Ladies & Gentlemen, I am back in action. Yesterday I was only a fragment of a person, feeling the effects of jetlag and suffering from swollen ankles. I actually slept loads on the plane which I was at first excited for. Eventually I realized this was not as pleasant I hoped, as not moving or drinking for that long had affected my circulation (they had even provided a video to explain this but I think I dozed off during it).

The flight was all good. 2.5 hours to Toronto and then a mad dash through US customs and through to my gate where I was one of the last on the plane (totally not my fault! I swear I didn't stop to chat with anyone). Another 5 hours until we arrived in LA where I had about 8 hours to kill. Feeling pretty tired, I wasted this time at the airport and did not see the sites of the city and the homes of the stars. Really, they can come to me. LAX is divided into a number of terminals where you walk outside to get to them all. Some of the smaller carriers even have their check-in counters outside! And a note for any of you traveling through the international terminal at LAX ... although it appears so, turns out that you don't have to go through security to get into the shops and restaurants. Yes, that would mean that instead of sitting in uncomfortable chairs watching people get their bags x-rayed for hours on end, you can shop and eat and watch people get their bags x-rayed from a better angle! Funny how that is.

I flew Qantas from LA to Auckland and they just rock. Everyone has their own tv where they can choose from about 14 channels of movies and tv or can play video games! So very fun. And I had great seatmates so that flight, despite it's 14 hours in duration, went by very quickly. Some would even say it flew.

Oh and I have 4 words that will forever change your traveling experiences: passport wallet, neck pillow. It's unreal how much these two simple items can enhance the quality of your life and travel. Thanks again to Deb & Dave and Mark for those!