Another addiction fuelled RTW in F on One World
Mar 29, 2012, 12:43 pm
#91
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Another EY F - the return journey Part 2
It didn’t take too long to disembark and I followed the signs through to the transfers area. I already had my boarding pass and was able to go straight downstairs and through a very empty security. I was required to remove my belt and watch but liquids and laptop were OK to stay in my bag.
Directly opposite the security area I was able to jump in an elevator to go up to the lounge complex. Inside the agent offered to set me up in a snooze room after realising I had 8 hours to wait until my flight to Muscat. I was taken to a room with two long leather lounges with pillows and blankets. I changed out of my shirt into a T-shirt and hunkered down under the blanket and tried to get some kip. I slept fitfully for a few hours interrupted briefly whilst someone else was led into the room at around 02:00.
At 03:30 I could sleep no more and grabbed my gear and let myself out of the room. Back at the desk the agent said you are up so soon? I said I could sleep no longer. She escorted me into the F lounge and said that the kitchen and spa would no be open until 05:00 but I could get a drink and sit in the lounge until then.
I grabbed a cappuccino and and fired up the internet to browse and wrote up some more of this report. I was offered and accepted another cappuccino before deciding it was time to have a shower. It was around 04:50 when I enquired if I could take a shower and the agent led me to one of the shower rooms in the spa suite. After a refreshing shower and warm up under the hot water I made my way back to the lounge. At around 05:20 one of the staff came by and let me know that I could now order breakfast if I wanted and brought a menu. I said I would wait a while longer.
The wifi in the lounge seemed to either block or not handle any site that was using https: secure browsing which was a pita. The lounge was also bordering on freezing the whole time I was there and it made the stay most unpleasant. I asked the staff member if I could take some pictures of the lounge. She came back a few minutes later and said I was free to do so.
These first few are of the snooze rooms that are shared with another passenger if required.
The main F lounge has a general seating area, a TV room, some computers, some individual TV screens, a cigar room, a restaurant and of course the spa.
At around 06:05 I walked into the restaurant and ordered some breakfast. It was cooked to order and was really lovely. I had poached eggs, wholewheat toast, mini steak, grilled asparagus and potato rosti. I also had fresh pineapple juice and could have also had fresh orange or carrot juice.
After breakfast I went back into the lounge again and watched the sunrise and read my book.
I approached the front desk and enquired whether my flight was to leave from T1 and indeed it was. She suggested I leave the lounge 40 minutes later for the long walk between terminals.
On leaving the lounge I walked past the security section again it was absolutely heaving with people backed up the walkway between the terminals. The had to turn off the travelators or their would have been carnage.
I made my way against the crowd and eventually located my gate in the bowels of the airport. Oh dear a bus gate, what joy.
I sat and waited until the flight started to board at 08:05 and the first one left the gate at 08:20 and drove almost as far as it could get away from the terminal in amongst a whole bunch of EY Cargo planes. We got to the aircraft at 08:27 and I walked on up the stairs to be greeted by the Cabin Manager.
Flight EY0382 AUH-MCT Seat 2F
Aircraft: 320-200
Departure time: 08:50
I shoved my bags in the overhead, extracted my notebook and camera and took my seat. The other crewmember up the front asked if I would like something to drink before take off. Water, juice, champagne? Oh she said that magic word and I lushed out again and went with the bubbly. I was relived to find that I was not the only one who chose this option. I was then offered a choice of newspaper.
The crewmember came back to ask if I would care to have the snack on the flight and what I would like to drink with it. I said yes and champagne again please. She then returned with a hot towel in a bamboo tray.
Two more bus loads of people arrived and we were finally ready to push back. The J cabin had 10 people but the entire front row remained empty.
We pushed back at 08:52 and taxied the entire length of the two terminal buildings before finally starting our run at 09:20. There was a 38 minutes flight time showing on the IFE screen as we took off into the UAE morning.
The crew jumped into action as soon as they could and delivered the snack that consisted of a small ciabata type bread square with smoked salmon, a cream cheese dip, skewer of fruit and a banana muffin. My champagne was delivered also. This time on this short flight there were a few takers of the snack but most of the business travellers refrained.
