Paris to home and goodbye first class (sob)

Just enough room to stretch out :)

The end of the marvellous adventure.   I was collected by the Emirates chauffeur from my Paris hotel.  He held the umbrella over me as he carried by bag to the car.  That's the one and only time in my life I've had a man hold an umbrella to keep me dry, and I suppose very fitting for this trip.

The drive was around 40 minutes so I was extra pleased not to be paying for a taxi or negotiating metro stops in the rain.  No great issue at the airport, though I felt cheated not to have a priority pass for security.  Once again (Paris is the only place this happens to me) I was chided for the plastic bag of carry on liquids being too large.  Not excess contents, just the size of the bag. The security woman told me it was way too big, emptied the contents into a smaller one, put the empty larger bag in as well, closed it up and returned it to me.  So the point was ...?  The original plastic bag was one from security in Australia and had passed every other checkpoint in the journey without incurring anyone's wrath.  Oh well.  

Made my way to the Emirates lounge and had a few pieces of teriyaki chicken with some of the best mashed potato I've ever tasted.  Weird combo I know, but that's what airports do to me.  Gotta love the French and their dedication to cream and butter.  I had a glass of Moet, but resisted the desserts, trying to save my appetite for the delights onboard.  Not often you can say that!  One staff member must have had a wiping down tables KPI, as she insisted on doing it while people were using the tables, being so insistent people were lifting up their plates to let her wipe underneath.  Quite odd.  

No direct boarding from the lounge, but I do get a kick out of the First/Business boarding walkway.  I was so excited to board and give myself over to the luxury for the long haul home.  I was delighted to answer Yes, to the have you flown with us before query.  The attendant then asked me if I was an Emirates staff member.  Haha, I must have looked so at-home second time around.  First up was the Dom Pérignon Rosé 2006, which was divine.  Given it's around $350 a bottle, that's not surprising.  They are very generous with the pour sizes, and of course readily offered top-ups.  

Forgive me but I love having the priority entry

 

Canapes to start

This leg I went all out to try everything!  Canapes to start, followed by caviar, Beef Fillet and then dessert (Chocolate and Pear tart).   At some stage I went to the bar and had a Breakfast Martini.  As this was my last flight with the bar, and the shower, I couldn't miss out.  I booked my 30 minute slot for the shower, but just used the time for a leisurely freshen up.  Eyes drops, face and body moisturiser, clean teeth etc.  Again what a delicious luxury in the huge bathroom.  I was very lucky to have this option on 3 of the 4 legs.

I still can't see how this indicates you must have your seatbelt fastened

I can attest that Naomi Campbell is quite correct and one should wipe down every surface upon boarding a plane.  My not-so-classy neighbour had her bare feet up on the forward table where all drinks and snacks are placed.  

After the seven hour flight I had a stopover in Dubai of just over 2 hours.  This time security was much busier and more intense and it was nice to get to the lounge.  I had some eggs, although I certainly wasn't starving and washed it down with a bloody mary.  Good plan.   On arrival I was told my gate was 15 mins walk from the lounge, so I left about 20 minutes before the boarding time.  I saw Michael McCormack, Deputy PM in the lounge as I was leaving, but I didn't stop to give him feedback.  For me it was a solid 20 minutes walking to make it to my gate.  I wasn't ambling either, as I was overtaking most other travellers along the way.  I was very hot and sweaty by the time I arrived, and thinking curses! no shower on this flight.  What an inconvenience! 😆

This was the longest leg of all my flights (almost 14 hours) and my farewell to First Class luxury.  So of course I had to start it with champagne :)   Timing is a bit of a blur for the trip, but I did manage almost 6 hours sleep, fruit, muesli and yogurt, an espresso martini, salmon cream cheese and caper bagels, and a cheese platter, more champagne and a glass of white wine.  Couldn't quite fit in a main course again, and am now kicking myself I didn't have caviar instead of cheese platter.  Curses!  It is so good not having set meal times or choices limited to the time of day.  My attendant seemed quite concerned I wasn't ordering a main meal, but in the end was happy enough with my random choices.  She said; I like the way you eat. Next time you fly, I will recognise you and won't keep bothering you to order food. 

There was some serious turbulence while I slept.  I remember a few times putting my hand against the wall as a brace, and feeling like I was driving along the dirt road to Hell's Gate instead of on a plane.  I watched two movies, Book Smart and Yesterday, which is a record for me.  I really enjoyed Yesterday. 

The layout on the 777 is not as good as the 380 in that you are almost directly across from your neighbour, instead of it being more staggered.  Of course with the doors closed this doesn't matter, but with them open it was much less private.  I can therefore report that my neighbour, who was dressed in Tshirt, boardshorts and thongs, might have had one meal and a couple of drinks and may have used the entertainment for an hour or so.  So this seemed to suggest he was not a one-timer like me, hoovering up every particle of enjoyment, but perhaps a rather rich frequent traveller.  

It really did seem an imposition having to use normal toilet facilities on this flight, instead of one housed in the shower/spa room.  The room was slightly larger than usual economy ones, but still!  That shower room; you think it's a bit over the top and why is it needed, but gosh it's good. 

Breakfast

Cheese platter (again). Too much for me this time around.

Although the announcement uses the phrase "overhead lockers" it amused me that the on screen translation is hatracks.  This reminds me Eddie tells me there is a German word which is slang for a sourpuss, but translates to "insulted liver sausage".  How good is that?

And so my adventure came to an end.  My last chauffeur ride and back to home sweet home.  Gemma had left lots of notes for me, which was a wonderful welcome and made the tired traveller smile.  I had been quite sad to have missed her visit here, but this made it a little easier.  Thanks Gembo (you lovable weirdo)

 

I stayed awake until 1am, hoping I'd be able to trick my body into a full night's sleep.  Instead I was wide awake at 2.30am so got up and did a bit of unpacking and some laundry.  There was little sorting to be done, as essentially everything in my bag needed washing at this stage.  Back to bed about 4am, but jet-leg wins this round.

It was an amazing trip.  I was a little hampered by sore and swollen knees at times, so I must make sure that condition is resolved somehow before the next big trip.  I loved the Emirates experience and will definitely do it one more time, even if just for the return leg.