If anyone is ever choosing a long haul carrier, Qantas is it. I don't want to bag United et al, but Qantas actually offers service. From Cattle class to First class, there are those little extras like menus and on demand TV for all. If Qantas and Jet Blue can do TV - why can't everyone? Oh that's right, everybody else's fleet was built in the age of the Hindenburg. They should at least have built in steam radios...And the service...other than the fact that they speak my English...they actually care! Very full flight - we bought 3 seats - Harper is not yet 2 so travels free...they found a spare seat for us. Kids slept through dinner so they had Business Class dinners set aside for them. For brekky they ran out of our choice (they give choice...and you don't have to pay for it - oh me gawd) so they dished up fresh fruit and berries from the staff menu.

I wasn't always a fan of the flying Kangaroo but I am now. Marcos who looked after us deserves a huge medal. And we weren't the only one with kids - he looked after all of us.

We plunged into the ocean to shake of the jet lag yesterday. The beach was packed, despite it being a work day...just like North American summer where things tend to slow down, only we really know how to slow down. It's the surf, the sand, the cold beer, the BBQ and the sound of the cricket (the game not the insect) on the radio in the background. Pass the sunscreen..

 Written by TuesdaysTraveler reader Jason from Portland Oregon. For more info on Jason's BLOG or visit his WEBSITE .