Not a Trip Report Trip Report?

[Pushka]

I usually do trip reports Live as they happen. But this trip started when I'd still not recovered from a respiratory infection and it was all I could do to travel. It took another two weeks for me to kick into gear and then, well, it didn't happen.

So the premise was to have a weeks stay with son and his Brit in-laws, and meet halfway between Oz and UK. Somehow, that ended up being Portugal . Righteo. I had no control over the arrangements something that made me somewhat tetchy but we just went with the flow.

Wanting to travel in business we next thought about how to get there without breaking the bank. This was our third major trip in 12 months and the budget was stretched. So we decided to bookend with Bali and figured we could do the jet lag thing there on the way back. That idea worked really well and weirdly we snapped straight back into Oz time as soon as we arrived in Bali on return.

Started from Adelaide flying Qantas to Sydney then on to Denpasar. The weather was great, and SA still hadn't started winter yet (mid June) so no major weather events to deal with. We wanted to maximise FLounging after all.

Mostly what follows are photos with a bit of explanation.

Flying into Sydney. Excellent views. In J. The food was not remarkable. But we knew we would be eating in the lounge.






And my lunch. Not really in the groove hey? Not even alcohol.

 

[Pushka]

Of course the great excitement, and cause for much trepidation after The Castle, of this leg was meeting with @Captain Halliday in the lounge, as he and his family were flying to Bali too. And we duly met up.

I realise while I enjoyed the meal, I took no photos but I remember the desserts were excellent. Oh well. Ooops. I did take photos after all.

And the current WP lounge in Adelaide. Formerly CL.






























The meal. Excellent.







This was superb.

 

[Pushka]

The flight to Denpasar went well. Crew were excellent and friendly. Handed out PJ's but I didn't bother to change. Champagne and G@T and I slept for a couple of hours. Into DPS and as we'd already paid the EVOA and customs declaration we were through in minutes and our luggage arrived within 20 minutes. So it was off to the crazy mess of DPS taxis. Found ours promptly and off to Bali Niksoma at Legian. A departure from our usual IC at Jimbaran but it was just for three nights.

We were upgraded apparently and the room was ground floor villa. Quite pleasant. Breakfast sufficient as a buffet. We loved the location. Legian has totally revamped its image and it seems the bogan tourists have left for other grounds further north. The beaches have cleaned themselves up, the vendors now have proper small lodges for their drinks and meals, and the furniture has been upgraded significantly. No longer feel the need for a shower after visiting them. We didn't do much here. It was really only one full day, as the next day we were flying out to London on CX.

Just a quick snap of the nice views. We would be back in 10 days time. I also discovered Lemon Bintang. Fantastic on a hot day.

 

[Pushka]

The next day we flew on CX from DPS to HK to London Heathrow. This was in J thank goodness and a paid flight. Leaving immigration in DPS was chaos as their IT system had gone down. Was checked in right on the 3 hour opening and watched as the checkin staff stood in front of their desks and bowed to us to commence proceedings. Through to luggage scanning, and that was where the crush began. The second hall after scanning is for departure migration but it was so packed that the queues were backed up into the security scanning areas so hand luggage and people were being separated by the surging crowds. It took about 40 minutes to get through the immigration process. We were still early and went to the upstairs lounge. It has improved a little. And there was alcohol and nibbles. I didn't bother. We left to board the flight and Mr P was directed to the Priority Line, I, who had entered first, was directed to the general line. We are both WP. So he called me back, pointed out the error and I was allowed to go with him. Aren't I lucky.

What can I say. Cathay have real quilts. They are bliss. Didn't take much to go to sleep. It was only 5pm.



The only thing I ate on the flight was Hagen Daz ice cream macadamia flavour. Simply excellent.

We arrived into HK a little late and our gate wasn't near either the Pier or Wing, not that we had time now, so it was a quick drink somewhere and then off to board for the long flight. And of that I don't remember much other than the quilt . The movies were pretty ordinary though.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Of course the great excitement, and cause for much trepidation after The Castle, of this leg was meeting with @Captain Halliday in the lounge, as he and his family were flying to Bali too. And we duly met up.

