Tuesday 6th August
We woke early, not really but early enough. The house was busy with everyone milling about, packing, preparing. I was about to be flying again and was excited. Everyone else were more solemn. I don't know why we drove to the airport in our separate cars, you'd think we would have swopped passengers.
Dallas Fort worth is huge; we found our terminal and got everyone seated. Andre, the boys and I ran out to get the suburban back to enterprise. It got a bit stressful as we toured the airport in loops finally being spat out at the south side. Car finally dropped we had to run to catch a bus, Jonahs shoe flying off. That kid does not tie his laces, he thinks it's cool to have casual looking shoes but it's not cool to miss a plane.

Back at the terminal we say goodbye, take more photos say more goodbyes. We're in this long snaking line now to be security checked and the whole time everyone's miserable and crying looking back longingly at cousins hating to leave. Melissa is upset and it's a dreary moment but finally we get through and wave final goodbyes. Hooray, everyone can start to cheer up again.
We find the plane and everyone's lining up. I run off to find an adapter so that I can use my skull candy on the flights. On the way back I'm walking quite briskly, there's this lady behind me who is calling a girl up ahead. Emily! She calls repeatedly. So I call out hey Emily, just randomly to the crowd and this girl stops and turns around surprised, someone's calling you I say pointing back with my thumb.
Back on a 777, the flight for those paying attention a lesson on geography because within the 14 hour flight we get to see the sunset and a few hours later we get to catch the sunrise. Melissa did not look out the window much; it hurt to be leaving America. 
The air steward brought some warm moist facecloths for us to refresh, Noah is handed one and immediately moans about it being too hot but whilst moaning the aircon has already cooled it down so by the time he touches it to his face it’s already cold. The air steward has not even moved along and Noah is already moaning that it's too cold. Sheesh Noah, you moan a lot I say. No I don't he goes on to complain.
It was still dark when flying over Europe and I enjoyed seeing the lights of the little French towns. We've got to go there one day I think to myself. The food this time was not that great the boys hardly touching their flapjack and chocolate sauce breakfast and Sophie outright refusing.
Wednesday 7th August.
We're still on the plane but it's a new day already.
We land in Dubai around midday and make our way outside to find a shuttle to the Copthorne hotel. It's hot. Stiflingly hot. All part of the adventure. In the hotel everyone wants to sleep except Phoebe Jonah and me, we go down for a late lunch even though we're not hungry. The food is well prepared and laid out neatly. The hotel and meals are paid for by Emirates, I really like Emirates. We enjoy the time in the dining room and find ourselves back there for dinner a few short hours later with the whole family.
I have the odd perception that the Arabs see themselves superior to my humble caucation race. Cant say why and could be wrong.
10pm I convince the kids to walk a few blocks with me to a shopping centre, we walk out the hotel and make it as far as the corner before turning around, back to the air conditioning of the hotel. Crikey it's hot, we could have died.
11pm we head down to the pool only to find that we are not allowed to swim as the life guard is now off duty. We live in Durban, my kids know how to swim I say. Even so, its the rule, he did however stick around food a few minutes so we could swim  for which I was grateful. Being almost 40 degrees, well maybe somewhere in the 30's now, you'd think that we would be able to dry off quite quickly, but you'd be wrong. It's so humid that you would remain a soggy warm all night.



Thursday 8 August.
Breakfast was a joy, I loved the thick strong sour yogurt and melon slices.
Our plane was parked somewhere out on the tarmac so we had to be bused out to it. Usually first and business class are summoned to their seats before the economy social class, so I should have suspected something when economy was invited to line up first. Next time I'll just hang back and enjoy the uncrowded bus to the plane. Another hot day, we climbed the stairs at the back of our 777 and found our seats. I had the window now that I knew no one cared. Sophie sat next to me; I remember this because we watched Odd Thomas together. The good Emir has all the movies edited to cut out anything my father would have disapproved of so we could be free to watch most things.
I was watching the ocean below when we crossed land, the horn of Africa. We were settled but not filled with the same excitement as before; looking forward to home and the known is not as exciting as the unknown and exploration.
Once you return home and the days go by and you reflect upon the travels a few thoughts start dawning on you. These are mine.
I wish I had taken more photos. Photos of the family crossing state lines. Welcome to Arizona, Nevada, Texas. Utah.
I wish we had driven the Las Vegas strip at night. We were right there. It was an awesome day and we had done so much, I can understand that we didn't, but it would have been good.
I wish I'd driven a mustang and dodge. Days were packed.
I wish I had a dairy queen ice cream. We drove passed one in Texas.
Also would have been nice to visit more museums and galleries.
But those things are few, and not life altering so had crammed each day with activities and exploration and have very little to wish for.
It;s been two years since we returned home, we talk about our travels often. Our own world has opened up a lot. It was good to see how awesome our own country is and to be happy here. Our theme upon returning was that we were going to work like Americans, Americans work hard, sometimes multiple jobs, kids go to school on public holidays. They do jobs that we'd not consider. Loved the abundance. Hope to return soon and looking forward to our next adventure.