Round The World and other travels

Flight Log 10 : BA25

London Heathrow (LHR) - Hong Kong (HKG)

Heathrow Terminal 1, Gate 30, is not the best place to board a long-haul flight. A bit of a dive, if truth be told. Still, at least the gate agents managed to improvise a First and Club World Fast Track using Gate 28. Either some people found the concept confusing, or we had more than the usual contingent of 'chancers'

I was shown to my seat right in the very nose of the 747 - the first time I'd been in Row 1. Now I know very well that Row 2 is the place to be, but I've always fancied a go at Row 1 and when it was allocated, I decided to leave it alone. As I settled into the seat, I was brought a glass of apple juice and some Macadamia nuts. I changed into my Sleeper Suit prior to departure - someone had already thoughtfully lowered the window shutter in the First toilet, which is just as well, really, as I had my shirt and trousers off by the time I remembered about it   Back at my seat, menus were distributed on the ground and orders were taken for post-take off drinks.

We pushed back at 1832 and made the very short taxi to 27R. Unfortunately there were serious technical problems with the safety video and we had to sit at the runway holding point while the crew carried out a manual demo and checked that the cabin was secure. Eventually we were able to start that very long roll down 27R and just as I thought that this must end soon, it did and the heavy giant eased itself into the air. Take-off is quite an experience in Row 1, due the strong forward component in the view out of the first window. There was the usual disconcerting noise as the front wheel was retracted, followed by quiet (or as close to it as you ever get on board an aircraft!) There was also a strong smell of fuel for a couple of minutes, which I don't think I've ever experienced after take-off before. We made a sweeping right turn until we were heading eastwards.

My Champagne arrived with the usual canapés and was topped up twice. Hot towels were distributed and dinner orders taken. The menu looked awfully familiar. In fact, with the single exception of the lamb being substituted by sausages, I think it was identical to that on my LHR-DXB flight.

DINNER		WINES
Starters		Champagne
Loch Fyne kinglas smoked salmon and caviar crème fraiche		Alfred Gratien Cuvée Paradis
Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat's Thai tempeh cakes with sweet chilli dripping sauce
Carrot and red lentil soup with orange crème fraiche		White Wines
Fresh salad leaves with your choice of tomato and basil oil dressing or mustard mayonnaise		Pouligny-Montrachet Les Enseignières 2003, Domaine Roux Père et Fils
		Three Choirs Estate Reserve Bacchus 2004
Main		or
Fillet of beef with seared foie gras, glazed shallots and mushroom jus		Alsace Riesling Grand Cru Florimont 2003, Kuehn
Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat's yellow lobster and green papaya curry with cucumber relish and lemon grass brown rice		Tyrrell's Hunter Semillon Vat I, 1999
Duchy of Cornwall free-range sausages, red onion jus and mashed potatoes
Salad of spicy chicken with warm tomato cumin dressing		Red Wines
		Chateau Beychevelle 1995, Grand Cru Classé Saint-Julien
Snacks		Errazuriz Don Maximiano Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, Aconcagua Valley
Beefsteak sandwich with red onion marmalade		or
Penne pasta with your choice of cherry tomato and basil sauce or quattro formaggio sauce		Modus 2000, Tenimenti Ruffino, Toscana
Duchy of Cornwall biscuits		Tyrrell's Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet 2001, Hunter - Limestone Coast
A selection of cheese and fruit
		Dessert Wines
Dessert and Cheese		Clos Labère 1999, Sauternes
Banana tarte Tatin with vanilla ice cream		Warre's 1988 Colheita Port
Shaun Hill's white chocolate and strawberry terrine with shortbread biscuits and chunky strawberry coulis
Cheese plate featuring Quickes Cheddar, Oxford Blue and Tornegus
A basket of fresh fruit
Espresso, cappuccino, coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or herbal tea

I did a quick count and realised that there were 9 passengers, out of a possible 14, in the F cabin. I thought earlier that maybe I was hearing things, but by this stage there was absolutely no doubt about something else as well : we had a phantom burper in First   I found it almost unbelievable that somebody could sit there in First Class and loudly let rip, but there you are! It happened, repeatedly

Anyway, I once again started with the smoked salmon and also decided to repeat the experience of the delicious soup that I'd had on the way back from Dubai. I decided to sample the Royal sausages and had my usual cheese in place of dessert. I drank Champagne and water with the first two courses, switching to the Australian red for the main course and the cheese. I finished the meal off with a couple of cups of blackcurrant-flavoured herbal tea. Very quickly after that, I decided to settle down for the night, as it was already around 0400 Hong Kong time.

Although I'd thought at first that I'd never get to sleep, once I did I was out for the count. I slept for a solid 5 hours and then dozed on and off for a further 90 minutes or so. My biggest fear about 1K - that I'd be kept awake by people loudly opening and closing the wardrobe all night - didn't happen. Oh, there were the usual contingent of door-bangers, but thankfully not during the night. (Incidentally I and a few other passengers demonstrated that it is perfectly possible - easy, even - to open and close the closet without making a single sound. I guess some people just don't care.)

I was first to rise, at about 1030 Hong Kong time, and thought I'd get changed into my day clothes before the queue for the bathrooms started in earnest. The breakfast menu was as follows :-

starters		MAIN
Chilled fruit juice		Scrambled eggs, grilled bacon, pork sausages, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomato and hash-brown potatoes
An energising fruit smoothie		Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat's stuffed Thai omelette
A selection of fruit or plain yoghurts and cereals, including Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat's muesli		Belgian waffles with maple gooseberry compote
Fresh seasonal fruit plate
BAKERY
A wide selection of breakfast pastries and rolls

I had some corn flakes, apple juice and the full English, accompanied by coffee and toast. It was lovely, but to be honest, the scrambled egg and bacon would have been enough. Incidentally, I think that was the best bacon I've ever had served to me on board an aircraft   The CSD distributed landing cards and took the opportunity to have a little chat, after which she asked me to complete - I think you've guessed, haven't you? - yet another survey. Do you think it's possible that I am skewing BA's research just a little?

The approach into Chek Lap Kok, as seen from 1K, was amazing. I couldn't help imagine what it must have been like to see the old Kai Tak approach from this seat. (Although I've flown to and from Kai Tak a good few times, it was always in the back.) We touched down at 1300 and arrived on stand ahead of schedule at 1307.

Another very satisfying experience of BA First

Date: Mon 17 Apr 2006
Aircraft : Boeing 747-400
Scheduled dep : 1825
Actual departure : 1832
Scheduled arrival : 1315+1
Actual arrival : 1307+1
Cabin : First
Seat : 1K





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