It was great to meet you and your partner @Pushka.

I can't believe you were apprehensive about flying on the same aircraft as me, just because of mayhem discussed in an old trip report.

Just be thankful your weren't on our return flight which had a fuel leak in the left engine.

Hmmm. Come to think of it, maybe your concerns were justified.

 

[Pushka]

The 12 hours to Heathrow went quite quickly. I don't remember much after the Champagne and G@T. I don't think I've ever slept so much on planes.

Even though we circled Heathrow for about 30 minutes we still arrived into Heathrow on time.

Nice shots along the way.





6am. Damn. Checkin at a stop over Heathrow Hotel is 3 pm and wouldn't you know it but luggage was out immediately.


Over the last three years we've become quite expert at negotiating Heathrow Terminals and trains and hotels. We were flying out the next afternoon to Portugal on BA. So off to the Crowne Plaza in T4. The last time, two years ago in the CP I caught Covid here. Fond memories. We had hours to transit to T5 for BA the next day so not fussed about that. We tried checking in to CP early but as the welcomed me for Platinum loyalty the computer said No. So we took our gear off to the bathrooms to change shirts etc and back to checkin to checkin our luggage. A different person and her computer says Yes. We gladly took the offer of a downgrade and off to the room we went to have a shower etc. We spent the day in London, walked 17,000 steps and developed a wonderful blister.

 

[Pushka]

In London Big Ben was looking fabulous in the sunshine after her makeover. They've strategically placed two British Telephone booths so that Instas can take a photo of themselves lined up beautifully with Big Ben. The queues were long at both. It's just before the bridge. Huge crowds as expected. We took lunch at Pret a Manger, love those baguettes.

Exhausted we made our way back to Heathrow, and had dinner in the hotel. The hotels are largely managed by the local community originally from the subcontinent and the food they serve is simply fabulous. Traditional Indian curries, not watered down for tourists. Splendid. But by now I was coughing again. The cough has returned.

Left about 12 noon the next day to transit to T5 for the BA flight to Portugal. As we are both WP we planned on guesting son and Brit DIL into the First BA lounge. We took a bit of time trying to find First check in, it's been moved. We finally did and oh my, there is no other way to check in now, we are spoilt for life. Straight upstairs to the F lounge but which was crazy busy.

But they found room for some kind of horse thing.



We caught up with son and DIL, I found it funny that an Aussie was guesting a Brit former Gold member into the lounge. But think I was the only one. . They were flying Business, we were flying economy so they got separated from us plebs. But we had a spare seat next to us anyway. Foods was crisps. They had a meal.

The line up to fly out was huge. Think we waited all up around 40 minutes.

 

[Flyfrequently]

The next day we flew on CX from DPS to HK to London Heathrow. This was in J thank goodness and a paid flight. Leaving immigration in DPS was chaos as their IT system had gone down. Was checked in right on the 3 hour opening and watched as the checkin staff stood in front of their desks and bowed to us to commence proceedings. Through to luggage scanning, and that was where the crush began. The second hall after scanning is for departure migration but it was so packed that the queues were backed up into the security scanning areas so hand luggage and people were being separated by the surging crowds. It took about 40 minutes to get through the immigration process. We were still early and went to the upstairs lounge. It has improved a little. And there was alcohol and nibbles. I didn't bother. We left to board the flight and Mr P was directed to the Priority Line, I, who had entered first, was directed to the general line. We are both WP. So he called me back, pointed out the error and I was allowed to go with him. Aren't I lucky.

What can I say. Cathay have real quilts. They are bliss. Didn't take much to go to sleep. It was only 5pm.
View attachment 398266


The only thing I ate on the flight was Hagen Daz ice cream macadamia flavour. Simply excellent.

We arrived into HK a little late and our gate wasn't near either the Pier or Wing, not that we had time now, so it was a quick drink somewhere and then off to board for the long flight. And of that I don't remember much other than the quilt . The movies were pretty ordinary though.