We started our descent before the service was complete but I suppose that was to be expected. It didn’t take long to munch down the snack and my tray was removed soon after I finished.
The captain announced the 20 to landing and the crew finished clearing away the meal trays and coffee cups.
We were locked down and ready around 10 minutes out and the captain asked crew to take their seats as late as 4 minutes before touchdown.
We landed at 09:59 and taxied to our stand in the field. The usual MCT airport efficiency kicked in with the stairs at the ready and a separate bus for the 10 J passengers. I got off the bus after the short trip to the international arrivals hall and made the now all too familiar walk upstairs to the transfers desk.
More Photos
Directly opposite the security area I was able to jump in an elevator to go up to the lounge complex. Inside the agent offered to set me up in a snooze room after realising I had 8 hours to wait until my flight to Muscat. I was taken to a room with two long leather lounges with pillows and blankets. I changed out of my shirt into a T-shirt and hunkered down under the blanket and tried to get some kip. I slept fitfully for a few hours interrupted briefly whilst someone else was led into the room at around 02:00.
At 03:30 I could sleep no more and grabbed my gear and let myself out of the room. Back at the desk the agent said you are up so soon? I said I could sleep no longer. She escorted me into the F lounge and said that the kitchen and spa would no be open until 05:00 but I could get a drink and sit in the lounge until then.
I grabbed a cappuccino and and fired up the internet to browse and wrote up some more of this report. I was offered and accepted another cappuccino before deciding it was time to have a shower. It was around 04:50 when I enquired if I could take a shower and the agent led me to one of the shower rooms in the spa suite. After a refreshing shower and warm up under the hot water I made my way back to the lounge. At around 05:20 one of the staff came by and let me know that I could now order breakfast if I wanted and brought a menu. I said I would wait a while longer.
The wifi in the lounge seemed to either block or not handle any site that was using https: secure browsing which was a pita. The lounge was also bordering on freezing the whole time I was there and it made the stay most unpleasant. I asked the staff member if I could take some pictures of the lounge. She came back a few minutes later and said I was free to do so.
These first few are of the snooze rooms that are shared with another passenger if required.
The main F lounge has a general seating area, a TV room, some computers, some individual TV screens, a cigar room, a restaurant and of course the spa.
At around 06:05 I walked into the restaurant and ordered some breakfast. It was cooked to order and was really lovely. I had poached eggs, wholewheat toast, mini steak, grilled asparagus and potato rosti. I also had fresh pineapple juice and could have also had fresh orange or carrot juice.
After breakfast I went back into the lounge again and watched the sunrise and read my book.
I approached the front desk and enquired whether my flight was to leave from T1 and indeed it was. She suggested I leave the lounge 40 minutes later for the long walk between terminals.
On leaving the lounge I walked past the security section again it was absolutely heaving with people backed up the walkway between the terminals. The had to turn off the travelators or their would have been carnage.
I made my way against the crowd and eventually located my gate in the bowels of the airport. Oh dear a bus gate, what joy.
I sat and waited until the flight started to board at 08:05 and the first one left the gate at 08:20 and drove almost as far as it could get away from the terminal in amongst a whole bunch of EY Cargo planes. We got to the aircraft at 08:27 and I walked on up the stairs to be greeted by the Cabin Manager.
Flight EY0382 AUH-MCT Seat 2F
Aircraft: 320-200
Departure time: 08:50
I shoved my bags in the overhead, extracted my notebook and camera and took my seat. The other crewmember up the front asked if I would like something to drink before take off. Water, juice, champagne? Oh she said that magic word and I lushed out again and went with the bubbly. I was relived to find that I was not the only one who chose this option. I was then offered a choice of newspaper.
The crewmember came back to ask if I would care to have the snack on the flight and what I would like to drink with it. I said yes and champagne again please. She then returned with a hot towel in a bamboo tray.
Two more bus loads of people arrived and we were finally ready to push back. The J cabin had 10 people but the entire front row remained empty.
