FLIGHT 1 - SYDNEY - ABU DHABI

They pack us in and we're away. With Kath being pregnant and my run in with DVT's earlier this year, we are all set with compression stockings and talk of walking the aisles, drinking lots of water and stretching. Which we pretty much do. Kath had ordered vegetarian meals in advance and the attendant would bring these out before the regular service - much to the chagrin of the people ahead and behind. The women in front wondered why Kath was getting served before them and the woman behind kept trying to order vegetarian meals too, not grasping that 2 hours into the flight was not early enough to do this. Eventually we reach Abu Dhabi. A wild taxi ride later we arrive at Le Meridien - a beautifully decked out place where we are recuperating in bed, in the pool and over nice local food before 'the final push.'