Tuesday 24th Nov. Off we go.

Didn't get much sleep, going over and over in my mind what I packed etc. so at 6.15am I got up.  Plenty of time to faff before Sandra and the taxi arrived at 9 ish. In the event, they arrived at 9.50 am. The driver couldn't understand why I was annoyed.  He said he had a fare waiting at Heathrow whose flight had landed and he hadn't even set off yet!  Sandra was white with worry and I was red with excess cortisol, in spite of the fact that we had both fake tanned the night before.  Anyway we arrived in time to do a bit of shopping and that was our main concern, as neither of us had any perfume.

Easy boarding with a tray of champagne waiting at the top of the steps, though sadly only for those turning left.  Here is Sandra at take off.  " Don't talk to me" she said. So I didn't.  I just gazed mesmerised at the hairstyle of the passenger across the aisle.

The drinks trolley arrived and we did not have a pre lunch drink.  I will just repeat that, we did NOT have a pre lunch drink. However I did accept a little bottle of red wine with my lunch but it had obviously been in the fridge and so was not chambréd.  Sandra offered to sit on it for a bit and though it was kindly meant, I declined. Lots of films though nothing very up to date so I mooched down to the back of the plane where there were rows of 4 empty seats, whipped up the arms, covered myself with a blanket and went unconscious for three and a half hours. Lovely. Only a couple more hours to go and tea before that!

Well here we are at Miami airport. Lots of finger print and photo taking and three security posts to get through. Now waiting for our shuttle to the Intercontinental Hotel. It's 6.40 pm here and 23 degrees but feels hotter. Sandra found out that the woman with the multicoloured hair is on our cruise so may get a few tips on beautification. 

Checked in now.  Big room, big beds, big bathroom and ice cold air con.  At the bar now for a recommended Mexican beer which is quite dark and more like bitter.

Just asked the barman for the menu and it's like an iPad. It lights up when you open it!  I love America.

I have ordered an El Cubano and skinny fries. No idea what it is. Will let you know tomorrow.