We pushed back at 08:52 and taxied the entire length of the two terminal buildings before finally starting our run at 09:20. There was a 38 minutes flight time showing on the IFE screen as we took off into the UAE morning.
The crew jumped into action as soon as they could and delivered the snack that consisted of a small ciabata type bread square with smoked salmon, a cream cheese dip, skewer of fruit and a banana muffin. My champagne was delivered also. This time on this short flight there were a few takers of the snack but most of the business travellers refrained.
We started our descent before the service was complete but I suppose that was to be expected. It didn’t take long to munch down the snack and my tray was removed soon after I finished.
The captain announced the 20 to landing and the crew finished clearing away the meal trays and coffee cups.
We were locked down and ready around 10 minutes out and the captain asked crew to take their seats as late as 4 minutes before touchdown.
We landed at 09:59 and taxied to our stand in the field. The usual MCT airport efficiency kicked in with the stairs at the ready and a separate bus for the 10 J passengers. I got off the bus after the short trip to the international arrivals hall and made the now all too familiar walk upstairs to the transfers desk.
More Photos
Last edited by Moomba; Mar 29, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Mar 29, 2012, 10:21 pm
#93
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,809
Another great write up and it was good to see you again Moomba.
What a debacle with your meal! I'd be pretty annoyed if everyone else around me had been served first, and then on top of it for them to completely mess up the service. Totally amateur if you ask me.
Do the crew know what limencello is? It looks like they thought it was some kind of lemonade! Maybe they were trying to make up for the mess with your meal.
You had to share the sleeping room with someone else?? That's a bit odd if you ask me.
The lounge does look very smart however. Very classy.
Looking forward to the rest.
What a debacle with your meal! I'd be pretty annoyed if everyone else around me had been served first, and then on top of it for them to completely mess up the service. Totally amateur if you ask me.
Do the crew know what limencello is? It looks like they thought it was some kind of lemonade! Maybe they were trying to make up for the mess with your meal.
You had to share the sleeping room with someone else?? That's a bit odd if you ask me.
The lounge does look very smart however. Very classy.
Looking forward to the rest.
Mar 30, 2012, 3:14 am
#94
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Quite agree. As I remarked about my flight out, the EY F product has the potential to be top notch however it is poorly executed and fails to deliver.
Yes the lounge is quite nice and two breakfasts I ate there were very good. I believe in the EY website it does say that you may have to share the snooze room with another passenger. They only have 3 of them in the lounge complex.
Last edited by Moomba; Mar 30, 2012 at 3:23 am
Mar 30, 2012, 12:25 pm
#95
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
The Final Oman Air sector MCT-LHR
The agent asked me if I already had a BP and I said no. She then asked if I had checked baggage and I said no and then she asked where I had flown in from. She typed away and produced a boarding pass for seat 10A and informed me the Oman Air lounge was beyond duty free.
I made my way through the empty transit security and wandered through the duty free before heading into the lounge.
The lounge has various areas including a children’s area, an area with tables and chairs for dining and other general lounge chairs. There is also a section with computers and finally a spa where you can get some short treatments.
There is a manned bar in the main dining area and considerable array of self-service food and soft drinks.
At 13:25 boarding was announced and I headed down to the gate. At the gate there was an official checking passports and boarding passes. This followed by the WY staff doing the same and swiping the BP into the machine. Unlike the BA flights to LHR there is no further security check done at the gate.
Inside the gate lounge I waited 5 minutes or so until the business class cabin was called. I went on through and onto the dedicated J bus. When all the business passengers were on board the bus pulled out and drove down to the aircraft.
I made my up the stairs and on board.
Flight WY0101 MCT-LHR Seat 10A
Aircraft: 330-200
Departure time: 14:00
At the door the cabin manager greeted me and directed me through the F cabin to my seat in the first row of the J cabin.
My jacket was taken away to be hung and I was offered a drink. No prizes as to my choice. I was a bit shocked to see that it was the horrible Cattier stuff that BA was using at one point.
A hot towel was handed out whilst still on the ground after which an amenity kit and menus were given out. Doors closed at 14:05 and we rolled forward with a complement of 15 in the business cabin and 2 in F at 14:10.
