bers
Dec 26, 00, 5:57 am
Our company has just changed its name and therefore we needed a new website to reflect the change in direction and image. I was able to save the company a bucketload of money by booking a RTW with STA for the bargain price of A$1600 (US$800ish), which included a land credit of some A$150. I'd be able to call on some English friends on the way and have a bit of fun - including a day in Paris.
And sorry for the slight delay in getting this out. Think of it has having aged like fine wine rather than gone a little stale http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Ahhh.....
The alarm on my mobile (cell phone) woke me up at the ungodly hour of 5:30AM. All the more ungodly since I went to bed just before 4:30 after going out with friends, packing and watching the final Inspector Morse, the night before. Managed to draw myself out of bed and was ready to be driven out by my Mummybear to Perth International. Apparently, we were taking the secret route and what a well kept secret it was with almost no cars out on the roads. I then stole a look at the time, only to realise it was indeed before 7AM in the morning and no sane people would have been up. I am sure there were, but I'm just not much of a morning person any more.
I was dropped off at the international terminal and proceeded to what was a very empty check in area. Of course, I managed to score the slowest moving Qantas Club line behind a family who clearly were exporting half of Perth's annual fresh fruit production. Its amazing how some people believe the 20KG limit is 20 units of measurement of their own choosing. Clearly here it meant 20 portions to feed a small west african nation.
Finally, I made it to the checkin desk and to reward my wait, I was greeted by a checkin agent who believe he was there for my safety in the UA sense. He even attempted to insult my travel agents abilities, only more ironic in that no other checkin agent had problems anywhere else on the journey.
Still, I made it to immigration (yes we need to clear it leaving as well in this little island continent). Someone forgot to tell them I was coming obviously, as the line I was in not delayed, being a notable exception to my abilities to find the line where something goes wrong.
A quick security check of my laptop bag, wedding present (only 6 months late) and me later, I was greeted by the welcoming site of the international Qantas Club. I think the last time I was in there would have been back in 1996 as I've used the domestic one far more. They've improved it quite a bit but its still a little cavelike. I do wish it had a window to the outside world so I could see what little flights come into PER.
In no time at all, they were calling my flight.
15NOV QF77 PER-SIN 25F B767-300 (City of Port Augusta) 08:15-13:05
Ahhh..... is the only thing to describe the feeling of getting back on a plane again. It had been a far too long 5.5 months.
The B767 was fitted out for long haul International, which meant there was a crew rest area rendering 25AB unusable. However, the flight wasn't full and I was delighted to be wihtout a person in the middle seat. I'm not exactly the slimmest of people so I will never protest to a spare set next to me. The seats are the new QF Y class ones that I recalled liking on my previous trip home from America. They must be better new or something like that, as the shear weight of my rather large head kept pushing the adjustable ear flaps back into place. I can't recall that being a problem last time. Another thing that I have noted on the QF board is that 24F is by far the best seat in the Y cabin as there is a 23DE but not F for some reason. Hence you have a lot of legroom and are one of the first Y passengers off. The audio controls being on the top are also a very welcome sight as I am tired of contorting myself into inconceivable positions just to turn the audio down when they insult my musical taste with a boy band in the mix.
Just after the door closed, I noticed a lady got upgraded from Y to J for a not-so-obvious reason. Still, the fact she was a pretty blonde was of course highly unlikely to be related.
QF served us all a preflight drink. Okay so it was orange juice but I fly a carrier that doesn't upgrade - supposedly - so I have to enjoy what I get in the back. Couldn't help but notice J class has VERY large menus. Well beyond what is necessary but they look classy I suppose.
Take off was completely non eventful and almost immediately, I found myself having a breakfast of Nasi Goreng that was very nice and certainly tasty but perhaps a little dry - most Nasi Goreng is moist enough to hold its place on your fork, just not this stuff. Still I managed the impossible and kept it off my nice clean T-shirt.
It seems its QF's 80th birthday and there was an interesting inflight thing shown plus an enjoyable article in the magazine. They certainly haven't drummed this one up as much as the 75th.
