In line with all our recent travels, our flight to Miami was on time and immigration into the US was also smooth. I did get a mini grilling from the border guard who amongst several other questions, queried why I had so many stamps in my passport and the reason for my travels in recent months. He didn't seem to comprehend that people travel for pleasure but maybe that's just an American thing?! Anyway, he seemed happy with my answers and we breezed through baggag...

Just before I left Auckland I decided to check my flight times to LA and it was a good job I did as Qantas had cancelled my original flight! I managed to get myself booked on to a flight on the same day but this meant I had to go to LA via Sydney. My arrival time would only be two hours later than originally planned and (call me a geek if you like!) it also meant I got to fly on one of the new A380 Airbus which is the biggest passenger plane in the world. It turn...