An early start for all as we drove out of our hotel at 6.15am headed for Charlotte Airport. A quick stop to refuel the hired vans and we lined up for what might be described as one of the most inefficient and painful check-ins imaginable. Having arrived at the airport at 6.30am for a 9.20am departure, some of us were paged and had to run for the plane as they were threatening to close the door on us! Many saw 'determinded Richard' in action!
A layover in Dallas/Fort Worth airport of about 2 hours was welcomed after the 2.5 hour flight, and we then boarded the plane heading for LA - one of our staff member was only allocated his seat as he walked to the door, after 'forceful Richard' made it clear none of the group were going if all of the group could not stay together.
We arrived in LA at 3.30pm (Pacific time - 3 hours back from Charlotte time) and headed for the luggage carousel only to find 42 bags had not made it onto our flight in Dallas. 'Frustrated Richard' found a helpful staff member who saw that the bags had been put onto the next flight, which landed in time for us to collect them all before we had to leave the airport by bus.
The bus arrived and we were greeted by a driver who had little personality and not much idea on packing the luggage onto the bus, resorting to just throwing it into the compartments - and guess what - it didn't all fit, so we organised the process to unload and reload to get it all in. 'Pulling hair out Richard' came into action, but at least he was still smiling! We headed from the airport straight to the Staples Center to see the LA Clippers v Miami basketball game. This was quite an experience - the stands were full with over 22,000 people, it was very 'Hollywood' in it's production and was a fantastic experience. The Clippers shocked everyone by winning too!
Back onto the bus and we headed out the freeway toward our hotel, just near Disneyland, arriving at around 11.15pm - a very long day considering in LA time zone we had bee moving since 3am!
My special thanks tonight go to three more of our staff group for their untiring efforts. Jeff Campbell has been our first aid man, our luggage packer extraordinaire, and an untiring helper throughout the whole travel experience - thanks so much for all you've done Jeff.
Wayne O'Brien has been our Freshman Coach, the man who brought up the rear of the group every time (including when driving, which was the most difficult place to be in a chain of 5 vans), the man who found every wifi hotspot in the country and has helped in so many ways I can't mention - a real champion of our team.
Thirdly, thanks to Robyn Mann - our team 'mum'. Robyn has looked after the boys in so many little ways - all the time while also caring for her own family on the tour. The boys have really appreciated her wise words, helpful gestures, washing care and being brave enough to be one of our van drivers as well. Thanks Robyn - a fabulous effort.
Sorry - no photos on the blog tonight as it has got too late and we have a few boys suffering from travellers belly - they are not very well at all and 3 of them spent the whole basketball game in the first aid room asleep, while we had to take one to hospital as he was so ill. We're looking after Jack, Tom, Lachlan and Cambell very well - I promise, and I don't think they'll eat McDonalds again for a little while after the food they had from Dallas airport Maccas.
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