Hi all, thanks for all your comments. Nice to see you've enjoyed the trip report. @vhtje: I can highly recommend Garuda, but I suspect if you want to try their product as it is now, you better be quick! @LondonCity: Currently the Heathrow service operates three times a week, so basically it's just t...
Jump to postjrfspa320 wrote:Great series of trip reports! Garuda looks great! I know what you mean about the chaotic traffic however!
Here's the link to the photos INTRODUCTION Three days before my flight back to London, I receive an e-mail from the Garuda First Class concierge asking me a) what I had in mind for the complimentary pick-up, b) if I had any specific dietary requirements they should know about and c) what size pyjam...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos INTRODUCTION Had I already mentioned it’s the monsoon season in Java? Goodness, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this. No sooner have we left the hotel, the rain starts. This must be what they mean when people speak of the heavens opening. Within minut...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Surabya Johnny, warum bist du so roh…? Surabaya Johnny, no-one’s meaner than you… I just landed in Jakarta on a flight from Melbourne. We’re coming up to eleven in the morning. I’m not staying in Jakarta though. Instead, I’ve decided to heed the advice of...
Jump to postHi Shy Traveler I wasn't sure about this visa so I decided to play it safe. I fifured they'd tell me if I didn't need a visa. But I suspect the woman at the counter had never seen a Maltese passport before and wasn't sure. I didn't use the arrivals lounge because I was continuing my trip from Jakart...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION I’ve really enjoyed this holiday. I had a great time and I think Australia is just a brilliant visit. It has so much to offer. As long as you can ignore the fact that most of the world’s most dangerous animals live here… I spend that last two days of my t...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos! INTRODUCTION This ticket was purchased using Etihad Guest miles. In the original booking, I would have travelled on VA334, which departs from Brisbane at 14h55. Really quite by chance, I realise that I’ve been rebooked to VA332, which departs from Brisbane one hour ea...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION At this point you’re probably wondering why the heck I didn’t just fly directly from Bangkok to Brisbane, instead of taking the detour through Perth. It’s a long story and I’m not even going to attempt to explain. It has something to do with a compulsion ...
Jump to postRoySFlying wrote:Enjoyable read and good photos. I trust that you have/ had a good time in my home city of Perth.
Here's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION It’s just coming up to six in the morning and I feel like the lead villain from Zombie Apocalypse – assuming, of course, that the lead villain of such a movie would himself be a zombie. I’m bleary eyed, my tongue feels like it needs a shave and my body o...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos! INTRODUCTION Today I am travelling from Milan’s Malpensa airport to Bangkok. The flight is operated by an Airbus A 350-900. I must say, I’m quite taken by the A 350 – it’s width gives it a very spacious feel and it just comes across as being a lot more solid, or less ...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Finally! It’s time for my well-deserved winter vacation and man, do I need it! I’ve so busy getting things finished that I feel as though I completely missed most of Christmas cheer this year. But anyway, I’ve submitted my presentation and my paper for my...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos! INTRODUCTION Admittedly, I know I’m an embarrassment to all self-respecting southern Europeans, given that I really don’t handle the heat very well. On the other hand, having said that, it really is unusually hot in Switzerland right now – with temperatures constantly...
Jump to postI don't know why you are so focussed on the Strait, only so much of a countries imports and exports are transported on water.... Qatar is a tiny country that relies on everyone else for everything (I would know I have had work there on numerous occasions), they have absolutely no power in this situ...
Jump to postHi Jeffrey,
That's really very nice of you to say. So thanks a lot. The Boeing plant is definitely on my to do list. I've been to Toulouse and Hamburg to see the Airbus factories and really enjoyed that!
Hi guys, Thanks for commenting. SR100, I hadn't thought of row 64 but I guess you probably do have quite an intimate experience if you're seated on one of those seats. Although the proximity to the loo might be an issue. As for the queuing, I really think it's a Mexican thing because on Aeromexico t...
Jump to postHi jrfspa320 Thanks for taking the time to comment. Good luck with the upper deck. Fortunately there are still quite a few 747s around but it's probably better not to wait too long. I did fly on the upper deck with Qantas a few years back. As for the Saab 2000, it's a cool little airplane because al...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION I just landed in Heathrow on a Boeing B 747-400 of British Airways, coming from Mexico City. I have to say, Europe is still my favourite continent. Although of course one might argue whether or not Britain should be counted to Europe. In any case, from He...
Jump to postHi jetwet1
I would have taken pictures of the Alps, but the window was just sow dirty and scratched...
It seems to be a general issue with Aeromexico. The crews just can't be bothered.
Jump to postHi KLDC10, I think I wouldn't visit Cuba again because I find the conditions the people are forced to live in simply deplorable. There are many pour countries that I have visited in my life, but never have I been to a place where the poverty has also depraved the population of any form of human dign...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION This has been one of the most tiring trips I have made in a very long time, so I’m rather glad it’s finally over and I am on my way home again. Although I must say that travelling with the wiry R. has been rather fun and really easy going. CHECK-IN My fli...
Jump to postHi debonair
Thanks for commenting. I think the lounge dragon didn't get that memo... But seriously, that's what's so aggravating in Cuba. You're never really quite sure if people are just following orders or if they just really can't be bothered.
Hi all,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Eddie, I did actually try to the rice thing and it was okay. It just didn't taste very nice. But as you say, it was probably because it was an industrial scale production. I mean, all the food I had in restaurants during my stay was excellent otherwise.
