Whilst I was whisked away, the initial check-in agent phoned ahead and I was greeted at the spa by name and asked what sort of massage I would like. I opted for the total body Thai massage. I was then presented with a chilled hand towel very welcome and some red grape juice. Once the spa room had been got ready (which was twice the size of my hotel bedroom and that was large!), I was escorted down and the Thai masseur took my socks and shoes off and then allowed me to change and have a shower. I have to say that net knickers never looking flattering on anyone. I felt a little self-conscious as I had to get up on the table wearing nothing but the net knickers. What then followed was a total body massage for about an hour totally relaxing and a really good way to prepare for the flight. I hadnt had one in Bangkok due to the lack of time, but this made up for it. I think I almost drifted off to sleep at least twice during it..although I did feel that having my naked buttocks massaged was just a little odd!
I think went and did a little shopping I left buying a Thai silk elephant as a present as they had some nice ones on the plane (more about that later), and then returned to the lounge. It was a very nice area, although not a Club House, it did have lots of space and always felt very empty. Sample meals were laid out, and then they would be cooked for passengers on request a nice touch as you knew what you were going to get! I went for the king prawn Pad Thai a little weak on the spice for my liking, but very good (maybe it is toned down for westerners!). About 20 minutes before the flight I was personally found in the lounge and advised that it was time for boarding. The gate was a 5 minute walk, which was nice and there was no queue at security, and only a minor one due to slow boarding business class passengers.
Champagne (Dom of course) was offered post-boarding, along with pyjamas and I settled in for my flight. Dinner options were taken pre-take off and it was served pretty quickly after take-off. Once airborne there was a very rapid drinks service and those travelling in couples moved around so they could have their lunch across the table (the room is so much more than the Upper Class suite, so this is very easy and actually looks quite comfortable. My choices light lunch, although not so much light lunch, were:
Prawn on toast with plum sauce
Couronne of leek stuffed with pumpkin and zucchini salad, smoked ham stuff with melon balls and balik salmon
Prawn curry Pa-Naeng served with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables and charcoal eggplant with grilled salmon dip
Selection of four cheeses with crudities and fruit
Selection of Thai and western mini desserts, with coffee and liquor
During the flight I did some work and watched some TV as I mentioned on my outbound TR, the on demand is not as good as vPORT, but I do like the touch sensitive screen and the choices were pretty good. Decided to stay awake, so that I would sleep on my return to the UK. Ended up watching 5 films, since it was almost a 12 hour flight and the entertainment was up and running straight after take-off. I had decided on the outbound to buy a couple of things on the return trip as presents. However when I went to ask if I could purchase them, I was told due to incomplete paperwork sent by London that the Duty Free had not been uploaded. Not very impressed, although fingers crossed I can get them ordered through a friend who comes back in a day or twos time. They were very apologetic and obviously there was nothing that they could do..well they did give me a bottle of 1999 Dom to take home to make up for it (which I am sure will come in very nicely over the festive period!!).
Main meal, although I would normally have said that the light lunch was a main meal, was served about 3 hours out of London
Canapes
Duck liver torchon terrine, celeriac apples and dry figs salad, marinated prawns with lemongrass and red chilli in red cabbage
French Onion soup
Stir-fried lamb with chilli, basil and green peppercorns, steamed thai hom mali ice and stir-fired mixed vegetables
Fruit tart with tea and coffee
There also was a selection of sandwiches, boiled rice and accompaniments and Danish pastries for those who got peckish between meals!! Not sure how anyone could be peckish, but some people did have nibbles between meals!
The flight was very comfortable, just like the outbound flight and the seat is really good, especially for a long flight. Other nice touches were that they were nice toiletries in the toilets, and there were individual towels for use rather than paper ones very impressive!
The arrival into the UK was different to what I am used to we circled over East London, with a view of The O2 Dome and then flew north of Heathrow, with a good view of the airport, before turning back East and landing. Not done that one before. Just before landing fresh Orchids were delivered to all first passengers, although I wasn't sure if I could take them off and the crew didn't seem to know either! I did though and was going to plead ignorance if I got stopped at Customs. After landing, a long taxi back to the Terminal, but off fairly quickly once we had stopped. First were allowed off first (obviously) and there was a buggie waiting at the gate to whisk up part of the way through the terminal to immigration. IRIS worked well this time, and the bags were relatively quick not as good as Bangkok, but pretty good for LHR. Customs was very busy and they seemed to be looking for people of the TG flight to pick on, since we were put down one end and they were all facing that way. Managed to get through without being picked and was out before the flight was supposed to even have landed!
All in all another excellent flight, with great service both on the ground and in the air, with a seat that really is like flying in an armchair!! Would I do it again definitely if I could use Star Alliance miles to get the ticket (700 approx plus 80,000miles)..but not for the standard price of approx 7000 return!