As we neared the runway the cabin manager asked the crew to take their seats for take off. As we turned onto the runway he said again for the crew to take their seats we are leaving now. The woman behind me was still receiving phone calls as we approached the runway as well.
My IFE controls were dead so I couldn’t do my usual of setting up my playlist whilst we made our way into the air at 14:20.
The crew dropped by to take the meal order and I asked her to reset my seat.
The Menu
A la Carte
Arabic red lentil soup
Pita bread croutons
Fresh lemon
Seasonal salad
Mixed leaves with fresh vegetables
Vinaigrette dressing
Centre cut smoked salmon
Grilled vegetable timbale
Hoemade grissini
Creamy pesto sauce
Roasted pumpkin, feta and zucchini frittata
Mildly spiced red pepper coulis
Small leaf salad
Pan seared beef fillet steak on polenta medallion
Creamy peppercorn sauce
Spicy potato wedges
French beans and buttered carrots
Arabic spiced hamour with melted zaatar butter
Sauté vegetables
Coriander rice
Whole meal penne with roasted mushroom cream
Caramelised carrots and cherry tomatoes
Rosemary and parmesan crumble
Arabic Cuisine
Mezzeh
Mini fatoush salad
Smokey baba ganoush
Fine vegetable and olive pickles
Vegetarian manakish
Pan fried haloumi
Fresh coriander leaves, lemon
Arabian Festival Combination Dish
Grilled beef kebab
Roasted zucchini and caramelised garlic confit
Traditional vegetable saloona
Steamed rice
Dessert
Freshly sliced seasonal fruit
Gourmet ice cream selection
Velvety chocolate mousse cake
Milk chocolate sauce
Small berry compote
Selected farmhouse cheese
Traditional accompaniments
BEVERAGES
CHAMPAGNE
Cattier Brut Champagne
Champagne, France
Amber and gold in colour. On the palate this Champagne is lively, full and fresh with tropical, floral and brioche aromas.
WHITE
2008 Max Reserva Errazuriz Chardonnay
Casablanca Valley, Chile
With soft yellow colour and golden touches, this wine offers elegant notes of fresh fruit nicely enhanced by delicate aromas and lightly toasted caramel and butterscotch. A light swirling produces notes of white citrus lowers (sic) similar to grapefruit and mandarin blossoms, which highlight the wine’s minerality.
2008 Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Margaret River, Australia
A Margaret River benchmark, night harvest in cooler temperatures, great care in vilification and a proportion of fermentation in new oak French barrels contributes to this stylish wine. Fresh fruit characters with oak adding palate structure and the hallmarks of this crisp complex style.
RED WINE
2008 Mencia Cuatro Martin Codax
Bierzo, Spain
This wine has a morello cherry red colour with violet tints. On the nose it is of medium-high intensity with dominant varietal aromas of ref fruits and a touch of oak. It is well structured with firm but rounded tannins which make it elegant and balanced on the palate. The finish is full of vibrant varietal fruit.
2006 Shaw & Smith Shiraz
Adelaide Hills, Australia
The palate has rich blackcurrant with hints of coffee and white pepper adding depth. The fruit contributes onto the palate and leaves a nicely rounded spicy finish.
DESSERT WINE
2003 Chateau Armajan Des Ormes
Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
A wonderfully rich dessert wine with a floral nose complimented by ripe apricot notes. A full body that is sweet but not cloying. The softer acidity, from hot 2003 vintage makes sure this is entirely ready to drink now. Perfect with cheese, dessert or after dinner
SPRIRTS, COGNACS and LIQUEURS
Glenlivet 12 year old
Chivas Regal
Jack Daniel’s
Absolut
Grey Goose
Smirnoff
Tanqueray
Remy Martin VSOP
Courvoisier
Drambuie
Tia Maria
Cointreau
Baileys
Graham’s 10 year Old Port
BEERS
Heineken
Amstel
Foster’s
COCKTAILS
Bloody Mary
Champagne Cocktail
Screwdriver
Bucks Fizz
Rusty Nail
Dolce Vita
WATER
Voss still
Voss sparkling
TEA
Fine selection of Dilmah Exceptional
COFFEE
Filter
Decaffeinated
Cappuccino
Espresso
Selection of fresh juices
Selection of soft drinks
After taking my order and the guy in 10E she went back and did the deed on the IFE. The screen when black a while later and came to life a few minutes later but still refused to work.
