MEL-AUH the long way round

[vitagen]

OMG PE trans Tasman is really underwhelming

 

[Virgin Bart]

I'm doing this in a month's time Jess! Keep up the commentary!

 

[JessicaTam]

Our chariot



Our seats



Next update at stupid o'clock from CHC.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Have a wonderful flight!

 

[JohnK]

Enjoy your trip(s).

I'm only going to Syd then going home to Per. What a waste of Syd-Auh: (

Sad to see it go to waste.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well, we are landed in CHC and it is 01:00.

We departed at 19:30 and after a long taxi, took off at 19:45.

The staff were quite attentive, with CSM Shane telling us that as we were in PE we could have as much of whatever we wanted. So we did...

Pumpkin, spinach and feta pie


Roast chicken with mashed potato


Roast chicken, coleslaw, baby rocket and semi dried tomato sandwich


Spotted cow chocolate cookies - I supplied the spotted cow!


All enjoyed with a glass or two of 2012 Allegory Sem/Sauv/Blanc.

i am having trouble loading photos, so I will edit them in when I can manage to get some slightly more reliable wi-fi.

 

[Virgin Bart]

And now the fun begins!

Are you going to have breakfast in Koru lounge in SYD tomorrow and then "decide" to abandon the flight? That was my plan.

 

[vitagen]

I got a JQ1 flight booked. So going to fly back to Mel and onto Per. after some gluttony in the First Lounge.

 

[JessicaTam]

And now the fun begins!

Are you going to have breakfast in Koru lounge in SYD tomorrow and then "decide" to abandon the flight? That was my plan.

Due to an onward connection, breakfast may be in a different lounge.

 

[JessicaTam]

Some rules for staying at CHC:


If a kind mod could spin it 90 degrees for me?

 

[dzinh]

Great review so far JessicaTam!! I overdosed on those spotted cow cookies, the CSM was very pushy, you have to try these cookies with your tea. They are divine. Can't wait for the next part of your trip!

 

[JessicaTam]

Our accommodation for the evening. It wouldn't have been so bad if there had not been security announcements every 15 minutes - and the security person making sure no-one lay down.


Breakfast whilst waiting for immigration to open

 

[JessicaTam]

Immigration opened at 0430 so we were quickly through. I avoided the smartgate in an effort to get a stamp in my passport, but no luck. They don't stamp passports anymore.

All we had left to do was to head to the Koru Club to await our flight


And my favourite, Lemon and Paeroa

with a gratuitous "SEQ: 1" shot

 

[JessicaTam]

We have arrived safe and sound in SYD. The flight was not as busy as the one over. We were greeted by Jo the CSM very warmly with an explanation of what we could expect. It seems that they must get quite a few first timers. We were the only two in PE so we grabbed a set of three seats each and soon 'disposed' of the centre tables. We were about 25 minutes late taking off but only 5 minutes late landing. I think the late departure was due to an unwell pax who choose to disembark, and they had to offload her bag.

No food pictures this time, as neither of us was hungry, but the offerings were the same.

Off for a shower.

 

[markis10]

Cannot help but think the next leg in terms of duration will help with some sleep!

 

[serfty]

Interesting they wouldn't let you lay down in the terminal - I had no trouble with this last month.

I guess, given intervening events, it was fortunate you could use the terminal at all.

 

[vitagen]

They actually woke me up! I had my feet planted on the ground but dozed off to the right.

Most importantly

Why is there no more Bollinger?

 

[JessicaTam]

Ahhh, breakfast.

 

[pmdg7444]

sounds like a good trip so far. Be sure to check out my previous TR on what to expect on the 77W - hopefully it provides a few good hints and tips.



http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-australia-international-long-haul-50290.html

 

[JohnK]

Immigration opened at 0430 so we were quickly through. I avoided the smartgate in an effort to get a stamp in my passport, but no luck. They don't stamp passports anymore.

Did you ask for a stamp and they refused?