Destination Star Trek London 2014: Day 2, part 2

Saturday October 4, 2014: Destination Star Trek, Day 2.

Part 2

Back at the first Destination Star Trek London, in 2012, a man named James Dillon, had an idea to create some bridge consoles, that he could erect in a hotel close to the ExCeL, purely for the enjoyment of the fans that couldn't make the official parties. This ended up going down a storm, not only with the fans but with everyone that visited the bar. 

This year, James Dillon decided to bring back the bridge consoles, but added a replica Transporter Pad and a Captain's chair, all being built a few weeks prior to DSTL 3, with the help of some volunteers. This project was known as the USS Riker's Beard.

The USS Riker's Beard, NCC-5318008, is a Sovereign-class starship, with James Dillon in command.

So, on leaving the ExCeL Centre, Len and I headed off to the Hotel Ibis Styles London Excel in search of the USS Riker's Beard. After entering the hotel, we saw a sign for the bar and followed it into a spacious room with a fair sized bar. There was a pool table and plenty of TV screens, one of which was showing Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Bonus. The bar had a special menu  on, just for the weekend, which included;

• Vulcan Wings: Chicken wings with a bit of a fight
• Orion's Onion Rings
• Klingon Curry: A chicken meat fest of fire and rice
• Chili Trek Carne: More fire and ice on a plate of rice

After purchasing a beer, we sat near a table of Federation personnel, which included a couple of Borg drones, an Andorian, an Admiral, a Captain and a few lower ranking officers, Behind them, along the back wall, were the bridge consoles of the USS Riker's Beard. We had found her.

After a good look at the craftsmanship of the consoles and the obligatory photos were taken, we had another Romulan Ale, before going in search of the Transporter Room and Captain's chair. It didn't take us long to find them. We chatted with the various Starfleet personnel and alien lifeforms, that were in attendance, before taking yet more photographs. I had hoped to meet James Dillon and Darren Jamieson, but both were busy at other locations. Darren had been asked to be an Official Blogger, for DST 3, and had jumped at the chance.

After a good couple of hours in the bar, we decided that we had better make our way back towards home. So, after polishing off our Romulan Ale, we headed back to the Emirates Air Line and home. This is when The Voyage Home started.

Since we are now in the Winter Period (October 1 to March 31), according to the Emirates Air Line, the flights finish at 20:00, so we were left with a number of choices;

1. Swim the River Thames to the Greenwich Peninsula and the Jubilee Line
2. Catch the DLR at Royal Victoria to Canning Town
3. Walk to Canning Town Jubilee Line station
4. Walk to Canary Wharf Jubilee Line station

Number 1 was out of the question, on so many levels.

Number 2 was a distinct possibility, but we would rather not have to mess about with trains.

Numbers 3 & 4 both had merits, but it was number 4 we chose.

Now, walking around London is a pleasure that both Len and I enjoy, but on this occasion we made the wrong choice. Canning Town was roughly a half mile from where we were, whereas Canary Wharf was a mile and a half away, as the crow flies. Unfortunately for us, this mile and a half turned in to two miles, as we had to follow roads and narrow lanes, that seemed determined to take us away from our destination. 

Fortunately, we eventually made it Canary Wharf Station where we didn't have to wait too long, before our train pulled in to the station. We arrived back at Watford Metropolitan station, at 23:27, and made our way back to my house, arriving just before midnight. After a quick coffee Len left headed home.

All-in-all it was a terrific weekend that will last long in the memory.

Live Long and Prosper

USS Riker's Beard - End Result

Destination Star Trek London 2014: Day 2, part 1

Saturday October 4, 2014: Destination Star Trek, Day 2.

Part 1

Len and myself were back at the Greenwich Peninsula by 09:30, where we had breakfast at Costa Coffee, before catching the Emirates Air Line (cab 13) across to the Royal Victoria Docks.

The first thing we noticed, on entering Destination Star Trek 3, was how many more people there were, compared with the previous afternoon. There were couples and families, some in casual clothes but many wore costumes of various Star Trek personnel and aliens. Some were obviously homemade, while others were hard to differentiate from original and shop-bought ones. Even some of the kids were dressed up.

