Goodbye drab winter, Hello suite summer (A3 Y, LH Y, QF J & F, CX F)

[Must...Fly!]

I'm currently sitting in the Perth Qantas Club, munching on some muesli and toast, looking out over the airfield as the sun rises and the light fog lifts.

If only every moment in life was as enjoyable as this.

But that is what holidays are about (to me, anyway). New experiences, relaxation and most of all great memories - hopefully all three will be in good supply over the next two and a half weeks.

My itinerary looks something like this;

24 July PER-SYD QF576 J
25 July SYD-HKG QF127 F
26 July HKG-LHR CX253 F
3 Aug LHR-ATH A3603 Y
10 Aug ATH-MUC-AMS A3802/LH2304 Y
11 Aug AMS-LHR BA429 J
11 Aug LHR-DXB-SYD QF2 F
13 Aug SYD-PER QF575 J

As you can see, I have quite the journey ahead of me, but I'm looking forward to it a lot (and have been for some time!). I will post about my hotels along the way as well...

I will probably cross-post this on FT in addition to posting on AFF.

Well it's now time to scoot...QF576 ready for boarding!!

 

[OATEK]

Look forward to following your adventures, and wish you a safe journey.

 

[Must...Fly!]

24 July
PER-SYD
QF576
A330-200 VH-EBM 'Tamar Valley'

Well what do you know, priority boarding worked a treat with self-policing passengers for boarding on QF576, skipped a rather big queue in to a much smaller one. Soon on board and settling in to 4A. Dual aerobridges make boarding such a breeze for these flights. A drink service soon followed with a choice of Apple Juice or Water.

The flight over was lovely. Some very light bumps as is customary, departing on schedule from PER and arriving a few minutes early in to Sydney. Turns out this flight was completely full in J, I could not spot a spare seat! But credit to the crew, it did not feel like it. Service was prompt and helpful.

I unfortunately neglected to take a photo of the menu, but it was my first time travelling J since the introduction of the Rockpool Small/Main plate concept and for breakfast it really worked a treat I reckon. I've tried to remember the menu as best I can!

Strawberry Energiser

Small Plates;
Yoghurt with berry compote and rhubarb
Fresh bread
Orange and poppyseed muffin (not available - substituted with a chive savoury brioche type thing)
Pumpkin and Feta scone

Main plates;
Plate of fresh fruit
Signature muesli
Savoury french toast topped with poached egg, with buttered spinach, pork sausage and grilled tomato
There may have been another but it escapes me

The service started with the small plates being presented, it seems as though everyone got the Yoghurt option plus the choice of one more, so I chose the pumpkin and feta scone which was wonderful. Very flavourful and just warm. Perfect! The mains came immediately after the tables were set, and I partook in the savoury french toast. It was delicious! Not soggy at all, and given the often sad state of in-flight catering (for all airlines) it was excellent.

It was followed up by another drinks service, then an hour later by another tea/coffee service served with orange and almond shortbreads (again, yum!). I watched the movie '3 days to kill' (passable) and also a documentary on London done by Stephen Fry which I suspect I've seen before...but never mind, it was interesting anyway. Also took a look at the destination guides for Hong Kong as tomorrow is a new horizon for me, having only ever been there once previously (before my 1st birthday, so it doesn't really count )

Overall a great flight and after a relatively quick disembarkation (perks of sitting up the front!) it was off to collect my bag which was about 15th to come out...yep, priority baggage worked too! :shock:

However my good run ended there as I had just missed the shuttle to the Rydges at Sydney Airport International where I am spending the night tonight. Decided to sit outside and wait as it is such a nice day today in Sydney - quick trip in the van and a painless check-in, and I'm in my room availing myself of the free Wi-Fi. Though I do wonder where my supposed free upgrade went. Somewhere in to the ether...but I'm indifferent as I'll be out of the room at stupid o'clock to go to the shrine that is the QF F Lounge....

As for now, off to the city on the train...$32 return trip or something stupid like that :shock:

Oh and PS...I stupidly left my SD card reader at home, so pictures will (hopefully) come later after I find a cheap one in the city.

 

[TomVexille]

Sounds like a great trip. Looking forward to following along

 

[Kangol]

Nice one, was this booked with a combination of points/revenue fares?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Unfortunately a card reader was not forthcoming in Sydney last night which was annoying to say the least. So I will probably have to buy one in HKG...however in the mean time I have only 90 photos left on my memory card and have 2 more hours in the F Lounge followed by QF127 in F....what to do, what to do?!

Anyway back to the report...yesterday afternoon was spent walking around the very busy Pitt St mall and in and out of shops. Nothing too exciting, and rounded off by a dinner at the Opera Kitchen. I got the double cheese and beef American burger...look, it's nothing special and you are continuously harassed by seagulls. But you are not paying $21.50 for an average burger there for peace, you're paying for the view...and yes, that is probably worth it.

Woke up at about 0515, out of the hotel at 0605 and by 0620 I was ordering breakfast in the F Lounge. That Rydges hotel is truly a God send!

As good as the view last night was, I enjoy the view where I am now much more. 3 x QF A380s and a QF B747 with the back drop of Sydney and the sun slowly rising over the airfield. Along with a glass of champagne and a 3-course breakfast, frankly, life just does not get any better.

While driving to the airport in PER yesterday morning I received a call from the F hosts asking if I wanted kerbside assistance or a spa appointment...being a 20-something male, spa appointments are not high on my agenda (i.e. I've never had one!) but hey, this report is all about a lot of Firsts, so why not...mens hot towel facial beckons in about 45 minutes.

Before that, though, some house toasted muesli, sweet corn fritters with avocado, creme fresh and tomato jam, finished off with the famed eggs benedict with ham. I've looked at so many photos of breakfast in the F lounge over the years, being here and eating it myself is almost surreal.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Nice one, was this booked with a combination of points/revenue fares?

This report sponsored by American Airlines.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'm still recovering from yesterday...what a flight. Simply incredible. More to come from London when I have time enough to compose my thoughts...lounge hopping in HKG then F to LHR before that though

 

[Nizar]

Awesome start to this trip report, am following it closely.
CX F I plan to try next year and QF F lounge I'm still yet to try.
Safe travels and thanks for sharing it with us :mrgreen: