{"id":2008,"date":"2015-08-25T00:00:20","date_gmt":"2015-08-25T08:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foodfriendstravel.com\/staging\/?p=2008"},"modified":"2017-12-27T19:46:21","modified_gmt":"2017-12-28T03:46:21","slug":"the-journey-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodfriendstravel.com\/staging\/the-journey-home\/","title":{"rendered":"The Journey Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Journey Home<\/p>\n

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By Steven<\/p>\n

25 August 2015<\/p>\n

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This day has finally come. Sadly, it\u2019s time to head home. We\u2019ve certainly enjoyed our travels, seeing old friends and making new, but vacation can\u2019t go on forever.<\/p>\n

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As with all other travel days, of this trip, we start early with packing. This morning it should be so hard, you would think, it all needs to go home and we packed for air travel just two days before. Today it seems like there\u2019s much more organizing to do. Eventually everything finds its place, or is left behind.<\/p>\n

After another home breakfast at the house, we headed for the airport. We wanted to get to the airport a little early to take advantage of the lounge amenities. We\u2019re flying British Airways First Class today! We cashed in a ton of points to book this flight, so we might as well make the most of it. Having failed to make reservations for our free massages in the BA Spa, our best bet was to get there early and see if we could get on the schedule. \u2013 Note to self: book the massage as soon as you book the flight!<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>Neil and Darren drove us to the airport which not only worked quite well, but was also very nice of them to do. I\u2019m always amazed at getting anywhere by car in London. I don\u2019t know how people manage. I\u2019m usually pretty good with direction and getting around, but London always baffles me. Getting from point A to point B seems, invariably, to take you through points M, R and Z along the way! Nonetheless, we get there in good time.<\/p>\n

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Arrival at Heathrow\u2019s Terminal 5 is uneventful. The first time I\u2019ve ever actually arrived here by car, having only ever passed through here in transit. We easily found the First Class check in counter \u2013 couldn\u2019t hardly miss it actually, off to the right with a tasteful but huge sign announcing it\u2019s splendidness. In the old Terminal 4, this was quite hidden I had noticed in years passed as I would headed to the lengthy coach class check in lines. When we walked up today, we were the only ones there. A quick drop of the bags and we were off to security. The First Class, Business Class and elite status passengers have a dedicated security line, secluded from the others. Two X-ray machines but the line wasn\u2019t moving very fast \u2013 hardly at all. Apparently, they had just run through a test bag to check the system and the screeners. This managed to shut down that scanner and now wasn\u2019t coming back on line any too quickly. So much for speedy at this point. We\u2019re still hours out from our flight, so no matter.<\/p>\n

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As you come out of security, you\u2019re right in front of a very non-descript door, except for a small Concorde Room sign and a matron guarding the way in. A quick check of our boarding passes, a review of our reservation on her terminal, and we were in. The inner sanctum, as it were. Or so we thought. Another attendant inside asked for verification of our rights to admittance. That cleared, we proceed to the luggage check to have them hold our carry-ons. This was just beyond the lounge headed toward the Business Class lounge. So, of course, we had to check in with the nice gentleman on that side on our way back. We stating that we had already check in to the lounge (twice) his only response was \u201cI<\/strong><\/em> haven\u2019t seen you before.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Next to check to see if we can get our free massages. No better luck than when we tried to call. No spots available except maybe in the other remote concourse. Not knowing yet where our flight was to depart, we didn\u2019t want to risk getting to the wrong part of the airport and then having to walk back. If you try to come back from the B of C concourse on the train, you\u2019re forced out of the airport and would have to go through security again. Not a gamble worth taking. We could have perhaps snagged a private cabana. Since we didn\u2019t need a shower but did want to eat, we give these a pass. Judging from some pictures I\u2019ve seen online<\/a>, this is just as well.<\/p>\n

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We head over to the restaurant section of the lounge to find all the private booths taken so we just grab a couple seats at the open tables. Same food is served, but I have to say that the people in the private booths certainly seemed to be getting better service. Waiters were constantly bustling about in there while it took a good 10 minutes for anyone to stop by our table. Once we had a waiter, we quickly had bubbly in hand. Cheers! Kevin\u2019s pretty sure it was our waiter\u2019s first time serving, poor thing looked flustered all the time...again with the rushing about and not much seeming to be done in the process.<\/p>\n

