This is a re-run of the entry that I stupidly deleted. How do you accidently delete an entry you may ask? well…I am using my phone camera for the photos in this blog, so I have the Travel Pod app on my phone as well as here on the ipad. When I take photos, I upload them through the phone app, then finish the entry on the iPad. Uploading the video of Big ben caused the phone app to crash and when I reset the app, it deleted the entry from the day before because I had not synced to save it 🙁 ….Now I know the importance of syncing 🙂
Anyway……Abu Dhabi to London.After a very pleasant stay in the superbly appointed lounge in Abu Dhabi I I boarded the last leg of my journey. Settling in (and having that almost obligatory glass of Champagne), the cabin crew came around to take our breakfast orders . My plan for this flight was to have a drink than settle down for a good sleep – breakfast – then arrive in London at 7:00am.
Not long after we boarded, the Captain announced that we were to be delayed approx 45mins as the baggage handlers had been a bit rough and had damaged a wall in the cargo bay and they were awaiting an engineer to came to make repairs. Given that it was now 2:00am, I am sure somebody was NOT happy :).
While I was waiting, I watched some TV shows on my iPad and had another Champagne (well it would be rude to refuse 🙂 ) Soon enough we took off and my sleep/breakfast plan worked perfectly. I woke up at just before 5:00am London time, went and freshened up and my breakfast arrived.
I had ordered the Full English breakfast (sausage, egg, tomato, potato, mushroom, baked beans, toast and croissants) and a cup of tea. YUMM I was hungry so asked if I could have just another sausage and scrambled egg. Of course it was no trouble.
With the take off delay, we arrived at Heathrow at around 8:00am. The airport was very quiet, and I breezed through customs, collected my suitcase and made my way to the Etihad desk where my driver was waiting.
A 40min drive and I arrived at the Hyde Park Suites which was to be home for the next 3 nights. as I couldn’t get into the room until 2:00, the reception lady checked me in and showed me where I could leave my luggage, and I headed out to discover the neighbourhood.
You may guess the “Hyde Park Suites” is very close by Hyde Park. I had a walk through the park and had a good look through Kensington Palace. I got there just in time to tag along on a guided tour with an “explainer” after the house tour, I had a look around the current display they have of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana’s fashion from the past 50 years.
Heading back to the Hotel, I got to my room and unpacked. The Hyde Park Suites is a series of terrace houses that have been made into apartments.
The reception is in building 55 ad my apartment is in building 32 the apartment is perfectly adequate for my night stay, with a small kitchen, comfy bed, free wifi, and a great shower.
After unpacking, I went out again to stock up on the basics (bacon, eggs, tea bags, milk, some meat and veges)
I had read the reviews on Tripadvisor and thought it looked OK. Honestly, some people must live in 5star mansions if they think this is not fine. I often wonder why people complain, we they have obviously gone the budget route for a hotel. If they wanted 5 star, they should have booked the Hilton or the Savoy. (both within walking distance from here)
I got back, watched some TV made dinner and settled in for a reasonably early night.
Menu
Breakfast
Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace
Hyde Park Suites
Kitchen
Kitchen
Fashion exhibition, Kensington Palace
This was one of the Queen’ s displays . There are explanations of the designers as well as photos of when each gown was worn.
Today stated with an early wake up to get ready to go. A quick breakfast and Mick drove me to Bill and Joy’s place where my Limo Transfer was to collect me at 9:00.
The Etihad transfer has a 60km radius from Brisbane airport and outside of that there is an added cost. Bill and Joys place is just outside the limit so I had to pay $11.55 🙂
The driver, Ross delivered me to the airport in plenty of time. Checking in and getting through customs is certainly a lot quicker with a business class express pass. I was checked in, through customs and relaxing in the Air New Zealand lounge just before 10:00.
I made myself a plate of deli meat, cheese and crackers and read some magazines until my flight was called
Brisbane to Singapore
Boarding the plane to Singapore was on time and I was soon seated in a very comfy Business Class “capsule seat”
I had no sooner sat down and I was presented with a glass of Champagne, followed closely by a warm face towel. As you can see by the picture, there is plenty of leg room. I actually had to move my seat forward a little to put my feet up comfortably on the foot rest.
Not long after take off the cabin crew took my lunch order. I chose the Chicken for starters, followed by Lamb and finished of with the cheese platter. A glass of Red with the lamb and more bubbles with the cheese 🙂
I watched a few movies and we landed in Singapore at 9:00pm Brisbane time A short 40 minute wait in the terminal at Changi and we were off to Abu Dhabi.
Singapore to Abu Dhabi
Champagne was again offered pretty much as soon as I sat down 🙂 this time I declined and just had a cup of tea. Even a simple order of a cup of tea is presented so beautifully, with white or brown sugar and biscuits . I was not really hungry after having eaten so well over the past few hours, so I had just a small serve of fresh fruit.
I then settled in for a good sleep. Laying the seat back fully flat made for a nice enough bed. I had read on the Internet that some people thought the bed was a bit hard and to ask for a second doona to go underneath you as well as over. It certainly did provide a bit of extra padding.
I managed a good 5 and a half hours sleep, before waking and having another cup of tea, a couple of TV shows and we were landing in Abu Dhabi at midnight Abu Dhabi time.
I am posting this entry from the Etihad lounge at the Abu Dhabi airport as I have a 2 hour stopover before the flight to London.
Just over a week now until I go, and I am going to pack this weekend
For some time I have been practicing “Travelling Light” While not always sticking to carry on only, I do like to have a small case that is not too heavy..After all, I am the one who has to lug that case around.
There are many options that Google pops up with when you search “Packing Light” I was particularly inspired by this one.. here
The images below are the result. As well as the items shown, I have included a pair of pyjamas and a number of scarves. As I have a mix of short sleeve and long sleeve tops, I will be able to layer up for most weather conditions It is not going to be too cold for the 3 weeks I am in Europe, so no need for thermal underwear 🙂
The long sleeved Black T-Shirt dress will be worn on the plane with black tights and ballet flats, acting as a comfortable nightdress and slippers while still looking “human” in business class.
Our weekend away has sadly come to an end :(. We have packed up and just enjoying one last cuppa before we head back north. We are stopping off at the family for a Fathers Day lunch and then back to reality 🙁
We have enjoyed our stay here at the Mouses House
Watch this space for my next adventure…EUROPE …Only 3 weeks to go.
