Introduction
Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne
Park Hyatt Melbourne & Melbourne to Canberra
Canberra to Melbourne to Brisbane
Conclusion

After arriving at the Park Hyatt o so comfortably in the S class, I did not want to get out, but sadly, the driver was already at the boot getting out my bag and the Porters were already opening the door before I had even thought about moving.

I was greated and offered to take my bag, however as I did not want to let the camera bag out of my site, I let them just take the suitcase and I kept the camera bag with me (although it felt like it was going to break me in half by this stage). I was escorted through to the check in, where I was greeted and checked in. I was informed of the lovely Diamond amenities and told that I had used “points” to upgrade to a Park Suite and I had been upgraded further from this to a Terrace Suite. I was asked if i had stayed at the hotel previously (I had not) and was then explained the facilities, services of the hotel etc, before being pointed in the direction of the Cathedral wing.

I made my way up to the room and damn… colour me impressed! I will let the pictures do the talking but for what little time I was spending in Melbourne, It was just not fair!! I mean seriously this room was awesome! Even a nespresso Machine, I was in heaven. I had a quick explore before hitting the sack.

Sunday 08th April 2012

Woke up a bit earlier than I thought I would as my body just did not want to let me rest, and I headed down to the Park Health Club & Spa (their Gym area) for a morning work out. The gym was modern and pretty damn good actually. Heaps of cardio and free weights, all modern machines with full cable tv set up in most of the cardio machines (albeit with crap reception on the treadmills). A Decent looking pool (although closed at that hour of the day). Couldn’t ask for more.

After the work out and a few coffees fresh from the machine, I met up with a friend next door at St Patricks Cathedral for morning mass before we returned to the hotel to indulge in the breakfast in the Park Club (lounge) up on the 19th floor. There was 3 of us and fully expecting to have to pay for the 3rd person, they mustn’t of worried as when we arrived the lounge was pretty empty (but almost full by the time we left). Although breakfast was continental in the lounge, they do offer A La Carte options at additional expense but the range on offer was by far exceeding my expectations and the fruit was just divine (best strawberries i’ve had in a while). All that was lacking was some chocolate options and being easter.. a tiny bit flawed imo.

After a good healthy breakfast, a number of coffees and some good conversation. It was time to venture out of the hotel. I checked out and bid farewell to my friends, declined the offer of Transport to the airport and decided to walk to Bourke Street to get a tram. After a 5 minute stroll through the Paris end of town, past lots of tourists and families out on this Easter Sunday. Soon enough I was onboard a tram and making my way to Southern Cross station where luckily a Skybus was about to pull out of the station to the airport within a few moments and i made it onboard just in time without a seat though =(.

At the airport effortlessly I was checked in within moments and relaxing in the lounge within 5 minutes of the bus pulling in. That is the one thing I do love about the lounge in Melbourne, there is no need to go through security prior to getting to the lounge so you don’t need to worry. Unfortunately my friend was not yet working today (she would start later on) so I headed up to my favourite area of the Melbourne lounge and one of the super comfy red seats was free. I settled in, camera in hand with a view of the active runway, drink and book out, chilling and relaxing. Is there a better way to spend a sunday?

After a catch up in the lounge with my friend, some more spotting, the inbound aircraft landed and pulled up to the gate so figured it was time to head towards the outer pier and through security. On the way stopping to get a couple of photos of XFB and other aircraft sitting around. Expecting a bit of a queue at security, there wasnt one so I was through within moments and sat down at the gate, just relaxing and waiting for the flight to be called. I was excited to be flying an Embraer with Virgin for the first time.

Virgin Australia
DJ271
Melbourne to Canberra
1330-1435
Embraer E190 (VH-ZPL)
Economy Class – Seat 3A

Boarding: 1310 (Gate 13)
Push Back: 1329
Take Off Roll: 1336 (Runway 34)
Top of Descent: 1400
Touch Down: 1421 (Runway 35)
Shut Down: 1425 (Gate 5)

Boarding was called and I was first through the doors and headed for the aircraft. Although my usual seat was awaiting me (3A) since the Embraers are not yet refurbished I wasn’t sure what to expect. A Few observations onboard these Embraers though. The legroom is ample, windows are nice and high (pretty much what everyone will already know) but what got me was the windows are offset so you kind of have a bit of a wall where there should be a window right next to you. This was not preffered and in the end distracted me more than anything.

We pushed back early after a quick load and I did have a seat mate on this fairly full flight up to Canberra, we were told it would be a quick trip but would be a long taxi as we had to taxi out to the end of the active which wasnt exactly right next to our gates. O well you win some you lose some. We lept into the air in the style that Embraers have and shortly the seat belt sign was off and the service commenced. What I didn’t realise was that Melbourne to Canberra is also Captial Connect service, designed to compete with Qantas and they offer the free snack like they do out of Sydney. Not all that hungry after breakfast and expecting some food on the next few flights (and some snacking in the lounge of course) I declined the food but accepted my usual coffee and water as I started into a new book.

The flight was great, no hassles and as they started to collect the trash up, we started our descent into Canberra, down through the cloud layer as we came into the surrounding farm lands of Canberra we had a straight in approach from the South and came in with a very distant view of Civic and Black Mountain Tower way off into the distance. We landed with one of the most impressive touch downs I have had with Virgin (it was as though he barely touched at all) and we taxied back to the terminal. Pulled into an Airbridge (which is always a good thing at Canberra with so much renovations underway) and was off into the Terminal to collect my bag and catch up with my friends (after first checking back for my next two flights).