Our first time in Europe, we struggled with jet lag the first day or two, but by the time we picked up a car in Paris, we were well adjusted (having flown only from Bangkok, not NZ), and likewise the second time, when we collected our car after a week in Rome. We then became more blasé, and flew into Paris at 6 am – albeit after a business class flight (thanks to all the airpoints/frequent flyer miles I’d saved up from all my business travel), when we had managed a few more hours sleep than usual on the 24 hour flight – and picked up a car at the airport and drove a few hours to Orleans. We were exhausted when we got there, and it’s not something we would recommend. Likewise, there have been some horror stories of international travellers arriving in New Zealand in the early morning, immediately collecting a car, and either falling asleep at the wheel or making fatal errors because they weren’t alert enough to remember to stay on the correct, left, side of the road.
So these days, we try to include a few adjustment days before we start driving on foreign roads. On this trip, we’re going to have three days before we jump into driving, so hopefully, we will have had a few nights sleep and will be alert enough to remember to stay on the right (in both senses of the word) side of the road when our natural inclination is to keep left.
That’s why today we’re going to be in London (having sensibly written and scheduled my Microblog Monday posts for the next month), adjusting to an upside down time zone, maybe having afternoon tea somewhere, and hopefully exploring somewhere new in this amazing city. Or maybe we’ll just be snoring off on the Tube or in a hotel lobby until our room becomes available (worst case scenario – nine hours after we arrive), recovering from travelling from the other side of the world.
Oh, I hope you’re having a wonderful day. When we went to London and Paris now 18 months ago, I arranged to not have to drive at all (which is possible, of course, only if you stay in the city). Looking forward to hearing about this trip.
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Hope you have a wonderful, wonderful time (after getting some rest — wise strategy!!)! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
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You are very brave to get on the roads. I always say, “we should just rent a car.” And then I end up backtracking and saying, “um… or we can just take these three buses to get there.” I’m okay driving when it’s on the right side of the road, but I can’t wrap my brain around driving in the UK. Hope you are having a fantastic time on the trip. Brilliant you for writing your MM posts early 🙂
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And the adventure begins! Sweet dreams (although not while you’re driving) and sweeter wake times…
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Upside down time zone, cool. Trust you are having a fantastic adventure.
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Great Post!!
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Very Nice Article And Thanks For Sharing……
Good Luck
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its very helpful i really like it.
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