Trip Reports - RTW: Westward Ho with a six month old

Ladies and gentlemen; boys & girls - or as they say aboard NZ Hello everyone!

This is my first trip report and I thought I might give it a twist by highlighting our experiences with a six-month old in tow. This first post will serve as the index of what we hope will be some exciting travels going westward from AKL (or anticlockwise when viewed from the antarctic) around the world.

Preamble
I had to be in SYD, KUL, DUS and LAX in OCT/NOV on business from my current base in AKL. It worked out that I'd be away a week each time (including travelling) coming home for a few days to a week in between. At age 4 months kangela jr seemed to forget who I was when I'd popped across the tasman (AKL to SYD) for three days. So the lengthy times planned away were of some concern to my wife and I :( The answer was quite radical and simple really - they would accompany me and we would make it an adventure :rolleyes: Sadly, the poor bugger won't remember a thing!

He has been across the tasman three times since age 3 months and has proved to be a natural flyer with no problems equalising during take-offs and landings (a significant issue with infants I am told). We planned this preliminary itinerary in July and haven't changed it much:

1. 16 OCT AKL-SYD
2. 23 OCT SYD-KUL
3. 25 OCT KUL-HKT vacation
4. 29 OCT HKT-BKK
5. 30 OCT BKK-FLR (via LHR and MXP) vacation
6. 10 NOV FLR-HAM (via MXP)
7. 16 NOV DUS-LAX (via LHR)
8. 18 NOV LAX-AKL (via HNL and SYD)

As mrs kangela and now kangela jr are accustomed to travelling in style, we have been fortunate to book 90% of the itinerary in business class. This was made possible through JQ's newish flight SYD-KUL and its HNL-SYD route. And, by me blowing 330k QFF points BKK-MXP|DUS-LAX for 2 on BA is business. Quite cheaply at that when you consider the alternative cost on AA across the Atlantic or AY Asia-Europe (using QFF points, that is). JQ also gets me the status credits to maintian QP.

Over the next few weeks we'll keep you posted on our adventures, in particular how it is with a six-month old, hopefully with a few pix!

AND, we hope we'll bump into other FTers along the way!

Preparation
I was contemplating a QF flight for the trans-tasman sector - a red deal was pretty much the same as the lowest NZ fare but would net us QFF points as well as those much needed status credits. The tasman saver on NZ earns nada. LA, EK, and AQ did offer WHY fares at almost half the price but the departure/arrival times were not convenient for jr ... thus spake mrs.

However a timely marketing campaign by NZ had us on NZ719 with a mrs-approved departure/arrival time (1400/1430). The three of us were on the single PNR and jr was also on the e-tkt. (QF needs to issue paper tickets for infants). It was a week ahead of the flight and once I'd confirmed and paid on the web I called NZ to request bassinet seats and they obliged. Although the fare earned us nothing I'd recorded my NZ AirPoints number so that I might retrieve the booking with ease within my profile if required.

Just a quick note on packing for the trip: it took us four hours to pack three large suitcases and the bugaboo. Being no:1 son/child jr's stuff made up two of the suitcases, the bugaboo bag, AND two pieces of cabin baggage, which included a sizeable roll-on. Oh yes, and then there was the car-capsule as checked luggage. (We would use a car in SYD and leave the capsule behind to retrieve in our return pass-thru). I suppose we needed all that space for the jungle-gym, porta-cot, hammock, high-chair converter, roll-up bath, favourite blankets and approximately 100 Huggies (disposable diapers/nappies) to name the larger items.

Check-in
On the day, we checked in at AKL in the premium lounge. I was going to flash my UA1K (*G) card if challenged but the sign at the entrance welcomed NZ Silver, which I was and will be for another two weeks before being downgraded to the lowliest Jade. (The Jade card has already arrived in the mail). We'd got to the airport over two hours ahead (to be in synch with jr's feed/sleep/wake cycle). I gotta tell ya, there's nothing like the whatstheword? sanctity? of a premium check-in lounge when you are travelling with an infant - the space, the armchairs - great when a top-up feed is required. There was only one other pax in the lounge with three counters operating. Eeenie-meenie ... went to the closest counter with the overloaded cart raising an eyebrow or two - people just don't understand shapes and how, if congruent, can fit nicely on one cart without the danger of a topple! On reflection, should have gone for the mynie as well! The check-in agent was pleasant enough but I should have been forewarned by the "been here since 5:00AM" lament.