Then we were delighted with a Mr Bean (the sandwhich one) and Wallace and Grommit (the big day out). The movie was The Kid - the one where Bruce Willis' character is a high powered Image consultant (with a very cute English Assitant - not the secretary!) who is visited by himself as I child. Strange concept but actually highly enjoyable. Then Seinfeld was played, just to remind me that QF needs in seat movies systems for its Y class desperately. I'd pay $5 more a flight to avoid Seinfeld http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Almost immediately, 1:05PM arrived and we landed. Singapore Airport has been expanded but has not really changed that much in the last 5 years. I proceeded straight to the QC as I haven't seen it before (only the First class lounge - the benefits of fathers with Gold). QF and BA jointly operate the lounge and employ a great front desk agent who is extremely polite guarding the spacious lounge. However, neither airline has remembered to purchase computers for Net access nor stocked the place with snacks. Sure filling up with fruitcake is a nice idea but I get hit with calorie guilt too easily. Plus, I do want to fit in the few more economy class seats I hope I have to fit into my future. Still, I had some apples and overdoes on the really tasty cookies they stock there (drop by and grab some!). I decided not to drink anything alcholic as I had a pretty bad experience on Monday night plus I wanted to try this whole flying without drinking thing. It wasn't as bad as you'd imagine.
They called the flight and I grabbed a pack of M&Ms to enjoy at a later date (I know its a no-no but still). A lounge with candy - what a good idea http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
15NOV QF77 SIN-HKG (continuation) 14:05-17:50
We left on time with the same crew and whilst there were a lot of different people on board, there weren't any more than the last leg so 25E remainded blissfully empty.
The lunch choice for the flight was Lamb Rendang or Chicken. As a rule, I always have chicken so I had the lamb, which was good but maybe a litle undercooked but with very tasty rendang bit. Salad (with Vinaigrette in the little squeeze packs!), vegetables and a banana cake, which I of course did not eat. I certainly appreciated the fact that QF served Chinese Tea as well as Tea and Coffee - I like menu localisation.
Again, the QF 80th Birthday thing was screened followed by Getaway. Then they screened the movie "Shower", a Chinese movie with subtitles, that has to be one of the most bizarre movies around. Its one of those sort of movies that they show in select cinemas in Australia as people revel in the foreign film feel it has. I actually really enjoyed it and , whilst don't cross mountains for it, I guarantee watching it will be an interesting experience. I certainly marvelled at the whole concept of the public bathing idea.
The short flight the segment is, was made shorter with us arriving to HKG some 20 minutes early. I was now looking forward to entertaining myself in the HKG airport for around 5 hours till my LHR flight boards.
QF certainly carried themselves on the flight. Whilst they may not have the super serving nature of service of an Asian carrier or the best features in the cabin, they are certainly a great airline. Their food was also very respectable and apart from earflaps that need a little more resistance to them, they have good seats. They do need hot towel service - it doesn't take much. A simple menu won't send them broke either.
I made my way to the BA transit desk. Either I've missed something with this whole oneworld alliance thing and its seemless connections or the checkin agent back in PER was earning his moneys worth by protecting me from the unsafe nature of having onward boarding passes conveneintly sitting in my bag. Clearly, the weight of these would have injured my back so I must thank him one day.
Still, when she turned up, the BA checkin agent had the classic Chinese friendliness and approach to service. I suprised myself by ordering a window for the LHR-CDG leg. I felt like seeing what was going on out there. She handed me both the HKG-LHR and LHR-CDG boarding passes and gave me directions to the QF/BA lounge.
This grey decor was certainly an interesting choice as it made the arrivals level look even bigger than it was, which wasn't really necessary.
Sadly, her directions of 2nd left were as clear as mud when it came to practice but I enjoyed myself getting as lost as I did. Whilst the grey decor continues upwards to depatures, the roof continues at a much faster rate. It seems to have stopped multiple floors above, meaning the departures area is a very lofty feel with nothing in the way of the 3 or 4 floor high lofty space up to the roof. Its really very nice. I did eventually stop getting myself lost, which by the end was definitely on purpose as I was just enjoying walking around the place. I found myself to the club and noted that the 2nd left direction wasn't totally incorrect. Not the way I would have described it but still. In case you want to know where it is, trust me in that its easier to find it there as it defies directions.
