deltanorge

Hello, and good day to you all! I`ve been an aircraft enthusiast for some years now, and have enjoyed reading FT for a while. Thought I would come with my contribution, in form of a trip report from a recent holliday to our house in Hua Hin, Thailand. This is my 2`nd TR, and the first in English and with FT.

This trip also took us to Bangkok City, Koh Samui and Phuket, and will contain some info/pictures from these destinations as well.

NB! It`s a long TR, and contains a lot of pics, not only from the flight, but also from the actual vacation. For those not interested in that, you are now warned, just scroll over…

(All clickable logos & links are registrated trademarks, and are credited the owners with direct links to their webpage.)



The actual flights went from Oslo, Norway....

...to Bangkok with & via Amsterdam, Athen og Dubai!

After a tip trough a thread in a Scandinavian forum for aviation enthusiasts, the choice of airlines where easy. Emirates had a companion offer from ATH in First for approx. 1950,- USD R/T to BKK. The trick was then to get to ATH for a reasonable price. After a bit of searching, KLM became our “Eco feeder” to ATH. R/T airfare to ATH, including a so called ”comfort seat”) which is the seat next to you blocked, was approx. 471,- USD. This gave us a total price for the routing OSL-AMS-ATH (ECO) ATH-DXB-BKK (FIRST) and back of 2420,- USD.

One of the ”drawbacks” of this routing, and choice of different aircrafts we wanted to try, was a pretty long layover at DXB. The layover on the way down was 10 hour`s, but figured that our acces to Emirates 1 Class Lounge in Dubai, would do us good….
On the positive side, we had the A380 Suites on our leg from BKK – DXB on the way back. I normally don’t look forward to ending my holliday, this trip was different though...
The itinerary was as follows:

This should give approx. this routing on a map:

Deltanorge

deltanorge

And of we go.....

Documents ready...


Check in, and security went swiftly, and after a quick stop at TaxFree , we headed for the gate for boarding

Quiet at OSL Taxfree early in the morning...




Finaly ready for boarding...






Flight: KL 1140
Aircraft: B733
Reg: PH-BDO
Seat: 05AB / 05EF
Load: First: N/A Biz: 4 pax Economy: ca. 85-90%
ETD/ATD: 0630/0625(push - actual take off @ 0642)
Seatmap: KLM 733


Boarding went well, and we sat down at for our first of 4 flights this day
Not that bad of a pitch, and with the middle seat blocked, I felt fine...



(Picture taken later in the flight, just for illustration of seats)



We did`nt get away this time either…de-icing crew working hard this morning:



Through the skies:



Exept the usual of drinks, KLM served a small, but good sandwich for this flight. Attentiv and friendly crew on this flight to AMS.Slept a little bit trough this leg...


@ Cruise level:




Business/Europe Select:



Closing in to AMS:



AMS Airport area & ATC Tower:


On the way to gate:



Deltanorge

deltanorge

My first visit to AMS, and would point out that felt and looked like a big airport. Already a lot of passengers stressing around like crazy…

First of all, a stop here…before we went towards our next gate and flight:



Some impressions on the way to gate:



KLM «infected» area....



Some"foreigners"as well....





Then it was time for our 2`nd flight this day.






Flight: KL 1575
Aircraft: B738W
Reg: PH-BXF
Seat: 10AB / 11AB
Load: First: N/A Biz: ca. 60% Economy: ca. 85% (?)
ETD/ATD: 0925/0938 (delay due to to some technical on some henges) Actual Take Off: 0958
Seatmap: KLM 738


Our aircraft for the next leg:



Boarding went well, the Dutch get`s credit for good system: Biz first…then monkeyclass…Anyone trying to pass before Biz, was politly shown back to economy que

Sat down, and first impression was that pitch was even better here:


Boarding in progress


Safetycard B738:


Really comfortable with the middleseat blocked........


Finaly time for push:



This was served:


Of course with this....



Closing in to Athens:


Well on ground, and starting to look forward to A332 First Class

KLM delivered very well, thumbs up!




Deltanorge

deltanorge

Ok, ready for next leg, and the A332 with Emirates:





Flight: EK 106
Aircraft: A332
Reg: .....(?)
Seat: 02 E+F
Load: First: 95% Biz: 100 % Economy: 80%
ETD/ATD: 1550 / 1600
Seatmap: EK A332

Boarding went well, with our own bridge to Biz & FIRST.

FA`s from 1 class greeted us, and escorted us to our seats. Jackets, handluggage was swiftly taken, and hot towel and welcome drink in form of Champagne, juice or water was offered. The seats are not fully lieflat, but more like a very comfy TV seat.
Flight time estimated to 3.40. Some pictures from this experince under...

