Kevin gets a little Seoul - To Seoul and Hong Kong with Asiana and Thai in F and C
Sep 15, 2010, 11:57 pm
#17
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Fantatsic report, great writing and faboulus pictures to accompany the story! What kind of camera do you use? Looking forward to the return leg!
One remark about Asiana FC, whilst it seems a fantastic product they have in their First Class, it is a little bit disappointing that they hand out cheap non noise cancelling headphones! Also no caviar as starter (which is the norm at many airlines in FC nowadays, nevertheless, still disappointing)
One remark about Asiana FC, whilst it seems a fantastic product they have in their First Class, it is a little bit disappointing that they hand out cheap non noise cancelling headphones! Also no caviar as starter (which is the norm at many airlines in FC nowadays, nevertheless, still disappointing)
Sep 16, 2010, 7:06 am
#21
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Glad you like snod08
I'm glad you like the pictures kglavimans. I'm using a Canon EOS 40D with a 17-40L as the main camera, and a Apple iPhone4 for some of the more discreet photos/videos.
Caviar isn't my bag to be honest so I'm not too fussed 
. However the lack of Noise cancelling headphones (Ok, they're Sennheiser PX200's, but even then) is a slight concern - as the seat has a power port for a 3 pin NC headset.
The headphones in C are worse... but at least they're Sennheiser's (I still prefer the CX-300's as my headphones)
Glad you liked ARJ85. I Loved the view of the N Seoul Tower from my room too. That hotel is one of the better ones I've stayed in too.
Thanks sobore... Parts 8 and 9 have now loaded!
Glad you're enjoying it UA_Flyer. It's taken a bit of time to type as I've had to organise one hell of a lot of photos around, and actually spend time typing.
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Parts 8 and 9 have now been loaded for your enjoyment - Part 10 (ICN-LHR) is still being written and the Epilogue is pretty much done...expect to see some more posted tonight!
One remark about Asiana FC, whilst it seems a fantastic product they have in their First Class, it is a little bit disappointing that they hand out cheap non noise cancelling headphones! Also no caviar as starter (which is the norm at many airlines in FC nowadays, nevertheless, still disappointing)
. However the lack of Noise cancelling headphones (Ok, they're Sennheiser PX200's, but even then) is a slight concern - as the seat has a power port for a 3 pin NC headset. The headphones in C are worse... but at least they're Sennheiser's (I still prefer the CX-300's as my headphones)
Thanks sobore... Parts 8 and 9 have now loaded!
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Parts 8 and 9 have now been loaded for your enjoyment - Part 10 (ICN-LHR) is still being written and the Epilogue is pretty much done...expect to see some more posted tonight!
Sep 16, 2010, 12:17 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,024
In regards to hotels, a happy coincidence occurred when I started looking at this trip in depth - and that was Accor was running a mad 50% off sale - cutting the costs of this trip dramatically. For Seoul I selected the Grand Ambassador Hotel (Which was a Sofitel and a Pullman, now an Associated Pullman - I think this hotel has a identity crisis if anything), at a grand total of Ł250 for 4 nights, (a reasonable Ł70 a night) and for Hong Kong, a couple of nights in the Novotel in Kowloon for Ł150 (again - about Ł75 a night). As much as I love Hyatt and Hilton, the prices just weren't working out in the end to make them worth while.
Of course as a recently minted A-Club Gold (and a card issued thanks the the little Belfast diversion I had), there might be some minor benefits (least of all, a late checkout in Hong Kong)- but then again, who ISN'T an A-Club Gold these days?
Of course as a recently minted A-Club Gold (and a card issued thanks the the little Belfast diversion I had), there might be some minor benefits (least of all, a late checkout in Hong Kong)- but then again, who ISN'T an A-Club Gold these days?
Sep 16, 2010, 1:23 pm
#23
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I just got back from the Grand Ambassador yesterday on an even lower rate. I think I paid about $87/night for 5 nights thanks to that crazy Accor sale. Rate posted in the lobby was 220,000 KRW. Got free Internet too because I was a A-Club gold member (thanks to that thread in the Accor forum) and they couldn't upgrade me, claiming the hotel was sold out (yeah, right; but I was happy to take the free Internet as I was traveling solo and didn't really need more space).