I went up to the lounge entrance and a flash of my QC card later was admitted. I found myself I nice couch and took stock. I simply couldn't believe how impressive the place was. My Dad had raved about it but I just put that down to him being in the First Class section. All the lounges at the new HKG airport are actually on Level 7 with the rest of departures on Level 6 but Level 7 is designed in mezzanine fashion not to interrupt the loft feel. What this means is you still hear general noise from outside but very dulled down, giving you a feeling of exclusivity but still being attached to the outside world and not locked away in a little room, which many clubs feel like. Brilliantly done.
I was also very impressed of my decision to carry on board my AU-UK adaptor as I was able to charge away. Of course I could have thought about it for one second and remembered the British colonisation thing. Of course Australia is a former British colony and we ended up with a different plug. Oh well.
After plenty of time using the Intertouch system, which allows you to plug straight into a LAN for free high (ish) speed internet access, I went off exploring. I actually went to each gate just to check this place out and I certainly got one heck of an exercise. I also went to each airline club to at least eyeball them. I got to see my first Aeroflot plane too. I don't know what it was, but being smaller than a 737 I knew I wasn't jumping at the chance to fly on it. I also saw a CP 747 land, still with the old angled C design - not the AC maple let alone the goose. Certiainly all the parked planes was a nice sight and it was a great way to spend an hour. The terminal could be called drab by some people because the grey theme is throughout. However, I feel colours are not really necessary around the airport as the brilliant use of lighting, different texture materials, plenty of glass and the feeling of spaciousness dazzles the senses like colour.
I returned the lounge, delighting the agents by again asking them for a cable for Intertouch. I am not sure they've ever given a cable out before as they were very interested in the service. I made sure I was highly complementary as I definitely enjoyed the access. Its not lightening fast but above the speed of a 56K modem easily. From what I can see, just bring a standard network cable (a piece of Cat5 cable with an RJ45 on each end) and you can just plug away. Of course, they do not supply network cards but I assume that goes without saying.
I even managed to ICQ on my machine and was able to chat to friends back home whilst munching on some great sandwhiches, eating Pringles and drinking water - although Guiness was available http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif.
This lounge, along with its airport, is certainly miles ahead at the top of my list. Whilst I am not declaring it to be the best lounge ever (still want to sample CX's "The Wing" there at the absolute least), I certainly can say, its worth flying through HKG on your way to Australia/Europe just for the lounge http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
My time went by really fast and before long, I would get to sample BA for the first time in 12 years.
And sorry for the slight delay in getting this out. Think of it has having aged like fine wine rather than gone a little stale http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Ahhh.....
The alarm on my mobile (cell phone) woke me up at the ungodly hour of 5:30AM. All the more ungodly since I went to bed just before 4:30 after going out with friends, packing and watching the final Inspector Morse, the night before. Managed to draw myself out of bed and was ready to be driven out by my Mummybear to Perth International. Apparently, we were taking the secret route and what a well kept secret it was with almost no cars out on the roads. I then stole a look at the time, only to realise it was indeed before 7AM in the morning and no sane people would have been up. I am sure there were, but I'm just not much of a morning person any more.
I was dropped off at the international terminal and proceeded to what was a very empty check in area. Of course, I managed to score the slowest moving Qantas Club line behind a family who clearly were exporting half of Perth's annual fresh fruit production. Its amazing how some people believe the 20KG limit is 20 units of measurement of their own choosing. Clearly here it meant 20 portions to feed a small west african nation.
Finally, I made it to the checkin desk and to reward my wait, I was greeted by a checkin agent who believe he was there for my safety in the UA sense. He even attempted to insult my travel agents abilities, only more ironic in that no other checkin agent had problems anywhere else on the journey.
Still, I made it to immigration (yes we need to clear it leaving as well in this little island continent). Someone forgot to tell them I was coming obviously, as the line I was in not delayed, being a notable exception to my abilities to find the line where something goes wrong.
A quick security check of my laptop bag, wedding present (only 6 months late) and me later, I was greeted by the welcoming site of the international Qantas Club. I think the last time I was in there would have been back in 1996 as I've used the domestic one far more. They've improved it quite a bit but its still a little cavelike. I do wish it had a window to the outside world so I could see what little flights come into PER.
In no time at all, they were calling my flight.
15NOV QF77 PER-SIN 25F B767-300 (City of Port Augusta) 08:15-13:05
Ahhh..... is the only thing to describe the feeling of getting back on a plane again. It had been a far too long 5.5 months.