Sete 01 JK and 02JK seen from my seat:


Some Champagne was tried..


More than enough leg room...


Seatcontrol:



The head FA came over and introduced himself to every passenger, and handed out menus, drinkmenu, slippers and. This turned out to be a very attentive FA, and gave a high level of service trougout the hole cabin. I have to say the same thing about all the FA`s in First. I am a ”Cognaq man”, and to see Hennessy Paradis in the menu made my day...

Meny ATH – DXB: (Good selection for a 3.40 flight ...)


Drinks menu as follows:



Wine menu - White:



Wine menu – Red:


Wine menu – Dessert wine:


This was the Champagne they served:



Powerful TO fra ATH, here right after TO at map:




Pre-dinner drinks were offered, this is how it turned out through the cameralens…


Then, finaly time for some food:


Appetizer with Greek Salad and a selection of bread
2006 Savigny Les Beaune took me trough this dish:



Maincourse served from a trolley, and i went for the fish:



Travelcompanions main, (Lamb) drank with a 2000 Chateu Branaire Ducru:



Deltanorge

deltanorge

Maincourse of Deltanorge, enjoyed with a white Cervaro Della Sala 2008:



Some cheese and fruit after a very good main:





The dessert was very good, and i choosed the deeserwine to go with it:




After a very good mealservice, it was time for some relaxing and qualitytime. Here with some black coffee & Cognaq. Really found my self relaxing here...:




Tried out the I.C.E, Emirates AVOD system. Many options, and with a huge screen:





Passing almost straight over Beirut:


Time for decending, still a pretty good ground speed as the picture shows:



A very enjoyable flight was now over, and were now looking forward to check out the First class lounge.
The A332 was a great experience in First, and I will especially point out how quiet the cabin was.

Deltanorge

deltanorge

After our 3 flight, we were now at Emirates First Class Lounge. We would spend about 10 hour`s here, which turned out quiet good. Many pics and reports from here before, but I still choose to give our experience as well. Due to construction on the entrance, we were guidet trough a side entry. Here are some pics from the lounge.




«Mainbar/Self Serve Area»:


Travel companion well settled in one of the huge seating areas:


Some pics of the facilities:

Toilet:


AC towers at almost every seating area.....:




Exlusive Wine & Liquorstore


The lounge got it`s own dedicated smoking area, with full serving as the rest of the lounge. Very nice...(For a smoker as i am..)




Information screens everywhere in the lounge




Some of the offering at a self serve bar:



Seatingarea in the lounge:



The lounge ”Quiet Room”




After 10 hour`s, a shower and some good old fashion relaxing, we were on our way to leg 4, DXB-BKK in a 777-300!

Deltanorge

deltanorge

Here are some info and pictures from the DXB-BKK leg:






Flight: EK 372
Aircraft: B773
Reg: ....(?)
Seat: 02 A+B
Load: First: 100 % Biz: 100% Economy: 100%
ETD/ATD: 0940 / 0945 – Actual TO 1003
Seatmap: EK B773



Boarding went well here to, dedicated entrance and bridge for Biz & FIRST. Crew welcomed us onboard. Were shown to designated seat and offered a welcomedrink, as well as hot towel. This is how my view wereIncredebly big the 777 cabin…)



Cabin seen from my seat under boarding:


Minibar of course!....(no cooling though..)


The now known remotecontrol:


AC strategicly placed:


Did have the fresh applejuice this time:


«Privacy Divider» betveen the seats, allthough not easy to cover up this man.


Menu, slippers and amenitykit were handed out. The noisereduction headset was already placed in the seat. Here are some pics from taxi for TO @ Dubai Int`l airport:

EK A332 @ the next gate:


EK B773 ER in line....:


EK A345 in line for runway:


Cathay Pacific Cargo, ready for TO:


Cathay Pacific Cargo taking off:

Maybe this is the one taking us from BKK to DXB later on?


Then it was our turn – this from shortly after take off:


As u can see, they have small boats here as well...


Deltanorge

deltanorge

Del II B773 DXB-BKK


Skipped pre-dinner drink this time, but i was still hungry, even after overfeeding in the lounge....Here are the menu & drink menu for this leg:






First out was this ”goodybag”»...:



Then some appertizer (Arabic Messe)...:


Then some more appertizer, tasted delicious:


I went for the steak, very tasteful, but a little bitt overcooked for my preferences:


Then time for dessert, skipped the cheese this time, but made sure i got my Cognaq:


Closing in to/Final approach BKK:


Another great trip, must say im very satisfied with both KLM and Emirates so far….A nice touch was the «Priority/Fast Trac» for Imigration in BKK. Luggage out quicly as well.