When my rusty nail and some nuts were delivered I said it still wasn’t working. She went forward and soon after the screen went black again. After 5 or so minutes it came back to life and was working this time.
After the drink and nuts were consumed the main meal service started.
The table was laid and the charger plate put before me. A small plate of amuse bouche in the form of chicken pate with pistachio crust and mango chutney was put on the charger.
I asked for some of the Shaw and Smith shiraz. My salad, yes check that out, a salad was set before me. The weekend of overindulgence was starting to come to an end. It mainly consisted of leaves with a couple of pieces of cucumber and a cherry tomato that had been halved. The dressing was quite nice. Bread was offered and more later in the meal.
After my salad I went with the beef dish that smelled divine. It tasted as good as it smelled.
My glass was re-filled with wine several times as well as water top ups along the way. They were not using the VOSS water for some reason and were using small bottles of Evian.
I was really starting to feel the excesses of the weekend and when the dessert of the chocolate mousse cake arrived I looked at it and thought could I actually eat it!
I did though and it was quite nice. It hard to get a chocolate mousse wrong though.
I was offered coffee or tea after the meal and went with a double espresso.
Two hours and nineteen minutes before landing the crew asked if I would like the refreshment and I couldn’t face it so declined.
Refreshment
Light gourmet platter
Traditional Arabic kunafa
Smoked salmon and asparagus canapé
Mini vol au vent
Creamed feta and marinated vegetables
Hot towels were handed out around 10 minutes later and others in the cabin had the second meal, although not all of them. I asked for some sparkling water and the crew came back with a bottle of San Pel.
The call was made for the cabin crew to ready for landing as we flew in over London. We circled once over east London and then flew out beyond Heathrow and in over Windsor.
We touched down at 19:20 and were at the gate shortly afterward. We exited through door 2L and I made my way up to immigration. IRIS was happy today and let me in without delay. I then made my way down and out and looked for my name on the signs. There were two gents with a sign with three names on it and the Oman Air logo. I said I am the top of your list and one of the drivers invited me to follow him.
We walked up to the car park and I was invited to jump in the back of a black BMW 7 series that was to be my ride home.
Forty-five minutes later I was walking up to my door a little over an hour since touch down.
Oman Air impressed me on this flight as much as they had done on the previous three. I hope that one day they join an alliance and that I can get the opportunity to fly in first with them some day.
Here I leave you again until I next pick up this RTW in June.
Happy contrails and safe travels to you all.
I made my way through the empty transit security and wandered through the duty free before heading into the lounge.
The lounge has various areas including a children’s area, an area with tables and chairs for dining and other general lounge chairs. There is also a section with computers and finally a spa where you can get some short treatments.
There is a manned bar in the main dining area and considerable array of self-service food and soft drinks.
At 13:25 boarding was announced and I headed down to the gate. At the gate there was an official checking passports and boarding passes. This followed by the WY staff doing the same and swiping the BP into the machine. Unlike the BA flights to LHR there is no further security check done at the gate.
Inside the gate lounge I waited 5 minutes or so until the business class cabin was called. I went on through and onto the dedicated J bus. When all the business passengers were on board the bus pulled out and drove down to the aircraft.
I made my up the stairs and on board.
Flight WY0101 MCT-LHR Seat 10A
Aircraft: 330-200
Departure time: 14:00
At the door the cabin manager greeted me and directed me through the F cabin to my seat in the first row of the J cabin.
My jacket was taken away to be hung and I was offered a drink. No prizes as to my choice. I was a bit shocked to see that it was the horrible Cattier stuff that BA was using at one point.
A hot towel was handed out whilst still on the ground after which an amenity kit and menus were given out. Doors closed at 14:05 and we rolled forward with a complement of 15 in the business cabin and 2 in F at 14:10.
