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Sunday, July 30, 2006

Seeing a familiar place through fresh eyes

Sorry for the lack of recent entries. It's been a hectic time but getting back under control again so hopefully will be posting more regularly now.

Over the past few weeks I've had lots of overseas visitors. It's been great seeing a familiar place through fresh eyes as I've shown them around. It has made me realise just how much I take for granted. We've been very lucky with the weather - near perfect while the guests were here. And good company is always appreciated.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Red Eyes

This year I seem to have had a lot of overnight flights - already 34 nights spent mostly on the plane! As I prepare for yet another red eye flight I thought it may be helpful to readers to pass on my tips to endure the trip.

A red eye is a short overnight flight, leaving late evening and arriving early in the morning. Mostly they are eastbound. I'm sure there are definitions around but this will do for me.

With a flight time of only a few hours it can be difficult adjusting to the time change and sleep is guaranteed to be short (unless you are an insomniac anyways).

  • I try to eat well before the flight and resist the temptation to snack in the lounge or onboard.
  • I try to be in a darkened environment with no real exercise of body or mind in the couple of hours before heading to the airport. This way I am sleepy at the start of the flight.
  • I may have a drink or two at the lounge to induce sleep, avoiding coffee and coke.
  • I try to find somewhere quiet in the lounge or airport. Blaring tvs or announcements aren't good.
  • I'll select a window seat, or a middle aisle seat - so that I won't be disturbed by a seat mate getting up for the toilet or food and drink.
  • In the pre-departure ritual I'll ask the flight attendant to not wake me for a meal.
  • I'll find a comfy position in the seat and shut eyes straight after the safety announcements. Sometimes I'll bring some eye shades which I've found to work, or other times I won't bother - I don't find them comfortable so they don't always work for me.
  • Assuming I am still awake after take-off I'll shut the window shades so I won't get woken up by the dawn light.

Now off to follow my own advice - cheers.