Deltanorge

deltanorge

Here are some impressions from our 2 days in Bangkok City:


Chose Chatrium Suites as hotel after a tip from another member of the scandinavian aviation forum. A very good choise, if I may say so.

Chatrium Suites is situated near the Chao Praya river. Amaising hotel, with a good location. We went for the so called Chatrium Club Suites for approx. 160,- USD pr. room pr. night incl. breakfast. These are suites of 70 sqm, and have their own bedroom. The choise of suites also gives you access to Chatrium Club Lounge in 36 floor, wich includes «Exklusive use of Chatrium Club Lounge in 36 floor w/all day coffee/Tea/cookies and softdrinks. Evening serving of Cocktail & Canapes from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. , Free Hi-Speed Internet, Laundry service for 2 pices pr. day, and late check out until 6:00 pm. (Subject to room availibility)» Altsĺ relativt mye inklusive i prisen....

Made a map, which points out some details:

Main entrance:



The room seen from entrydoor:


Towards entry:





TV/kitchen area:




View from bedroom:


Relatively big outside area, with stunning view of Bangkok:


Good view to the swimmingpool:


Lobby Bar:


Starbucks in the next building....:




Deltanorge

deltanorge

Some pictures from a rivertrip we booked:


Our boat for the day:



Known and unknown buildings in Bangkok:



Some building along the Chao Phraya River:


Then it was time for some narrower canals...:



We did meet some local traffic:


Stopped by a local weekendmarket:


My travelmate was always ready for the camera....:



The boatgarage of HMK of Thailand. This is where they park the boats used for the parades etc:


Then we were back at the hotel, and ahve to say a nice way to discover Bangkok. We paid about 2000 THB for the trip of 3 hour`s, this includes pic up at the hotel pier.



Deltanorge

deltanorge

A weekend getaway to Koh Samui was planned. Pure relaxing, and a first for my travelmate, and another friend. Here at the ferry pier Don Sak, just outside Surat Thani:


On the way in to the ferry:


Leaving Surat Thani for Koh Samui:



Great looking Buddha seen leaving for Koh Samui:



Stayed at Bo Phut Resort & Spa. This is an upmarket and a little expensive hotel, but well worth the cost:



Here are the rooms we rented, so called Garden Villa Huts. Rates started at 12000,- THB, but we ”only” paidr 7000,- THB incl. taxes.


Nice bed....:



Fully stocked minibar:



The bathroom was very nice:



Outside the room:




Deltanorge

deltanorge

A little bit from the beach & hotelpool::



Anything/anytime you wanted something, this guy came quickly..:


The hotel had 2 restaurants, one International, and one traditional Thai reataurant. We tried out the traditional one, and ordered so called “set`s”, which included a variety of thai dishes:


My travelling companion is always hungry, and always happy...:


It was an overwelming amount of food, and all we could`nt eat, we just passed to Stig. He is starting to be a little skeptic here...:


This is how he looked like after really trying...:




Deltanorge

deltanorge

Some fresh fruit after the meal was delicious...:


Some nightshots from the hotel:


Check out time, and heading for the ferry and a trip to Phuket:


Deltanorge with Koh Samui in the background:


Resort near the ferry pier at Samui:


Back on mainland, saw this little piggy transport on our way to Phuket...:




Deltanorge

deltanorge

I always stay at Joy`s Cafe & Guesthouse in Patong Beach when visiting Phuket . This little guesthouse lays only 300 meters fra the beach. The guesthouse holds a relatively good standard, and gives away a lot of familycharm. They also serve great food in large portions..


Map over Ao Patong:


Map over Phuket Island:




Some pictures from Joy`s:


Resepsjon/Bar/guestservice in one go...


Joy`s husband is a retired diver, with recvisits from around his career around. This guy though, is not active anymore


This is the entrance to one of 3 appartments at Joy`s. Paid 1220,- THB for the room pr. night incl. breakfast:


Some shots from the room:



Breakfast served at the door::



Deltanorge

deltanorge

Stig expediting «the worlds best» Cheeseomelett:


Lovely and tasty sandwiches at Joy`s:



Served by this lovely cook from Myanmar:


Visited ”Phuket Big Buddha” as well. Don’t count on the GPS to take you the best route…we ended up having to walk a bit due to really bad roads…it did not fit our rental…:


Finaly Big Buddha came closer:


Respect of the religion is important, here are some guidelines:


Big Buddha seen from ”floor -1”:


Chalong pier seen from Big Buddha, Phuket City all the way left in the picture:


Travelcompanion takes a break in the shadows:


To cool down in Thailand you eat a hot d...ehh...i mean icecream in a hot dog roll (!):



Deltanorge