The Flight Melbourne to SydneyQF 402 with Qantas was excellent . The boarding was quick and efficient. We were seated in 3A and 3B, enjoyed a good breakfast. Arrival in Sydney was ahead of schedule and we were quickly off the plane and walked along the concourse to Gate 15 which is the Qantas International Transfer and we had a short wait until the 7.45am bus arrived to transfer the 45-50 people to the International Airport. Unlike the other bus which exits the Airport from the Domestic Terminal to travel to the International terminal this bus took us through the Airport and then dropped us off at a Gate from where we were directed directly to departure for American Airlines 72 travelling from Sydney to Los Angeles with departure at 9.20am.

We chose to go directly to the gate and not to visit the Business lounge. The Boarding commenced at 8.25 am and there was a long queue, which moved surprisingly quickly. The American Airlines flight was code shared by several Middle East and other airlines from Emirates, Qatar, and all associated Middle East carriers.

We were seated in 7D and 7G and we enjoyed a very good flight. you hear regulars criticism of the American and United Airlines, but this was just excellent. A lovely luncheon was served at 11.45am and it was excellent and paired with an excellent red wine. We both enjoyed Chicken and Spare ribs (Jeanette) and the salad and vinaigrette was enjoyable. This was followed by an Ice Cream dessert and coffe etc.

So they had us prepared for sleep at 1.45pm , the lights were dimmed after our beds were finalised with a mattress and blanket. We slept very well for 5-6 hours and then watched several first run movies.

Our flight was scheduled for approximately 13 hours. There was the occasional turbulence but nothing of concern. We were then served breakfast which again was a fruit platter type starter followed by eggs and other items, juice and coffee. We settled down for the last 2 hours , and Ken dozed off again. We arrived in Los Angeles at 5.35am slightly ahead of schedule after a strong tailwind for the last 4 hours. We were asked to stay in our seats for about 20 minutes because Customs and Immigration do not open until 6.00am. We were allowed to leave the aircraft and make our way to Customs at 5.55am. We hurried quickly and were in a queue by 6.10am and had about 20 people ahead of us , which was just amazing and a great result. The queue moved quite quickly until the gent in front of us and he had some documentation issues.

After almost another 10 minutes he was cleared, we were through in next to no time. Then had the lengthy walk from Terminal 3 Where American International arrivals are held, to the United Terminal (Terminal 7) and we were unaware of the Shuttle bus. It was a long walk right along the main road. Check in was very quick with excellent staff.

We were in the Departure Hall having quickly traversed the Security protocols at a record pace and were in a loung area at 7.40am, unbelievably quick. We had then to wait for boarding scheduled at Gate 70A at 9.50am. It is important to state that at about this time the tiredness and strange sleep pattern had set in. We dozed off and the tie passed very quickly.

Our boarding commenced on schedule and we were seated at 10.05am with departure scheduled for 10.20am.

This was also an excellent flight with United. Departure was on time although we were slightly held up in the queue of aircraft lined up to depart beyond the main runway. We were in the air at 10.55am and this proved to be an excellent and enjoyable flight. The aircraft was full, but we enjotyed excellent service with an enjoyable meal and Ken decided against drinking any alcohol as we had to drive the rental vehicle from MCO ( Orlando) to the Conrad hotel and Resort about 30 minutes. The first day of driving is always a stressful challenge.

The United Flight was at Gate 53 and we caught the Train between the terminals and then walked to the Baggage Collect.

This all worked well, although one of our luggage straps was broken, and we will need to replace over the coming days.

Next was to find the Alamo Car Rental Centre. This was easy and a representative greeted us and then ran us through the hire. We were done inside 15 minutes, walked across to the Garage showed our documentation and licence and then selected a mid size vehicle ( Blue Toyota Corolla) and exited the property. A slight challenge as our GPS didn’t want to work so we used google Maps on Ken’s phone and it directed us on several freeways to the Evermore Resort area where the Conrad hotel and Apartments is located. It is a beautiful new hotel and is in a resort complex only opened last year.

The drive went well, Ken felt relaxed, Jeanette navigated and tomorrow we will sort out out Tom Tom GPS navigator.

We are a little late as to checking in at 8.20pm, but all is good we have to use the Vallet parking , our luggage is collected from the Car we check in at Hilton Honors members queue and we are in our room 561 at 8.40pm. We are tired, quite exhausted but it has gone well.

We unpack the necessary items, Ken goes for a walk to take some photos of the resort at night. We shower have a cold drink of coke and Sprite and off to bed at 9.45pm. Two very tired people, think this type of day is beyond us, but we are here and we sleep right through until 6.15am, then Jeanette goes back to sleep until 7.15am then we shower change for breakfast and enjoy a superb breakfast.