V-Flyer

Part Two of Philly Africa

We checked out of the Heathrow Hilton in T4 around 9:30 a.m. We took our bags back to T3 and went to the UC line to check in for our 20:25 flight to JNB that night. Just a brief wait, and I asked about upgrades. We were directed to the ticket counter, where the agent said this leg of the ticket was booked as non-upgradeable, and we would have to pay the difference in order to use miles to upgrade it. At an additional $1,200 per person, we decided it was too much, so went back to check-in for PE. I did find it very odd that the return leg of the trip is able to be upgraded, but not this one and that Virgin ticket agent said nothing of this when I booked the flights.

We quickly got our bags checked and boarding passes issued. We headed to the Central Bus Station and after a trip to Windsor Castle, we returned via bus to T3 around 3:00 p.m. There were only one or two pax at any of the VA check-in desks, no one at all in security (neither Fast Track nor regular), and the shoe carnival was a walk-through. By 3:15 we were happily ensconced on the green couches near the pool table in the CH.

This was Mr. Pookaas first time in the CH and he just kept saying, This is unbelievable. He said he would go get us something to drink, but before I could say anything to him, our lovely waitress was there behind him. He turned around and just giggled.

We both made trips to the deli and sampled the seafood antipasto whole prawns, calamaris, smoked salmon. I tried the pate de campagne they were out of my beloved chicken liver pate but this was nice enough. Mr. Pookaa said the half pint of shrimp were some of the best hes had.

At 4:00, there couldnt have been more than 15 pax in the whole CH, although it started to get a little busier as the day progressed. At 6:00 I went to the Cowshed for my facial, which was lovely, after which we went to the caf_ for dinner. I had the pear and walnut salad to start and the burger. Mr. Pookaa also tried the burger and had a crab/prawn cake to start. The burgers were very tasty and the staff attentive.

We sat for a while longer after dinner, then walked 3-4 minutes to Gate 5 where G-VFIZ, Bubbles, awaited us. There was a long queue, no PE/AU line, so about a 10 minute wait and about the same once through ticket collection.

Now, a confession: this was my first time flying in anything other than UC. Yes, yes, I am spoiled. That said, we had the new PE seats and they are pretty spacious and quite comfortable. We found our seats, 20A and 20C, and were offered water, OJ or Champagne before take-off. Amenity kits were already on the seats.

The captain came on and gave us flight details. He noted that we were on a relatively new arrival to the fleet (Air born August 2006), and that flying time would be 10 hours, 30 minutes, flying over Paris, Algiers, Chad, Congo, Botswana on our way to Joburg. The FSM introduced the cabin crew, gave the usual announcements and we took off on time.

V-Port started up about 15-20 minutes into the flights, although it was a bit slow at first. They came around with meal service: I just had some cheese, Mr. Pookaa had the chicken which he said was OK, and they were quite generous with the wine service. We also had the Baileys/Brandy offer.

I awoke with the breakfast cart next to my seat at 6:40 a.m. Joburg time, an hour and a half before landing. I had the vegetarian omelet with some red stuff that seemed to be tomato based, and some green stuff that appeared to be spinach-based, yoghurt and some granola cereal, a peach/banana/passionfruit drink and coffee, while Mr. Pookaa had the Full English Breakfast. Ehhh.

We landed at 8:10 a.m., and they took us to a remote stand, but got us to the terminal quickly. The immigration queue moved steadily and we were at baggage claim within 10-15 minutes and our bags were again in the first group off.

So, back again in ten days for the return trip.

Glad your Hubby liked the CH! I never get sick of it, and love getting there really early to enjoy it! [y]

Glad you liked the new PE seats, I am yet to turn right, haven't had the courage yet!

Pookaa

Chapter 2 of your TR was just as good as the first[y][y]

Thanks for the feedback on the new PE seats - as you admit to normally travelling UC, your opinion is greatly appreciated as it gives some encouragement for the future.

Glad your husband enjoyed the CH and that it delivered the necessary 'WOW' factor[;)]

buns