Once we had had a quick look around I headed off to Photo Shoot Area B, for my photo with an actor who portrayed my favourite Star Trek character, Chief Miles Edward O'Brien. A certain Mr Colm Meaney. And he was only here as Jonathan Frakes had cancelled his appearance, so there was no way I was going to miss this photo opportunity. Exactly on time the line began to move forward. Within a few minutes we were shaking hands and, as he clasped his hand on my back, the camera clicked. Feeling great I nearly walked out of Photo Shoot Area B without my photo!

After placing the photo in a protective cover, Len and I went off for a look around. Len bought a large Tribble for his wife, Emma Jayne, and I bought a small enamel pin badge, of the Klingon symbol. Unbelievably we ended up at the Klingon Zone.

After a drink, we stood by the Voyager Stage and listened to Bruce Greenwood (Christopher Pike from the JJ Abrams Star Trek reboot) talking about Star Trek, movies and taking questions from the audience. It was a highly entertaining thirty minutes.

We then went for another wander, before heading off to get our photo taken on the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D Bridge. I had previously had my photo taken on this bridge, at Star Trek: The Adventure, back in 2003. On that occasion I had been sitting in Counsellor Deanna Troi's chair, not the Captain's chair. Plus I hadn't been wearing a uniform, unlike today. Luckily the queue wasn't very long and, after Len had posed for the camera, I took my place in the Captain's chair. Once I was comfortable the camera clicked, and another moment was captured, forever.

After this I had my photo taken with a Borg.

We then headed over to the Excelsior Stage, to watch the Costume Parade and Contest. Some of the costumes were absolutely amazing and there were some worthy winners. We were even treated to a dance from Ilia and Commander Willard Decker, which I managed to catch on video. Here's the link.

We then watched Nicholas Meyer (writer & director) give a talk on the Voyager Stage, where he discussed his time working on Star Trek, before taking some questions from the audience. This was another excellent and informative thirty minutes, where we learnt a lot.

As we passed the Klingon Zone a Klingon warrior was sitting on his throne with his feet up on the table. I tutted at him and motioned for him to remove his feet from the table, but his response was just to growl, which made Len and I laugh. That was not a good move on our part, as you will discover. Continuing on our tour, Len purchased a photo of Bruce Greenwood, for his wife, before I had my photo taken with Vegas Spock. 

Another look at some of the exhibits and stalls followed.

I was then approached by a beautiful pale blue Andorian female requesting to have her photograph taken with me. Of course I obliged her, as keeping up intergalactic relations is a core principle of Starfleet.

Then, as we headed back through the museum, the aforementioned Klingon warrior accosted us. Glaring at the two of us, he bellowed, "You two Pahtak were laughing at me! Who do I hit first?" Before I could even open my mouth to answer, Len pointed at me and said, "Him." The Klingon laughed and said, "Some friend.", before clapping me on the shoulder and wandering off. Feeling a little shaken up, we headed to the Klingon Zone for a drink. At the main table Jadzia Dax, in her wedding dress, was arm wrestling a Klingon female. Jadzia won.

We followed this by watching Suzie Plakson (K'Ehleyr) take to the Voyager Stage, with John Paladin (special makeup effects artist), to show us how she is transformed into the Klingon, K'Ehleyr.

Just before she finished, on stage, I headed over to Photo Shoot Area C, so that I would be close to the front of the queue, when she arrived as K'Ehleyr. As I moved in for my photo, Suzie took my hand and asked how my weekend had been so far, and thanked me for coming. I thanked her for being there and then the camera clicked. Yet another moment caught forever.

With our day at DST 3 almost over, we took one more look around and managed to purchase the last Federation of Beer gift bag, which contained two bottles of Orion Seductress Sindicate Lager, two Federation of Beer glasses and some Star Trek beer mats.

At this point we left, but our adventure had not finished... 

Destination Star Trek London, 2014: Day 1

Friday October 3, 2014: Destination Star Trek, Day 1.

Myself and my friend Len headed off to London's ExCeL Centre for what looked to be a great day. We arrived at North Greenwich, where we took a look around the O2, before catching the Emirates Air Line (cab 28) across to the Royal Docks. Being typically early we stopped at The Fox at Excel, for a cold beer, before heading in to join the queue inside ExCeL Centre. At exactly 14:00 the doors opened and the queue began moving swiftly towards the entrance and what lay beyond.

