The Photos
After 7 nights at the very exclusive, invite only, Mum’s hotel it was time to head back to Tullamarine for my long trip back to the UK.
I arrived sometime just after midday, dropped off my rental car and headed over to the international terminal building.
Once inside I located the CX desks, which are about the middle of the terminal and was quickly checked in. I noticed my suitcase weighed a few more kilos than on arrival thanks to a new pair of shoes and some ‘oh god I haven’t eaten those for ages’ goodies that were making the trip home with me.
After check in I went through to the immigrations clearance and filled in the departure card. The airport was quite dead and there were no queues anywhere including passport control. I was quickly processed and then presented myself for security screening.
This again was quick although I was pulled aside for the random pat down and explosives swab. I did my usual routine of doing as asked but not once speaking to the people that did this.
After they had finished their little game I moved on and quickly attempted to get through the duty free store which one is forced to negotiate in order to get to the gates. This is of course not set up so that you can walk straight through; you have to dodge stands of merchandise and staff that seem experts at getting in your way.
Safely through the maze I headed straight up to the QF F lounge. I knew from past visits that the CX lounge was not all that brilliant at MEL and the QF lounge is one of the best in the OW network.
The agent took my BA Gold card and BP and said she would enter me manually into the system and to take a seat. She said she would bring my card over to me when she was done.
I found a space to park myself for a while and a little later the lounge agent came over and thanked me for my patience whilst handing back my card and BP. She also warned me to keep an eye on the time as the CX flights were not announced in the lounge.
I decided to grab a bite at the restaurant as this is one of the best parts of the QF F lounge these days. One of the staff sat me at a table and asked for my drink preference whilst handing me a menu. I asked for some sparkling water. Yes you heard correctly dear readers, I asked for water.
I can’t recall all the items on the menu and didn’t get a chance to photograph it. I did however notice the Yering Station wines on the drinks list. Seat2A seems to have a soft spot for their Cabernet Sauvignon so I thought I must choose a dish that goes with that tipple.
When the waiter returned I said I would have the duck with pappardelle pasta and a glass of the cab sav. The wine was brought to my table and poured and a bread roll was offered. A while later the duck arrived and was very nicely done with lots of flavour. The red was exceedingly delicious and I add my vote to Seat2A’s on the drinkability of this wine.
I declined the offer to peruse the dessert list as I did have a flight to catch on which I would be served two meals in the next 8 hours or so.
I did the rounds of the lounge which consists of lots of seating along the windows that look out on to the tarmac and one of the two runways. There is also a library section with a lot of coffee table type books on the shelves. There is a business area with desks and computers and the far end was the spa area. There is also a self service refreshment stand with coffee, tea, soft and alcoholic drinks and some nibble food. Of course should you want something else one just needs to ask one of the many wait staff wandering the lounge.
On my tour I noticed a familiar face who I walked up to and said ‘the people you meet in First class lounges’. It was my boss from the last job I had in Oz before moving to London 9 years ago. We had a good old chat until it was time for her to head off to BKK on JQ.
During our chat I downed another glass of the delicious cabernet sauvignon that one of the wait staff had brought over to me.
It was soon time to head down to the gate so I picked up my things and left the lounge thanking the agent on the way out. She said good bye and wished me a pleasant trip. One thing that time and time again strikes me is that the CX and QF lounge agents are so friendly and accommodating. The same can’t be said for most BA lounge staff I have come across, with the exception of the LGW F lounge crew, who just do their job but do not interact with the customers as much.
Anyway I was about to go down to gate wasn’t I? At the gate their seemed to be no sign of anything that looked like boarding might start anytime soon even though it was now the boarding time noted on my BP. I took a seat and waited. There seemed to be some very officious looking gate staff pouncing about during the wait but those gates did not open. Anyway at 14:20 we finally started to board with the left queue designated for elites, First and Business, the middle queue for Econ and the Right hand side for transit passengers who had flow in on this flight from ADL.
I joined the queue, was processed quickly and walking down towards my favourite 12A seat on the 333 aircraft.
