The first leg of the adventure began when our plane taxied away from the terminal and stopped on the tarmac, and waited, and waited... until eventually the Captain, in halting English (remember this is CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES we're talking about....) came on the PA to announce a technical issue and we would return to the terminal. That was okay, but the minutes ticked over to hours, sitting in the plane... we were served lunch, then eventually at around 1 p.m. they decided to deboard us. (I didn't even realise that was a word!! And kids in 6/7 A, look it up, but I don't think it is!!) Anyway, the plane that was meant to leave at 9.30 a.m. finally left at 3.30 p.m.!!!! We arrived then in China at 12.30 p.m. Aust time having missed our connecting flight by 3 hours along with everyone else on the plane!!
So CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES had to get us visas and accommodation for the night so that we could then catch the same flight the next day. Accommodation in China, with non English speaking staff who were very amused by us and our attempts at making ourselves understood and stared and laughed whenever we walked into the lobby. Interesting experience! EVERYONE stared at us as we walked down the street, for a couple of reasons. Obviously we are western, also unexpected in that area, but most importantly we have four children. The one child policy is still prevalent in China. We met two lovely people, one who helped us check in, a Chinese speaking man who was living in Brisbane and a wonderful young woman who we met at lunch, who was moving to Auckland to study. She made sure she was in the lobby at the time we were due to leave to help us check out and make sure the staff looked after us. We were really touched by their concern for us- I can tell you that it was an unnerving time, not being understood and having no way to be sure that we were going to get back to the airport at the right time, so were are so grateful for the kindness of these two strangers.
The flights themselves were okay and we got through customs without worry and even got our bags at the end! BUT I would have to be very desperate to book with CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES ever again.....
Anyway, we are here and enjoying civilisation again. (You would be amazed at how many Chinese people are here!) Last night we went straight from the airport to our accommodation and enjoyed our hot showers and beds. I slept incredibly well from midnight until 6, Bruce coughed a lot but I didn't hear him at all. We had an amazing buffet breakfast with everything you could imagine (cook your own waffles even) and left by 8.30 to pick up our rental. It's a great car, very easy to drive. I was on driving duty today, as Bruce was still coughing and not feeling that great. Anyway we drove up I-5 without any hassles (managed to stick to the correct side of the road) and then across to the coast and up Highway 1. I didn't realise this before hand but this is a VERY windy road. VERY VERY windy road, for miles and miles and miles!!! It was incredible, beautiful and scary. I didn't really see much because I was way too busy trying to remember the right side of the road without running into a cliff. I was actually impressed that I got us to our destination safely!
Tonight we are in Carmel by the Sea, a beautiful little village which is full of the most amazing little shops, most of which were shut when we arrived. Good thing... We ate at Flaherty's Seafood Grill, great service, amazing clam and lobster chowder. Isabel's concern was eating fish sitting next to a fish tank with two little fish swimming around in it...
Tomorrow we are doing a big drive north through the rest of California and up into Oregon. We have to get to Port Angeles by Friday and that's a long way from here! Loving driving on the right! The kids keep getting a shock when they see Bruce taking photos or looking at the map in the front seat, thinking he should be driving!
Hope to get back tomorrow. Love to everyone!!
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