Wednesday
Of course, it was a glorious day today, just as I was leaving, lol. I checked the weather for Houston and there was a heat advisory on the weather app!!
Of course, it was a glorious day today, just as I was leaving, lol. I checked the weather for Houston and there was a heat advisory on the weather app!!
I went out for breakfast at Wildberry, the crepe and fruit was delicious! I then went for a wander before returning to the hotel and waiting to checkout at noon.
The shuttle was early, lol, and it was more of a limo than a shuttle, it was full by the time he picked up three other fares. We passed a BP gas station and I could not believe the price of standard petrol $3.39 per gallon, wow!! Yet other gas stations had the price as low as $2.66 per gallon, strange! We had a good trip out to O’Hare although the last few miles the traffic was heavy.
I checked my suitcase at the kerbside check in, that is so useful! I was early and spent the waiting hours in the United Club. If I recall correctly the late night flight was the cheapest I could get! I did wander out and get my last Starbucks coffee for this trip, lol!
The flight was very full, the lead cabin attendant was a man, the first I have known on a United flight!
It was a great night for flying and as we climbed into the night sky the City
of Chicago was laid out beneath us with lights shining brightly. At the same time, the moon was shining brightly above
us.
I arrived at my hotel in Houston just after midnight and as I got out of the shuttle it was like walking into a sauna even at that hour. The night manager was very helpful and friendly. I had a quick shower and a lovely cup of tea before heading for sleep!
Thursday
I woke just after nine and made my way to the restaurant for
breakfast. I did not feel like anything cooked so cereals and a blueberry bagel
were sufficient. After breakfast, I took my dirty washing to the laundry, boy
was it hot in there, it was like a sauna without the water! When I got back to
my room I took a nearly cold shower to cool off, lol. I decided not to dress in my NZ clothes but take them with me as I would be able to shower in the Polaris Lounge.
I checked out and caught the 2 pm shuttle back to the airport. One of the hotel staff came along so she could help me with my luggage, so very thoughtful. I had to wait until just after 6 pm to check and there was a Starbucks right at the far end so I went down to get a coffee, lol!
I had checked in online but I am not sure that the guy who was looking after our line knew what he was doing! We waited a long time before he managed to start processing. I was lucky enough to be able to use United’s Polaris Club my second one! I managed a small dinner with a glass of wine followed by a Baileys and ice, lol. I have come to the conclusion that talking on cell phones should be banned from dining rooms, lol, especially when people are loud! Also, because of the way this one is set up, people are constantly using it as a thoroughfare which is strange!
I checked out and caught the 2 pm shuttle back to the airport. One of the hotel staff came along so she could help me with my luggage, so very thoughtful. I had to wait until just after 6 pm to check and there was a Starbucks right at the far end so I went down to get a coffee, lol!
I had checked in online but I am not sure that the guy who was looking after our line knew what he was doing! We waited a long time before he managed to start processing. I was lucky enough to be able to use United’s Polaris Club my second one! I managed a small dinner with a glass of wine followed by a Baileys and ice, lol. I have come to the conclusion that talking on cell phones should be banned from dining rooms, lol, especially when people are loud! Also, because of the way this one is set up, people are constantly using it as a thoroughfare which is strange!
I got talking to a woman at the table next to me, she is Iranian but has Iived in the US for over 30 years, she used
to live in Houston but for the past three years she has lived in the Florida panhandle. She is off with her mother to visit relatives in Turkey. We had a very interesting conversation.
I then had a refreshing shower and changed into my NZ appropriate clothes, lol! There was still about two hours before departure for New Zealand!
Friday had disappeared once we crossed back over the International Date Line, lol. We had a very good flight with only a few bumps along the way. I managed about six hours sleep in three two hour slots, lol! On arrival, at 5.55 am, 5 minutes early, we were assigned a remote gate. This is the fourth time this has happened and is a real pain as we have to wait to be taken by bus to the terminal. There are obviously too many flights arriving/departing early in the morning!!
The weather was cloudy and showery when we arrived but it improved as the morning advanced and there was a colourful sunrise!
I went to the Regional Lounge for about an hour until it was time to board the flight to Napier. It was another good flight and the weather was gorgeous in Napier, although somewhat cool! My friend was there to meet me and drop me home. I unpacked and then packed items I would need at the house sit at a friend's place, I will be there for the three weeks I am home until I go away again!!
No comments:
Post a Comment