As we neared the runway the cabin manager asked the crew to take their seats for take off. As we turned onto the runway he said again for the crew to take their seats we are leaving now. The woman behind me was still receiving phone calls as we approached the runway as well.
My IFE controls were dead so I couldn’t do my usual of setting up my playlist whilst we made our way into the air at 14:20.
The crew dropped by to take the meal order and I asked her to reset my seat.
The Menu
A la Carte
Arabic red lentil soup
Pita bread croutons
Fresh lemon
Seasonal salad
Mixed leaves with fresh vegetables
Vinaigrette dressing
Centre cut smoked salmon
Grilled vegetable timbale
Hoemade grissini
Creamy pesto sauce
Roasted pumpkin, feta and zucchini frittata
Mildly spiced red pepper coulis
Small leaf salad
Pan seared beef fillet steak on polenta medallion
Creamy peppercorn sauce
Spicy potato wedges
French beans and buttered carrots
Arabic spiced hamour with melted zaatar butter
Sauté vegetables
Coriander rice
Whole meal penne with roasted mushroom cream
Caramelised carrots and cherry tomatoes
Rosemary and parmesan crumble
Arabic Cuisine
Mezzeh
Mini fatoush salad
Smokey baba ganoush
Fine vegetable and olive pickles
Vegetarian manakish
Pan fried haloumi
Fresh coriander leaves, lemon
Arabian Festival Combination Dish
Grilled beef kebab
Roasted zucchini and caramelised garlic confit
Traditional vegetable saloona
Steamed rice
Dessert
Freshly sliced seasonal fruit
Gourmet ice cream selection
Velvety chocolate mousse cake
Milk chocolate sauce
Small berry compote
Selected farmhouse cheese
Traditional accompaniments
BEVERAGES
CHAMPAGNE
Cattier Brut Champagne
Champagne, France
Amber and gold in colour. On the palate this Champagne is lively, full and fresh with tropical, floral and brioche aromas.
WHITE
2008 Max Reserva Errazuriz Chardonnay
Casablanca Valley, Chile
With soft yellow colour and golden touches, this wine offers elegant notes of fresh fruit nicely enhanced by delicate aromas and lightly toasted caramel and butterscotch. A light swirling produces notes of white citrus lowers (sic) similar to grapefruit and mandarin blossoms, which highlight the wine’s minerality.
2008 Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Margaret River, Australia
A Margaret River benchmark, night harvest in cooler temperatures, great care in vilification and a proportion of fermentation in new oak French barrels contributes to this stylish wine. Fresh fruit characters with oak adding palate structure and the hallmarks of this crisp complex style.
RED WINE
2008 Mencia Cuatro Martin Codax
Bierzo, Spain
This wine has a morello cherry red colour with violet tints. On the nose it is of medium-high intensity with dominant varietal aromas of ref fruits and a touch of oak. It is well structured with firm but rounded tannins which make it elegant and balanced on the palate. The finish is full of vibrant varietal fruit.
2006 Shaw & Smith Shiraz
Adelaide Hills, Australia
The palate has rich blackcurrant with hints of coffee and white pepper adding depth. The fruit contributes onto the palate and leaves a nicely rounded spicy finish.
DESSERT WINE
2003 Chateau Armajan Des Ormes
Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
A wonderfully rich dessert wine with a floral nose complimented by ripe apricot notes. A full body that is sweet but not cloying. The softer acidity, from hot 2003 vintage makes sure this is entirely ready to drink now. Perfect with cheese, dessert or after dinner
SPRIRTS, COGNACS and LIQUEURS
Glenlivet 12 year old
Chivas Regal
Jack Daniel’s
Absolut
Grey Goose
Smirnoff
Tanqueray
Remy Martin VSOP
Courvoisier
Drambuie
Tia Maria
Cointreau
Baileys
Graham’s 10 year Old Port
BEERS
Heineken
Amstel
Foster’s
COCKTAILS
Bloody Mary
Champagne Cocktail
Screwdriver
Bucks Fizz
Rusty Nail
Dolce Vita
WATER
Voss still
Voss sparkling
TEA
Fine selection of Dilmah Exceptional
COFFEE
Filter
Decaffeinated
Cappuccino
Espresso
Selection of fresh juices
Selection of soft drinks
After taking my order and the guy in 10E she went back and did the deed on the IFE. The screen when black a while later and came to life a few minutes later but still refused to work.
