From                                              To                                         Distance (miles)                  Airline, A/C type, Rego

Sydney                                          (x)San Francisco                      7417 mi                            United B744 N122UA
(x)San Francisco                             Miami                                     2585 mi                             United B763 N654UA
Miami                                            Sao Paulo GRU                       4072 mi                             United B763 N651UA
San Paulo GRU                             (x)Lima                                    2161 mi                             Varig B763 PP-VOJ
(x)Lima                                         Cuzco                                      364 mi                               Lan Peru A320 VP-BCJ
Cuzco                                            Lima                                       364 mi                               Aviandina B721 OB-1759
Lima                                             (x)Sao Paulo GRU                    2161 mi                             Varig B763 PP-VOI
(x)Sao Paulo GRU                         Rio de Janeiro GIG                   210 mi                               Varig B733 PP-VNY
Rio de Janerio GIG                        (x)Sao Paulo GRU                    210 mi                               United B763 N653UA
(x)Sao Paulo GRU                         (x)Miami                                  4072 mi                             United B763 N659UA
(x)Miami                                       (x)San Francisco                       2585 mi                             United B763 N659UA
(x)San Francisco                            Seattle                                      679 mi                               United B733 N384UA
Seattle                                          Anchorage                                1448 mi                              United B752 N580UA
Anchorage                                     Seattle                                     1448 mi                              United A320 N460UA
Seattle                                          (x)San Francisco                       679 mi                                United B752 N521UA
(x)San Francisco                            Sydney                                    7417 mi                              United B744 N172UA
 
 

July 6th

Flown N172UA from Sydney to San Francisco, very good flight especially the food service, United have 4 dishes in Economy meal, consist of 2 salads, 1 main course and dessert, the shrimp salad are very good and so as the mid-flight snack box. Morning breakfast is typical eggs omlet/sausage. Landing 28L in morning foggy SFO. Wandering around the terminal, food is expensive in the terminal and small serving size. Took an unusual 1hr to clear the immigration and custom line due to other United B747 arrival from Tokyo and Shanghai. After 3 hour in transit flown B767-300 upgraded to Int'l business to Miami. Met a doctor sat next to me whom I found out later was probably gay as he tried to hold my hand several time! He cried during descend into Miami in evening sunset light for some reason he told me emotion is important, life is not all about calculations. I have some intellectual bullshit with him. After landing in Miami is hot and sticky, took a blue taxi to hotel, Embassy Suites MIA is excellent, the atrium is a big garden, free breakfast every guest. Highly recommended.
Hotel: Embassy Suites MIA Airport (Rating 5/5 Best buy!)

July 7th

Road Trip starts today at 6am after a warm greeting from Eddy J Gual and Jose Fernandez. Going up I-95 North to Atlanta today, quite a plainful drive. Stopped by KFC Buffet in Lake City FL that afternoon, my first time in All you can eat Buffet of KFC! Arrived in Atlanta early evening, went to Bran Gustafson's house to trade slides. Met David Hartman and Nigel Chelcraft. Great evening!
Hotel: Days Inn Stone Mountain (Rating 3.5/5 good for family travels)

July 8th

We have a long driving trip that day from Atlanta to Dayton, going through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. Went through Chattanogga, TN airport in the morning, nothing much there, drive through some red neck country. In the afternoon highlight came when we arrived at Louisville, UPS main hub, we arrived in hub hours so there is considerably traffic there. Shoted the B767F Olympic game color scheme and A300F and several others. Later the night, we passed through Cincinatti, an old industrial town, lots of Delta Do328Jet there. We arrive in Dayton very late 11pm that evening after taking a while to found our hotel.
Hotel: Best Western Dayton Wright Brothers AFB (Rating 3/5, kinda old but adequate)

July 9th

Today we went to USAF Museum in Dayton Ohio, massive hanger display inside. I didn't know many military planes but I still found fascinating there. The USAF Presidential hanger have all former Air Force one retired on display which is impressive, and also some test and futuristic plane design there. I recommended to allow 1 full day for the museum. (see photos below)
Later, we went to the Wright Brothers House to visit, but I didn't want to pay 30 dollars to go inside the house so we wandered outside. At evening we drove to Columbus on I-70 which is only 1 hour away.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Columbus (Rating 4/5 room large size, good rate)
 
 

Outdoor display of USAF Museum		Cockpit shot of VC-137 (B707-300) President Kennedy's plane!
	With Eddy in front of Strawberry Bitch bomber.	Outside of Wright Brothers House with Eddy and Joe
My attempt to steal the Wright Brother plane !! ;)	Jetstar.

