Hi A.netters.

Last month I was looking for a city to visit during my Christmas holiday. Several came to mind. After checking some flight info I decided to book the KE925 to Madrid.

Shortly after booking this trip I came in contact with A.net user Suryo (Akhmad). He was also going to spend some time in Madrid. Since we where there at the same time, we decided to meet each other. More about that later.

The evening before my departure, quiet some snow fell down. After earlier problems with transportation and traffic congestion I decided get up early and get to the airport well on time. Once on the road, it was made snow free and there was not a single car to be seen. On the airport I’ve made some pictures and settled down at the Starbucks.

AMS Tower. Most footsteps weren’t going any further than this.

Delta planes started to come in.

Blue World.


After finishing my coffee I headed for the check in counters. I was the only one there, and was told there where only 41 pax joining the flight at AMS. Since this flight actually does ICN-AMS-MAD-AMS-ICN. The check in agent was surprised about a system request to check my credit card. Apparently most pax booked a city trip via a travel agent, and did not pay by credit card.

Passport control took me only a minute. Time to take some pictures on airside. The arrival information listed the arrival of my plane at 12:55LT. While departure was listed as scheduled at 13:20LT.

SLM beauty.



KLM heavy.

Firefly.

UA heavy.

Relax seats.


My ride. HL7539.



While the plane was docking into the gate, the pax where called for the security check. No PAS was used for this. Just a call from the same lady that checked me in.

By this time, the holding area loaded mostly with Korean pax continuing to Madrid.

Empty seat row.

Leg space.


The seats where fine. Only a cool air vent was missing.

Take-off was short and power full. Like 30 minutes after taking off, meal service began.

Very tasty meat with mushroom sauce. Tasty mashed potatoes and some nice vegetables. Together with a decent salad, a very sweet cake and a little bread roll with butter. Together with this, there was water, a cold drink of your choice and coffee or tea. I took the coffee witch was better than average.

Wing view.


After a nearly two and a half hour flight we touched down at Madrid. The descent was shaky and the ground became visible only like 15 seconds before touchdown.

There was a long walk to the metro station. Down there I bought my 3 day tourist pass, and left for my hotel. I had to change trains twice, once at the beautiful nuevos ministerios station. Before I finally arrived at the Marques de Vadillo station. From there it was a 10 minute walk to my hotel.

Once there I already had a missed call from Suryo.

Hotel room.



Since Suryo already posted the first part of his trip report, I was surprised to find out he was having the same broken shower panel.


Some scenery pictures of a rainy Madrid.








Atocha railway station.


All over this day little bags filled with grapes were offered for sale. If only I knew this was part of a local tradition and not a little bag of candy.

After all this I met up with Suryo. Undoubtedly he is going to write more about this. Together we went to the new year celebration and watched the fireworks.

Not the greatest picture, but it represents the ambiance very well.


No one is looking.


After this the subway was surprisingly calm. I traveled back to my hotel, and had a good night of sleep.

Since most of Madrid was closed the next morning I went to the airport to have lunch and have a look at terminal 4.

Plaza de Espana subway station.


Impressive roof structure.


Empty line 8 train.


For check-in I met up with Suryo. Who happened to be on the same flight. Without any arrangements made beforehand. An A.net first?

Having a drink at the terminal.
Really, its because of the plastic.



Air Europa heavy.


A gates.


My ride back home. HL7552.


The aircraft taxied to far into the parking. Since the parking is slightly sloped, they just let her roll back on gravity force.


Seat row. The cup holders are great. Only the pax in front of me where very busy, so it was not possible to make proper use of them.


Upon boarding a diversity of Korean newspapers was offered. No English, Dutch or Spanish newspapers to be found.


About ten minutes after the bridge was uncoupled, it came back. Some minutes later a Korean announcement was made. Some shocked reactions came from the Korean pax. The English version was hardly understandable. The only thing that came through was traffic congestion and two hours. Off course it was clear that there would be a 2 hour delay. Since a was starting to be hungry I was happy the meal service was offered on the ground.


The meal was great again. The meat was the same. The whole was very tasteful. The salad was good and the cinnamon cake was fantastic. So was the coffee again.


During the waiting we were accompanied by a FR plane. I was so happy I was enjoying dinner on some more comfortable seats. I can imagine the misery those pax were going through.


Good for them this beacon light already lighted up halfway our delay.


After one and a half hour we left for our long taxi ride. Leg space was fine again.



After this it was to dark to make pictures. The flight went over very fine. I enjoyed being on board.

I hope you enjoyed reading my report.

Tim,

[Edited 2010-01-03 06:46:26 by vandenheuvel]