Just Another July Weekend Trip Report

[anat0l]

29 JUL 2011
2009H UTC+10
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
BRISBANE

My mobile rang. It was ozbeachbabe. It was our key to getting more time in the lounge than the standard paltry 2.5 hours.

"To obtain the boarding pass in advance, you will need to discover the booking class code. This means you will need to phone Jetstar."

Me phone Jetstar?! The very thought made my blood run cold. Jetstar giving straight technical answers to straight technical questions? In many cases, that just doesn't compute.

But the challenge was presented... and I accepted...

"Hello? How can I help you?"
"Yes, could you please tell me the class code that I have been ticketed under? Is it Y, B, H....?"
"Your code is H, sir."
"Oh.... thank you."

Gee, that was easier than I thought.

Called ozbeachbabe again, provided the sought data. Things were looking up.

I eventually arrived home with only 2 hours remaining in the day. But tomorrow was going to be a good day.

I said "good". I didn't say "smooth sailing"....

---

30 JUL 2011
0500H UTC+10
A NORTHERN SUBURB
BRISBANE

Packing the previous night does pay dividends. It meant an easier morning to get ready at a less than rushed pace.

A quick shower, clothing change and it was time to go to the airport.

30 JUL 2011
0600H UTC+10
DOMESTIC TERMINAL
BRISBANE AIRPORT
BRISBANE

Upon arrival at the domestic terminal, I was quickly ushered towards the Common User check-in by the remaining members who were to be partaking in today's exciting events. My arrival had been anticipated...and rather impatiently at that.

A cardboard slip was presented to me. An international Jetstar boarding pass. Excellent... all that was missing was a mere orange sticker. But that was probably the hardest hurdle now overcome. The other parts seemed so elementary. Yes, it seemed that we would have a very long lounge time today...

Through security we proceeded and up to the BNE domestic lounges. Normally, it's a turn to the right. But this morning, some members in the group wanted to marvel at a rather innocuous contraption which they named the "Pancake Machine". Personally, I didn't see what was there to be so obsessed about.

Some pancakes later, it was time to proceed to the "better" lounge. At least this lounge had excellent Bircher Muesli, as well as some hot consumables, notably cooked eggs. Other members decided to try out the new Virgin Australia lounge.

My tardy seat selection yielded the only seat in the best Economy row that I could get at the time. That was the B seat. Luckily, the A seat was someone who would be a pleasure to have as a seat mate - Taezar. And to my right in the aisle seat was another member on the run, Stark. This short hop to SYD didn't sound so bad at all... just as well - time to board...

Prior to boarding, the ones who stayed in the Qantas lounge managed to get orange D stickers by enquiring at the QP service desk (luckily, they had a spare single sticker sheet). What were the chances?

30 JUL 2011
0715H UTC+10
QANTAS 507 : BOEING 737-800 "WHYALLA"
BRISBANE - SYDNEY

On board, we discovered that this plane had the new seats with personal entertainment in every seat, including Economy class. Very nice (although our row did not get gate-to-gate due to the screen being stored between seats).

Legroom

New entertainment systems, swing-up style

Push back and ascent into the air were non-events. Once seat belt signs were extinguished, the morning meal service commenced. The usual continental variety was handed out. This time there was a Light 'n Tasty cereal mix and dried plump apricots.

Morning meal served in Economy

Taezar, marvelling at the new entertainment system, was kept amused (at least temporarily) by invoking the seat chat program. Well, it was nice until it became too coughbersome to use the on-screen keyboard.

Seat Chat program provided by iQ

The remaining time in the air wasn't anything to talk about; no go-arounds, no cross-winds, no drama. We landed on the third runway as usual, and had the usual long taxi to T3 (except this morning it seemed a lot quicker than normal).

30 JUL 2011
0905H UTC+10
TERMINAL 3 (QANTAS)
SYDNEY AIRPORT
SYDNEY

Once we disembarked, we collated as a group again then proceeded to Gate 2 to catch the cross-tarmac bus to T1. Some others tried to get their D stickers at the Gate 2 desk, but did not succeed in doing so. One member in our group described the attitude displayed by the attendant as b****y, to put it nicely.

