So, You Want to Visit Oz from LA? Buckle Up, Buttercup, It's a Doozy!
Ever looked at a globe and thought, "Man, I'd love to throw a shrimp on the barbie with a bunch of koalas in Australia, but...dang...that looks far"? Well, my friend, your intuition is spot on. Getting from Los Angeles to the Land Down Under is about as close as you can get to flying to another planet (without the whole spacesuit situation).
How Far We Talking, Exactly?
Here's the not-so-fun fact: Los Angeles and Australia are separated by a whopping 8,000 miles (or 13,000 kilometers). That's farther than your phone will last on a single charge, let me tell you. Just imagine all the airplane movies you'd have to watch...or all the in-flight peanuts you could theoretically consume. The possibilities are endless (or at least feel that way after movie number 17).
Pro Tip: Download some podcasts or audiobooks before your flight. Unless you're a masochist who enjoys staring at the back of the seat in front of you for 16+ hours.
Okay, That's Far. But Is it Like, REALLY Far?
For those who need a visual aid, Australia is basically on the other side of the globe from Los Angeles. Think about it this way: If you could burrow straight through the Earth's core (not recommended, magma is a total buzzkill), you'd pop out somewhere near Argentina. Then you'd just have a quick hop, skip, and a jump across the Pacific Ocean. Easy peasy, right?
But wait, there's more! Australia is a big country itself. Flying from LA to Sydney is different than flying to Perth, just like going from New York to California is a whole different ball game. So the exact mileage can vary depending on your final Aussie destination.
So, What Now? Abandon My Dreams of Chasing Kangaroos?
Absolutely not! Distance is just a number, and sometimes the greatest journeys involve a little extra legwork (or in this case, wingwork). Here's the upside: that long flight gives you ample time to mentally prepare for the culture shock of encountering exotic wildlife,Vegemite (an acquired taste, to say the least) and the wonder that is reversing seasons.
Plus, think of the bragging rights! Not everyone can say they've flown halfway across the world for a koala cuddle.
So, pack your bags, grab your sense of adventure, and get ready for an unforgettable trip. Just be sure to invest in some noise-canceling headphones for the flight. Your fellow passengers will thank you (and so will your sanity).
