Now 19 hours since we left Derby. Goodbye Derby Pool and frangipani and ibis and boab trees...

We hit Sydney at 0630 local time and are on the list for exit row seats. Pray for us!
[Reminds me of Jimmy Carter on Prayer: "Sometimes God says 'Yes' and sometimes He says 'No' and somtimes he says 'You've got to be kidding.'"]

Best thing so far: getting SHOWERS in the Sydney International terminal. Free. Why don't all airports do this?

Worst so far: Our LA flight is delayed 2.5 hours or more, so we will have to rebook all the domestic U.S. flights once we get to there... And the weather looks terrible..

This feels a lot like when I have been a patient in surgery. Everything is out of your control, there are unexpected delays, you know its going to hurt, but you just have to bite the bullet and tough it out.

Maybe this will just be the price to pay for a White Christmas?