The B767 was fitted out for long haul International, which meant there was a crew rest area rendering 25AB unusable. However, the flight wasn't full and I was delighted to be wihtout a person in the middle seat. I'm not exactly the slimmest of people so I will never protest to a spare set next to me. The seats are the new QF Y class ones that I recalled liking on my previous trip home from America. They must be better new or something like that, as the shear weight of my rather large head kept pushing the adjustable ear flaps back into place. I can't recall that being a problem last time. Another thing that I have noted on the QF board is that 24F is by far the best seat in the Y cabin as there is a 23DE but not F for some reason. Hence you have a lot of legroom and are one of the first Y passengers off. The audio controls being on the top are also a very welcome sight as I am tired of contorting myself into inconceivable positions just to turn the audio down when they insult my musical taste with a boy band in the mix.
Just after the door closed, I noticed a lady got upgraded from Y to J for a not-so-obvious reason. Still, the fact she was a pretty blonde was of course highly unlikely to be related.
QF served us all a preflight drink. Okay so it was orange juice but I fly a carrier that doesn't upgrade - supposedly - so I have to enjoy what I get in the back. Couldn't help but notice J class has VERY large menus. Well beyond what is necessary but they look classy I suppose.
Take off was completely non eventful and almost immediately, I found myself having a breakfast of Nasi Goreng that was very nice and certainly tasty but perhaps a little dry - most Nasi Goreng is moist enough to hold its place on your fork, just not this stuff. Still I managed the impossible and kept it off my nice clean T-shirt.
It seems its QF's 80th birthday and there was an interesting inflight thing shown plus an enjoyable article in the magazine. They certainly haven't drummed this one up as much as the 75th.
Then we were delighted with a Mr Bean (the sandwhich one) and Wallace and Grommit (the big day out). The movie was The Kid - the one where Bruce Willis' character is a high powered Image consultant (with a very cute English Assitant - not the secretary!) who is visited by himself as I child. Strange concept but actually highly enjoyable. Then Seinfeld was played, just to remind me that QF needs in seat movies systems for its Y class desperately. I'd pay $5 more a flight to avoid Seinfeld http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Almost immediately, 1:05PM arrived and we landed. Singapore Airport has been expanded but has not really changed that much in the last 5 years. I proceeded straight to the QC as I haven't seen it before (only the First class lounge - the benefits of fathers with Gold). QF and BA jointly operate the lounge and employ a great front desk agent who is extremely polite guarding the spacious lounge. However, neither airline has remembered to purchase computers for Net access nor stocked the place with snacks. Sure filling up with fruitcake is a nice idea but I get hit with calorie guilt too easily. Plus, I do want to fit in the few more economy class seats I hope I have to fit into my future. Still, I had some apples and overdoes on the really tasty cookies they stock there (drop by and grab some!). I decided not to drink anything alcholic as I had a pretty bad experience on Monday night plus I wanted to try this whole flying without drinking thing. It wasn't as bad as you'd imagine.
They called the flight and I grabbed a pack of M&Ms to enjoy at a later date (I know its a no-no but still). A lounge with candy - what a good idea http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
15NOV QF77 SIN-HKG (continuation) 14:05-17:50
We left on time with the same crew and whilst there were a lot of different people on board, there weren't any more than the last leg so 25E remainded blissfully empty.
The lunch choice for the flight was Lamb Rendang or Chicken. As a rule, I always have chicken so I had the lamb, which was good but maybe a litle undercooked but with very tasty rendang bit. Salad (with Vinaigrette in the little squeeze packs!), vegetables and a banana cake, which I of course did not eat. I certainly appreciated the fact that QF served Chinese Tea as well as Tea and Coffee - I like menu localisation.
Again, the QF 80th Birthday thing was screened followed by Getaway. Then they screened the movie "Shower", a Chinese movie with subtitles, that has to be one of the most bizarre movies around. Its one of those sort of movies that they show in select cinemas in Australia as people revel in the foreign film feel it has. I actually really enjoyed it and , whilst don't cross mountains for it, I guarantee watching it will be an interesting experience. I certainly marvelled at the whole concept of the public bathing idea.
