Japan here we come Tuesday 7 April

Japan here we come, but via Melbourne overnight as it’s an early flight Wednesday morning. Nothing like a complimentary car to pick us up for the airport. Bit of a drag to have to wait with the general public for our flight as we couldn't see the value of paying for Business class on a one hour domestic flight. Mind you, my one and only Business Class domestic flight last month resulted in J2 dropping an airpod down the arm rest tray holder, and then dropping the tongs the flight attendant gave her to retrieve the ear bud! The pilot had to be advised to arrange for an engineer to be waiting when we landed, to retrieve both items! C'est tellement embarrassant! I'm quietly confident that J1 won't replicate these actions, plus she isn't blonde so we should be safe... Our driver was 15 minutes early but I was ready and a pleasant drive to the airport. Easy check in but I wasnt happy having to go through the general public screening line as my legs definitely wanted to steer me towards the priority line! Thankfully not many going through so I managed to ward off a panic attack. Now to fill time until our flight. I knew we wouldnt be offered a meal in Economy on a 1 hour flight so I had made sandwiches which we consumed in the waiting area. J1 decreed that it was wine time, and who am I to argue? A nice lttle Sav Blanc helped pass some time.

Our flight was 35 minutes late leaving but we finally got away and landed in Melbourne 57 minutes later. Not a real big fan of Virgin. I am the first to admit that I am a flight snob these days, and sitting in a cramped seat next to a large fellow who hogged both arm rests plus some of my knee space made it clear that one hour is the maximum I can manage in cattle class without alcohol!!!! Anyway, safe arrival and our cases arrived on the baggage carousel so all good so far. A 10 minite walk to our hotel, Ibis Styles, and we are checked into our room for the night. A much needed cuppa is the first order of business. Then we head down to reception to book the free shuttle for the morning. It is probably about 15 minutes to walk but at 3.30 in the morning we are opting for the hotel shuttle. Now time for for more wine!

We decided to stay in the hotel tap bar and have dinner. We will need an early night but chances of sleep aren't promising. Dinner was nachos and chicken spring rolls. Food was okay but took a very long time to be served. Even though it is only about 8pm local time we have headed back to our room and are ready for bed. Just hope I get some sleep before our very early start in the morning. Our holiday truly gets underway tomorrow as we head for Singapore and then Osaka.