Newark Airport

We're on the ground in Newark, having lunch and waiting for our deleting flight to Hong Kong. Yes, I ordered sushi on the way to Vietnam.

Finally in the air

Finally, we are airborne. We've been waiting for this since March.

Martha's Comments

I haven't been on an airplane for almost five years.  My last trip was a short flight to New Orleans.  This marathon of flying is definitely something new.  I have to give two thumbs up to the TSA pre-screening Chuck signed us up for.  We got to leave our shoes on and our liquids in our bags, got in a shorter line, and were done in a flash.  After all our preparation for them scrutinizing everything, it was a little bit of a disappointment, but in a good way.  

The flights were uneventful, thank goodness.  A long international flight is kind of like being in the hospital.  Every time that you start to relax, someone interrupts you.  Only 2 or so hours into the flight, they had come through with cheese and crackers, dinner, ice cream, water, and three rounds of drinks.  Wine and beer were complimentary on the flight!  I was starting to think they were just trying to get us to all pass out for the rest of the 15 hour flight.

On the back of the seats, there were monitors that gave you the opportunity for in-flight entertainment, including movies, TV shows, and games.  You could also pay $17 and connect to WiFi and play on your computer.  My favorite, though, was the flight tracker.  You could watch the path of the plane, and get a countdown on how far you'd gone, how far left, time left, altitude, and outside air temperature.  We flew over Canada, near the Arctic Circle, and down over Russia and China to get to Hong Kong.  

I have to admit, the hardest part about the flights was sitting so long.  My butt was tired of sitting, my legs were tired of sitting and my knees were tired of being bent.  I was grateful for a small space near the rest rooms where we could go stand and stretch.

Day 2 Expenses

$11.58 for Starbucks at the St Louis Airport

$31.88 for lunch at Newark Airport

Lambert St. Louis International Terminal and TSA Screening

We just went through the TSA check point at Lambert St. Louis Airport.  I had registered us with "TSA Pre." which made security screening a breeze. In fact it was easy peasey!

Click on the image below to be taken to the "TSA Pre" application website.

Martha's Notes

Two thumbs up for TSA pre-check!!!  We didn't have to empty our bags for inspection or take our shoes off!!!!!!!   That was the fastest, easiest airport screening ever.  (Since 9/11).

Starbucks coffee cost us $11 for two cups of coffee.  Am wondering what that would buy us in Vietnam.