The short flight the segment is, was made shorter with us arriving to HKG some 20 minutes early. I was now looking forward to entertaining myself in the HKG airport for around 5 hours till my LHR flight boards.
QF certainly carried themselves on the flight. Whilst they may not have the super serving nature of service of an Asian carrier or the best features in the cabin, they are certainly a great airline. Their food was also very respectable and apart from earflaps that need a little more resistance to them, they have good seats. They do need hot towel service - it doesn't take much. A simple menu won't send them broke either.
I made my way to the BA transit desk. Either I've missed something with this whole oneworld alliance thing and its seemless connections or the checkin agent back in PER was earning his moneys worth by protecting me from the unsafe nature of having onward boarding passes conveneintly sitting in my bag. Clearly, the weight of these would have injured my back so I must thank him one day.
Still, when she turned up, the BA checkin agent had the classic Chinese friendliness and approach to service. I suprised myself by ordering a window for the LHR-CDG leg. I felt like seeing what was going on out there. She handed me both the HKG-LHR and LHR-CDG boarding passes and gave me directions to the QF/BA lounge.
This grey decor was certainly an interesting choice as it made the arrivals level look even bigger than it was, which wasn't really necessary.
Sadly, her directions of 2nd left were as clear as mud when it came to practice but I enjoyed myself getting as lost as I did. Whilst the grey decor continues upwards to depatures, the roof continues at a much faster rate. It seems to have stopped multiple floors above, meaning the departures area is a very lofty feel with nothing in the way of the 3 or 4 floor high lofty space up to the roof. Its really very nice. I did eventually stop getting myself lost, which by the end was definitely on purpose as I was just enjoying walking around the place. I found myself to the club and noted that the 2nd left direction wasn't totally incorrect. Not the way I would have described it but still. In case you want to know where it is, trust me in that its easier to find it there as it defies directions.
I went up to the lounge entrance and a flash of my QC card later was admitted. I found myself I nice couch and took stock. I simply couldn't believe how impressive the place was. My Dad had raved about it but I just put that down to him being in the First Class section. All the lounges at the new HKG airport are actually on Level 7 with the rest of departures on Level 6 but Level 7 is designed in mezzanine fashion not to interrupt the loft feel. What this means is you still hear general noise from outside but very dulled down, giving you a feeling of exclusivity but still being attached to the outside world and not locked away in a little room, which many clubs feel like. Brilliantly done.
I was also very impressed of my decision to carry on board my AU-UK adaptor as I was able to charge away. Of course I could have thought about it for one second and remembered the British colonisation thing. Of course Australia is a former British colony and we ended up with a different plug. Oh well.
After plenty of time using the Intertouch system, which allows you to plug straight into a LAN for free high (ish) speed internet access, I went off exploring. I actually went to each gate just to check this place out and I certainly got one heck of an exercise. I also went to each airline club to at least eyeball them. I got to see my first Aeroflot plane too. I don't know what it was, but being smaller than a 737 I knew I wasn't jumping at the chance to fly on it. I also saw a CP 747 land, still with the old angled C design - not the AC maple let alone the goose. Certiainly all the parked planes was a nice sight and it was a great way to spend an hour. The terminal could be called drab by some people because the grey theme is throughout. However, I feel colours are not really necessary around the airport as the brilliant use of lighting, different texture materials, plenty of glass and the feeling of spaciousness dazzles the senses like colour.
I returned the lounge, delighting the agents by again asking them for a cable for Intertouch. I am not sure they've ever given a cable out before as they were very interested in the service. I made sure I was highly complementary as I definitely enjoyed the access. Its not lightening fast but above the speed of a 56K modem easily. From what I can see, just bring a standard network cable (a piece of Cat5 cable with an RJ45 on each end) and you can just plug away. Of course, they do not supply network cards but I assume that goes without saying.
I even managed to ICQ on my machine and was able to chat to friends back home whilst munching on some great sandwhiches, eating Pringles and drinking water - although Guiness was available http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif.
This lounge, along with its airport, is certainly miles ahead at the top of my list. Whilst I am not declaring it to be the best lounge ever (still want to sample CX's "The Wing" there at the absolute least), I certainly can say, its worth flying through HKG on your way to Australia/Europe just for the lounge http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
My time went by really fast and before long, I would get to sample BA for the first time in 12 years.