2023 - La Loire à Vélo: Day 64: Wed 26 Jul

34-41 (Dubai) - 13 (Brisbane on arrival) degC, tropical in Dubai (although we didn’t go outside) to very fresh (for us anyway), with a light drizzle every so often in Brisbane

Walk: 8km: total: 479km

We arrived at Dubai a few minutes late at 12:22am, and so began the long trek, after the obligatory security screening, through the concourses to the Emirates B Lounge. We moved spots twice during the first 90 minutes and eventually found a nice quiet area where we could snooze without too much interruption. We took it in turns to watch the bags while the other walked. When we received our boarding passes in Lyon, they said we would be departing from a B gate, so that's why we were in the B Lounge. However, we have been through Dubai many times and knew this could change. When we arrived at the B Lounge, the departures board showed us departing from an A Gate. We did not immediately rush to the A Lounge as we knew it may change. Wendy was in no hurry to leave the B lounge as that is where the Moёt & Chandon bar is, and we were sitting adjacent it. It was only 2:44am (7:44am in Aus), so thought it a bit early to be indulging. At the 3.5 hr to go to boarding mark, the board still said A lounge, so after a glass of Rosé, (they only have the imperial brut at all other bars), off we went. The walk was a lot more pleasant as we could only take the underground driverless tram. It still involved a little walk, but not too much.

Once inside the A Lounge, we found a suitable spot that was a bit noisy from the bar underneath the lounge, but relatively free of foot traffic and other human noise. Greg managed to have another nana nap, whilst Wendy walked the almost 1km long lounge a few times. Boarding was delayed about 30 minutes, and take-off by another 30 minutes. The A380 Business Class seats is really spacious and our heads were trying to fall off our shoulders but we managed to stay awake until dinner was served, eaten, and trays removed. Wendy had not slept since leaving the hotel in Lyon and managed four hours of interrupted sleep, and Greg managed a few less. We then watched the box, until Wendy could find nothing better, so watched Top Gun: Maverick for the 4th time, tragic, but you do pick up on little things on every re-run.

During the 13h50m flight they provide drinks (including tea and coffee) and snacks from a bar and snack area at the back of the top deck. Wraps, cakes, muffins, nuts, chips, fresh fruit and other items are laid out and you help yourself. However we mostly waited for them to serve a lovely hot breakfast a couple of hours before we landed in Brisbane. Thankfully the flight was very smooth, quiet and uneventful.