Lady Elliot was just spectacular and, for those of you who love animals, standing in a field surrounded by a mob of about 60 wild kangaroos, almost in touching distance, was both amazing and humbling. And did I mention snorkelling with green backed turtles and manta rays?
So I started homeward. I shall combine all three flights within this TR.
A short flight from Fraser Island (HVB) came first on a Qantas Link QF2379, a De Havilland dash 8 200. Half an hour during which I still got tea and cake and very nice they were too. This flight also gave me a chance to get my emotions under some control, I really had had such a remarkable time in this awe inspiring place.
So a quick and free bus transfer from the domestic to the international terminal and painless check-in and passage through security meant that this left me, poor David, with about three hours in the Emirates Business Lounge at Brisbane. It is a tough life.
The first glass of Veuve was soon in my hand! Again the food was outstanding; the fillet steaks were so yummy that I had two and very nearly a third! I also had a lovely time chatting to a couple of Aussies in their 70s, jetting off to visit their 77th and 78th countries since retirement. Now there is a challenge!!!
As usual I boarded the EK435 777ER from the lounge. I had booked the same seats on both inbounds as on the outbounds so was soon in 10k with another glass of fizz, Moet this time. The following near fourteen hours really whizzed by. I managed to sleep for a few hours; the flat beds are really very comfy. I also ate well and slurped as and when, tempted, very tempted by the wines but stuck with the fizz.
We were early to Dubai which gave me three hours before my London connection. The lounge was not so busy so no problem finding seating and I even got a wifi connection albeit a slow one. I used one of the business centres for more urgent matters. And bucks fizz times several, well they were being made with vintage Moet.
And then it was time for the EK001 A380 airbus again and the last leg of my adventure.
The Dubai lounge is on the first floor and there was a gate to the plane for F and J passengers at that level, no security was required and a lift to the walkway to the plane meant that I was in my seat half an hour before departure. The first of what would be many glasses of vintage Veuve was soon being dealt with.
The tail camera film of the take off is here.
The next seven hours were just fun. The girls looking after the business cabin were great, efficient and friendly and prepared to have a laugh. And they did. There was a party going on at the bar, I felt it compulsory that I partook!! And when the OnAir wifi was running (US15$ for 100mb) I had some fun updating my dining and drinking progress on Facebook never mind setting a new altitude record for wifi communication with VFlyer. I love technology.
I just noticed that the glass has more in it in each shot, how did that happen?
and the cheese, on a bloody plane!!
We landed a bit late, maybe twenty minutes. Frankly I couldn’t have cared less, I would have been quite happy going around again!
For whatever reason Terminal 3 security was very quiet, we seemed to be the only plane represented, fast track security was OK but not as quick as regular. And by the time I got to the luggage carousel the F and J bags were already there. I then strolled through customs, nothing to declare except the numerous bottles of vintage Veuve already consumed, and then went to the chauffeur car waiting area for my Tristar home. Within about forty minutes from leaving the plane I was on my way home.
And now, no jet lag again. So none on either trip which I guess is remarkable. Perhaps there really is something in not worrying about it and just having fun and drinking fizz.
So well done Emirates, I really am very impressed with their product.
And was it worth going all that way for this.
Oh Yes indeedy.
Regards,
David
Last edited by HWVlover on 10 May 2012, 12:44, edited 1 time in total.
