So, this is my first trip report - my trip was last month, but hopefully I have remembered most of the salient points.

Check-in was quick as there was no queue and likewise fast track security. I went to a few shops and a bag and some shoes were added to my growing collection of both... Well, it was the end of the sales and I am a sucker for a supposed deal. I then made my way to the First Lounge which was very busy and therefore very filthy! I found a seat by the window after lurking for a few minutes and then cleared away all the dirty plates, glasses and placed them by the coffee machine. I can't stand looking at dirty plates, and staff in the lounge were non- existent, so I I opted for some DIY cleaning up. I had a few glasses f the pink champagne, which was really, really nice, and some cake and watched the world go by. I normally have to work in the lounge but not on this occassion. So, I put on some tunes and then enjoyed the bubbles.

About an hour before take-off, I made my way over to the C gates. I was flying on the A380 and the gate just isn't big enough for the number people. You are jammed in like sardines and the priority queue snaked all the way to the next gate, which resulted in other passengers thinking it was the general queue. It was chaos to be honest. Anyway, as I got to the head of queue to show my boarding pass, the light that appeared turned red and I had been upgraded to First and had a window seat!!! A nice surprise to start off my holiday given my club world booking was an avios upgrade ticket.

The new First seats on this plane are really nice although you are very far away from the window, if you are on the short side. There is a nice new built in storage drawer just under the window which is great. Make-up, phones etc can easily fit in there. The cabin crew member on my side was simply excellent. She asked if I wanted to be called Ms Shortie or by my first name - I have never had this before even when flying First. I told her to use my first name, she then asked me if I was traveling for work or pleasure. I have never been asked this by any crew before. We then had a great chat about Da Nang and Hoi An as she had been. She was such a lovely person and so genuine with it. Dinner started and I opted for scallops followed by the steak. Both were great. The first red I had was too heavy for me so I opted for another which was much better. Sorry, I cannot remember more than that. I asked for my bed to be made but before doing, the wonderful cabin crew member and I chatted about the film I had been watching - Wolf of Wall Street - and the extent to which we both had come across people like the main character before. Anyway, once I changed into my massive PJs (only medium were available but I can cope with free over-sized pjs) I have the crew member the Golden Ticket that I had been carrying around for a while. She was overjoyed and gave me a massive hug which was lovely. I slept for just over 8 hours as the cabin was soo quiet. In fact, the captain, when announcing details about the landing, apologized for the turbulence and I hadn't noticed a thing. I onl had time for a quick breakfast of a cup of tea and cornflakes which suited me as I had early dinner plans in HKG. So, despite the boarding shambles, the flight was superb.

So, off I went to enjoy a great night out in HKG with some old friends which resulted in us all taking a very, very hungover flight to Da Nang the next day. This flight is an economy only flight which I think is not that common for Dragonair (I think). I took the airport express out to the airport which is the most efficient and reliable airport train I have ever used. We used the airport checkin so the train ride was an easy one. We then went to the middle Cathay Lounge (hope that makes sense) which has great views of the runway. The staff there were painful... We wanted champagne but were told that we had to move seats to get it as we were in eating area!! This didn't go down well with me or my HK- based friends who were coming to Hoi An with me. One of my friends is diamond with Cathay and she was not happy. Off she went to complain and within 5 mins, we got champers, so we're happy as hair of the dog was badky needed.

And my flight to LHR (a separate trip) has just been called, so I will complete this report later on this evening