March 23rd, 2020: From the Air on Qantas Airlines

Since my last post our lives have been turned upside down more time then we can count but I will try to summarize as positively as possible. Moments after I posted last, an announcement was made that everyone planning on spending the night at a hotel prior to our flights in Perth could not. We were told the Australian government had issued a new stipulation that we could only be taken directly to the airport on the 22^nd and that if anyone tried to go to a hotel, Air B&B, VRBO they would be fined $50,000.00. So re planned accordingly to spend the night at the airport and we cancelled our hotel reservation. About an hour later we were then told that we could now go to a hotel, but there were possibly no taxis or ubers to get us there. So we booked the ship bus to the airport with plan “A” to move to a hotel or plan “B” to spend the night at the airport. We finished up our packing and waited for our turn to disembark into the vast unknown on the 22^nd. I find this emotionally difficult to even type. As we disembarked we had to say our goodbyes. As we feared our next chapter, we cried for those we were saying goodbye to. Our friends that we had made in the passengers on the ship and the friends we had made in the crew that are still on the ship. The crew was all at the gangway giving us hugs and wishing us safe travels. They are all still on the ship at this time. Unsure of where they are going and how long they will be at sea. We kinda held our breaths as we stepped onto land to see how we would be greeted. No health screening was done, but we have only been in Australia since March 7^th, so I believe they felt at peace with us. We found a wonderful porter to help us with our luggage and he sweetly assisted us to the bus to transport us to the airport. There were two taxis at the port transporting passengers, and the line of passengers waiting was so long we were grateful for that decision. Once at the airport we inquired as to whether or not we’d be allowed to stay the night at the airport and we were told they close and lock the doors at midnight and we’d be required to leave. So we went to he taxi line, and by line I mean of taxis, not of guests. We grabbed the first one and went to a nearby hotel that had an airport shuttle that would transport us back in the morning just in case taxis decided to stop running. We were greeted sweetly. They inquired where we had come from (ship) and where we had been in the last 14 days (Australia) and deemed we did not need to quarantine. Such a relief, we were able to cuddle into a room for the night. We went to the hotel restaurant and had a nice lunch and then napped till 5:00pm. We are all SO exhausted. I have not slept well in I can’t remember how long and it will be a couple more days before I will. We ordered in room service for dinner, showered and then got to sleep early. We are all checked in for our flights, seats are assigned and now we pray that we can get to the end of our road as planned. The world is shutting down just behind us. Qantas is cancelling flights, Hawaii is shutting resorts, including the Aulani where we were supposed to be going up until just a few days ago, and everywhere is going to shelter in place requirements. We desperately want to be home. But I am also emotionally prepared to be stopped anywhere along this way and stay where required. We are on our first flight of three and we have a goal in sight. We have people praying for us and I am praying for you all as well.   For your health and safety and well-being. We will be in touch again soon. Love and Hugs, Debra

P.S. Made it through screening and all in Sydney. This morning we left Perth all the lounges were open there and here in Sydney. At noon new guidelines went into affect and by the time we arrived here, they are all closed. We are squeaking out people!!