Still a great little hotel and convenient for everything (although investing in a T-Money card isn't the worst idea on the planet as the subway station is around the corner).
That was a darn good sale!
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Note: Trip report complete and loaded for everyone's perusal. It's also on my blog at www.ghettoife.com with all the Youtube vids embedded and a couple of extra gifts
Sep 16, 2010, 1:27 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Yeah, and the hotel shuttle was really convenient too to get to Insadong and Myeongdong. They also have a shuttle that runs twice a day to Itaewon but I didn't take that.
Sep 17, 2010, 1:39 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: BRS
Posts: 336
Nice work, Kevin.
I caught the first half here, then finished it off over at ghettoife this morning.
I may have to do something similar when (if?) Continental merge OnePass with United's Milage Plus- watch this space.
Saucony aren't a particularly common shoe over here. Are you a runner, or have you just been shopping in TK Maxx?
I caught the first half here, then finished it off over at ghettoife this morning.
I may have to do something similar when (if?) Continental merge OnePass with United's Milage Plus- watch this space.
Saucony aren't a particularly common shoe over here. Are you a runner, or have you just been shopping in TK Maxx?
Sep 17, 2010, 3:33 am
#26
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)Nice work, Kevin.
I caught the first half here, then finished it off over at ghettoife this morning.
I may have to do something similar when (if?) Continental merge OnePass with United's Milage Plus- watch this space.
Saucony aren't a particularly common shoe over here. Are you a runner, or have you just been shopping in TK Maxx?
I caught the first half here, then finished it off over at ghettoife this morning.
I may have to do something similar when (if?) Continental merge OnePass with United's Milage Plus- watch this space.
Saucony aren't a particularly common shoe over here. Are you a runner, or have you just been shopping in TK Maxx?
. The Saucony's are my old gym shoes which have a bit more support than the average trainer - as I pulled a tendon in my foot a month ago, and it was still healing when I travelled out (and wearing a pair of "proper" shoes around the DMZ was killer for my feet..)
And TK Maxx? Not me. Primark maybe... (although the shoes came from a proper runners shop)
Sep 17, 2010, 8:17 am
#27
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Nice work Kevincm ^
Pleased that you enjoyed Asia (my favourite place on the planet) and your F/J experiences. You are still not totally sold on the "front of the bus" though, eh
I too am burning DC miles big style.....the end is nigh..
Looking forward to your nest adventure.
Pleased that you enjoyed Asia (my favourite place on the planet) and your F/J experiences. You are still not totally sold on the "front of the bus" though, eh
I too am burning DC miles big style.....the end is nigh.. Looking forward to your nest adventure.
Sep 18, 2010, 2:20 am
#29
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Nice work Kevincm ^
Pleased that you enjoyed Asia (my favourite place on the planet) and your F/J experiences. You are still not totally sold on the "front of the bus" though, eh I too am burning DC miles big style.....the end is nigh..
Looking forward to your nest adventure.
Pleased that you enjoyed Asia (my favourite place on the planet) and your F/J experiences. You are still not totally sold on the "front of the bus" though, eh
I too am burning DC miles big style.....the end is nigh.. Looking forward to your nest adventure.
I'm sold on C and F class... just not coming from directly from my pocket
(although redemptions are not coming from my pocket normally...), hence why if I need to be somewhere and the ticket isn't too expensive, you'll find me in Row 99 (although not for the next TATL segment I have planned!). Thanks NoY - I'll try to keep the next trip a bit more adventurous
Glad you enjoyed UAFlyer
Sep 19, 2010, 4:28 pm
#30
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Apart from having room to swing a cat in (which was impossible to do on that grotty 737-500 this morning) the amenities are well stocked with Evian special face demister things, L’Octaine stuff – again – all premium stuff with Toothbrushes, little towels, combs – all the things you used to see many moons ago, but have been dispensed with – or just offered badly with other airlines.
Well I am not sure about that. Have you ever tried Fauchon icecream in NH lounge in NRT ? In my opinion it is better than Haagen Dazs.
Small amenity kit ? Do you have a photo by any chance ? Or you mean eyemask and earplugs ? I have done this route many times in F and C, nothing more than slippers.
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Sep 19, 2010 at 4:58 pm
