HONG KONG to LONDON – back to the Old Dart
Friday – Managed to get a bit of sleep after supper as there is nothing of interest on the radio or the movies so listened to CD’s on Demand. Michael Buble and Neil Diamond and they put me to sleep. Maybe I slept more than I thought as the night seems to have gone fast. A Continental Breakfast of Orange Juice; Melon Salad; Cereal (Sultana Bran); Caramelised Apple Muffin and coffee – so that’s not too bad.
Distance to Hong Kong 401km. Altitude 10363 metres. Ground speed 907kmh. Outside air temp -37 degrees celsius. Things are warming up. Distance from Melbourne 7043km.
A smooth landing and when we leave the plane we are given transit cards and Qantas stickers that we must stick on our jacket. We join the queue to re-check and then have to find Gate 15. There are no shops open and we have 30 minutes before we re-board. We are due to leave at 7.35am so hopefully we will be on time when we get to Heathrow. There is a new crew and they are just as nice as the ones that said goodbye. The weather in Hong Kong looks hazy or is it smog? You can’t tell these days. Looking forward to taking off in the daylight – and I am getting hungry. Ridiculous? I know.
Good take off but a patch of bumpy weather as we come through the clouds. South out of Hong Kong and then some left turns and heading back over China.
Breakfast is served (again) as we cross the Plateau of Tibet. Orange Juice, Yoghurt and Seasonal Fresh Fruit Salad. I then choose the Udon Noodles with Steamed Pork Bun and Beef Sui Mai which I didn’t eat. It was either that or the omelette. So I lost out either way. Blueberry Muffin and Coffee. This is the first Qantas meal that I have ever had that was lousy, hope it is not a sign of things to come.
My seating partner with the BO keeps getting out of her seat and sticking her rear right in my face. That is not pleasant and I am getting nauseous so I get out the perfume and give her a squirt. Yes I know – I don’t play well with others. We are heading towards Urumqi (where the hell is that) then up and away from India and Tehran. It is cloudy outside but can glimpse the mountain ranges. Time to try and have a nap but no such luck so had something to eat instead. Now heading for St Petersburg and Istanbul and should pass between the two cities.
Ground speed 892kmh; Altitude 10668 metres; Outside temp -45 degrees celsius; Time to London 6.25 hours.
The lady in the seat behind me has not stopped telling everyone who wants to listen where we are and what mountain/sea/lake/ocean is below us. Is she working for NatGeo? Only 3 hours to go – Kylie and Tyler should nearly be in London by now. They are flying in from the US and hopefully all things being right we should meet up at Heathrow.
Lunch is ready – Sweet Corn and Cucumber Salad; Citrus Fruit Compote; Smoked Salmon Salad with Bitter Leaves, Celery and Apple. Chocolate Brownie with Raspberry Coulis and coffee. It was OK – nothing flash but it was that or the Slow Cooked Beef with Turnips.
Time to put our seats in the upright position and between the lady beside me and the man in front they totally ignore what is being asked until the steward comes and gives them a bit of a hurry up. They look at him to say what a hide I am comfortable. Announcement from Captain Qantas – Heathrow is really busy so we will be in a holding pattern for about 15-20 minutes. Unfortunately I don’t get to see any typical London landmarks so no photos but it doesn’t seem to be that long before we are on the ground.
Gathering my goodies – I head toward customs which takes about three quarters of an hour to clear. There is a counter for British and EU Citizens – and more counters for ‘Others’ of which I seem to be one.
Everything goes smoothly and then it’s off to the carousel to retrieve my bag. Obviously being one of the smaller items it takes forever to come around but come around it does and I am away to meet Kylie and Tyler. They are just outside where I walk through and I can see them waving.
It has been two years since I have seen them last – and it is always good to catch up with my girl even though we have been in constant contact it is better in person. Off to the station and get the train to Liverpool Street. It is a long journey and by the time we arrive we are stuffed. We cannot find where we are supposed to be going to get to our hotel – Kylie is amazed at how everything has changed since she lived here so we swallow our pride and ask the newspaper stand attendant who is most helpful. We have to find Harrow Place so he advises we cross the road and down the alley. About three quarters of the way there is a huge metal statue of a knight on his charger but we do not stop for a photo. Will get one tomorrow. Turn right at the end of the alley – and there we are.
Arrive at the hotel Travelodge Liverpool Street– very small but nice and comfortable.
This is our room and the view from our one and only window. We all shower and rest up. Later in the evening K&T decide to find some food – I am not hungry so decide to sleep instead. So much for our dinner at Covent Garden and sightseeing. How on earth did we think we were going to be able to do that after spending about 24 hours on a plane? Beats me!
Highlight of the day : Seeing Kylie