May 14, 2018

Heathrow Airport, London

Greetings from Heathrow Airport, London, where we're setting off on a British Airways flight to Hong Kong in a few hours, from where we then head over to Seoul (South Korea), to start a patch of 3 weeks in Asia. I took great delight recently in learning that between 1946-1966, Heathrow Airport was simply called 'London Airport'. Very grand. No doubt, when its controversial third runway is built in a few years time, its predominance in size and service will entitle it to be known as 'London Airport' again! I also rather like British Airways' previous name: the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). It sounds more mysterious and glamorous than the easily-abbreviated BA. Either way - both institutions do a great job keeping us on the road. Or, rather, in the air.As I sit eating lukewarm tortellini here at Heathrow, I thought I'd give you a brief list of 5 of my favourite airports around the world (thus far; as the list of airports I visit grows, this may well change!). NB. these are for the airports, rather than the cities themselves. That would be a very different list.

  1. Singapore Changi - for sheer size, great food, and cleanness.2. Chicago O'Hare - this is mainly for a particularly amazing Mexican restaurant by the K gates.3. London Heathrow - it's always improving, and feels like a second home!4. Zurich - for the mountainous views coming into land, and for its hilariously expensive shops*.5. Christchurch, NZ - pretty much no security, friendly staff, and the shortest walk ever to get the the plane!*Copenhagen also has a good shout at the 'most expensive airport shopping' award

I'm looking forward to this particular trip. Firstly because it's a lot of fun touring Asia, and the food can be incredible. For me, I'm planning to make this trip the 'BBQ Tour of 2018' - I want to sample a lot of Korean BBQ and Japanese BBQ, both cuisines I've never tried in their home countries. Secondly, I'm very much looking forward to being warm for pretty much the whole trip, as temperatures are high at this time of year in all of the countries we're visiting. When we get back to England, it'll be June and so hopefully we'll be into warm weather for a good few months. Though one mustn't ever bet any money on English weather... Thirdly (though most importantly), when we're halfway through the trip, in Japan, my lovely girlfriend Ellie and her equally lovely parents are coming out to visit. So I'll get to see Ellie for a few days, as she explores Tokyo - the city where she was born - and to sing for her family and friends in Tokyo's Opera City concert hall. A rare treat!Boarding time.