The bus putted across the SYD tarmac, with its passenger load completely clueless as to what was about to transpire at the international terminal...

 

[anat0l]

30 JUL 2011
0938H UTC+10
LANDSIDE : CHECK-IN
TERMINAL 1 (INTERNATIONAL)
SYDNEY AIRPORT
SYDNEY

Once we arrived at the international terminal and passed through the no-return doors, something was amiss in the chaotic check-in area. Well, the chaos isn't abnormal. It was just more chaotic than usual.

Wait a minute... where were the lights?

Almost every row in the check-in area was blacked out. No lights, no computers, no conveyor belts - nothing. Well, except the screens which continued to display advertisements. Oh, and all the shops seemed to have no trouble razzle-dazzling their merchandise and ringing up sales. *sigh* The bureaucrats really know what are the priorities, don't they? (Maybe we should've got a huge extension cord and plugged in the check-in systems into a store outlet and processed people that way...)

Those in the group without D stickers managed to eventually get some by asking at the marbled desks in row C...so good to be a Platinum at times, although it probably helped more that they didn't have much to do at that point other than twiddle their thumbs.

We rushed through the Express Lane, only to be greeted by not only one dumb lane inspector, but....gasp.... a line! In the darkness, naturally. Looks like immigration was not moving a centimetre. Now this could be a real problem.

It was.

It wasn't long until everyone was told that they could do much better by waiting outside. We lot couldn't care - we wanted to keep our spot in the line when everything got back online. Then they told us we all had to skidaddale back to landside, citing that the air inside the sterile are might just run short. Heh, since when was SACL concerned about passenger well-being in the terminal. So, we moved out back into landside. As we moved away, we saw some pax stuck behind the security screening just past the immigration counters. Gotta give them some sympathy - being stuck there must be like a weird purgatory.

Looks like our plan to spend some long hours in the lounge were scuppered. All we could do now was wait. And hope that some lounge time was possible...at all!

We staked our spot near the entrance to the Express lane. Other members in our entourage began to arrive, and naturally it was only proper to give support to our brethren by allowing them to cut the line with us.

Hours ticked on. Row H - Jetstar's usual haunt - was still blacked out, with pax lined up to the ying-yang supposed to be on a Philippines Airlines service to Manila still to be checked in. We advised our comrades to seek alternative methods to obtain boarding passes (the T2 trick seemed OK, but some minced words were required). The long lines waiting to get through immigration got longer, then even longer, then the line wrapped over again..... eventually, you had something resembling a human blob, not dissimilar to the line selling tickets to the decade's hottest rock concert. Or the crowd lining up at a pub with "COMPLIMENTARY BEER" signs plastered all over it.

The waiting crowds' hums were punctuated by SACL's periodic pointless updates with the usual "we're doing all we can" drivel, themselves punctuated with the equally robotic "special rules regarding LAG carriage" announcements. But what would a drama involving SACL (and Qantas, really) without the media getting involved? The media descended on the disabled terminal like vultures on a carrion. A good story on the spot has no price? Oh you bet. Probably the most sickening thing was the phony sympathy portrayed by the journalists. To be honest, they did a pretty good job trying to look the part without having to resort to makeup pencil to draw it on.

More minutes ticked by. Sometimes, someone would appear in the Express Lane, and we thought, "This is it!" But no, they would appear, push past, and that was that. "How much longer?" we would ask. "Not anytime soon," would be the response.

At long last, a man in an innocuous polo shirt appeared with an insubstantial megaphone stood and spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, customs cannot get their systems up and running. We will be processing immigration manually, but only twenty people at a time."

Just great. Sounds just as exciting as an announcement that the New Zealand navy is invading Australia and some idiot didn't remember to replace the Collins class submarines.

Actually, the next announcement made it worse. We thought they would open two lanes - the normal one and the Express one - then say allow 8 people to go through Express and 12 through the normal lane. But no, the same inept individual strode out and announced that the Express lane was being closed and all pax must use the common entry. Just when you thought SACL could not be more incompetent than smoking monkeys....