Flight CX104 MEL-HKG Seat 12A
Aircraft: 333
Departure time: 14:40
Once on board my suit bag was taken from me and stowed for the flight. I then settled into my seat and was offered pre take off drinks of Champagne, Water, OJ and Cathay Delight. I went with a glass of bubbles of course. The trolley with newspapers was pushed past but I passed.
We pushed back at 14:43 with what seems like a quite light load. The front demi-cabin in business class was 2 rows and was completely full though including a family with 3 sub 8 year old children. I wouldn’t mind a buck for every time I heard the word ‘Daddy’ in the next 8 hours.
After take off the hot towels were handed out and the pre-lunch drinks round started. Instead of offering one of either the olives or almonds the FA was handing out one of each to each passenger. I didn’t complain and asked for champagne.
After the drinks service the luncheon began with the trays being set with the nice purple tablecloths.
Lunch:
Starters:
Smoked duck breast and prosciutto wrapped feta
Mixed salad with pepper and tomato
served with sesame soy dressing
Main Courses:
Grilled beef fillet with red wine thyme jus
sautéed kipfler potatoes and beans
Braised ling fish with bean curd skin and water chestnut
steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables
Chicken korma
yellow dhal aloo gobi and pilaf rice
Spinach and ricotta ravioli with chunky tomato and basil sauce
Cheese and Dessert:
King Island Surprise Bay, Stormy washed rind, Heritage True Blue
Fresh seasonal fruit
Flourless chocolate cake
Tea and Coffee:
Pralines:
Champagne:
Champagne Deutz, Brut Classic
White wines:
Grand Enclos du Chateau de Cerons 2006
Moon Mountain Chardonnay 2007
Weinguter Wegeler Rudesheimer Ber Rottland Reisling Spatlese 2002
Red Wines:
Vieux Chateau Landon Cru Bourgeois 2004
Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Port:
Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003
Aperitifs and Cocktails:
Gin, Rum, Vodka, Martini Rosso, Martini Extra Dry, Campari, Sweet and Dry Sherry, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver
Whiskies:
Chivas Regal 12 Years Old, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Jack Daniel’s, Canadian Club
Cognac:
Hine ‘Rare and Delicate’ Fine Champagne
Liqueurs:
Drambuie, Cointreau, Bailey’s Irish Cream
Beer:
International Selection
CX Signature Drinks:
Cathay Delight
A kiwi based non-alcoholic drink with coconut juice and a touch of fresh mint
Pacific Sunrise
A refreshing combination of champagne and Drambuie with the zest of orange and lemon
Juices:
orange, apple, tomato
Soft Drinks:
Coke Zero, Coke, Coke Light, Sprite, Perrier water, tonic water, soda water and ginger ale
Coffees:
freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and caffe latte regular or decaffeinated
Teas:
Hong Kong style milk tea
Ceylon, Japanese, jasmine
organic selection: camomile, earl grey and peppermint
Hot Chocolate:
The trays were placed down with the starter and salad on them and an offer of various breads was made. I can’t resist CX garlic bread an asked for some of that to go with my meal. I enjoyed the starter but the sesame dressing on the salad was not so much to my liking. All of which was washed down with more of the Deutz.
After the salad plate was whisked away the FA came out with a trolley showing all the mains on offer. I chose the korma and asked for a glass of the chardonnay to accompany it. The korma was OK but nothing stellar and little on the mild side for my liking. It was tender and juicy though filled the hole.
When the offer of cheese came out I asked for some of the King Island Surprise Bay and the Heritage True Blue and a glass of port.
Anyone who knows KI cheeses will attest to the fact that some of the best Aussie cheese can be found from this small island between Victoria and Tassie. Perhaps it was the altitude or temperature or just over active nostalgia but the cheese did not wow me like I remembered from days gone by.
I declined the offer of the very nice looking chocolate cake but I was full up to pussy’s bow.
After the remains of the dinner were taken away bottles of water were delivered, the lights went out and most passengers succumbed to a post lunch slumber or watched the IFE programming.
I watched a movie and drifted in and out of consciousness until the lights again came up and the refreshment service was offered. Hot towels made the rounds again at this point before our trays were once again adorned with the signature purple tablecloths.
