This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Check-in painless, although point of interest the boarding cards were issued on what is basically a till receipt, and as found to my cost later on our trip doesnt survive well after being washed in my shirt top pocket!! Oh well chance of getting VS miles back for using virgin blue were likely small in the first place, damn near impossible now!
Sydney domestic terminal well catered, and to be honest cant see the pull for the pay-to-enter Virgin lounge. Before long boarding announced, and onto a full flight, festooned with numerous kids/ families and associated single blokes. Crew were great and relaxed given the busy flight. I decanted mini nhs dvd player out and dug out the pre-recorded Cbeebies disks once airbourne only to find Id not finalised the disks Doh! [:I] Back to the Jungle Book and Muppets for the next few hours. 4.5 hrs to be precise.
Seat back TVs were pay-to-view and drink/food available in the usual Jet2/easy jet format and similar price structure. (Best to stock up in the terminal before boarding). We succumbed to the noodle box and crisps and after numerous walks up and down the plane (mini NH now back on form) we were soon heading to land.
Perth domestic terminal small and luggage arrived promptly, free trolleys and an easy to find car rental desk. Before long the in-laws arrived and we decamped for coffees and catch up. Car loaded we set off in convoy to our base for the week, 1hr south of Perth in Mandurah. Numerous BBQs, beach visits, wine drinking later, the highlight being a fantastic animal park where mini got to hold a Koala and feed the kangaroos..
Before long we were off on our travels again. Final night up in Perth CBD and out for decent farewell meal.
Check-in at Perth was again well organised, however much discussion about our luggage and weights and worthy of note - very strict weighing of hand luggage, we were soon sorted and a sigh of relief from check-in agent as we advised we were on UC longhaul. To be fair he was trying his upmost to get round the issue before we presented the detail, although hand luggage weight limits remained. Plane was smaller with a 2+2 format and a flight time of 3hrs to Adelaide. Mini nh got down to some hardcore colouring-in, I still wonder at the vast hours of emptiness we passed over below, Oz is a big place.
Soon we disembarked into a plush Adelaide airport. Down the stairs to baggage reclaim to be met by our friends whod brought 2 cars to ensure we had enough room to transport us all up to the Barossa and his property (Handy having friends in strategic locations!![y]).
A fun week was had, although 2009 weather for the NHs had played its card again, with a very unseasonal heat wave and a good few days hitting 44c, thankfully our hosts decent pool got a battering throughout to cool off, in-between the numerous cellar visits..think we managed about 14, all in the interests of science obviously.
Day before departing after strategically packing the case of wine within various bags we transferred down to another friend in Adelaide for a night to allow a sensible start for our flight across to Sydney. That evening ending up being a bit heavy, making the following morning a real struggle, mini nh also not playing ball, mainly due to more upheaval. Said our farewells/ thanks and joined the virgin blue check-in queue.
Now wed booked a virgin blue Airpass for the 3 internal flights on our trip, and it was at this point the decision was showing signs of weakness. Because it wasnt on the VS booking they wouldnt interline our bags through to HKG, even after much discussion, quiet a hard-nosed lady then pretty much blanked us, as computer said no. So wed have to reclaim then transfer terminals at my favourite airport SYD, and check-in afresh.
I slept for most of the 1.45hr flight, trying to get some water intake to shake off the effects of amongst other things fine basket pressed Shiraz from Rockfords and some especially good homemade/ conditioned port straight from a mini countertop barrel. Flight therefore a dozing haze.[:w]
Nearly 20 whole English pounds later [:O] the cost for us to transfer terminals at SYD trolleys/ taxi/trolleys (for 3 of us $16 to use the inter terminal shuttle bus, same price as private taxi) we arrive at VS check-in desk, which hadnt quite opened. Soon sorted and pre-allocated seats remained for our nip up to HKG. Pass for the Air New Zealand lounge in hand we head off through the terminal. Its a big place SYD airport, numerous options to deprive you of yet more dollars.
A warm welcome at the Lounge and decent useable kids area/room. The basic rocking horse and soft animal cushions being the big favourites for mini nh. I skipped off for a shower to freshen up. Whilst we dipped into the limited selection/ although tasty food offerings. Mrs NH feeling brave and heading to the bubbles. Lounge heavily infiltrated by United pax and associated demure presence.
We head to board early again, but as a gesture of bribery for mini NH she gets to wear her early Christmas present snow white dress from aunty in Perth. Shyness straight out of the window, she takes her own boarding card and swishes off down the gangway to waiting Steward, as if she was Neil with a Mod promotion. Passes card over then promptly heads straight to her usual seat!! Dont get too used to it my Girl! Much to my delight and upwards looks from mrs NH my favourite stewardess is again with us. We all settle in and loads were again light with about half seats empty. Couple of our US friends sitting next door, make quick use of seat availability to move, as obvious shock of having a child in the cabin, at least mini nh wasnt wearing a turquoise sweater and flat cap..[:?] As it turned out the most noise created in the cabin came from someone in row 4 snoring throughout the trip.
Menu looked promising with a nice sounding beef fillet on offer, I plumb for this only to be told theyd run out? So opted for the Perch fillet. I get a cheesy grin from across the ailse, to find out mrs NH had ordered the last beef[v] The girls settled in, I had found my second wind, and migrated off to the bar, and sat chatting with fellow pax, and CC, whilst we helped empty more of the Rioja from the bar. Landing and passage through HKG was fairly painless. Waiting hotel concierge in cream suit guided us to car, then through some careful organisation they crammed bags into the Merc, then whisked off through the late evening neon to the Intercontinental and what can be only described as impeccable service, we were in the room by close on midnight, looking out over the harbour, drinking a complementary bottle of Moet, whilst mini cuddled down in bed with the Vase smasher.
Next Morning Hong Kong Awaited..
[img]http://www.v-flyer.com/photos/4006.jpg[/img]
NH, Hobbit Land.
