Checking in at Melb Airport

It's happening... Ruth and I are checking in to our flight at the airport.

My travelling partner (well we're starting off as travelling partners anyway) and I are first to check in.  Not sure if Ruth needs to check in 3 hours ahead because she wants more "duty fee" shopping time, or she is just a stress head... doesn't want to be late. 



Anyway... lots of time to tell the airport staff about the Ping Pong-A-Thon and the horrible scourge on our world, and what we can do about it.  Check out the following link... it'll save me from explaining it all here:   https://www.pingpongathon.com/page/cause 

 The sniffer dog in the Customs lineup decided there was something fishy about my getup... had to explain to a non-smiling man in a severe uniform that my wife organised the trip so I couldn't answer his detailed questions... very embarrassing actually.

 Thankfully he could tell I was just a typical "under the thumb" traveller and he wished me well through to meet the automated passport control gates.

 No problems there... maybe the country is glad to get rid of me.

 Once through the gates, there's an ocean of alcohol and duty free offers.  Do I take up the 3 litre bottles of Gin for $95 offer?  But then I find out that our flight into Lisbon (changing in Madrid) would mean they would confiscate the alcohol.

 Oh well... lots of alcohol will be greeting us on our return... I might need it!

 SO... No more blogging for a while while we lose Internet connection.

 See you on the other side!

PS: Don't forget to be generous on my fundraising page:   https://theglobalpong.raisely.com/julianjosem

Comments

  1. Mr Josem9 October 2017 at 22:23

    Nice outfit Dad, I hope you packed some balls!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown10 October 2017 at 05:05

    This man has got balls...thats what I think!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salamanca and Segovia

Image
Our final stretch to Madrid begins. We exited Portugal from Guarda, and arrived in Spain at Salamanca. First stop Plaza Mayor to the Tourist Information office to pick up maps and ideas for the visit. Impressive square indeed: Ruth selected accommodation in an old vineyard outside the city of Salamanca - a beautiful estate called Hacienda Zorita.  Here's the view of vines from our bedroom: Our bedroom was alongside the vineyard's chapel. No miracles here however. Even after attending their wine tasting education. We learned a whole lot about wine tasting.  The most important thing I learned is that I don't like wines from Salamanca. I'm sure that wasn't the objective but that was the outcome. Nice place though: Onwards and upwards - next stop Avila. This place boasts a wall. Not just any wall I suppose - it is a beautifully preserved medieval wall, originally built in the year 1100. Situated at the top of a hill, the rampar...
Read more

Evora, Obidus, Nazare

Image
Yes, Yes, Yes. Today I'm going to concentrate on the extraordinary - if it doesn't qualify, then it isn't going into today's blog. One of Portugal's finest is Vasco da Gama.  He established the trade routes between Europe and India amongst other things. This is the house in which he lived in Evora: Just a normal everyday Portuguese apartment in a typical Portuguese street.  I suppose I shouldn't expect anything different. But I'm on holidays, looking for the extraordinary, and I think its extraordinary that I am outside Vasco's place.  I would have liked to have had a chat with him about his exploits - then I'd really have something unique to share with my blog readers. Vasco was extraordinary even if his home wasn't. Portuguese tiles was extraordinary before I saw them on just about every street I walk down here. They even put them on park benches as this extraordinary woman found: The sausage rolls are extraordinary. As ...
Read more

Douro Valley

Image
I am writing today's blog from Madrid's Museo del Prado. It's an art gallery of Spanish masters including Goya, Reubens, Rembrandt, and more. To explain, I have a three-step method to bring you my blog: 1) Capture the photographs; 2) Select my best ones; 3) Associate words with the best photos Of course, step one is live. Steps two and three take place during gaps in our travel. Today, I have a huge gap - I am embarrassed to tell you that I just can't find enjoyment looking at the masterpieces in art galleries. I really tried today, but... Nope. It's just not me. What can I say? Mind you, I seem to be able to appreciate other artistic works. On the way to the Prado museum today, we walked through the streets of Madrid and came across a group of rather elderly musos playing classical music to the multitudes on the street - fantastic.  I found it moving, even shedding a tear. So, I'm not totally devoid of artistic appreciation. I must only...
Read more