(I wrote this on the plane, so things are slightly out of order on my blog...)
I'm sitting here on QF190 in business class on my way to Sydney. I'm reading American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. I love the style of writing in that book. The level of description for objects of desire and disgust in that book is astounding. I thought I might write the rest of this entry in a similar style - if you have read the book or seen the movie, let me know what you think. If you haven't, you should. Don't think I'm an arrogant mo-fo from this post until you have, and understand the style :-)
I did not spend any time in the first class lounge as I ordinarily would as I was spending my time with AMC in the airport, talking. I also discovered that I am arriving in the UK 3 days before my entry clearance is valid. That sent me into a panic for 5 or so minutes with associated hot flushes, until we went to the Qantas ticketing counter and talked to the lady there. I didn't get a good sense of reliability from the advice she offered, which is why I'm going to get Qantas to check it all out from the First Class lounge when I arrive in Sydney. They already provide me with a greater level of trust than the ticketing counter lady, even though I have not seen or asked them to look into it for me yet.
I was the 3rd passenger onboard the plane. When I arrived in the departure lounge the plane was not boarding, even though the television screens said that it was. I find that very frustrating. I could have spent more time with AMC had I known that the plane was not really boarding. When they called the business class, platinum and gold Qantas frequent flyers, and the One World ruby and sapphire (I think) club members, I had had enough of standing around and boarded instantly.
After I had been on the plane for around 10 minutes, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the business class cabin was sparsely populated. I always like not sitting next to someone whilst I'm flying, and as a platinum level frequent flyer and paying for a business class ticket they never put me next to someone else, unless the plane is full. There is one familiar face on the plane. I do not know his name, but his face is familiar from the First Class lounge from back when I used to fly to Australia weekly. I was then offered a tropical fruit fusion, a water or a champagne. I decided on the champagne, as I always take the champagne on a flight, regardless of the time of day.
There are 10 people in the cabin. The capacity is 30. 4 of the people are a party of 3 women, and a baby. The baby started screaming on takeoff, which always frustrates me. I expect to hear that back in economy, but not in business.
The hostess after take off came around and offered drinks. My second drink on the plane is always a G'n'T. This Qantas flight stocks Tanqueray London Dry Gin, which I enjoy. It is not the number 10, but even the entry level Tanqueray is a good gin. I decided on a small bowl of olives over the roasted assorted nuts as a snack. I enjoy the taste of the olives, and have not had them on a plane as an in-flight snack before - they must be a new addition the the menu. After the gin and olives, the meal service arrived. The choices were a Thai Style Yellow Chicken Curry with Steamed Rice and Asian Greens, a Salmon Fillet with Herb Butter and Chat Potatoes, or a Salad of Roast Lamb with Chickpeas, Red Pepper and Tomatoes. The first two items were served with a Peking Duck and Cucumber Mint Salad, and the Salad was served with a fruit salad. There bread choice was a wholemeal or white bun. I was drawn by the Thai Style Yellow Chicken Curry with Steamed Rice and Asian Greens, but eventually decided on the Salmon Fillet with Herb Butter and Chat Potatoes. I felt like fish over Thai Curry, probably because I had a Thai Green Curry for dinner last night. When the meal arrived, I had the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The salad dressing was too spicy for the meal, and the broccoli was a little overcooked. The peas were excellent, as were the potatoes in the Herb Butter. The salmon was to die for - I have never had such a good aircraft Salmon. Dessert choices were a Selection of Seasonal Cheese and Dried Fruit, Ice Cream with Almond Biscuits, or chocolates. I always take the cheese over ice-cream. The platter consisted of an above average cheddar, and an average Camembert. The dried fruit was an apricot. There was also a cube of quince jelly, which I enjoyed. Then I had a 10 year old Penfolds Port, which was of average quality, a coffee, and a macadamia chocolate.
I also drank 3 glasses of water as I need to keep my hydration up because I have been dehydrated over the weekend, and 27 hours in an aeroplane is not good for you.
:-)