Here's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Queretaro Airport is about 35km from the old town and the journey there can take you anything between thirty minutes and two hours, depending on traffic. Fortunately for me, it’s Saturday morning and although there is quite some traffic around, it’s still...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Cuba was an interesting experience and in its heyday Havana must have been a very beautiful city. But I’m now ready to leave again and quite frankly, this is a place I think I shall not be returning to. GETTING TO THE AIRPORT The flight to Mexico City wil...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Mexico City airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the old grotty place that is used by all airlines with the exception of Aeromexico. Terminal 1 is old and there is hardly enough space for all the passengers, given that the major European carriers all ...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION My flight from Rome touches down in Heathrow at around 09h40 local time, which means I have about four hours to make the connection to Mexico City. Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is busy as usual. Even so, the line for security moves quickly and efficiently. LOUNG...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION My journey begins at 06h00 in the morning when I leave the hotel to make my way to the airport for the flight to London. As I exit the hotel, the wiry R. is already expecting me, bright eyed and bushy tailed as he takes another lazy draw from his cigarett...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION On 25 April 2017 Alitalia’s management announced that the unions had rejected the carrier’s recapitalisation and restructuring plans, even though Etihad Airways and the Italian government, in a moment of serious mental aberration, had agreed to inject eve...
Jump to postHi all, Thanks for commenting. I must say, the last time I flew TAP a few years ago in Business and Economy I hadn't been too impressed. However, it seems to me that they've certainly upped their game since then. As for BA, I'll be trying them later this week. I'm curious not just a bit apprehensive...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION I’ve just completed another course in Lisbon. I’ve rather enjoyed myself. The Portuguese really make me laugh. No matter what’s going on they’re just somehow full of life. Of course, it also helped that while back home in Switzerland trees were collapsing...
Jump to postI didn't even know they fly to Pisa as well. Seems rather unusual.
Jump to postHi AirAfreak Probaably they won't be coming to LAX any time soon. But in the meantime you'll have all those A 380s in LAX to console you! To be honest, I don't think I've ever tried CIP Lounges. And I also have to say that although I wasn't too impressed with the Plaza Premium lounge in KUL, the Pla...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION It’s just gone five in the morning as I exit the Plaza Premium airport hotel in terminal 1 and make my way over to terminal 3 and the elusive Etihad First Class lounge and spa. I’m rather looking forward to this part of the trip after having already heard...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Time to move on. I wouldn’t have minded staying in Sri Lanka a little while longer. I’ve rather enjoyed being here. But I have to get back home because I’ll be traveling week after next and still need to get a few things done before then. Let’s see. I’ve ...
Jump to postI've actually never thought about youtube. I suppose I might look into it, although I suspect it would be a lot more work with all the editing.
Jump to postHi Debonair,
Duly noted and corrected. Thanks for spotting that.
Cheers,
William
Here's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION At last, a new airline! This will be my first trip on SriLankan and my first visit to Sri Lanka. I must say, every since K., herself Sri Lankan, engineer extraordinaire and purveyor of incredibly spicy food started working for us as an intern, I’ve been r...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. TRANSFER IN MUSCAT Upon entering the terminal building in Muscat, transit passengers turn left and then head up one floor to transit security and the airside area beyond. As in Zürich, the terminal seems very quiet and is certainly calmer than the last time I was here...
Jump to postHere's the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday. In Switzerland Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays so all public services and most offices and shops will be closed. Many people take advantage of the long weekend to go away. And so I’m expecting Zürich Airport to...
Jump to postHi there First of all, thanks for your feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed the trip report. Qatar certainly are a class act! As you say, readytotaxi, the presentation of their meals is always very nice and the design of the tableware is rather elegant. I'll be trying Etihad soon. Curious to see how they ...
Jump to postHi all First of all thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It's kind of good to know I'm not the only one who thought the experience on Lufthansa's European short-haul was somewhat underwhelming. Regarding the crew's attitude, I think here Lufthansa really have only themselves to blame. The...
Jump to postHi all
It's seems interesting to me that the flight from Frankfurt should be considered okay or 'clean' by the Qatari authorities because from what I remember a while ago there was a bit of an issue about security in Frankfurt.
Cheers,
William
Hey all First of all thanks for the clarification regarding the living wall. I wasn't even aware that that's a thing! Come to think of it, I think the SkyTeam lounge in Hong Kong has one of those too! It's interesting that your flight left from gate 9 too, sk736. I would have thought they would park...
Jump to postHi dcjet Thanks for the info. I'm kind of wondering if I was just really lucky that day to hitch a ride on one of those aircraft or if Iberia did that intentionally to celebrate the inauguration of its news route. Which ever is way, it was certainly better than your standard Euro Business Class seat...
Jump to postHi AirAfreak Thanks for taking the time to comment. I did the Air France leg from Tahiti to LAX too a few years back and I agree, the Pacific-based crews are all very friendly and quite charming. Having said that, I think generally speaking Air France is an airline that is a lot better than its repu...
Jump to postHi Cgnrw
Thanks for taking the time to comment. As you say, I also have to admit that I'm a bit of a sucker for the A380. She may not look like much but you certainly have a strong sense of arrival when you show up at a busy airport aboard that beast!
Cheers,
William
Here is the link to the photos. INTRODUCTION I have just completed a course in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The list of course participants includes an Emirati, two Australians, a Kiwi, one Zimbabwean, one Pakistani, two Indians, two Americans and two Brits. Which is pretty cool me thinks. A...
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