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There was a good selection of fare available. We each started with the soup. As I recall it was good, but the menu is no help in remembering what it was, as it\u2019s just listed as soup of the day. Your guess is as good as mine. Afterwards, I had the Duo of West Country Beef, pressed beef with oxtail ravioli accompanied by Romanesco puree. Kevin had the Summer Salmon Salad. For desert, we both had the Affogato \u2013 vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of espresso and a cookie \u2013 Yum! And of course more bubbly.<\/p>\n

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We still have some time before boarding \u2013 our gate hasn\u2019t even been announced yet - so we just found a couple spots to relax out on the \u201cterrace,\u201d still inside, but overlooking the main terminal. What\u2019s up with the horse lamps \u2013 those are just odd! Eventually our gate is announced \u2013 now we only have \u00bd hour to get to the plane in the next concourse \u2013 time to run! While we were told that no announcements of flights would be given in the First Class Lounges, we really would have appreciated some notice that boarding had started. Live and learn.<\/p>\n

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When we get to the gate, it appears that almost everyone has already boarded, virtually no line. How did everyone get here so quick and already board? There is a small queue for coach boarding but we slip right by. Upon arrival at the door to the airplane, the Purser (head flight attendant) greeted us. As soon as I showed my boarding pass, the flight attendant standing nearby offered to take me to my seat. When the Purser saw Kevin\u2019s boarding pass, he called \u201cservice\u201d, and another flight attendant, loaded with a tray of drinks she quickly put down, and came over to escort Kevin to his seat. You certainly don\u2019t get this when you\u2019re turning right as you board. Once settled, more bubbly was on offer. \u201cOf course, I would love some.\u201d Apparently, we were the last two First passengers to arrive \u2013 again I ask: how did they get here so fast?<\/p>\n

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Our seats, as you can imagine, were quite spacious with lots of storage for shoes and jackets. Oddly, however, there was no place for small items like a cell phone, power cords, or sunglasses. There was a place for a laptop but it wasn\u2019t easy to spot. There was certainly enough room to have these things out, but no good place to stow for takeoff and landing.<\/p>\n

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As we were getting ourselves comfortable, the flight attendant came by to offer pajamas and slippers. She also brought the \u201cFor Him\u201d amenity bags with all the goodies, one expects: tooth brush\/paste, socks, lotions & balms, razor, and the best eye mask I\u2019ve ever had. The pajamas are a nice light flannel \u2013 whether we\u2019re supposed to not, we both kept them, along with the comfy slippers...and eye masks.<\/p>\n

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Once we got in the air, the flight attendant came around to take drink and food orders, asking us when we would like to eat. Kevin chose ASAP so he could go to sleep. Since I generally don\u2019t sleep well on planes, I opted for a little later, which turns out to not been such a good idea. Before I had worked my way through the entire meal, our attendant went on break, his replacement didn\u2019t seem to catch on very quickly that I was still only half way through the courses. It seemed to take forever for her to clear empty plates and bring the next. Yes, I know, another first-world problem!<\/p>\n

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After dinner, I found my duvet in the overhead bin and started to make up my bed. The flight attendant came by and offered to take care of it while I ran off to the restroom to get into my jammies. The rest of the flight for me while Kevin slept was a series of movies and time spent typing blog entries. One thing that\u2019s always a highlight for me on the daytime flights between Europe and Seattle is seeing Greenland. It always fascinates. It will certainly be a sad day when it no longer has its snow pack and glaciers. For now though, it\u2019s still beautiful. The rest of the flight was uneventful and of course more food came about an hour before we landed in Seattle.<\/p>\n

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The little island is Uummannaq Island. You can't really make it out in this photo but there's actually a town down there. Wikipedia can tell you more about it: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Uummannaq_Island<\/a><\/p>\n

