High tea joins the mile-high club

I RECEIVED the most unusual invitation - high tea at 36 0000 feet. Yes the Oyster Box Hotel was piloting a promotion of high tea on a Lift flight from Durban to Cape Town.

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What a wonderful idea.

And so instead of a predictably boring two-hour flight to Cape Town, where all you can do is try to take a nap and hope you don't wake up with drool down your shirt, we were entertained to something of a fun ceremony. Even the air stewards got into the act, no longer having to do their beef or chicken act as they wheel the trolley down the aisle.

We were presented with a white box wrapped with red Oyster Box Hotel ribbon and given a selection of teas to choose from. I went for the green tea with jasmine which was delicious. For those who say they don't like green tea, they really should try this combination.

The box on opening revals a lovely finger salmon sandwich on the hotel's signature health bread. I could have taken a loaf of that bread home if they would let me. And their signature cucumber and lemon cream cheese sandwich on turmeric bread. A Cape Malay-style snoek tartlet with apricot chutney was another little delicacy along with really lovely leek ricotta and gruyere quiche. All flavours I love.

Then two lovely crisp macarons highlighted the sweet selection. One dark chocolate and mint, the other raspberry and white chocolate, along with a miniscone with strawberry compote and clotted cream, and a cheese scone with chive butter and mature cheddar.

What a wonderful treat and a pleasant way to spend a flight. The two hour trip had never been more fun.

But that was just for appetisers.