Refreshment:
Starter:
Fresh seasonal fruit
Noodle Soup and Savouries:
Roast duck in noodle soup
served with chilli sauce
Fried rice with dried scallops, chicken and abalone sauce in lotus leaf
Meat pie
with chicken skewers and pea mash
Dessert:
Ice Cream
Selected Pastries
Tea and Coffee:
Pralines:
A drinks round was made and I asked for some orange juice (I still had a long way to go before I was home). The tray with fruit plate was placed before me and my glass was refilled. After I had consumed the fruit the savoury items were offered from the trolley. I decided to go with the meat pie with chicken skewers. It was quite an odd combination but was none the less tasty. I declined any further food and drink and made myself ready for landing.
Just prior to landing one of the crew reminded me to collect my suit on exiting the plane.
We landed at 22:30 and made another long taxi up to the gates.
I grabbed my suit and waited as the First passengers left the aircraft and then proceeded out of door 1L.
I made a beeline for the Wing First class section where again my BA Gold card gained me admittance without so much as a blink of any eyelid.
In the lounge I grabbed a shower to freshen up for the next and longest leg of this particular journey. Once refreshed I grabbed glass of sparkling water and stood and people watched over the ledge of the lounge that looked down over gate 1 and 2.
A while later the lounge cleared out a little as the first of the two overnight LHR flights was called. I asked for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and sipped on that until it was my time to go down to the gate. I was able to keep an eye out and watch the gate to see when I needed to go down. As people started to go down the ramp I made my way out of the lounge and down to the gate. By the time I go there the queue on the Business / First side had disappeared and I was able to head straight up to the counter where my passport was checked and my BP scanned. I then made my way down to the 747 and to the upstairs cabin.
Flight CX255 HKG-LHR Seat 82K
Aircraft: 747-400
Departure time: 00:35
On board the usual and now very familiar to those of you that fly vicariously with me, routine was made. My suit taken, a drinks round made with champagne, orange, water and Cathay Delight, and the newspaper trolley made the rounds. I declined a paper and went with a Cathay Delight this time, just to throw you off the scent.
We pushed back at 00:37 and were soon making our way out over Hong Kong bound for London a short 12 hours and 40 minutes away.
My notes on this flight consist of a while 2 lines in my note book so this one will be short and sweet.
After take off the hot towels came out and the menus were handed out as well. The passenger next to me declined any offer of food and went straight to sleep. I decided I didn’t want to go to sleep too soon as it would mess up my clock for our early arrival into London.
I perused the menu to see what was in store for me on this flight.
Supper:
Starter:
Seasonal mixed salad with roasted duck breast served with sesame soy dressing
Main Courses:
Stir-fried beef with assorted mushroom in oyster sauce
steamed rice and Chinese mixed vegetables
Sautéed sea bass with puttanesca sauce
mashed potatoes with parsley
roasted pumpkin and French beans
Cheese and Dessert:
Cambocola, Cheddar, Reblochon
Fresh seasonal fruit
Fruit gateau with passionfruit cream
Tea and Coffee:
Pralines:
Light Meal:
If you would like to have a lighter meal before resting, or later in the flight, we have prepared a menu for you.
Mushroom cream soup
Mixed mesclun salad with tea smoked duck
served with a sesame soy dressing
Fruit gateau with passionfruit cream
Fresh seasonal berries
Cheese and crackers
Snacks:
Tandoori chicken skewer with garnish and raita sauce
Sautéed sliced pork with preserved vegetables and choy sum in noodle soup
Ice cream
Champagne:
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne
White wines:
Aujoux Vire Clesse 2006
Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Weinguter Wegeler Rudesheimer Ber Rottland Reisling Spatlese 2002
Red Wines:
Vieux Chateau Landon Cru Bourgeois 2004
Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Port:
Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003
Aperitifs and Cocktails:
Gin, Rum, Vodka, Martini Rosso, Martini Extra Dry, Campari, Sweet and Dry Sherry, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver
Whiskies:
Chivas Regal 12 Years Old, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Jack Daniel’s, Canadian Club
Cognac:
Hine ‘Rare and Delicate’ Fine Champagne
Liqueurs:
Drambuie, Cointreau, Bailey’s Irish Cream
Beer:
International Selection
CX Signature Drinks:
Cathay Delight
A kiwi based non-alcoholic drink with coconut juice and a touch of fresh mint
Pacific Sunrise
A refreshing combination of champagne and Drambuie with the zest of orange and lemon
Juices:
orange, apple, tomato
Soft Drinks:
Coke Zero, Coke, Coke Light, Sprite, Perrier water, tonic water, soda water and ginger ale
Coffees:
freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and caffe latte regular or decaffeinated
Teas:
Hong Kong style milk tea
Ceylon, Japanese, jasmine
organic selection: camomile, earl grey and peppermint
Hot Chocolate:
I opted for the Light Meal option which was served all at once on the tray and the mushroom soup came along a little later in a mug.
