Atlanta and Tybee Island, Georgia, March/April 2019 - Part 1
Not sure the title is strictly speaking correct as, from NZ you have to go North to get anywhere else in the world (with the exception of Antarctica and the sub-antarctic islands), but this was our first time to the Southern USA. This was a visit to my cousin, Mark and his wife, Wendie, whom we had not seen for about 15 years (the last time we saw them their daughter, Dani, was a pre-schooler, now in her second university year). They have been based in Atlanta for the past 12 years or so due to Wendie's work, but, as they are now both retired, they have plans to move permanently to Tybee Island on the Savannah coast where they have a holiday property (well, actually two semi-detached properties but soon likely to become one - see the next post when I get round to writing it!).
So, on the last Friday in March, we drove up to Auckland Airport to board NZ28 to Houston. Now, as some people might know (those who read my flying blog, for instance), I have a fascination with aircraft, airports and all to do with aviation in general. Therefore, I get a real buzz from the air travel part of our trips (unlike Carol, who is a rather nervous flier). So, as usual, I spent the waiting time after checking in looking out of the lounge windows at the aircraft on the apron, taxiing out, landing and taking off, as well as partaking of a few refreshments.
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An Airbus A320 awaits its passengers at Gate 4 (likely off to Australia or the Islands).
Our Boeing 777 was somewhere over the other side |
An uneventful flight to Houston Intercontinental, where entry into the USA, a nightmare through LA international last year, was the speediest ever, no landing card needed, and we were on the train to the domestic terminal about 30 minutes after deplaning (Houston Intercontinental is quite big with 5 terminals and the train between them is a great idea for tired travellers).
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| Carol seems keen to get to the lounge! |
So, on to our domestic connection to Atlanta, a short 2 hour "hop"; well, it seemed very short after the 14 hour haul from Auckland to Houston! We were met by Mark and Wendie by the luggage carousels, and off to their house for a bit of a chill out and bed at around 0100, totally stuffed after a 24 hour journey.
And so to bed - until 1300 the next day!!! That's jet-lag for you. After a late lunch we were off for a bit of a sightsee at Amicalola Falls which is at the southern end of the Appalachian chain and was a pleasant couple of hours to get a bit of fresh air and acclimatise a bit. A few photos to finish this part......
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| Carol, Mark, and Wendie |
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| Wendie, Carol and yours truly |
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The top of the cascade - we thought a walk to the bottom would be ok
but then would have to walk back to the top - flagged it!!
Went to a cafe just up the hill for a cup of tea instead! |
