Europe 2025

Travel blogging is usually about the destination, but if you know me — or have read any of my past blogs — the flight is just as important. After a lovely lunch and mindfulness activity in the Qantas First Lounge, it was time for a different kind of grounding activity: Jetstar economy on a packed flight. Back to what my budget really allows!

Despite the automated announcements not matching the actual boarding process, we all got on board surprisingly fast. You wonder why people get frustrated when one person (albeit an automated voice) says one thing, and the human on the ground says another. I’m sure the rise of AI bots will eventually fix this — or make it worse.

The 787-8 variant Jetstar uses was jam-packed today. After taking my seat (27J, if you're interested), the two empty seats beside me teased me with the possibility of a poor man's business class. But alas, among the last passengers to board were two Kiwi guys who took those seats. Free upgrade denied. It’s always the way — I get excited about having an empty row, only to have those dreams dashed just before the door closes. The curse of someone who likes to board early.

That door *did* close nice and early though, with pushback just three minutes after boarding finished. It’s these kinds of useless facts I always take note of. Part of the overlap in the Venn diagram of my nerdiness and avgeekiness. The strong (and freezing) northerly wind that chilled me to the bone earlier meant that runway 34 was our way out today. We lined up with 2,903 metres of runway to go and, with the help of that hefty headwind, were airborne before even crossing the intersection runway. Yep — nerd facts again.

With Melbourne now in the rear-view mirror, we turned left and headed roughly toward Darwin. I’d been tracking this flight route over the past few days, hoping it might take us over Lake Eyre. I’ve flown over it many times, but it’s always been dry. This year, though, it’s seen one of its biggest flood events in decades. I was hoping to catch a glimpse from above.

We passed just to the right of it, so I didn’t get the view I’d hoped for. But from my side of the plane, I could see the channels feeding it — scattered across the scarred landscape, looking like something from another planet.

Half-filled lakebeds, slowly fed by ripples of water trickling into them. Clear pools surrounded by moisture-soaked, dark red dirt, which gave way to lighter red soil and patches of salt. From 36,000 feet, these lakes scattered between ridges looked like abstract art. Maybe my upcoming art classes will teach me how to capture that beauty on canvas. It’s amazing that in the middle of Australia — a place more known for being barren — are pockets of life and colour. You just have to be in the air to appreciate it.

The last few days, this route has taken about eight hours. Today, we were looking at closer to nine. Apparently a volcano in Indonesia got a little too excited and plastered the sky with ash. Somewhere near Alice Springs, we made a hard left — what the captain called a wide detour around the eruption zone.

I spent the first four hours binge-watching *Designated Survivor* on my iPad. Not amazing, but good enough to keep me entertained. My first prepaid snack was just a voucher. Still full from lunch, I grabbed a tea cake and some crisps. Solid snacking material, which I paced out between episodes.

With music in my ears, I paused to blog as we crossed the coast over Derby. Halfway there, and only just leaving my island home. The crew had already locked the windows into dark mode for the past two hours — not ideal if you're trying to adjust to a new time zone, but probably helpful for the crew if they want everyone to sleep. I found it annoying since I like to look out the window, but I’ll admit the blue tinge made for a pretty photo.

The second meal came just after we left the Australian coast. My teriyaki vegetable stir-fry was a huge improvement on the dry, burnt-to-the-box version I had coming back from Bali last year. Still not amazing, but decent enough for what was now a late dinner. I’m going to have to ditch my 6pm dinners once I hit Spain anyway — might as well let Jetstar help me ease into it.

We flew over Bali and then crossed the equator — officially into summer! The glow from Singapore lit up the clouds below, welcoming us into the northern hemisphere. I’d finished my episodes by this point, so switched to *The Greatest Showman*.

Watching musicals on planes is risky. The urge to sing and dance along is real. I love a good musical. Luckily for everyone else, Jetstar doesn’t provide enough room to even attempt a small boogie. I guess I’ll just have to wait for the stage show in London next year. Yep — already planning another trip, even as I begin this one.

According to *The Greatest Showman*, “comfort is the enemy of progress,” as Hugh Jackman tries to convince a spunky Zac Efron to join his circus. At this point, I *am* a little uncomfortable, so I guess that means I’m progressing. Only an hour to go, and I’ll be making progress one flight at a time.

Suddenly, lights on. Abrupt announcement. We’re descending. Time to land.

Had a short chat with the guys next to me — they’d been up since 4am New Zealand time. What a trek. After almost nine hours in the air, we touched down in Phuket. A quick exit, reasonably fast immigration, and a ten-minute drive to my hotel for the night.

First flight done. Loving this oversized bed. More soon.Read more