When my rusty nail and some nuts were delivered I said it still wasn’t working. She went forward and soon after the screen went black again. After 5 or so minutes it came back to life and was working this time.
After the drink and nuts were consumed the main meal service started.
The table was laid and the charger plate put before me. A small plate of amuse bouche in the form of chicken pate with pistachio crust and mango chutney was put on the charger.
I asked for some of the Shaw and Smith shiraz. My salad, yes check that out, a salad was set before me. The weekend of overindulgence was starting to come to an end. It mainly consisted of leaves with a couple of pieces of cucumber and a cherry tomato that had been halved. The dressing was quite nice. Bread was offered and more later in the meal.
After my salad I went with the beef dish that smelled divine. It tasted as good as it smelled.
My glass was re-filled with wine several times as well as water top ups along the way. They were not using the VOSS water for some reason and were using small bottles of Evian.
I was really starting to feel the excesses of the weekend and when the dessert of the chocolate mousse cake arrived I looked at it and thought could I actually eat it!
I did though and it was quite nice. It hard to get a chocolate mousse wrong though.
I was offered coffee or tea after the meal and went with a double espresso.
Two hours and nineteen minutes before landing the crew asked if I would like the refreshment and I couldn’t face it so declined.
Refreshment
Light gourmet platter
Traditional Arabic kunafa
Smoked salmon and asparagus canapé
Mini vol au vent
Creamed feta and marinated vegetables
Hot towels were handed out around 10 minutes later and others in the cabin had the second meal, although not all of them. I asked for some sparkling water and the crew came back with a bottle of San Pel.
The call was made for the cabin crew to ready for landing as we flew in over London. We circled once over east London and then flew out beyond Heathrow and in over Windsor.
We touched down at 19:20 and were at the gate shortly afterward. We exited through door 2L and I made my way up to immigration. IRIS was happy today and let me in without delay. I then made my way down and out and looked for my name on the signs. There were two gents with a sign with three names on it and the Oman Air logo. I said I am the top of your list and one of the drivers invited me to follow him.
We walked up to the car park and I was invited to jump in the back of a black BMW 7 series that was to be my ride home.
Forty-five minutes later I was walking up to my door a little over an hour since touch down.
Oman Air impressed me on this flight as much as they had done on the previous three. I hope that one day they join an alliance and that I can get the opportunity to fly in first with them some day.
Here I leave you again until I next pick up this RTW in June.
Happy contrails and safe travels to you all.
Apr 4, 2012, 1:30 am
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Apr 4, 2012, 11:41 am
#98
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: LONDON
Programs: CX DM, BA G4L, QR PLT, EK PLT, Hyatt CourtesyC, HH DM, SQ PPS, BonvoyTit, UK, VS, UA, DL, AA
Posts: 1,715
Apr 5, 2012, 5:42 am
#99
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Apr 9, 2012, 10:50 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: By the sea...
Programs: BA/EC Silver
Posts: 564
Epic Trip Report, Moomba, you really do write beautifully! I am seriously jealous now and starting to plan my own RTW... Just wondering how to break it to the mrs (she doesn't like spending money)... 
Apr 9, 2012, 3:32 pm
#101
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
Nobody....?
Thought not
Apr 10, 2012, 1:32 am
#102
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
As usual I have made life complicated. After finally whittling down my 'number of active tickets' to one I will be up to 3 on the go again by June.
Apr 11, 2012, 2:12 am
#105
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
So true Jenbel. I am just a frustrated travel agent working in another industry. However I suspect no one apart from me would want to fly the crazy routings I come up with. 
Thanks Polomarc
Many of the menus say their juice is 'fresh' but whether that means freshly squeezed I am not sure (I suspect not).
Many of the menus say their juice is 'fresh' but whether that means freshly squeezed I am not sure (I suspect not).