V-Flyer

This is the sequel to our outbound trip, which can be found here.

All too soon after a fabulous few days in Hong Kong and Macau, it was time to head home. Many thanks to Tinkerbelle, JP, Dean and many others who gave us advice about our trip. It was our first time here, but it wont be our last. The place is brilliant, the people are so friendly, the hotels are fabulous, (the Venetian in Macau is the biggest building in Asia!!) and the food is simply wonderful. It really is a place that has to be experienced. The amount of people that are transported, fed, and looked after with awe inspiring efficiency just has to be seen to be believed.

The efficiency extends to the flying experience. We were able to check our bags and get our boarding passes / Clubhouse invitations 10 hours before our flight at the Airport Express in-town check in facility. This service is free to all passengers who use the Airport Express to get out to the airport and is just brilliant. (I am already running out of superlatives). The staff didnt wear VS uniforms, but were very switched on to VS systems and gave us the CH pass without me saying anything about being Au.

Checking in early meant we were able to head back out to Kowloon for some more shopping and then watch the 8pm New Years fireworks in the harbour. These were also amazing, which will come as no surprise, I am sure.

Even with the awful state of the pound at the moment, it is still possible to get some great deals in the many restaurants, shops, malls and markets here.

Once the fireworks were over, we headed out on the Airport Express, and breezed through passport control and security without a problem. We were soon on the train to the Clubhouse, which is tucked away overlooking one of the many shopping concourses.

The staff in the Clubhouse were as friendly as any we had encountered on the trip and service was just amazing. I had developed a taste for Tsingtao lager on the trip, so I let the trend continue. We also had a bite to eat.

Dinner menu:

Lighter bites.

Jasmine scented pumpkin latte soup
Jalapeno peppers with red pepper hummous
Mini quiche with sausage and mushrooms.

Bigger bites.

Grilled sole with coconut rice and Chinese greens
Cabbage leaf rolls on focaccia bread with mushrooms and tomato rice.
Lamb burger on focaccia bread with caramelised onions

Naughty but nice.

Chocolate banana bread and butter pudding with whiskey caramel sauce.
Selection of cheese and accompaniments.

I had the lamb burger and Sue had the cabbage leaf rolls both very nice, but not overly filling. We then had the slightly surreal experience of a Skype video chat with Chris, who we had cruelly left behind at Uni! We still had time to read the UK papers and catch up on V-Flyer, as the Clubhouse steadily filled up. The Clubhouse staff remained friendly and attentive throughout our stay, and we managed to swap our seats for window / aisle ones without a problem.

We were called to board at 10.55pm and made our way to Gate 36 again no problems or queue to board and we were soon sat on the plane, which was a lot fuller than our outbound. We were in the back seats in PE, so didnt have to worry about reclining our seats at all.

It has been said on V-Flyer many times that a good FSM can make a flight and tonight was a classic example of this right from the cheery welcome message well off the script, to the personal visit to our seat to thank me for being a gold card holder. I know it is BS, but it is good BS and really helps to foster brand loyalty.

From the FSM's announcements I learned that our flying time would be 13 hours and 3 minutes, the plane we were on was Soul Sister, I was one of 239 passengers. I was also informed that our speed at take off would be 178mph and this was needed to lift the 295 metric tonne plane off the ground. Finally, our cruising speed would be 85% of the speed of sound.

Pushback was at 11.50pm and there was a long taxi to runway 07R before wheels up at 12.12am. As soon as we were level, we had drinks and then the meal was served. Again, very nice crew who seemed to be working hard and also enjoying their job.

Dinner menu.

Pan seared sole with caper, olive oil and basil tomato sauce, mustard potato wedges, carrots and spinach.

Mixed mushroom lasagne with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese.

Braised beef in chu hau sauce with steamed rice and Chinese vegetables.

Sue and I both had the sole and thought it was very tasty, my veg were a bit soggy though.

After we had eaten I watched a bit of TV then settled down into a deep sleep. (Thanks to the late hour and the Tsingtao )

During the night I was vaguely aware of drinks and fruit runs, but didnt partake.

Breakfast was a choice of full English, omelette or Chinese noodles. I had the full English, which was a little bland to say the least, but it was certainly nice to have a second hot meal.

A smooth landing into a drizzly dark and surprisingly busy Heathrow at 5.15am. Luggage appeared fairly quickly and I was soon the first customer in Revivals.

In conclusion, I had been a little wary of this trip given all the comments abut cut backs and shoddy service that have appeared on here recently, but I have to say that both flights were spot on. All of the staff we encountered were a credit to Virgin and I am certainly pleased I have nailed my colours to this particular brand.

Sorry to have rambled on, but thanks for reading and thanks for the kind comments about my outbound effort.

Nick

I'm glad that you both had a fantastic holiday - it's so nice to read two good trip reports!

quote:Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
I was also informed that our speed at take off would be 17mph


[:0] That must have been a long runway [:p]

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle

[:0] That must have been a long runway [:p]


Thanks, Tink - edit made. [:I]

I really must employ a proof reader - or wait until I have got rid of jet leg before posting my TRs. [:D][}:)]

Nick

Nothing like a Hong Kong to bring on a huge dose of jet lag [|)]

Thanks Nick, great report, interesting to hear about the HK check-in & CH experience.

You can by chance pick up Tsingtsao over here usually in chinese supermarkets- also a convert since a PEK trip

Two great trip reports Nick. I am glad you and Sue both enjoyed Hong Kong (it i sone of my favourite places and on returning from my first trip there I felt the same enthusiasm as I feel from you in this report). Its wonderful to read of two great flights too. [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

Great TR[y]
HK is on my list of places to visit before I get too old to remember where I wanted to go.
Thanks R-P

Thanks for an excellent brace of TRs - as always with you, informative and observant[y][y]
Clearly HKG has left its mark on the Nick Household - strong enough to draw you away from your beloved Boston perhaps [}:)]

As you observed, the positive experiences you enjoyed is something that is increasingly prevalent in TRs here, let us all hope the trend continues

buns

Thanks Nick - a thoroughly enjoyable brace of TRs. Must admit to having belatedly taken a shine to Hong Kong too... great to hear the crew pulled through for you too!

Another great TR and glad you had a great time in HKG [y]

Dominic

Thanks for sharing - I've never considered Hong Kong for a short break (for some reason) but will now.

Well, Nick, you certainly whetted my appetite for a trip to Hong Kong. An excellent report from you, as usual, and your superlatives have caused me to check flight schedules from the West Coast!

As buns pointed out, more positive TRs are being noticed. They're certainly a pleasure to see.

Chuck-

I always pass straight through HK and really must plan to stopover, particularly after reading your great TR. The CH in HK never disappoints.

Thanks for 2 great TR's Nick. HK does sound like a very interesting place to visit. Maybe one day[:(]

Both flights seem to well above par for service so well done VS.

Another Tsingtao here as well[y]

Iain

Thanks for two TR's. Make the trip to HK every year to visit family. First time on VS this April, on these flights (assuming they're not canned!), so very topical for me.

Cheers.

Thanks Nick for the reports so glad you both enjoyed one of my very favorite cities and the flights were as they should be.[y]

Great stuff Nick, glad you both had a good time and I'm happily reading that the crew were excellent on both legs.

Regards

John

Thanks for the TRs - again, nice to see you folks had such good trips. Makes me look forward a good deal more to forthcoming trips.

Thanks for the great report, Nick.

Sounds like a result, Nick - both stay and flights. Thanks. [:)]

Great Trip report Nick x

Nice to see positive comments. I would now certainly consider a short break to HKG. We have also found our PE trips always spot on.