A quick run-down of the food (not all pictured).<\/p>\n

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For starters I had taken the gamble on the Sesame Seared Tuna. I was hesitant about \u201cfresh\u201d fish coming from an airline kitchen. Happily, it was actually quite good. Not 100% fresh tasting, but not bad.<\/p>\n

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Kevin started with the Wild Mushroom and Truffle Mousse. While, it doesn\u2019t look much like a mousse as we would know it in America, it did have a nice, creamy mousse texture and quite flavorful.<\/p>\n

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Next up, main courses. I took another gamble in hopes of BA redeeming themselves after a previous beef experience I had on my last flight (see rant below). Pleasantly, it was served sufficiently warm but not overcooked, a nice medium rare.<\/p>\n

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<rant class=\u201dfurious-disgusted\u201d>
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\nOn our flight back from Geneva two years ago, we were in BA\u2019s Premium Economy (\"World Traveler +\") which supposedly featured entrees from the Business Class (\"Club World\") menu. I ordered the steak rather than chicken (should have known better after the horrid pork puck I had on the outbound). This was the worst piece of beef I have ever had the displeasure of eating. It was fully cooked well-done and beyond. The sauce was even completely dried up and fused to the dish. It\u2019s an absolute disgrace that a cow gave up its life to have become this!<\/p>\n

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<\/rant>
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Kevin\u2019s entr\u00e9e choice was the North Atlantic Baked Cod. He doesn\u2019t remember too much about it other than being thankful it wasn\u2019t overcooked. We American\u2019s do like our fish in a state others might call near raw, but they\u2019d be wrong.<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Kevin skipped on dessert while I enjoyed the Raspberry D\u00e9lice. How could this be wrong \u2013 well, it wasn\u2019t! It was a layered dessert with a cookie crust and a raspberry gelee top. This with a generous serving of Glenlivet 18 year-old was a perfect way to finish dinner as The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel finished playing.<\/p>\n

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Kevin finished his dinner with the Warm Blueberry and Nectarine Crumble.<\/p>\n

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After some time spent writing blog entries, taking pictures of Greenland and retrieving my sunglasses that had fallen into the bowels of my seat - don't ask!, it was time for a nap.<\/p>\n

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About an hour before landing in Seattle we were offered Afternoon Tea \u2013 very civilized! I had to pass on the sandwich selection as they all had something I don\u2019t care for: either salmon, mayo, cucumbers, or some variation thereof. Kevin enjoyed his on the other hand. I did partake in the patisserie. This included a brownie, a key lime cake and a Battenberg cake<\/a>. All served with our own personal pot of tea.<\/p>\n

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Upon arrival into Seattle, we of course were the first to immigration I think the last of passengers from another flight were just going through. We headed straight for the Global Entry kiosks with no lines, no waiting. Baggage claim went quickly as well \u2013 a near miracle at Seatac.<\/p>\n

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Our friend Maria was waiting for us when we got to the curb. A quick ride home and the journey was a fait accompli<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Such was our journey home. No dragon slaying or running from orcs and trolls, but there you have it. Back home to our own place and our own bed. Ah, to have clean clothes soon!<\/p>\n

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Just. Have. To. Stay. Awake. Until. Ten.<\/p>\n

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Epilogue<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed following us on this trip as much as we\u2019ve enjoyed sharing it with you all. Look for more adventures in the years to come. We\u2019ll keep posting about our trips as long as anyone cares to read about them. I know it\u2019s taken a long time to get this written up so in some ways, I\u2019m glad to have it done, in other ways I\u2019ll miss spending so much time recollecting about the trip. Likewise happy to have all the experiences recorded for when things fade from memory.<\/p>\n

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Stay tuned for more travels.<\/p>\n

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Ps \u2013 There weren\u2019t many guesses (actually none) for what these are from our QM2 post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Perhaps you\u2019ve guessed to yourself but didn\u2019t share. For those still curious, these aren't just sculptures on the ship, they\u2019re actually spare propeller blades. If you find yourself in the middle of the Atlantic with a blown propeller blade, you can\u2019t just call the Automobile Association for help. I\u2019m a little at a loss however as to how they would change one out while at sea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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