So, having had our rights to quicker immigration and security deprived, we moved with the remaining blob as police gradually allowed people through immigration, just as slowly as they advised. To some credit, at least the blob moved at a constant rate, and as it was three hours or so that we were all just standing around, the 12-18 minute slow march through immigration and security didn't seem so bad in retrospect.

The odd thing about the power outage was that we ended up arriving at the lounge naturally in smaller clumps (rather than having to "engineer" the process, lest we all turn up at once and look rather suspicious). By hook or by crook today we were not missing out on our lounge time! Although, today's events had already cost one eager member his Eggs Benedict...

30 JUL 2011
1235H UTC+10
AIRSIDE : QANTAS LOUNGES
TERMINAL 1 (INTERNATIONAL)
SYDNEY AIRPORT
SYDNEY

It was a little surprise that inside the lounge, nothing looked like it went to the dogs due to the power outage. It all seemed...normal.

Our group arrived in batches and started to slowly take over tables in the restaurant. Larger circular tables were staked in our name, and small square tables were combined together. Then...lunch!

The menu layout had changed since I was last in this lounge. Rather than a leather bound book, the menu is now a single large cardboard in elegant print, with valuable real estate liberated by disposing wine tasting notes.

The new style menu - backside

Drinks were ordered in quick order. Most in our table settled into a non-alcoholic delight, however I ordered my premium cellar choice - a champagne called Taittinger. "Cheers!"

Now we get to the edible delights... WARNING: your continuing to read may result in unintentional weight gain - you have been warned!

Entree - belly pork

Main course - stout-braised wagyu

Main course - steak with herbed butter and chips

 

[anat0l]

Everyone, now in bliss mode, put the whole morning behind them and enjoyed good eating, good drinking and good company. And what would a nice meal be without some decadent desserts?

Well, not everyone had a dessert - some needed an extra entree, like this mozzarella with tomatoes

Dessert - chocolate lava cake with rhubarb and ice cream. I had you at "chocolate", didn't I?

Dessert - sticky date cake with caramel

Dessert - not only is this ice-cream serving bigger than Baskin & Robbins, it's also better tasting

Two communal cheese platters to share around

Smooth sweetness in a sticky - the deservedly-applauded De Bortoli Noble One

Taezar, being the inspiration behind this weekend, managed to make her inaugural visit to this lounge a good one. Not only did she avail time in order to get a massage at the spa, but also managed to make a serious contribution to the group's Champagne consumption (almost more glasses than could be counted on one hand!). Well, it sure beat tea and some scones in Hyde Park...

 

[anat0l]

I couldn't help but avail to some accessories in the spacious bathrooms (as well as grabbing some Payot Creme de Choc AOX by asking at the spa reception). The Kevin Murphy accessories are always quite nice. I did get some strange looks as I retook my place at the table with a shower cap bulging with items normally seen in an amenity kit...

Alas, all good things - especially with great company - must come to some end. Although the morning conundrum had practically cooked up the day's schedules, our service was surprisingly only 30 minutes late on the board. Not long beyond the initial boarding call, most members did the right thing and started towards Gate 38.

30 JUL 2011
1530H UTC+10
JETSTAR 35 : AIRBUS A330-200
SYDNEY - MELBOURNE TULLAMARINE

Having just experienced pure premium bliss, it was a bit hard when we had to go back to steerage, particularly when it's being provided by Jetstar. I got a spot next to samh004, and oddly enough managed to locate a space above my seat so that I could put my rollerboard up top. I did have to slam the bin door down hard, but otherwise it was inside snug as a bug in a rug.

Pushback was relatively on time compared to our schedule. This bus ride in the air should be a pretty easy one considering that we weren't carrying any luggage due to the baggage system getting shot to pieces this morning, a la power outage style.

Once in the air with the seat belt sign extinguished, many members got up and congregated around an area near the central toilets which they nicknamed "the bar". The congregating got pretty serious. Had this been in America, any Air Marshal would've made their daily quota at least three times over. I think at times the other passengers were getting concerned at the situation. Some had probably seen the crowd and resigned that there was too long a queue waiting on toilets, so they kept holding it in. Others approached with some apprehension until some members guided them into vacant toilets with a smile. I stayed and chatted a while at "the bar" until the whole moving and avoiding passers-by ballet became rather coughbersome. At this point, I grabbed a seat and decided to munch down on my lounge-procured snack.

