QF WP goes across Australia...a live TR adventure

[QF WP]

Over breakfast this morning, I was thinking it's been so long since I did a TR (boomy you are to blame ) I thought I might ease back into it . It's a pity, I really should have started this TR yesterday from my arrival at BNE airport with more photos, but I'll play catch up and this will be a live TR, wherever possible.

Some background first. The third week in January is generally my first week back at work and is my first Conference of the year (a National one to boot). This year the destination is PER, so I decided to fly over yesterday to get at least one good sleep.

 

[Pushka]

C'mon, you need to step up your game here. A TR isn't a TR without photos......

 

[QF WP]

Sunday - VA468 BNE/PER

I had been fortunate to get Flexi fares both ways with a decent discount (thanks to the AFF) and then be able to use my final two Complimentary Upgrades (thanks to my VA Plat status). The only negative was the surprising inability to check-in online. The reason given, in a telephone call with VA, seemed incongruous - my use of the Comp Upgrades meant I could only check-in at the airport. WHAT??? Well at least I had pre-opted for 2C both ways.

After being dropped at the airport by my wife and kids, I kissed them goodbye (the longest I will have been away from them for a year). That has its own benefits and retractions - but the person who invented FaceTime has my undying love.

Wandered into the VA Terminal and into the Premium queue - only one lax ahead of me and two dedicated checkin counters. The CSA checked me in, confirmed my seating and tagged the bags with the appropriate Priority Tags and gave me the BP. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder and my brother is standing there grinning saying "well, will you look who I should run into at the airport". Alas, we work together and he's on the same flight. Damn, I suppose I'd better guest him into the Lounge.

So through Premium Security we go and I'm the one who gets selected for the ion scan. He laughs as he goes up the escalator "see you at the top".

No explosives as expected and 30 seconds later I was tempted to leave him outside as I introduce him to the Lounge (he's only Silver ). He loved the extensive car and food - so he filled up as he was on a Saver fare

He was nonplussed about using the Premium Boarding with me at Gate 40A, but I think he re-considered (too late) when they called for Premium pax to board and he trundled away to the end of a long line. He was a little more circumspect when he wandered past me and back to his 28C seat

Now a quick break whilst I organise the photos for the next post

 

[QF WP]

Okay, photos it is Pushka. Alas I forgot to get shots of the A332 Business seat, but I'll do that on the flight back.

I settle into my seat and get offered by my FA, Lini, a pre-takeoff Champagne - why not

Say hi to my seatmate and get into checking out the seat - as I haven't flown on an A332 in J for quite a while.

Lini offers me the Menu:

 

[QF WP]

So I settle into the seat, check outside the window as we soar into the air for the 5hr15min sector. Life can be good sometimes, can't it . I have one guilty thought about my brother back in Y, but quickly dispelled it by remembering who does this for the thrill of it all. Now, where was I...oh yes, I'd love a post takeoff drink. Selection of snack was almonds or black olives. My seat mate had a Peroni and Almonds, whilst I opted for G&T and olives:

 

[QF WP]

Whilst Lini had introduced herself at the start, Britt came through prior to lunch to do the same. They'd be our aisles' FA's for the trip.

I opted for the Trout for starters.



Delightful combination that had my mouth watering throughout. The only downside was the confusing addition of the sachet of dakkar spice (next to salt & pepper shakers) but Lini commented that some pax liked to use their bread roll, the olive oil and spice together. I thought that would be overkill with the delicate flavour of the trout, so opted to only use the olive oil to drizzle over my green salad and trout.

Also chose not to use the lemon vinaigrette as that was going to cut through the smoked trout. Simple flavours can sometimes be the best (IMHO).

Well, off to my Conference and I'll update this later today

 

[RooFlyer]

I think I'm going to enjoy this one. I honestly can't remember the last time I flew into PER .. might be more than 10 years ago.

 

[markis10]

Whilst Lini had introduced herself at the start, Britt came through prior to lunch to do the same. They'd be our aisles' FA's for the trip.

I opted for the Trout for starters.

View attachment 40884

Delightful combination that had my mouth watering throughout. The only downside was the confusing addition of the sachet of dakkar spice (next to salt & pepper shakers) but Lini commented that some pax liked to use their bread roll, the olive oil and spice together. I thought that would be overkill with the delicate flavour of the trout, so opted to only use the olive oil to drizzle over my green salad and trout.

Also chose not to use the lemon vinaigrette as that was going to cut through the smoked trout. Simple flavours can sometimes be the best (IMHO).

Well, off to my Conference and I'll update this later today

Is that a specimen sample bottle where the olive oil should be :mrgreen:

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

I'm looking forward to the next installment.

 

[cmon0005]

View attachment 40884

Delightful combination that had my mouth watering throughout. The only downside was the confusing addition of the sachet of dakkar spice (next to salt & pepper shakers) but Lini commented that some pax liked to use their bread roll, the olive oil and spice together.

