.
Anyway, somehow the 12 hours passed with some sleep and a couple of films and we duly landed in Doha at 0555 with a couple of hours until the next flight. We arrived at a completely different part of the massive airport and although the transit area was much quieter, unfortunately we then had a very long walk plus a train ride to the lounge. Second time around though the lounge wasn't quite as intimidating and after a cup of tea/coffee we headed to the bistro for a sandwich and glass of fizz.
Boarding the next flight was very strange indeed, we left plenty of time to get to the gate (via train and long walk again) but when we arrived we were told to wait as a special bus was coming for us (and the 7 other business class passengers). We stood around and waited whilst all the others left and eventually our bus turned up - quite frankly I don't know why we couldn't have all shared the same bus. By the time we boarded there was barely enough time for a sip of fizz before the glass was taken away for take-off - what a waste.
Either the crew were new or Qatar don't consider this route warrants their best staff ,but everything seemed hard work - from translating what was said to actually getting what you order - I even had to remind them about my chocolates (and Ian never did get his). Or, maybe we were just tired!!!
But we survived, had something to eat, watched a film or two and once again the time passed.
The wait at Gotenburg we pretty dire though, as we'd landed around 1300 and our flight out wasn't until 1840. We checked in at the automated kiosk but couldn't print out luggage tags so had to wait around until the BA desk opened. Then there was a queue for the Vinga Lounge because they had run out of crockery and glasses - have you ever heard such a thing. The food in there is so minimal I'm surprised any crockery is needed and anyway it was shutting at 1815!!
Flight home was the worst, full of screaming children but at least we landed half-hour early and didn't have too long to wait for the cases. Don the taxi man was waiting for us and we warned him we wouldn't be very chatty. Understatement, we were both asleep before we left the airport complex and Ian woke up passing Clacket Lane and me at the M25/A2 roundabout. Really glad neither of us had to drive.
So to the big question - was Oz Awesome? For us, sadly no - but principally not feeling well for a lot of the time has clouded our opinions. Also the parts we visited just weren't that foreign and quite frankly were boring for a lot of the time. Will we go again? Maybe to visit Queensland/Sydney and of course drop in on the family but not somewhere we're desperate to go back to.
G’day and thanks for following us around.