Curry bread and chicken sandwich with almond mayo, accompanied with a San Pelligrino. Delicious.

A ride through the skies with Jetstar is more than likely nothing to write home about. This was no exception, even though we were hurtling through the air at an excellent velocity, helped mostly by not carrying checked bags. Today's interesting tidbit is brought to you by this mistake:

What is wrong with this photo?

The cabin crew were just a little bit exasperated having to tell "the bar" lurkers to go back to their seats several times. No major harm done, especially when we had to take our seats again in preparation to land in Melbourne. It took our pilots some tries to punch through the cloud layer - usual turbulence coming into this airport - but once through the dark cloud layer there was some banking around, then touchdown into Tullamarine Airport and at taxi to the new international terminal wing.

30 JUL 2011
1700H UTC+10
LANDSIDE : ARRIVALS
TERMINAL 2 (INTERNATIONAL)
MELBOURNE-TULLAMARINE AIRPORT
MELBOURNE

Immigration, baggage claim and customers were the expected non-events. Once we all congregated again in the international arrivals hall, nlagelle had us all line up against the wall in order to take a group shot. Then we decided to try the newest lounge in Melbourne Airport - the much celebrated Virgin Australia lounge in T3.

The VA lounge in T3 is interesting in that it is not located beyond security screening. This means anyone can easily just walk in without needing to do the whole metal-stripping bag-unloading ballet.

We thought there might be a problem with access, but we shouldn't have panicked at all. There were numerous Velocity Golds, plus until 31 August, Qantas Golds and Platinums were invited to use the VA lounges.

30 JUL 2011
1730H UTC+10
LANDSIDE : VIRGIN AUSTRALIA LOUNGE
TERMINAL 3 (VIRGIN)
MELBOURNE-TULLAMARINE AIRPORT
MELBOURNE

The new lounge by VA was quite nice. Virgin Australia and Qantas pursue very much separate design objectives. Here the emphasis on design was clinical white with subtle accents - mainly purple - along with non-straight shapes as much as possible. It was kinda like a stripped down "uber-cool-wannabe" lounge bars that you might see around the place, especially with the video art on the screens near the bar seating area (all you had to do was put a video that had a big eye watching everyone as they moved around the lounge).

 

[anat0l]

So readers, I present to you...the Virgin Australia lounge in Melbourne Tullamarine Terminal 3...

I call this photo...."Inspiration"

A look around the new VA lounge in MEL T3

 

[anat0l]

Culinary selections

How about something to drink?

 

[anat0l]

Around the bar area. Notice the big screens showing a rather simplistic art, as well as the non-conventionally shaped bar.

One thing I do like about lounges in Australia is that you can (almost) always have a shower. Very handy especially on those hot summer days spent schlepping around to various meetings in the hot sun. Or just a wake up call when one returns to Australia on an international service. So I decided to give the showers in this lounge a go. Just like Qantas, you approach the reception who will provide you with a towel pack and extra accessories as needed (toothbrush, comb, shaving kit).

The two large shower rooms are covered in glossy black tile. Nice, although when taking a shower some people may not like to see their naked image in the tiling. :shock: There are no paper towels nor tissues, but there is a air drier. Virgin Australia equip the shower rooms with soap, shampoo and lotion made by an Australian company, Grown. Oh, and by the way, should you be planning on sitting down on the long wooden bench next to the shower, you should probably know that the bench is not bolted down. I almost met my sore demise when I naively sat on the end, then did a rapid double take as I quickly realised my bench's end going down and the opposite end going up, with the nearby bench leg making a very good lever point!

Inside a Virgin Australia lounge shower room. Once again - the bench is not bolted down!

Grown amenities in the shower room.

I, along with some others, had to get back to the Qantas end to head back to Sydney. Most simply enjoyed the lounge and sucked back some wines and beers thanks to Virgin Australia (Lawlass, in particular, made a good dent in the red wine stocks). When it was time to go, the members heading back to Sydney bid a goodbye to the Melbournites and others who were returning home directly.