After my meal I attempted to stay awake a little longer and watch some IFE entertainment. Bottles of water were distributed by the crew after the meal.
I eventually succumbed and set my seat to bed mode and was out to it for a good 6 hours or so. I did try to sleep longer but was woken by the two most obnoxious travellers I have ever had the misfortune to travel with. It was still around 3 am London time and these two were having a conversation and in now way trying to talk in hushed voices. The whole cabin apart from them was trying to sleep and they were jabbering away quite loudly. Once finished with their little chat one then proceeded to do her morning exercise by walking up and down the upstairs cabin with leaden feet that shook the floor as she walked past.
Around 90 minutes out the lights came on and the cabin was made ready for breakfast. Hot towels were passed around and a tray with water, orange juice, apple juice and smoothies was presented before us.
I chose the smoothie and had another look at the menu to see what I wanted to eat for breakfast.
Breakfast:
Starters:
Orange or Apple juice
Mango and passionfruit smoothie
Fresh seasonal fruit
Fruit yoghurt
Assorted cereals
Main Courses:
Omelette with pork sausage and back bacon
roasted potatoes and braised bean ragout
Steamed chicken with black bean sauce on rice roll
and Chinese dim sum
served with chilli sauce
Sun-dried tomato and feta cheese frittata
cherry chicken sausage, new potatoes
creamed spinach and vine ripen tomato
Bread Basket:
Assorted breakfast pastries and roll
served with preserves, honey and butter
Tea and Coffee:
Again the purple tablecloth ritual was made and the breakfast trays were placed before us with the fruit plate already in place.
After the plate was removed an offer of cereal and yoghurt was made. I declined both but did accept a cup of coffee and some orange juice.
A little while later the trolley appeared again and the main courses were presented for our deliberation. I chose the steamed chicken with black bean and was not disappointed.
It was very tasty and quite filling and set me up for the rest of what was to be a very long day at work.
The captain came on the horn at around 05:30 London time and informed us we had made good progress and needed to fly in circles for a while before landing so that we did not break the 06:00 curfew at LHR.
The breakfast trays were removed and the cabin made ready for landing. We circled for longer than expected and touched down at LHR at 06:09.
I said my goodbyes to the lovely crew, who BTW never failed to use my name when talking to me. The purser upstairs said goodbye to me by name.
I grabbed my suit bag and headed down the stairs and on the long hike to immigrations. Dear sweet Iris was behaving herself again this morning and did not even dilly dally in deciding I was me this time and opened her door to the UK without too much of a delay.
I made my way down to the baggage hall and waited. The carousel nominated for our flight was the same one as the earlier HKG-LHR flight and when I got there bags from that flight were still making the rounds.
Soon enough our bags started to appear and my suitcase was amongst the first after the over weight and First bags appeared.
I headed out through customs and made my way to the AA arrivals lounge by 06:30. Here I handed over the invite that had been printed oh so many hours ago at MEL and grabbed a shower a juice and an apple before heading down to the HEX.
This time I will not use my usual phrase as it was the HEX and a taxi that got me home and not the usual two tubes. That just seemed like too much of a chore with my suit case and a suit bag and my backpack to lug around.
There you have it another little trip around the world by Moomba done in the style in which he has become oh so addicted.
The Photos
. At least you won't have that joy on the return trip 
