It was an early start for us getting up at 0400 to make our way out to Sydney Airport for an 0700 departure. Showered and all the rest of it then made the trip out in the car in the driving rain which, by the way, has not stopped for the last few weeks. Made it to the terminal in plenty of time. Used the self-check in which works very well. Scored seats 21E and F (window) in VH-VBT (Boeing 737-700). Right up the back too. Boarding gate was 32. Captain was capt Blair. Have a look at the view out of the window in stinkin' Sydney while waiting to push back.
It was then time to make the long taxii over to RWY 16L for a straight out departure and then left hand turn on course for Coolangatta. Below is the view out of the window on take off. There was a few bumps about in the sky too at this point!!!
After tracking a few more miles to the North and gaining a little more altitude, things started to get a little brighter.
Taree below.
Laurieton and Port Macquarie in the morning sun.
Descent into Coolangatta.
Touchdown!
Our bird VH-VBT.
Emma and I love Kitty O'Sheas on Cavill Ave.
I could not help myself with the Meter Maids!!
Emma with Chinese Princess for Chinese New Year.
Emma has found a new man.
"Get this damn photo over with", she says.
A shot of both of us.
Then we had to make our way back to Coolangatta Airport. Virgin had called us through the day to say that our flight DJ 524 has been canceled and that we could get on a bus (at their expense) and make our way to Brisbane and get DJ 272 home from Brisbane at 2000. The only other choice was to stay the night (at their expense) and fly home from Coolangatta the next day. We could not do it this time as we were nowhere near prepared to stay the night. I commend Virgin Blue on the way they look after their passengers though. While at Coolangatta waiting for the connecting coach to Brisbane I spotted Mineralogy MD82 VP-CBH at one of the parking areas.
We then made the 1-and-a-bit hr trip to Brisvegas. Checked in again (Automatically) and had seats 27 E and F once again (window). Boarded at gate 43 Brisvegas. Aircraft this time was Boeing 737-800 VH-VOU. Captain this time was capt. Richard. Altitude home was 40,000ft with an average speed of 823km/h. Passed East of Glenn Inness and almost directly over Armidale. Commenced descent just South of Newcastle for a scenic city landing on 16R. Funnily enough when we hopped out of the aircraft in Sydney it was cold and raining...still. Gold Coast was a lovely sunny 30 degrees. An awesome day all in all. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. Grab yourselves some of those cheap 'happy hour' Virgin Blue fares and go for the day. You won't regret it. Albury trip report on Virgin Blue Embraer E170 to come tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed the trip report.