Can't say too much about our return service to Sydney. Most were too tired to bother with the experience. The usual items adorned the servery in the J Lounge - meat dish, veggie side and starch, along with pizza and all the regular salad-y tidbits. I guess one can always rely on yummy cake (well, almost always)...

Our service to Sydney was called, and almost set to be delayed, but thanks to a quick resolution we managed to get away with nary a glitch nor great blemish on the on-time departure record.

 

[anat0l]

30 JUL 2011
1900H UTC+10
QANTAS 462 : BOEING 737-400
MELBOURNE TULLAMARINE - SYDNEY

The 737 we had was an old bird, although today it was prepared only with three J rows. Certainly makes the experience a bit better in Economy, provided that you've been lucky enough to get anything up to and including row 6.

Nothing interesting about this short service to Sydney, although some would've liked it to be shorter by virtue that we were all quite tired and ready to hit the sack. We were split up across the cabin, some took a nap. Perhaps we all should've taken a serious nap, considering that the catered dinner was really nothing to write home about, as witnessed in the photograph below.

Tagliatelle with meatballs. Can I just say that what was served was not tagliatelle. And it was as mashable as baby grub, too.

30 JUL 2011
2050H UTC+10
AIRSIDE : GATE 5
TERMINAL 3 (QANTAS)
SYDNEY AIRPORT
SYDNEY

Arrival into Sydney could not come quickly enough. Once we reconvened outside the gate, we quickly made our way to the taxi rank and piled into a handily awaiting maxi taxi. One by one, everyone was dropped at their respective accommodations in quick order (sleep was awaiting!). My accommodation, however, was located some distance outside the core CBD compared to the others, at Potts Point.

30 JUL 2011
2200H UTC+10
HOLIDAY INN POTTS POINT
POTTS POINT / KINGS CROSS
SYDNEY

Eventually I reached my digs. Paid the driver and rolled up to check-in. I was happily told that my room had been upgraded to a view taking in the harbour. Excellent...I suppose.

Once in my room I only had to make some phone calls and texts until tiredness really hit me hard. What a long and interesting day. But an enjoyable one at that.

My room at the Holiday Inn Potts Point.

 

[anat0l]

31 JUL 2011
0930H UTC+10
HOLIDAY INN POTTS POINT
POTTS POINT / KINGS CROSS
SYDNEY

My room’s view: Sydney Harbour

“Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh thou shalt rest.” Religious leanings aside (and apologies to my readers who have thus branded me blasphemous), I think most members would agree that yesterday had been a pretty long one (in many ways), so today was decidedly a lazy day. Well, I would like it that way; other people had other ideas (and probably well and truly hit the ground running in the wee hours...)

Me, I couldn’t laze around all morning – I had a lunch to go to.

Knowing that I’d had eaten more than a lion’s share over the past 12 hours and probably looking at a similar to only slightly lesser eating pattern today, I went without breakky and just starting packing up as well as checking some messages (or at least whatever I could using only my Nokia N73 and Optus’s coughpy packet data connection). Shower and a change, then a quick check to make sure I didn’t misplace anything (yes, I’m meticulous at times).

Checking out would be a breeze, but there was a line when I got to the reception – a couple was at the desk disputing the details on their bill, and some VA cabin crew in their regalia checking in (well, there was a young ditzy crew member in her own world, yabbering away without care or regard with who I could only guess was her partner). With the bill settled, I asked whether my bags could be stored, and was gladly accommodated.

Now it was time to head to Darling Harbour. In a nutshell, a walk across town....literally (really – all I had to do was walk down one very long street, all the way). I did stop at a Maccas to suck up some wireless on the house, although I must remark that their connection is a lot worse than what some people complain they get in Qantas Clubs. Must be an intentional thing...

Darling Harbour was buzzing given the boat show was in town. One esteemed member – Bundy Bear – was working at the show trying to warm up some clients. Beyond the crowds I managed to spot our lunch location – a shopping complex called Harbourside. Once inside, I managed to quickly locate Critini’s.