July 10th-July 12th

Airliners International 2003 show
Hyatt Hotel Convention Hall

I think there is reasonably crowd turned out in Columbus AI2003. The hall is packed with dealers of slides, photos, postcards, safetycards, books/magazines, models, pins and other airline related souvenirs. It is a heaven for any colllector! I bought about 13 models which the best buy is the Gemini Jet Braniff B747-100 Big Orange, the first member model by GJ. I paid a good 190 dollars for that.
There is also a model and photo competition each year, I won the photo competition 1st place of a Qantas B744 water reflection photo which will be include in the captain's log magazine later. Later in the banquet, my name is also announced and I was given a trophey. I am surprised that most of my slides are sold in result of 850 dollars of revenue plus 400 new slides from tradings. Digital prints also have a new market there. That was my 2nd AI convention, my last attempt was at Camelback Marriott Phoenix AZ for AI2000.
P.S Columbus is a new, clean and efficient run city. It is surprisingly pleasant.
 
 

At the AI2003 show Displaying Steve Lendenham's painting of Ohio B757 of America West.	Overview of vendor tables displaying hall.	Qantas A380 Wunala Dremaing model for competition.
Bill Hough, Joe Pries, Richard Black and me.	My table full of slides!	Columbus skyline
Hyatt Hotel and Convention center.	Columbus city.	Banquet of Airliners International.
Banquet guestspeaker former (1970s-1991) US Airways president Edwin Colondy	Eddy got drunk after 12 beers?

July 13th

Columbus, Ohio to Rhode Island
Plainful road trip again, Penn. Turnpike suck big time as it is slow and narrow. Roads in New Jersey are funny without much gas station service around. Later we crossed Tappansee Bridge to avoid traffic in NYC, arrive in Providence RI at approx 11pm.
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Providence (Rating 4/5 nice big room and business hotel)

July 14th

Rhode Island to New York
We visited Phil Glatt, who was affected by four strokes earlier this year. Wish him a quick recovery and stay strong. In the afternoon, we head for JFK, arrived about 6pm meet a few traffic near Shea Stadium before Van Wyck. Met Art and Anne Brett in the Ramada hotel, then we went to have dinner with Joe Pries family in Howard Beach. Joe ran a good slide show at night for us at his house. I did NOT have time to shoot anyplanes although we are blessed with good weather around, I missed the Speedbird Concorde 1 heavy arrival by 25 mins!

Hotel: Ramada JFK (Rating 1.5/5, paid 3 person rate, did not receive a rollaway bed, slept on the floor,  small room and old wear down hotel.)

July 15th

Virginia
We left NYC 9am that morning heading to New Jersey, crossed on the impressive Varrazanno Narrows Bridge for I-95 and I-78 for Reading, PA. Mid Atlantic Air Museum is there. A Capital Air Viscount and Eastern Air Lines Martin 4-0-4 is on display. See photos. Later we head for the Appalachian trail for some mountain scenic photography, due to our unexcepted delay, we only have chance to do 1/3 of the full trail. We arrive late at Richmond VA in late evening. There is a great Chinese Buffet there I enjoyed.
Hotel: Comfort Inn Richmond (Rating 2/5, small and dirty rooms)
 

Display in Mid Atlantic Air Museum. Excellent for photos.	Martin 4-0-4 in old Eastern color! I heard is still airworthy?

July 16th

N.Carolina/S.Carolina
Savannah, Georgia

We went to Waffle House have breakfast (almost everyday on the road) I found the people there work really hard and fast, although I also found the food is grease. Eddy like to eat those grease fried shrimp in Long John Silver which I don't. Joe seems on a diet. We arrived at Maxton , NC later that afternoon. Many Northwest B747, B727, DC10s parked along the perimeter road. You can get very close to them and they are great for photos. We have fish buffet at Shoneys on the road and arrived at Savannah late evening.

Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Savannah (Ratin 4/5 clean, large room suite style with fridge, microwave but $$$ etc)
 
 

No fence, No hassle.	All Northwest!	Spotted a B747 in the parking lot, but without security hassle!
There is quite a few old NW Orient color B747-100 around in the far side of field along a chopped up CSA IL62. (confused as VC-10)	Fish Buffet at Shoneys!

July 17th

Today we have our last breakfast at Waffle house before heading Miami. Driving is simple, just I-95 South all the way. Arrived Miami about 6pm. Went to the holes, greeted by the typical high sun thunderstormy weather, spent 20 mins shooting around. Then we head Eddy's house to unload our van. I headed back to airport later for checkin of Sao Paulo flight that night. Another UA surprises: Comp upgrade!
 

Shooting from the holes.	Sunset approach of Centurion DC-10-40F from El Dorado.

