RTW Dreamer
Mar 7, 04, 3:58 pm
First of all, I am an avid reader of FT and many of you have helped shape this trip.On December 18, I took a short flight from Victoria to Vancouver and enjoyed a great Spanish meal with friends at La Bodega. A few of my friends work for AC and were quite eager to hear about my impending journey in first. The knowledge of this board makes you quite proficient when it comes to flyer terminology.
Dec 19 LH F: I have never flown first and I wanted to savour that feeling before entering this great bird of flight so I even hesitated while they called for F/J boarding. Then it happened; trembling with that special boarding card in hand, I did the walk of the surreal and entered through the 340 door. I was given a friendly welcome in German (I don't speak/sprechen german but I faked a friendly nod) and was directed to an amazing oversized seat. Please remember that this is my first trip in F/J internationally so this makes it even more exciting. The flight was wonderful. I was given the complimentary shirt right away and a glass of champagne. I can't beleive that I misplaced the dinner menu but it was a wonderful Lamb dish. Due to the excitement of the trip, I could not sleep! (hey you can sleep anytime right?). After filling out a comment card on the staff's superlative service, I cleared customs and headed for the Avis rent a car desk.
Autobahn/Mercedes/Schutzhund.
The reason that I stopped in Germany before going to TLV was because as a hobby, I train german sheperd dogs. I had an opportunity to train with a number of clubs in Northern Germany (Hannover/Berlin). With the advice of fellow FT I requested a car with winter tires. As a kind gesture I offered the Avis agent a small box of Canadian smoked salmon. In return, I was given a wonderful Mercedes 6 speed to have fun on the Autobahn. Within minutes, I felt that I was in my teens with way too much car and very little concern of the speedlimit. I knew it was time to slow down when cars were passing me at well over 200km/h. The rest of my time in Germany was spent training dogs and watching video tapes of training dogs. I learned a great deal.
A flight to catch: Thank goodness for the Autobahn!
As I began to look more closely at the time in Berlin, I knew that I needed to get back on the A7 if I was going to make my flight to LHR. The ride back to FRA was to put it midly fast. I now promise never to drive like that again! I quickly moved to the BA check in and was promptly given a boarding pass. An airbus 320 placed me safely in time at LHR.
The 8th wonder of the world: Terraces
Yes a little dramatic but remember I have been travelling all day and am used to that outstanding furniture where Y passengers congregate before a flight. I was able to have a hot shower, get something to eat and meet my son and wife in a relaxed environment. When our plane to TLV (Dec23) had a malfunction, we came back in and waited while they changed planes.
The British Airways flight to and from TLV was wonderful(767-300). We were sitting in J and the service by the flight attendants was very good. We arrived very early in the morning to a bustling TLV morning. My wife is from Israel and looked forward to seeing family and friends. We also travelled to Eilat where we spent 5 very relaxing days.
FRA-JFK Sq F: I realize that this is getting too long so if you are still reading, the winner for best first on the trip goes to SQ! I had an unbelievable journey. The Krug and Dom! I had to do the "simpleton" taste test and I prefer Krug! The interactive video system was wonderful and the food was very tasty. However I am still a rookie to break out the sleeper attire that they give in first. Just give me some time on this.
Yes this was an award ticket but you know I have now come to the conclusion that there is value in paying for business class tickets interantionally so watch out, I may be that paying rev. sooner than later!
Dec 19 LH F: I have never flown first and I wanted to savour that feeling before entering this great bird of flight so I even hesitated while they called for F/J boarding. Then it happened; trembling with that special boarding card in hand, I did the walk of the surreal and entered through the 340 door. I was given a friendly welcome in German (I don't speak/sprechen german but I faked a friendly nod) and was directed to an amazing oversized seat. Please remember that this is my first trip in F/J internationally so this makes it even more exciting. The flight was wonderful. I was given the complimentary shirt right away and a glass of champagne. I can't beleive that I misplaced the dinner menu but it was a wonderful Lamb dish. Due to the excitement of the trip, I could not sleep! (hey you can sleep anytime right?). After filling out a comment card on the staff's superlative service, I cleared customs and headed for the Avis rent a car desk.
Autobahn/Mercedes/Schutzhund.
The reason that I stopped in Germany before going to TLV was because as a hobby, I train german sheperd dogs. I had an opportunity to train with a number of clubs in Northern Germany (Hannover/Berlin). With the advice of fellow FT I requested a car with winter tires. As a kind gesture I offered the Avis agent a small box of Canadian smoked salmon. In return, I was given a wonderful Mercedes 6 speed to have fun on the Autobahn. Within minutes, I felt that I was in my teens with way too much car and very little concern of the speedlimit. I knew it was time to slow down when cars were passing me at well over 200km/h. The rest of my time in Germany was spent training dogs and watching video tapes of training dogs. I learned a great deal.
A flight to catch: Thank goodness for the Autobahn!
As I began to look more closely at the time in Berlin, I knew that I needed to get back on the A7 if I was going to make my flight to LHR. The ride back to FRA was to put it midly fast. I now promise never to drive like that again! I quickly moved to the BA check in and was promptly given a boarding pass. An airbus 320 placed me safely in time at LHR.
The 8th wonder of the world: Terraces
Yes a little dramatic but remember I have been travelling all day and am used to that outstanding furniture where Y passengers congregate before a flight. I was able to have a hot shower, get something to eat and meet my son and wife in a relaxed environment. When our plane to TLV (Dec23) had a malfunction, we came back in and waited while they changed planes.
The British Airways flight to and from TLV was wonderful(767-300). We were sitting in J and the service by the flight attendants was very good. We arrived very early in the morning to a bustling TLV morning. My wife is from Israel and looked forward to seeing family and friends. We also travelled to Eilat where we spent 5 very relaxing days.
FRA-JFK Sq F: I realize that this is getting too long so if you are still reading, the winner for best first on the trip goes to SQ! I had an unbelievable journey. The Krug and Dom! I had to do the "simpleton" taste test and I prefer Krug! The interactive video system was wonderful and the food was very tasty. However I am still a rookie to break out the sleeper attire that they give in first. Just give me some time on this.
Yes this was an award ticket but you know I have now come to the conclusion that there is value in paying for business class tickets interantionally so watch out, I may be that paying rev. sooner than later!