Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Tasmanian Devils (2010)
The long haul begins
So it was Monday morning in the Westin, Sydney and I couldn't help drawing a parallel with the same time one week previously. On 24 August, we were set to have breakfast in the hotel's Executive Lounge, pack the last few things and head for the airport to begin a week in nearby Tasmania. Today, the initial routine would be the same, except that Bruce was heading off on a 7,500-mile journey across the Pacific, while I was embarking on a three-sector, 11,000-mile marathon to the other side of the world. How had it all passed so quickly?
Indeed the sense of déjà-vu continued
as the morning's events played out, until we found ourselves at the
international side of the airport. Bruce got checked in quite
easily, but I was a little too early to do the same, so there was a
premature and temporary parting of the ways while I waited for the
Thai check-in to open. Once airside, I eventually tracked down the
Air New Zealand Koru Club lounge and was dismayed to find first of
all that it was exceptionally busy, and secondly that there was no
sign of my departing friend. A quick check of my phone revealed the
message "Come 2 SQ C lounge!" I left the NZ lounge with a sense of
relief, given the noise levels in the place, and quickly found the
much quieter facility operated by Singapore Airlines. I easily
tracked down Bruce in the Business side, but literally within ten
minutes it was time to bid him farewell - until the next time, of
course.
I then transferred to the First Class side, with the added initial
bonus of sole occupancy. I had a few light bites to keep me going
until time to make for the gate.
(Link to flight log in side panel)
Given my previous experiences at the new Bangkok Airport in 2009, I knew exactly what to expect as I walked up the ramp and into the terminal building. Sure enough, an agent was waiting to escort me and another passenger to the lounge, by electric buggy - very civilised! I immediately recognised the excellent First lounge from my previous visit. The staff got me settled in with a glass of Champagne and asked whether I'd like to book a complimentary massage in the spa, pointing out that I had plenty of time. This seemed like an excellent idea. I felt like a shower anyway, so why not go for the whole spa experience? It turned out to be a superbly relaxing way to wait for a plane, the aroma of the oils combining with the soft music and lighting to send me close to sleep!
Back in the main lounge, I drank water to rehydrate and realised that, as my watch hands closed in on midnight, another day was almost gone. The journey, however, still had a long way to go.