July 18th-19th

Sao Paulo
The United flight is smooth and ontime, meals are very tasteful and compliment by a few good looking FAs based at MIA. Service is courtous and efficient. Guralhos airport is dark and seems like a dump. Hotel Ceasar Park is very good and modern, rooms are equipped with high tech gadgets. Later afternoon I went to Le Colina "The Hill" to spot airplane. It is the best place for action takeoff shot. Showing you a few sample
Hotel: Ceasar Park Airport GRU (Rating: 4.5/5 Very good modern hotel)

For More of photos from Brazil: Please visit
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?photographersearch=Sam%20Chui&countrysearch=Brazil&distinct_entry=true
 

Rumour that Varig will also return their 2 B737-800	Lufthansa 572 heavy going back home.	No matter where you go in South America airports, there is Iberia!
MD-11 early rotation!	I think TAM still have 4 A330, prehaps one day they will be in Varig's color?	New color of Varig, I like the billboard style!
Varig flagship B777 morning trip to Manaus.	Saturday in GRU is a big Aerolineas Argentinas charter day, saw A340 and B747 operate to Bariloche for the ski charters.	ERJ170 visit surprise us!

July 20th

Early morning check in at GRU is very unpleasant, even at first class line there is a 20 people queue and efficieny of the check in staff are extremely low although they are good enough to put up with a smile to me. Was invited to the Varig lounge, but can't be bother due to the fuss. Later to know my flight was delayed 1 hour because of waiting 1 pax from Rio connecting, at that point, I lost my confidence with Varig. Onboard PP-VOJ, the plane is built in 1989, 2 classes, their Business class did not offer PTV, seats are ok with good legroom. Varig's meal service are legendary, even serve soups along bread rolls and salads. In flight amenity kit was poor with only a toothbrush and toothpaste? We crossed over the Andes and Lake Titicaca-the highest lake in the world at about 13000 ft tall came into sight, a remarkable sightseeing flight and suddenly I regain my enthusaism. Captain later invited me for a jumpseat landing into Lima. We did a ILS approach into Rwy 15. In a while, the bad flight turned out to be one of my best. Thanks to Captain Eduardo C and Julis M. for the kind offer. (I don't need to seat belt during our landing!) Lima airport is also a dump. I was tight in connection time, so I was given priority treatment going through the diplomatic channel in order to catch my Lan Peru A320 flight. Lan Peru have a modern 2 A320 fleet. Flown VP-BCJ to Cuzco, cross the Andes and blessed with good weather around. The descend into Cuzco is also quite spectacular.
Hotel: Picoaga (Rating: 3/5 Very old historical hotel, at least 300 years, beautiful garden and patio and friendly staff except room are terribly old and small)
 

Lake Titicaca, see the wild blue color!	Inflight RG8936 for Lima.	Camcording in the cockpit.
Relieve captain.	Taxing after landed in Lima Jorge Chavez Int'l	Me 767 pilot?
Many Aero Continente 737 without engines.	Aeronaves Del Peru cover by filth.	Rare clear view of Lima terminal and tower.
Overflown snow capped Andes to Cuzco.	Cuzco approach. The long strip is the runway.

July 20-22th

Cuzco, Peru
Sightseeing, spotting, shopping everything. Weather is perfect with deep blue sky, Cuzco is surrounded by tall mountains as they blocked some clouds to comeover. Spotting is also easy around in Cuzco. On the 22nd I flown OB-1759 Aero Continente (Aviandina) back to Lima, this airplane originally delived to United in 1967, after 36 years still going strong. A real airplane to be fly on. I don't mind the 3 hour delay in Cuzco due to late rotation that morning.
Hotel: 22/July Lima Sheraton. (Rating 4.5/5 beside a little old, room, views, prices and service are all excellent)

To see more Peru airplane photos please go to:
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?photographersearch=Sam%20Chui&countrysearch=Peru&distinct_entry=true
 

Even 1 hr flight to Lima, the 737 struggle to overcome 12000ft altitude of Cuzco, hence take almost all 10000ft runway for takeoff.	Some spectacular takeoff of B727-100!	50mm perfect for slides!
Flying B727-100, turning to avoid the mountains after takeoff from Cuzco.	Cabin, not many pax on the flight.	Magenta Air is a new airline in Peru.
Palace of Justice, view from the balcony from my hotel Sheraton Lima.	Imperial Air TU134, airline grounded suspect of carrying drugs.	Photo on the ramp with the friendly officers.

July 23rd

Was given a ramp tour in Lima by the chief duty officer but the normal winter weather pattern came back, so not great for photos plus the military side prohibits photos, guard all holding guns ready to shoot you down. Flown PP-VOI back to Brazil and change plane in Sao Paulo for Rio. Arrived in Rio is already 11pm so I took a cab and fall victim in the ripoff capital of the world.

Hotel: Le Meridian Copacabana (Rating 4.5/5 Room, views are all unbeatable, situated in Copacabana beachfront, own private portion of the beach, incredible view of dining area, only food was funny, dinner was all chocolate during their chocolate festival!)