31 JUL 2011
1200H UTC+10
CRITINI’S
HARBOURSIDE
DARLING HARBOUR
SYDNEY


It wasn’t long until more in our lunch group arrived in quick order – Mal (still relatively packed up with oysters and prawns), thewinchester, JohnSydney2000 (remarkably on the ground and not in the air) and Bundy Bear (organiser par excellence, and on a leave pass). There was only one problem now. Our honourable guest, TrojanHorse, who’d came across the seas to Australia was missing in action. In between interdispersed phone calls, sketchy instructions, my photographic memory that I hadn’t remembered to develop (<insert rim shot>) and thewinchester’s crowd locating skills not getting us anywhere, we eventually managed to meet up with TrojanHorse. Just as well, some were starving (and some were still “scalloped” ).

Critini’s – naturally Italian – has a huge bar and a rather Tuscan, dark timber look about it. Nice and closed in, just like the Italians like it, and serving up an impressive pizza range, amongst other items. The items which caught our interest immediately were the huge pizzas available. Sure, each person (or pair) could order a personal pizza, but why do that when you could order a massive pizza to share? Say, a metre long pizza with various topping choices? It was on!

Drinks were settled, then clinks and “Cheers” exchanged, which was then quickly complimented with a starter – paddles piled with garlic bread (and would you believe the generous buttery slathering they applied on each slice?)

Garlic bread to start. thewinchester is saying, "Oh darling! You shouldn't have!" <insert LOL here>

The restaurant was quite crowded which made making conversation rather awkward (mostly limited to talking to the person on your either sides). Then, a waiter appeared with a very heavy wooden plank adorned with an even heavier (calories wise, anyway) edible concoction on top...

Metre long pizza. Our American neighbours will understand this better as 39 inches. Yes, mine is bigger than yours.

How about another view; this time a worm’s eye view.

The pizza was quite good; as to be expected it is always better to eat it whilst it is still hot, however even with six brave and hungry men, we were only lucky that we’d managed to destroy that entire rectangular pie bar three or six slices. Good conversation was had by all (again, at times quite awkward due to the ambience). We stayed at Critinis until at least 2.30pm. At this time, Mal and I had to start to get ready to move, because we had a plane to catch very soon. Taezar had anticipated this with unmarked punctuality, and was already making her way to the airport.

Who would’ve thought that three grown men could walk several Sydney blocks talking about chocolate? Well, it’s possible.

Got back to Holiday Inn Potts Point, bags back in my possession, then both Mal and I hopped straight into a handily waiting taxi. (I think I might’ve annoyed another taxi driver who might’ve been waiting a long time but was across the road). Not many vehicles around made the ride nice and quick to the airport.

Cleared security without a drama, but when we got out we had to head to the Qantas Club. Why?

31 JUL 2011
1530H UTC+10
AIRSIDE : TERMINAL 3 (QANTAS)
SYDNEY AIRPORT
SYDNEY

...well Taezar isn’t a WP so she can’t get into the J Lounge. But the other reason was that using Planely we managed to bump into @benjmay (who I think is not a member here but known well amongst some here on Twitter). Now we could proceed to the J Lounge.

Once again, we were all rather tired. Some lazy drinks (Taezar notable on the Bailey’s, whilst @benjmay made a dent in the Seppelt sparkling, and Mal relied on his trusty Carlsberg on tap) and a plate or two (sweet pie and slices are still popular).

Our BNE service was pretty much on-time, so down to the gate and onto the awaiting 767-300.

31 JUL 2011
1705H UTC+10
QANTAS 540 : BOEING 767-300 "PARRAMATTA"
SYDNEY - BRISBANE

I could not believe that every seat in the plane was taken. Some days are like that.

I lucked out in thinking that I had a bulkhead in row 25. Well, at least it’s a short one. I could’ve picked something like 23J or 23K (which Taezar and @benjmay eventually took), but I dislike the small space at that bulkhead.

Pushback and departure were as normal. Given that it wasn’t 6pm yet, the service was only a snack. In this case, it was a rather unusual selection than I’ve otherwise known, with a small open snack box containing birdseed (a.k.a. mixed seeds and nuts), shortbread, a cheese triangle (not unlike the Laughing Cow brand) and biscuits (not unlike Jatz – and there were three biscuits in the packet!). The upside in the selection was the cold drinks, where I managed to see that they were stocking sparkling apple juice (Appletiser). Don’t know when Qantas made this catering change, but thumbs up here!

