Are we there yet?

YES!!!! 

So the adventure has begun.  Bobbie & I arrived separately at the very 'special' Sydney Airport International Inn.  It was very quiet in the hallway until I knocked (code like).  The door opened and then there we were jumping up and down squealing with excitement and going in circles.  Hope no-one was sleeping.  It was a while before we calmed down and finally went to sleep at about 1.30am.

Got to the airport in the morning and tried on a little travel agenty type sweet talking at the Check-In counter.  We were hoping for a little insider information on just how full the plane was and whether we could be positioned so that we could quickly grab adjacent seats in order to lie down.  Not to be - would have so totally worked for us had the plane not been at 90% capacity as I was handing out London accommodation information to the Check In lady like a pro!

Going through Duty Free was amusing .... we got as far as the comestics area and spent a good deal of our time there shopping.  Ooops.  Watched about 4 movies on our way to Hong Kong ... laughed out loud numerous times at Little Fockers.  funny

A 6 hour wait in Hong Kong Airport was not a problem - window shopping was brilliant and we were taking notes left right and centre for our return visit.  The only problem was when Bobbie discovered Zara .... she just about went into meltdown and I could have sworn she wanted me to leave her there!  "We're coming back Bob" .... her sad little face as we exited the store was only softened because she let herself buy a very cute little denim jacket.

The flight to London was a cattle train ... omg, sooooo many people.  Our travel agent/CIT teacher/friend certainly got us the best seats - right down the back on the side ... actually managed to almost get diagonal!  It was a very tiring trip so we were really glad to arrive in London at long last after over 12 hours.  Having the break in between was genius.  Had arranged the airport transfer for about 1.5 hours after our arrival fully expecting that customs and immigration would take that amount of time.  Apparently at 5.30am there's barely anyone in the area.  Did not see a single customs agent (and we did have the song 'bad boys' backing up our approach) and were through in just 15 minutes.  A little more sweet talking, and a handover of my business card got us our transfer early.  Arrived at our accommodation to find no-one was there to meet us ... and so we sat on the stoop.  Stoop sitting is not all it's cracked up to be.  An American lady was starting to feel very sorry for us and we eventually got a number for the actually apartment manager ... the damn booking agent (despite numerous calls) had not let him know we were arriving at any particular time.  Let that be a lesson "Without a travel agent, you're on your own!" 

We jumped on the tube and figured we'd go check out Covent Garden.  Didn't know if the train was going in the right direction ... just felt like winging it.  Gorgeous part of town .... loved it ... the market was cute and plenty to see.  Felt very weary close to lunch so went back to the apartment and had a snooze for a couple of hours.

Went to see Chicago last night too ... and we both very nearly fell asleep.  We managed to peg open our eyes and the show was FANTASTIC.  Amazing, funny, brilliant.  So delirious with sleep depravation we made our way back to the apartment to the tune of Bobbie attempting (and failing dismally) with a British accent "Allo Govna ... you got a fiver, I'll give ya a fiver for lifting your skirt" ... oh dear, could be a long trip if she tries Italian!  Got to the apartment and found the door ajar.  EEEEK!!!  Slowly entered (we did what all those crazy women on horror movies do - what is with that?)  Holding our newly purchased brollies aloft, we entered ready to club whoever had broken in.  Checked the toilet 'clear'.... shower recess? 'clear'... loft? 'clear' ... kitchen cupboards (you know .. .they always hide in there waiting for you to fall asleep!) 'clear' .... oh dear, first night here and we didn't shut the door properly.  Oops our bad!