V-Flyer

First TR, so bear with me!

Plane was G-VSUN.

After checking in the night before on-line I was relieved to find out that currently my window seat of 20a had no-one sitting next to me in 20c - always a relief in my opinion.

After being picked up from the Nairobi Hilton @ 0445 by the driver I was at Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) by just gone 5am. I had forgotten that all hold luggage is searched by hand before it is checked in - so having had my luggage searched, I had to try and close my bag again - queue much prodding and squeezing of contents to get the bag to close again!

After that, onto PE check-in with no-one else in front of me, so checked in. Very efficient and quick, and then onto passport control which at 0515 was very quiet.

Anyone been to NBO will know that the airport isn't the best in the world - however managed to get a cup of coffee and buy a UK Saturday paper and perched myself on the ever so comfy chairs in the airport.

At 0630, we were called through to the gate where 2 sets of metal scans were required and handluggage throughly searched as well and after a 20 minute wait at the gate, was on-board by 0715.

Sat down in my seat and after a couple of minutes was offered the obligatory glass of something (it is never too early for sparkling wine!). Told 4 times that the captain advised the flight time was 8hrs 13mins to LHR and not to fasten seatbelts as we were still refuelling.

Offered a UK Sunday paper as well on the plane so had caught up on the world's going on since I was in Kenya.

We pushed back @ 0815, and were in the air by 0830.

Within 30 minutes was offered breakfast which was either a mushroom omelette and sausages or poached egg (v). Went for the Omelette - very nice.

The IFE screens appeared very small, and as there were no films that appealed I switched on Skymap and starting listening to the Ipod (other generic MP3 players are available!). After 10 minutes, the skymap went blank. When I asked the cabin crew about this, the answer was that the IFE isn't great on this plane! So not knowing where I was in the world I got engrossed into Dara O'Brien live on the Ipod (apologies to anyone else on the flight if I was laughing too loudly!)

Several drinks rounds were offered and then a Chicken Pie was offered as a snack.

Shortly before landing, a turkey roll was offered (surprisingly nice all things considered).

Landing was on-time, however there was a 10 minute wait while there was a delay with the bridge to the plane coming over. Off the plane quickly once this was resolved and straight through IRIS (fantastic system) - the queues for normal passport were horrendous.

Bag was on the carousel when I came down and straight through 'nothing to declare' and out of LHR.

Congratulations on your first TR! How was Kenya?

Wow that was an early start! How did you find the Hilton? Did you use the bar? Did the bell hops tout you for outings? Food doesn't sound too bad actually. When you say a chicken pie was offered, didn't you get the menu - as in a choice of three?

Kenya was great - but then I am biased as I lived out there for 8 years in the 1980's! A few words of Swahili soon got rid of the 'touts'

I found the Hilton OK actually - the rooms are slightly on the small side. I had a meal in the Jockey Bar there, which was very nice and reasonably priced as well (Hilton's can be at times a bit pricey!).

The only menu offered was for breakfast - everything else was just verbal. I didn't hear an alternative to the Chicken Pie - however there was an alternative to the turkey roll which was a cheese roll. I did hear the flight crew say not to offer this to Economy class as they didn't have any left.

Good TR - First Niarobi report I have read - very informative.

FM

Coakers - we ate in the Jockey Bar and were both severely ill for the next 2 weeks... there seemed to be a lot of 'young ladies' in there...

Family Man - might want to check out
http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19691
http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19812

Great first trip report Coakers. The return flight sure is an early start isnt it!

Nice to see that you were not phased by having G-VSUN with its Arcadia IFE and just made the most of it.

Where did you go on Safari? Masai Mara perchance?

Thanks,
Sarah

Decker - yes, there were what could be called 'young ladies' in there - it unfortunately at times sums up how Nairobi can be. Sorry to hear about you being unwell from eating at Jockey Bar - the food there was really nice when I ate there.

Sarah - indeed I did go to the Mara amongst other places and yes, the start is very early!

If you have not been on safari, then make the effort to go! To see wild animals in their natural environment is a fantastic experience!

Where did you stay at the Mara? Have been trying to convince Richard to go with me for a while now but haven't managed to find any accommodation that tempts him enough. A dream of mine is to visit the Mara at migration time.

Thanks,
Sarah

Hi Sarah - I stayed at the Mara Serena which was a fantastic location (http://www.serenahotels.com/kenya/mara/home.asp).

This is a lodge environment with c 70 rooms holding 2 max people per room.

If you are after the 'tented camp' - i.e. hotel room but in a tent (fantastic!) then try looking at Richards Camp (http://www.chelipeacock.com/camps/richards.htm).

I haven't stayed here, but stayed at their sister camp in Amboseli called Tortilis Camp and was the most out of the world experience - the ultimate in luxury. A lot of people who I met at Tortilis were going to stay at Richards Camp.

The migration season is on at the moment and is fantastic. Would really recommend it.

Really happy to answer any questions you may have and have got some contacts in Kenya who can book it all for you if needed.

Thanks
Chris

'"Richard's Camp'. I think the name has it [:D] Will certainly look at your suggestions

Thanks for the TR [y]

NBO is a dire airport! Not a place you want to be delayed in that's for sure.

Hope you had a great time in Kenya.

Dominic

Thanks for an excellent inaugural TR[y][y]

The food seems to lived up to what we would all like to expect when travelling in PE[^]

Thanks once again

buns

Great first TR.

Oh, you are giving me the safari bug again! I've only been 1x, but loved it!

J