After handing over our tickets we immediately set about orienting ourselves with the layout. I needed to find Photo Shoot Area C, as I had booked to have a photo taken, at Photo Shoot Area C, at 14:30. As is completely logical Photo Shoot Area C was as far across the hall, from Photo Shoot Areas A & B, as it possibly could be. As I queued we arranged to meet at the Klingon Zone and, before Len disappeared off for a look around.

I cannot quite express how nervous I began to feel as the line began moving forward, and I got my first glimpse of her. I felt almost giddy and I wasn't the only one feeling this way. The excitement was palpable. The fans in the line before me gradually diminished, until I was next. As I moved to sit beside her, she reached out and gently shook my hand, while asking my name. I answered and said what a pleasure it was to meet her. She smiled and then the camera clicked. I thanked her for her time, before heading off to collect my photo, with a smile stuck to my face. Nichelle Nichols is a legend.

I found Len waiting for me in the Klingon Zone, where we had a cold beer, before headed off to find something to keep my photograph safe in. Unlike at DSTL 1, there was no one selling ready made frames, so I settled for a hard plastic case, which only cost 50p. I bought two, as I knew Len would need one for his photo, later in the day. We then went for a proper look around.

Directly opposite the Klingon Zone was the Museum, which was full of costumes and props,

personal belongings of Gene Roddenberry,

the El-Baz type-15 shuttlepod,

Worf's bat'leth and boots.

We then took a good look around at the various stalls, which sold everything Star Trek, science fiction and more. We then took a look at the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D Bridge Photo Area, on which we would have our photo taken tomorrow.

Then it was off to look at the Borg Regeneration Chamber Photo Shoot Area, which was opposite the Voyager Stage. Max Grodenchik (Rom), Aron Eisenberg (Nog) and Casey Biggs (Damar), from Star Trek Deep Space Nine, were just taking to this stage, so we stood and watched them as they welcomed everyone to DSTL 3, before telling stories and keeping the crowds happy. Then we went back to the Klingon Zone.

We grabbed a Star Trek Orion Seductress Sindicate Lager and headed to a long wooden table, with high wooden chairs, to sit for a while. A man, who was already sitting at the table, asked us what we thought of the beer, to which we replied it was quite nice. He then went on to explain that he had had it specifically brewed for DSTL 3. He had travelled to various brewers, throughout Europe, before deciding to use a Czech company, as they were really enthusiastic about the idea. The name and label were then agreed upon and designed, before the beer was even ready. The man then gave us his card, before heading off, back to work, which for DSTL 3 was selling, with a bit of trying, Sindicate Lager. His name is Vern Raincock, CEO of Federation of Beer.

Pretty soon it was time for Len to queue up for his photo shoot. I decided to have another wander while he waited patiently in line. Soon, though, wearing jeans and a pink, silk shirt Len's star arrived. Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01), from Star Trek Voyager.

With his photo firmly in his hands, we headed off for one last drink, before heading home. Once more we boarded the Emirates Air Line (cab 29) to North Greenwich, where we took the Jubilee Line to Baker Street. Here we stopped for a pint at the Metropolitan Bar, before catching a Metropolitan Line train back to Watford.

Tomorrow looked to be even better.

Destination Star Trek London, 2012: Day 2

Saturday October 20, 2012

DAY 2

Unlike the black suit and blue shirt that I had worn the day before, today I wore my Star Trek Dress Uniform. Not many people noticed, or maybe recognised it, on the train to North Greenwich, but they did when Len and myself walked to the Emirates Air Line Cable Car. You could hear the excited chatter and the click and flash of cameras. As we disembarked the cable car, we spotted a few other uniforms from various alien races, but not too many. It wasn't until we entered the ExCeL Centre itself that we became aware of how many people were in a costume of some kind or another. Some of the costumes were home-made or cheap imitations. Others were of far better quality and some actually fit the person wearing them. And others were out of this World. There were Humans, Bajorans, Andorians, Klingons, Vorta, Romulans, Trill, Omnipotent Beings (such as Q), Mugato, Borg, Ferengi and every style of Starfleet uniform from the TV Series through the films. The only species that I failed to see were Cardassians and Jem'hadar.

