Part 11 – My big mistake in the trip


After passing through Australian quarantine, we were at the MEL arrival hall and in need for some heavier clothing. Going back up to departure level, someone thought it was funny to turn off the long ramp escalators and with no elevator insight, we had to push our luggage up the escalator
The rechecking of bags was also quick but I found security to be rather awkward as the Aussie required computers out, plastic baggies but didn’t need shoes off, jackets off, or even a boarding pass/id check. Hmm, I’ve never seen security like this!!!

Melbourne Qantas Club/Business Class Lounge







The QF Business Class dedicated lounge was alright with some hot and cold food, complimentary internet and a shower resembling a shower from high school. Due to the shorten connection time, we soon made our way to the gate for our flight.

Aug 22, 2010 – Sunday
QF 604 MEL-BNE 7:05am – 9:05am (763/J)

Qantas Airways Boeing 767-300




Qantas Airways 604
Melbourne – Brisbane
7:05am – 9:15am
Business Class, Seat 4B
Food – Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 767-300 (Domestic)

Qantas Airways Boeing 767-300 Domestic Business Cabin



Qantas 763 Domestic Business Seat



I made my way onto the plane, settled into the seats. I originally had QF 608 which was to be flown by a 738, but since I noticed it got changed to a 734 in SIN. I went with this flight instead. Since I noticed an power outlet on the J seat, I decide to get my computer charger for the flight.

I originally named this section “My big Mistake in the trip” because my mom wanted to go to the Great Barrier Reef. What I didn’t realize was that the Reef was in Cairns, not Brisbane, stupid rookie mistake on my part. However when I went to get my computer charger, it wasn’t there!!! Now I already left/got stolen my camera on a flight earlier in the year, my parents were certainly not impressed. Now how did predicted my own fatal error??? Since I was so stress about it among other things, I slept the whole flight from take-off to descent, so sorry no details for this flight.

Out to baggage claim, I also checked my checked luggage since we did transfer some items in MEL, no help, got a number from the baggage office in BNE which was a direct line to the lost baggage office in MEL. Hmm, only open from Mon 9:30am – 2:30pm, geez! Defeated, made our way to the Hertz counter for a rental car, a Mercedes C200 for the drive to Gold Coast and after 45 mins, we’re at the resort, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove.

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove



Club Twin Room



HR Sanctuary Cove Regency Club



Pool Area



The resort itself was a little old but we found this as a nice retreat from the hectic partying of Surfer’s Paradise. The room itself had a small issue in which the bathroom door couldn’t lock, but housekeeping was able to fix it for us After some rest and some swimming, we made our way to Surfer’s Paradise for some pics of the beachside. On the way back, my dad unfortunately forgot to yield to a person crossing the street and the person hit our car! Damn Aussie, it’s one thing to forgot to yield to pedestrians but do you really have to hit someone’s car? Man, has Australia been very unwelcoming so far in terms of luck, I say yes.

Surfer’s Paradise




We made our way back to the resort, got the bell desk to drive us out to the village for dinner then retreated back to the room for some much needed rest.

The morning breakfast was reasonably good and with rain, we had to call for another golf cart to drive us out to the car. And we soon headed back to Brisbane.

Next Part
Part 12 – A short hop on Qantas Business BNE-SYD