After the long walk from the gate through immigration, I now trekked back to the QF lounge, which was near the G gates. The lounge style was quite nice, and I took the opportunity to have a shower and a shave, in order to look vaguely presentable for the next leg. The food selection, however, was not so impressive, so some cheese and crackers, as well as a couple of prawn 'thingies' was enough to keep me going, along with a nice glass of red.







After another 90 minutes or so it was time to head to the gate, and the 'Roo' was waiting for us. I was a little early and boarding had not quite started yet, so I took a couple of pictures while standing around, including one of a sign - which I presume was meant to be a drinking fountain, but could equally have been the result of a bad hangover!





Boarding the a330 to Sydney, I was in 1A, which unfortunately meant a bulkhead business seat rather than in First! I was immediately taken by the style of the cabin - the colour scheme was just different to most other airlines, and felt luxurious and relaxing. However, it wasn't quite matched by the seat, which was comfy enough to sit in, but was definitely angle flat, which is not my favourite for sleeping. It was also quite narrow - as I have said previously I am a wide bloke, but my shoulders definitely did not quite fit, and it was tricky to find a good position, where I did not slide down too much, or keep banging into the seat shell. As ever, the trick seemed to be not to be entirely flat, and sleep in a mainly reclined position.



But before I went to sleep, another glass of red, and a perusal of the dinner menu. I wasn't particularly hungry so chose the Rubens sandwich, which was simple but tasty and freshly toasted, although I have to say the coleslaw was not to my taste - quite bitter. On a slightly irrelevant note, the menu was printer on normal paper - as the lady sat next to me said "I thought someone had left their printed pictures on the seat" - not quite in keeping with the rest of the business class offering.



I managed a few hours sleep, but not as much as I hoped, and spend the last 4 hours of the flight awake, while all around me slept - it was going to be a long day in the office! Breakfast was fine. The energiser drink was very tasty, and the ham and cheese croissant was good, if a little messy!

Arrival in Sydney was quick and easy - I was first off the plane, and headed quickly to immigration. Fast-track was quiet, and I was straight up to a counter, passport stamped and through. The bags started appearing about 5 minutes later, but unfortunately mine was one of the last off - obviously the 4 hour transfer in BKK meant my bag was deep in the underbelly of the plane. By that time the customs line had grown quite long, but it moved relatively quickly, and I was sent through without a check.

Now the last couple of times I have been in Sydney I have either used the Emirates chauffeur service, or got a cab into town. I felt this time that I should have a go at public transport, so took the train. The ticket office were very helpful, and told me exactly where to change, and what platforms I would need at Central, and the journey was smooth and efficient, dropping me one change later in North Sydney 30 minutes later - as quick as a cab,and cheaper. Definitely one to do again. I did notice that the train from the airport was somewhat boxy and corrugated - almost like I could have been in Bladerunner, but I didn't get chance to take a picture. It was also quite fun in a touristy sort of way to get the train over the harbour bridge - now I have walked across, driven and taken the train - the only thing left is to climb to the top! Also, a slightly strange sight on the train at 07:15 were the school children. Now I know this is fairly normal, but I thought shorts, blazers and straw boaters were only found at Eton, but it would have been rude to try and get a picture.

Talking of bridges and the like, my hotel, the Harbourview, was very close to the office (the reason I chose it) and I had stayed there before. Not a bad hotel, and better on the inside than the out. But one tip is to get a high floor, as the trains run right underneath, and the noise and vibration can be disturbing lower down. But back to bridges - my friends wouldn't quite believe me before, so I had to take a picture. The bathroom in the hotel rooms have a window in them, so you can look through the bedroom, then through the main window and see the Harbour Bridge. This is the view from the toilet!



I have been to Sydney 3 or 4 times with work, and I really like the city, but this time I had very little chance to see anything. Monday night I crashed at the hotel after a quick dinner, Tuesday was a bite to eat after hours with the project team I went to see, and Wednesday was dinner with the boss. We kept it local and quick this time, but last time Doyles at Watson Bay was delicious, as was a steak restaurant that I think was called Chophouse. I should be back again in October, and I think I will be spending the weekend in Sydney, so hopefully will get out and about a bit more next time.

By Thursday night it was time to head back to the airport again.