We were fortunate at DPS to have been guided to the new part of the Tujuwan Lounge downstairs. Cooler, brighter, clean and not at all crowded @Pushka
(posted some photos on my Bali TR)

 

[RooFlyer]

Ah! joys of LHR! How was security?

 

[Pushka]

So we were off to Faro, Portugal. In the Algarve. Our first trip to Portugal. DIL had organised private transfer to Airbnb. We were staying in what I'd call an enclave. The Airbnb was fabulous. Four bedrooms, all ensuite, huge entertaining area out to deck with pool, plus a cellar games room. As my cough returned I made use of the spare bedroom downstairs.

Its curious the different patterns families have. We are morning people, get up early and do stuff then relax and swim in the arvo. The Brit family were the opposite. Slow start and late finish. We all decided we'd work to our own rhythms so sometimes we only saw son in the morning before setting out. Except, there was only one place to sightsee, the Marina. Which was excellent but a 30 minute walk. On the first day I made a misstep and landed first on my knees, then my hands and then onto my face. Sigh. I can still hear the splat sound. But other than huge bruises on both hands I was basically uninjured. . I must bounce.

The Airbnb pool


The Marina.










We came here pretty much every day. MrP found an excellent sports facility and gym that he went to most mornings and that kept him quiet.

 

[Pushka]

We were fortunate at DPS to have been guided to the new part of the Tujuwan Lounge downstairs. Cooler, brighter, clean and not at all crowded @Pushka
(posted some photos on my Bali TR)

I think we will ask about this next November.

 

[Pushka]

Ah! joys of LHR! How was security?

Security was a breeze. Much better than Adelaide. No need to take out anything at all.

 

[Pushka]

I forgot to mention. Hong Kong airport uses Iris scanning to board planes. No need to scan boarding passes. Very cool.

 

[DC3]

I forgot to mention. Hong Kong airport uses Iris scanning to board planes. No need to scan boarding passes. Very cool.

Would you be able to explain the iris scanning. I haven’t seen that before. How do they know that it’s your iris? Just curious.

 

[Pushka]

Would you be able to explain the iris scanning. I haven’t seen that before. How do they know that it’s your iris? Just curious.

I wondered as I'd never seen it before either. Or even heard of it. It's like the egate thing at passport control except you don't even scan your passport. Just walk up to the small screen, look at it, whir whir and the gates open. I can't quite remember if your name pops up on the screen?

 

[Oscarq]

Qantas was using facial scanning at the boarding gate LAX in 2023. I assume they use your passport photo courtesy of Aus. Govt. as I have never provided QF any photos.

 

[Pushka]

Qantas was using facial scanning at the boarding gate LAX in 2023. I assume they use your passport photo courtesy of Aus. Govt. as I have never provided QF any photos.

And I certainly haven't given mine to China .

 

[RooFlyer]

And I certainly haven't given mine to China .

Sure you have. Past immigration entry, photo surveillance anytime, whether you knew it or not.

 

[Pushka]

Sure you have. Past immigration entry, photo surveillance anytime, whether you knew it or not.

Let me clarify. China may will have my photo. Which will be a random one in a crowd. But it wouldn't be associated with this passport as I didn't pass through immigration process there with this passport, and I didn't use my passport in any formal process this time, other than the person checking in the queue that I was in the right queue and matched the passport.

 

[RooFlyer]

Let me clarify. China may will have my photo. Which will be a random one in a crowd. But it wouldn't be associated with this passport as I didn't pass through immigration process there with this passport, and I didn't use my passport in any formal process this time, other than the person checking in the queue that I was in the right queue and matched the passport.

I don't wish to hijack your enjoyable TR, but immigration authorities can definitely link present and former passports, and therefore photo identities (and pics they have taken of you going through immigration). Dunno if any of those are good enough for an iris photo. Hmmm ... I wonder if this time it is taking your iris image for the first time ...)

So, what's the pasteis de nata count so far?