 

[anat0l]

Mixed snack and Appletiser.

Having devoured my snack I skipped around to the other aisle to have a chat with Taezar and @benjmay. At least I didn’t have to dodge too many crew members getting through, and it helped to pass the time quicker.

Descent beckoned, so I went to sit back down. Landing was textbook and soon our weekend adventure was over.


A quiet weekend that became a massive troupe on a joyride (and joy-lounging). Only people like us could pull something like that. Aren’t you glad to be around us, Taezar:?: :mrgreen:

I’d thought I’d never see something like the massive crowd we had during the AGM in 2008 again (well, naturally 175 doesn’t go via BNE anymore, let alone at all!). Thanks to everyone that came – it was great to have another moment like that. Here’s to more. <raises glass containing Taittinger>


THE END.

 

[Lawlass]

I call this photo...."Inspiration"

What the hell am I looking at?

 

[markis10]

What the hell am I looking at?

ROFL, your looking for the QF flight numbers on the monitor or a decent trip report from a mod cough cough!

 

[anat0l]

For those who didn't read the other TR thread...

Some have decided to be brief with their reports (perhaps to brief for some), others tried poetry (of Shakespearean and Japanese styles) and many did prose.

Whilst I can't match the eloquence or elegance of the entries so far, I have tried something tricky. That is your challenge, dear readers.

There is something peculiar about how I've written this trip report. You may like to call it a "rule" which I had to follow in writing the report. See if you can guess it. (Obviously, we are only talking about the report itself, i.e. the first ten posts of this thread).

I'll offer a hint at least once a day until someone guesses it. Good luck....


Oh... and BTW yes there could be many things peculiar about it, but I will only take the answer according to what I've in mind. To be honest, if you are very, very, very strict with the report, I've actually broken my own rule...... now there's a hint...

 

[Lawlass]

Re: For those who didn't read the other TR thread...

Some have decided to be brief with their reports (perhaps to brief for some), others tried poetry (of Shakespearean and Japanese styles) and many did prose.

Whilst I can't match the eloquence or elegance of the entries so far, I have tried something tricky. That is your challenge, dear readers.

There is something peculiar about how I've written this trip report. You may like to call it a "rule" which I had to follow in writing the report. See if you can guess it. (Obviously, we are only talking about the report itself, i.e. the first ten posts of this thread).

I'll offer a hint at least once a day until someone guesses it. Good luck....


Oh... and BTW yes there could be many things peculiar about it, but I will only take the answer according to what I've in mind. To be honest, if you are very, very, very strict with the report, I've actually broken my own rule...... now there's a hint...

At least one pic of every morsel consumed?

 

[anat0l]

Re: For those who didn't read the other TR thread...

At least one pic of every morsel consumed?

Nope! Try again.

As it stands, although there are photos of all that I ate, there isn't of everyone else's. Including a very inviting salt and pepper squid (which I eschewed this time in favour of trying something new - the pork belly. I was also intrigued by the bresaola, but in retrospect I found out that bresaola is a very much air dried meat, so not a bad idea to pass it up).

 

[Lawlass]

Re: For those who didn't read the other TR thread...

Nope! Try again.

No. I give up.

a very inviting salt and pepper squid

The salt'n'pepper squid was extremely disappointing compared to what I'm used to from my funky little Vietnamese place.

 

[anat0l]

Hint #1

No. I give up.

Alright here's the first (or second?) hint:


If you had read another one of my trip reports (which covers a similar event) hosted by AFF, this report is in very stark contrast to that one.

 

[mannej]

For some strange reason I feel like Pizza and Riccadona for dinner tonight?

 

[anat0l]

Hint #2

Next hint:

What was the highlight of this trip (or was meant to be)? Did I mention this in my report? Why not?

 

[medhead]

You didn't mention the war? Well maybe once, but you think you got away with it.

Nice write up! One tip, and I'm not being an arrogant, supercilious [person] in this (for once) The time thing, UTC+10 is kilo time so you could save some characters by using 0600K.

UTC being Zulu. +1 is alpha, +12 is Mike, -1 is November and you should be able to work it out from there. Only thing it doesn't work for Adelaide.