The entire place was considerably busier than the previous day, by at least a couple of hundred people, so I was glad that I had taken the opportunity to have my Captain's photos taken on the Friday. As we meandered through the crowds, I was asked to pose for the odd photo by various people in varying uniforms. Len suggested that if this was going to happen all day, I should charge. I saw a Klingon Warrior walking around and so asked for a photo with him, which he happily stood for. As the queues to the Autograph & Photo Sales Area died down, I went and purchased two tickets for the Bridge Photo Shoot. When these were bought we went to look at some of the canvas paintings and limited edition prints. Many of them were autographed and limited to editions of 500 or less. None of them however had a price on them, but signs did tell you to ask for prices. I suggested that if you had to ask the price, then you couldn't afford it. This didn't deter Len from asking the price of a glossy print of all five captain's, with their starships and autographs. The salesman answered £2995.00, without the frame. I was quite surprised that I wasn't picking Len up off the floor, at this point. I had seen a nice canvas of five of the most famous Klingons, with their ships and autographs, which I was informed was £345.00. He then informed us that he accepted all major credit cards. It was at this point that we hit the Klingon Zone for a drink.

After our drink we both headed over to the Bridge Shoot Area and joined the queue. Although the queue was quite long, time flew because striking up a conversation was simple as everyone had something in common. Conversations ranged from best episode from any series to best film to best hero to best villain. A young Starfleet Admiral, in a uniform from Star Trek Deep Space Nine, asked to have his photo taken with me, which I of course obliged. Then we were near the front of the queue and my date with destiny. Unlike the photo shoot with William Shatner or Avery Brooks, you were given time to get comfortable and work out your pose. I opted for sitting in the Captain's chair with a small smile, as if to say, 'It doesn't get better than this!' Len opted for a more laid back shot of himself in the chair, which looks really cool. (This was the second USS Enterprise bridge that I have now had my photo taken on. The other was at Star Trek Adventure Hyde Park in 2003, when I got to sit on the bridge of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D).

With our photographs in our hands, Len was concerned that we had no way of keeping them from getting damaged. We could have bought a plastic sleeve for £1.00 but I decided that we needed proper frames to display this moment of history. So, two Destination Star Trek London frames were purchased. I had purchased two identical frames the day before to hold my captain's photos. Another wander around and another photo was requested. This time from a Starfleet officer, with green hair, in an Original series dress.

There was a Stormtrooper, from the Star Wars franchise, seen wandering around, but we avoided him like the plague. However, seeing a character from 'Galaxy Quest' was great.

Hopefully some of these photographs will appear on the Internet at some point, so that I can see them for myself. I was then asked to pose with a Bajoran Cleric and Seven-of-nine. This time I managed to get a photo of the three of us when a passerby offered to take the photographs for all of us.

After this we wandered over to the Main Stage, where a Star Trek Auction was going on. We watched from the side as various prints, memorabilia and props went under the hammer. Some went for surprising little, while others saw them raise thousands. We then went around the various Autograph Areas, so that I could try and get some more photographs of the people that I had grown up watching on TV and in the Cinema, Then, with time getting on, we decided to have one last look around before having one last drink in the Federation Zone. Unfortunately, we didn't drink our last drinks in the Federation Zone for reasons that I shall now explain;

THE FEDERATION ZONE: The Federation Zone consisted of a small bar selling tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, pasties and pies, crisps and Romulan Ale. The seating area was made up of small round tables with chairs and looked like a relaxation zone, made even more clear by the six or seven Starfleet women in uniforms of the Sciences division giving out free 10-minute massages. There was also a massive set of 'Holodeck' doors and a 'Transporter' wall to have photographs taken against. The entire area was clean and reeked of Federation goodness. Yuk!

THE KLINGON ZONE: The Klingon Zone consisted of a small bar selling tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, pasties and pies, crisps and Klingon Bloodwine. The seating area was made up of long wooden benches and tables covered in bearskins. The centrepiece of the area was nine-foot tall Klingon Warrior Statue, while around the sides was a Klingon Gong for "hitting not tickling", as one of the resident Klingons pointed out to a young Starfleet Cadet, who proceeded to make the gong ring out louder than a Klingon Targ at breakfast. There was also a Throne to have your photograph taken on. Basically, this was the place to be. Qapla!

So, we bought our drinks at the Federation Zone and took them to the Klingon Zone. Perfect! Soaking up the atmosphere, we sipped our drinks and talked about the last few days. We both agreed that this had been an experience that we both happy to have been a part of.

Until next time...

Live long and prosper.