Before we start, I'd like to present myself briefly.
My name is Philip, a 22 year old dane who's currently "profession" is washing dishes all day long. However, as of may '13 I'm joining the RDAF as an aircraft mechanic "student" (If you can call it that) which I'm obviously VERY excited about!
As most of you, I'm a giant aviation freak, and I can look to the skies on a bright summer day and say "Hey! Thats an Airbus A340-300 there!" While the rest would say: "Meh, an aircraft is an aircraft"
And like most of you, I often choose departures/airlines according to exotic types used. (Must fly on the KLM MD11!)
I flew for the first time when I was 9 months old (Well, techically my first flight and travel abroad was when I was still in my moms tummy) and I travel 4-6 times a year, I guess I'm addicted to travel. I've been to 47 nations incl. Denmark
I have flown with a few "Exotic" airlines and airliners, like:
Air Greenland, AeroCarribean (Cuban Domestic ATR42), Qantas (Europeans think it's exotic, don't ruin it aussies!) South African Airlines and Kenya Airways.
Tupolev 134, SAAB T17, A380-800, Fokker 50, A340-600, Embraer 145.
Anyways, here is what you all come for!
Ps. Please bear in mind, that these pictures weren't taken with a trip report in mind, therefore it lacks certain details, mainly (Don't crucify me now): the Aircraft req or lavatory pictures!
Pps. It's been almost four years since my last engrish lesson in Highschool, so don't expect Oxford english
Also since it's been six months, I can't remember every little detail. But I hope you like it as it is.
Scheduled departure: June the 19th. 2012. At 0815
Actual departure: Around 0945
Scheduled arrival: June the 19th. at 1555
Actual arrival: Around 1600
Carrier: Kenya Airways
Load: Around 60%
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300
1st. flight with Kenya Airways
5th. Boeing 767 flight
116th. flight
Seat #38J
Camera used: Sony A300 DSLR
My mother and I arrived early at NBO Airport, around 0630. I was a bit impressed with the security meassures used in NBO. They reminded me a bit about Tel Aviv. We were stopped at a security checkpoint at the road leading to NBO, and had our car briefly checked and tickets checked.
We then proceeded to the departure terminal, hugged our driver goodbye (This man took kenyan hospitality to whole new levels!)
Before entering the terminal, a new security check had to be passed. No problems there and the staff were very kind.
No check in-machines here! And we got a good ol' boardingcard (Not the flimsy thin paper that is starting to be the norm in Europe
) I sadly couldn't carry my handmade exotic chair with me in the cabin, and it had to be wrapped and packed snuggely. So it wouldn't be broken, again the kenyans in charge of the packing station were cool headed and kind. They ran out of (I believe it was bubble wrapping, again it's been six months) but used some foam instead. Great work!
Security check was a breeze, and we would soon be finding ourself in the chaotic and 70's departure area of NBO. We headed for the gate and I glimsed this beauty, waiting to eat me!
Due to NBO's "Not-so-friendly-to-spotters" architecture, this was the best picture I could get.
Around 30 min. before boarding, a delay was announched due to a technical problem of unknown nature. The delay would last around an hour, and I used the time to read my book and spot the few aircraft I could see.
Finally we got to board. I was greeted by a pair of friendly stewardesses and we quickly found our seats. But due to the low load, we decided to take each rown of two for ourself.
Bye bye Kenya, see you next time!
Rising above the clouds!
Seats were a bit old fashion in a colourfull blue and red. The IFE was the old school system with movie channels and flight show with map and info. And for the next 30 min. until take off The song "Jambo, Jambo jambo!" Would play over and over again!
I choose to watch "War Horse" But a combination of terrible headphones, screen not bright enough and the fact that the outside view was far superior. I turned on the airshow for the duration of the flight.
Breakfast was served, and it was actually pretty good!
Crusing above the majestic african landscape
Halfway
Leaving Africa behind
All quiet
Bye bye Africa!
Somewhere over the Mediterranean, lunch was served. Lets see whats beneath the foil!
Mhmm! Chicken, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, a delicious cake, crackers and a bun!
It tasted great, but the chicken was a bit sparse though.
This flight was without doubt one of the most spectacular and joyfull I have ever had. The flight time litteraly "flew" and I saw some of the most beutifull landscapes. The deserts of Ethiopia and Sudan, the Nile river and Nile delta, the islands of Greece, Athens, Mostar with its iconic bridge across the river Neretva and the Swiss Alps!
During the flight, the stewardesses only came out when serving food and drinks. And when they didn't, they retreated to the back of the plane. Even during heavy turbulence they didn't care too much about people (like me) wandering to the lavatory. (Turbulence or not, when a man has to...)
Not like my flight with Air France from HAV to CDG, where the male purser would attack anyone daring to leave their seats during the heavy turbulence over the atlantic! (not physically, but he had eyes in his back for sure!
Approaching the Island of Crete, fun fact! Crete was the first place I travelled to when I was 9 months old!
More Greece
Ditto
The mandatory legroom shot!
Random clouds
Just passing by.
Beginning our decent into AMS
Deploy speedbrakes!
I can almost smell the pot!
Andrei?
Almost there!
And thats the end of the picture folks! Sorry
We landed on schedule and after a 4 hour stopover in AMS, we were heading back to BLL in a KLM Boeing 737-700.
Thanks for reading my shabby report.
My next, and hopefully better report, will feature Air France Boeing 747-400 flying on the upper deck (Economy) KLM 777-200ER, TACA, And various domestic Peruvian flights.
Happy new year!
