Matt woke up in the morning and he was feeling better. He wasn’t 100% but he was well enough to come shopping with the group.
Today was the only chance to sleep in this whole trip pretty much. Everyone enjoyed the chance to sleep just that extra couple of hours.
Then the ones that wanted to left for breakfast at the Sizzlers around the corner from our hotel. The breakfast wasn’t the best quality but it was filling. Some super smart kids decided that it was the best chance to have ice cream for brekkie. Others decided a breakfast of chips and fudge was an excellent nutritious choice.
James left with his mum and his three brothers and headed to his auntie’s house.
The tourist trolley bus took us to the outlet stores. Once off the bus the girls sprinted to Victoria Secret and yet they still never found out what the secret was. WOMEN! As we were only allowed 3 hours of shopping, it was a race to see who could buy the most in the shortest amount of time. Shopping was OK (or great, if you asked the girls) most of us walked around the shops and we all found lots of bargains. The Prime Outlet had stores like Tommy Hilfiger, Forever 21, Converse, Vans, Dior, Juicy Couture, Wet Seal (officially the new favourite store of every girl on this trip). On the way back on the trolley bus (surprise, surprise Deonie and Jess were nearly late), Ryan lost his wallet on the trolley, but thanks to a timely phone call, it was recovered just in time.
Then it was time to get back on our bus, which drove us to the Orlando airport, from which we caught our connecting flight to LAX airport. Several hassles with luggage were had, from some girls being unable to keep track of the many bags they needed to put their new clothes in, to Ryan Bodmer and Alex Griffiths being told that their bags weren’t going all the way back to Perth. All problems were sorted out, and we made it onto our plane in time for a 'fun-filled' 6 hours to Los Angeles Airport.
One down, three to go. Our next flight was the 12 hour ride to Aukland Airport. We’re becoming very well acquainted with the airport etiquette: sit on long plane ride, get off plane, grumble about plane ride, buy as much Burger King/Hungry Jack’s/MacDonald’s as we can, sleep on the floor, board next flight. Not to mention the all to regular security checks where we have to virtually strip down to get through. Ryan has just realised he left his poster on the plane-we are hoping lost property will have it.
In a few hours, we will board yet another flight, which will take us back to Melbourne, Australia. Then after repeating our airport behaviour, we will catch our last connecting flight back to Perth! Yay! Home beckons.
Our last departure was made memorable by- Rohan deciding to wander off with the plane boarding, necessitating a PA call-up; Cuan loosing his boarding pass and a very nervous posse of policemen watching us closely as we boarded the plane ( this was later explained by the presence of the Dali Lama on our flight).
We finally arrived in Perth to a very emotional welcome by family and friends. All seemed impressed by our NASA Jumpsuits as we posed for our final group photo.
By Cuan, Rohan and Anna.