The first issue was that despite my earlier thought not to, I handed my UA1K card over. The "Yes. You are a silver airpoints member." should have triggered a 'But but this is a United *G card' response from me but nappy-brain was a salami short of a sandwich and it didn't register. Second issue was that although jr was on my e-tkt print-out, the computer was not showing his presence and when it did an interminable wait later, it refused to show his passport details. A further interminable wait ensued where the agent had to leave the lounge to seek the assistance of a supervisor. Oh those oracles! Every man and his dog should have a SUPERvisor. Anyway, twenty minutes into check-in and we haven't had the main event yet!

Ah, the main event.
"How many pieces of baggage do you have to check in?".
Five. But wait. The total weight is 100kg. Ooops!
"You are allowed 60kg".
Umm, I am *G, I meekly offer my card again.
"But you are silver. This is silver" pointing to the card.
Umm, it says *G, I meekly point to the logo on the card.
"Oh, why didn't you say so? The card looks silver"
Hmmm, the UA1K card does have a greyish tinge.
"Anyway, you are still 20kg over".
Ummm, I've been flying QF with the same amount of baggage and they hadn't said anything, I plead.
"You must have been in business class" pointing to tags that I had earlier removed (the purple Business markers thanks to my status).
But the bugaboo bag contains his stroller, I further plead.
"I can allow a collapsible stroller but not an 18kg package - that must be a big cot etc uh?"
The agent is technically correct - blow!
"I'll have to ask the supervisor". So, its up to the oracle again.
Another twenty minutes passes
The oracle is benevolent - must've seen that I was starting 3 roundtrips a month on NZ after a long pause!
"We've decided to consider the bugaboo bag as 'sporting equipment' "
What the??

This has been an illuminating exercise. The agent was completely within reason but I wonder whether a little bit of latitude may have helped all of us? On reflection, I am pleased that it happened. Whilst in the Koru lounge I hastily reviwed the baggage policies for future flights. The upcoming JQ and BA flights will need us to re-evaluate how we pack (*Class allows 30kg each adult - nothing mentioned for the infant - but 2 x 7kgs in the cabin) (Club World allows 3 bags each but 23kg max per bag and only 1 piece in the cabin for those transiting through LHR).

Lounge
AKL airport tax exemption stamp for jr is issued in the check-in lounge. The immigration fasttrack helps claw back 5min of lost time - very few departing pax at that time! An hour after we arrived at the airport, we are in the NZ departure lounge. I won't repeat a detailed description of the NZ AKL Koru Lounge - others have done this way better.

However, I must note that the agent who greeted us at the entrance ran into the back and brought back a rubber ducky and lavender oil for jr. Nice touch! He also informed us of the play area, commenting that it may be too early for a six month old. The play area, a room off the lounge area that looks over the tarmac is FANTASTIC. All sorts of things: bean bags, toys of every description, books and the Wiggles on a large palsma screen to name a few. Can't wait for jr to grow a bit. Well done NZ!

The Flight
Finally, it was time to board.
We were the last few to board the A320. Front row of WHY. No problem with overhead locker space. A German gent who had jumped off-his yacht 20 years ago while visiting New Zealand had the aisle seat. He was off to Australia to bring a yacht back to New Zealand. Very amiable, child-friendly, talkative chap made instant friends with jr. Living on an island off the Auckland coast, he was totally enamoured with the country and couldn't stop telling us how great it was to be nuclear free. The clucky crew were great. Save for one stern directive to us three to stop talking and watch the safety demo, everyone was very pleasant. The seinfeldesque CSM had everyone in bon-hominy spirits with his antics: highlighted a first day at the office for a crew menber; thanked everyone for not flying QF; welcomed all to Sydney

To be completed

We are eagerly anticipating this day! More so mrs kangela as we intend to spend maximum time possible in the QF First Lounge at SYD T1. I think a spa treatment beckons :D

It will also be our first JQ experience albeit from the front in StarClass :o

Finally, The Traders has been recommended as the place to stay in KUL. A free upgrade is on the cards as we booked through hotels.com ^