July 24-25th

Rio de Janeiro
Have never seen such spectacular setting of city other than Rio. It is a very charming city of the views, ocean front location, also an always green city. Planes approaching into Santos Dumont simply took my breath away. Enjoy the photos.

To see more, please browse here
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?photographersearch=Sam%20Chui&countrysearch=Brazil&distinct_entry=true
 

Airplane approaching SDU bank hard for final.	Unbelivable surroundings!	Banking hard to avoid the Sugar Loaf!
Cable Car got a great view of this plane approaching!	SDU is also perfect for slides.	Possibly the most beautiful airport.
Spectacular setting of the city.	Views from my room! Copacabana, the most famous beach of the world!

July 25-26th

Flown 5 sectors from Rio-Sao-Miami-SFO-SEA-ANC. Took about 32 hours alltogether, all sectors flown on United. Most UA captain are friendly, when I sent my log book to them, they return personally and with a few gift such as cards, pens, stickers. In Miami I have 3 hrs in transit, so met Joe Fernandez in early morning dropping some rolls for him to help me develop. Those are K64 rolls. Also met Royal King and his 2 pretty girls in Seattle before heading Anchorage. We have a good dinner at Royal's house. By the time into ANC, it is 1130pm and just getting dark there.
 

July 26th-30th

Anchorage, Alaska
Weather is lousy in Anchorage, the first cloudy days I have on the whole trip, and weather stay bad throughout our stays. A delta mechanic David Hartman flown in to fill the absence of Royal King. Traffic is constant flow with 747F and MD11Fs from Fedex, UPS, China Cargo, Eva Cargo, Korean Cargo, Asiana Cargo, JAL Cargo, NCA Cargo, Cathay Cargo, Singapore Cargo etc plus good flow of US domestic carriers. The real interesting ones are the DC-6s and a C-46 took off, the sound of rounds on her almost broke all the windows! They climb slow so they took off and make a sharp turn to avoid the tall mountains in front of them (Rwy 6L takeoff). We're on the ramp a few times courtesy of the airport authority duty officer John Parrott and Dmitry Kudryn and Northern Cargo friendly staff. The food is kinda expensive in Alaska and so as gas price, and accomadation too.
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport (Rating 3.5/5 Good modern hotel, but expensive)
 

DC-6 nosedive approach	Fast rotation of the MD11!	Climbing out, check out the exhaust!
Water splashing!	Arriving on Runway 06R.	Everts Air Cargo is another main DC6 and C46 operator in ANC.
Northwest fly B757-300s twice a day into ANC, here is the new smart color in overcast weather.	Korean B747-400F takeoff in threatening sky.

July30th

Flown back to Seattle overnight on United A320. Spend the day with Royal King, who turned 33 that day! Went to Museum of Flight wait for the B777-300ER to come back, failed to show.
Hotel: Home Stay with Royal King

July 31st

Vancouver,BC
Went to YVR with Royal, saw Casino Express B732 in Bellingham before the border. The Canadian custom and immigration officer are very strict to control the flow in the border. According to the officer, you need at least 50 CND per day, just in case your credit card don't work, you have the money to buy bus fare go back to US. We have a nice day in YVR, as weather have been good there for 1 month, met up with Rich Austen, Rob Rindt and Alan Ling. The Avis spot is perfect for slides taxing shots after slow down off Rwy8L. Went home happy that evening, have my favourite Panda Express that night.
Hotel: Home Stay with Royal King
 
 

Bellingham surprise me with this Casino Express!	YVR Rwy26R touch down shot!	AC 65th Annivesary plane!

Aug 1st

Didn't do much that day. Went to Panda Express again for lunch and pack up to leave. Spotted B777-300ER landing in Boeing Field that afternoon, after 2 perfect click in my camera, then I realize there is no film inside. Prehaps thats my destiny with that plane. Took a earlier United flight flown out of clear SEA. Arrived SFO connect with my return flight. Knew a few FAs that I came across numerous time. Flown N172UA. A pleasant flight with United. The whole trip I earned 72000 miles since UA give me double miles as I am a Premier Executive. Arrived Sydney 6am on 3 August Sunday and crazy enough, I went home for 1 hour and go to the airport to shoot again!

End
 

I hope you enjoy reading my trip report. It have been one of the longest travels I made, and across many different cultures and I will be slow down a while before my next trip: New York in late September.

P.S. To see more photos of the airplane I took from this trip, please go to
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?emailsearch=samchui@optushome.com.au
 

Sam

I would like to thank the following people make my travelling easy, smooth and interesting, your help is very appreciated!

Joe Fernandez
Eddy J Gual
Joe Pries
Art Brett
Phil Glatt (Hope you recover soon)
David Hartman
Brian Gustafson
Alexandre Polati
Miguel Cano Alva
Capt Eduardo C
Capt Julis M
Royal King
Richard Austen
Rob Rindt