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Published: March 10th 2009
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Sydney Buenos Aries Monday March 9
After packing the night before, our chauffeured car arrived at 7.20am. It was a Silver Statesman, not Black as Jeffrey had requested but very nice nevertheless. There was some light rain, but the driver loaded the bags, and then we bid farewell to the dogs, and our adventure began!
Yesterday, we had been contacted by a Qantas First Host, who explained what services were available to us to before our flight. We were offered curbside check-in, and given a number to call when we were 10 minutes from the terminal. Paul called the number provided and spoke to Emmanuel, a First Host. When we arrived outside the terminal, Stuart, another of the hosts, met us with a porter who took care of our bags, while we strolled to the First Class Check-in suite. Our passports were taken, and while Jeff chatted to some colleagues about our trip, Check-in was complete and we were presented with our Boarding passes and Express clearance cards. It was all so quick and easy, and we were on our way! We felt like celebrities!
Off through security, and no matter how much traveling we have done,
Breakfast
Qantas First Class Lounge it’s easy to carry liquids that are not acceptable. Paul had to forfeit 2 bottles, one of Aramis and the other skin lotion, much to his annoyance.
Arriving at the First lounge, Jeffrey went straight into the spa for his Neck and Shoulder massage, and Paul attended to some last minute business, and then had breakfast in the Neil Perry restaurant. Poached eggs, Bacon, Sausages, Mushrooms and Spinach, accompanied by a Caffe Latte and Orange juice. It was delicious start to the day. After Jeffrey emerged from the spa looking very relaxed, Paul went to the Spa for a manicure, it was relaxing to be pampered! Jeff ordered breakfast, and enjoyed some delicious Yogurt with Pistachios, fresh Figs and honey, followed by a Croque Monsieur with a side of Petunia Smoked Trout from Tasmania and an Early Grey tea.
The new First Lounge, designed by Marc Newson, opened after we returned from our trip in 2007, and is quite impressive. It offers several seating areas, the Restaurant, the Spa, a Library and wonderful views over the airport and toward the city. Just as we heard a boarding call made for QF17 to Buenos Aires we were approached by
QF17
Ready for take off one of the staff and handed our Boarding passes and directions to Gate 32, and wished a pleasant flight. At the gate we were whisked passed the crowd by another First Host, Jo, and straight down the Aerobridge and onto VH-OEJ, a Boeing 747-400 ER.
We were shown to our seats, 2K and 3K, and offered a glass of Charles Heidsieck Champagne along with small bowls of olives and almonds. The Champagne was constantly topped up, as Penelope our Flight Attendant introduced herself and her colleagues, and offered us our Amenity Kits and Pyjamas. She told us there would be a short delay due to some loading issues. Of the 14 First Class seats, 12 were occupied, including two small children, which worried us at first, however they were quiet very well behaved during the whole flight much to our relief.
After Takeoff, we ordered Gin and Tonics, and settled in to enjoy the flight.
Canapés were served, one of a small tartlet of Feta with Pine Nuts, Raisins and Joseph’s Olive Oil, and another of Seared Hiramasa Kingfish with a Lemon and Coriander Vinaigrette.
While we perused the Menu, we were offered todays Champagne choice,
Charles Hiedsieck Champagne
The obligatory Take Off drink a Dom Perignon Grand Cuvee Rose, just fantastic! We both decided to start with Cream of Asparagus Soup, then Jeff ordered a Goats cheese, olive and mixed leaf salad, and Paul chose a Salad Caprese, with roasted Tomatoes and Buffalo Mozzarella. For Main course, Paul a Wagyu Beef Sirloin with a Red Wine Jus, Sweet Potato Puree and Wilted Spinach. Jeff chose Seared Blue Eye Fillet with Sauce Vierge, Sautéed Zucchini and Spinach.
Our lunch was accompanied by more of the Dom Perignon Rose, then a Deadmans Hill Gewurztraminer2006 for Paul, and S.C. Pannell Sauvignon Blanc 2007 for Jeff. Later a Coriole Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 was wonderful with the Beef. The Gewurztraminer was just a little too sweet in our opinion though. We took advantage of eating together, so we were able to really enjoy the meal, and we flew over New Zealand, which had some great scenery. Later, we shared a cheese plate with accompaniments and Paul indulged in Hazelnut Peach Crumble while Jeff had an Assiette tasting plate that included Peach Ice Cream, and a wonderful rich Chocolate cake. Chocolates rounded off a wonderful meal, and Paul enjoyed his usual glass of De Bortoli Noble One
Bortrytis and Jeff had a Baileys on Ice.
Time to settle down, and we changed into the new First Class Pyjamas, a dark grey cotton, designed by Akira Isoagawa. We checked the movie guide but couldn’t find any of the movies playing on the screens. After asking we were told that last months movies were incorrectly loaded which as disappointing. We both watched ‘Australia’ with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, but were not all that impressed with it.
The flight was very comfortable with no turbulence at all, and the crew was very accommodating and attentive. We both watched several short programs and some more movies, and Paul had a mid flight snack of Qantas’ famous Steak sandwich with Tomato and Chilli relish and Rocket. Jeff indulged in a couple of Chocolate and Raspberry brownies, but saved room for breakfast.
It was difficult to sleep, even though our beds were made with soft mattresses and fluffy doonas, but our bodies just knew that although it was dark outside, it just wasn’t our bedtime. More reading and movies, and soon we were three hours from Buenos Aires and we were offered breakfast.
This time we ate in
our own seats. Paul enjoyed a Cranberry juice, Coffee, Bircher Muesli and then Organic Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms, Sausage and Spinach. Jeff ordered a Mango juice and Earl Grey Tea, followed by just what Paul had….who says we aren’t alike?
Soon we were gazing out the window onto the Argentinean countryside, and after changing back into our clothes and freshening up, we were descending into Ministro Pistarini Airport of Buenos Aires.
After landing we cleared Immigration and waited at the slow baggage carousel, where we watched bags falling off due to overloading. It always amazes us how people don’t know what their bags look like, and so have to check each one as it passes them. Our bags were off quickly, thanks to the First Class tags, and after Customs we met our driver and were on our way to the city.
We arrived in Buenos Aires after a drive of around 40 minutes, and even though Jeff was here 19 years ago, it all looked very different. Our driver took us to another Sheraton hotel, but fortunately Jeff realized before he made it up the driveway, and 5 minutes later we arrived at the Sheraton Libertador.
Vintage Dom
Vintage Dom Perignon Rose After a quick Check in, we took the elevator to Room 1703 on the Club level, a very nicely appointed room with views over the city to the river.
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