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And so, let me introduce Willard, named after the Dilithium Express wielding but publicity shy "Willard Phule" from the Robert Asprin "Phule's Company" series of books. He's going to be our guide through the unnerving experience of leaving your thirtees behind and becoming a card-carrying member of the "life begins at 40" club. Here he is relaxing in the Servisair Lounge in Manchester waiting for his flight to Zurich.
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It was a small plane (an Embraer 145 for the sad crowd watching..) but luckily we ended up with a Bassinet position for Wilard....
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...however being an "unticketed passenger" he didn't get a meal, sadly! He sure does look hungry...
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Now that Willard has arrived in Zurich he can relax and enjoy the new Swiss First Class lounge, where the most difficult decision you will be called upon to make during your stay is whether to go for brut or rose' Tattinger champagne. As you can see, Willard went for the rose' - wise chap!
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Quite a long layover, and Willard is obviously getting tired - most of the other occupants of the lounge (including a suitably incognito looking Prince William) have left, as ours is one of the last long-hauls to leave Zurich tonight. (I figured that trying to get a picture of Willard with the prince may have been pushing my luck, and I'm sure I'd have found myself having a long chat with the two gentlemen with large hearing aids and suspicious bulges in their jackets - not my chosen entertainment for my birthday)
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And we finally made it on to our Swiss A340, where Willard can sit on the "Ottoman" companion seat for take-off.
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And of course the whole idea of a companion seat is that you can dine with a friend - this time Willard can have whatever he wants - after all, he IS flying First class!
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And after a long flight (and a good nights sleep, thanks to Swiss's flat beds) Willard arrives at the Sheraton Towers in Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, and checks in.
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And, being a seasoned traveller, Willard makes straight for the Towers lounge, and enjoys the late afternoon view over the harbour with a glass of bubbly.
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And for every gentleman of style and refinement, a trip to Hong Kong means a visit to ones tailor. Willard visits Ash and Luke Samtani with some other people, we're not sure who THEY are....
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