Great report so far QFWP. That Olive oil bottle looks like one of those hotel shampoo bottles from this angle

Enjoy the food and the wine!

 

[robd]

I liked the dakkar spice and olive oil. I didn't have fish though (read comment as "subscribed").

 

[boomy]

Over breakfast this morning, I was thinking it's been so long since I did a TR (boomy you are to blame ) I thought I might ease back into it . It's a pity, I really should have started this TR yesterday from my arrival at BNE airport with more photos, but I'll play catch up and this will be a live TR, wherever possible.

Guilty as charged
If you happen to have stopover in BNE during your Australian adventure you should come over for a drink or two (or three ). Meanwhile I'll sit back, relax and enjoy your TR.

 

[love_the_life]

Looking forward to hearing more. I'll be in BNE in a few weeks but hardly worth a TR as it's Y all the way
Though when i was in Bundaberg towards the end of last year I decided to use points to upgrade - an evening flight BNE - CBR, a few drinks, a reasonable meal (who am i kidding?) but wouldn't you know it, flight delay in Bundaberg meant I was on the next morning's CBR flight - no booze and just a cheese toastie :evil:

 

[QF WP]

Back to the TR as my Conference Day 1 has finished.

Dinner awaited on my flight and I had chosen the Barramundi. I had read the menu on the VA Business Class thread and had already decided what I wanted.

Was very pleased with the meal. Whilst it wasn't crispy skinned, it was cooked to perfection and was moist and tasty.



As some here will know, I don't drink white wine, so I paired the fish with my favourite red (Pinot Noir). I hadn't seen the bottle before so I got Lini to help me get some photos:





After dinner was cleared, I had a couple of minutes finishing the Pinot (the bottle ) and contemplating the week ahead of me.

Right, time for the fun part of the meal - dessert .



OMG - it was beautiful and I had to chase it down with a dessert wine.

 

[QF WP]

Now I felt completely full and although I wasn't driving on my arrival, I wanted to have a clear head. I got up and went up to the galley and chatted to the crew and did some stretching - I'm not getting any younger. It was nice to find out more about Britt and Lini.

By this stage, the thought of doing work on my laptop was decreasing rapidly and I succumbed to watching some movies instead. Tiredness was also overcoming me as my body shut down to metabolise the huge meal.

As we approached Perth on final approach, Lini and Britt presented me with a bottle of the Pinot



I guess they must have known how much I liked it

 

[QF WP]

Needless to say, I will be saying nice things about my FA's when the VA survey comes around.

Time for the FO to land the plane (as the captain has announced that the FO was flying this sector back in BNE).

Even wIth a cabin of 20/24, deplaning was thankfully easy as I turned around and exited. Gate 13 was a long way from Baggage Claim. I was the first down there and made my way to the start of belt 3 to await my bags.

My brother turned up and whilst my bag came out quickly, my brothers bag seemed to be one of the last. We exited the Terminal and turned right heading for the taxi queue. Surprisingly, the expected queue wasn't there so it probably spoke volumes for how long we waited for my brothers bag. We snagged a white English "Black Cab" and found our driver thought he was driving in an F1.

I'll add more tomorrow as sleep beckons

 

[Steady]

View attachment 40975

OMG - it was beautiful and I had to chase it down with a dessert wine.

I wish QF could dish up desserts like that

 

[clazman]

I think I'm going to enjoy this one. I honestly can't remember the last time I flew into PER .. might be more than 10 years ago.

You be happy to know we have colour TV now and this new thing called the internet .... Perth really hasn't changed justed filled with kiwis

 

[RooFlyer]

You be happy to know we have colour TV now and this new thing called the internet .... Perth really hasn't changed justed filled with kiwis

Displacing Seth Efricans? I was going to mention QFi services, but dunno - there's always 28(c) lurking out there.

 

[QF WP]

Arriving at the Hilton, I stepped out of the cab and saw Jocelyn, the Hilton Customer Service Exec (close to her real title). Gave her a hug and she took us inside and I suggested she check in my brother first as he only had 2 concurrent bookings (tonight was at our expense and the next 3 days was through the Conference). She merged the two bookings and gave him the key and off he went.

She then turned to my bookings - I had 3 concurrent bookings as I was staying an additional night. She then confirmed that under each booking I had been upgraded to a King Suite, so she made them all in the one room. She also happily allayed my concerns that the King Suite I had been allocated had been refurbed, as I had in my profile here at the Hotel, a request for a Queen Suite (smaller and more to my taste).

As we finished, our Conference MC, Adam Spencer, came in beside me to check-in.

So off I went to the x19 room, a corner Suite.

I was very pleasantly surprised:

Lounge Room - from door



Lounge Room - back from corner



Lounge Room TV



Bathroom