LHR - LAX - Blogabond

Coming out of terminal 5 in Heathrow was not a problem. Had to pick up my luggage and transfer to Terminal 1. Heathrow Express could get me to Terminal 1 for free but I have 3 baggages. In fact, 5pcs including my satchel bag for my notebook and my oversize parcel containing mom's umbrella, Neuchswanstein poster and the original content of the transparent bag, Marven's kite. I thought it was quite thoughtful of him and his dad to search their home for something that can contain my excess/oversized items. I remember him telling me he has used the kite on his trips to the Baltic. I wonder if there is sand in it? Will it show? Will I be able to get thru NZ customs?

Anyway because of these I had no choice but to line up for a cab! Five minutes later and GBP15 poorer, I got to Terminal 1. Typical London weather, gray and wet but there was sunshine in the cab driver's tone!
He talked a bit of what he knew of New Zealand.

Getting there was "no worries" a bit of traffic but nothing major. It took me more time looking for the Air NZ check-in counter which happens to be in section R and not in the main area of T1.

I got 2 leisurely hours before check-in even after my plane being an hour delayed. So I went back to the main area, bought some stamps for my postcards and dropped them off. I also managed to make a call to let my vaxbuddy know I got to Heathrow in one piece. Up on the mezzanine, the restaurants and coffee shops were looking busy. The lift looked like it was working over time. It was the same with the internet corner, also in the mezzanine. It was my intention to go up and have something hot to drink or eat but decided I'll check my email instead. Sent a couple of emails to NZ and DE and then went back to section R.

Checking in was a breeze; had the same story with my oversize item except I did not have to walk several hundred meters as I did in Tegel this morning. Then I went through the immigration and customs security and out into the boarding lounge..

AirNZ (NZ1) reufuelling prior to boarding time

I waited for several hours before our boarding gate was displayed on the big screens. In between my vigil, I went looking for fridge magnets and somethings to get the boys. I was itching to do a bit of shopping with my left-over sterling pounds. Unfortunately I was not able to do that due to my cabin bag, my very heavy bag, which I had to carry around with me at all time due to security reasons. The bane of flying alone, the only other annoying situation of solo flying aside from this is not having enough photos of yourself.

Pret A Manger shop T1 Heathrow

Instead of getting annoyed for my inability to enjoy a bit of retail therapy, I went to the Pret a Manger shop for some food instead...okey for comfort food! I tried to be good though, I had a cup of Miso soup and a few sushi. The guy who served me was a Filipino and he offered to give me a discount which I gladly accepted. I remember his name as Joe (that would be Jose back in the Philippines).

in transit LAX Airport

It was a long flight. The transit via LAX didn't take that long. But one can feel the urgency of things and the pressure on the officials trying to have everyone dealt with precisely and quickly.

I took this route for the experience. This will give me more credibility next time I advise anyone about transiting via LAX. The Iris Scan, the green immigration card (now being replaced by ESTA come 12 Jan) and the fingerprinting..talking about these will be more like second nature now that I have experienced it.

The rest of the time during the transit is just spent sitting in a room (drinking water and instant hot drink provided and a few snacks and fruits FOC; the biz class and premium class have a room adjacent to the general pax room) until we re-boarded flight NZ1.

written by

jorgn_craw on December 15, 2008 from Los Angeles, United States

from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008

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you are so lucky to visit these nice places...
thank you for posting this, I'm going to go there myself in the nearest future

written by

wow-traveler on October 7, 2009

Hi wowtraveller, thanks for dropping by. Goodluck on your first European trip, I am sure you'll love the experience!

written by jorgn_craw on November 23, 2009

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