Madone59

In 2008 I was invited to join Occoquan International rowing club, it is the ultimate rolodex team, for those who are not into rowing or masters sports a rolodex team is one made up of whom ever you can call to race. Almost everyone on the OI team is ex-national team for their respective country, most went to the Olympics and we never practice together. Each year we gather to drink and race at the Masters (age 27-90) Rowing World Championships to compete with teams from around the globe. This year’s regatta was in Varese Italy, just outside of Milan, September 5 to September 8. The following is my trip report.

Looking for me? I am the coxswain A.K.A the guy in the back driving, A.K.A the little one.


I missed last year’s regatta for my own wedding…I know I know, but if you read my first TR (Keep Flying West, we're almost home….) you would know I live on thin ice. So after skipping Poland I planned for this trip to Varese over a year in advance. I stashed away the requisite miles, tried to connect through every crazy place I could, researched flights, equipment, layovers…..everything a FTer would look for. Early in the year I grabbed saver C SAN-LAX-FRA-MXP-FRA-IAH-SAN. I knew that this would never ben my final itinerary because of the randomness of which LH opens up F space but at least I had the basics. The hotel was booked as a block by our team Haberdasher, we rented all 32 rooms of Hotel Mariuccia on Lake Varese, so all I needed to do we get there. After no less than ten changes to my itinerary I ended up flying SAN-IAD-FRA-MXP-MUC-LAX-SAN and it was epic! Stick around for the end of this one....you won't want to miss the photos from the flight deck of the A346.......mid flight

Madone59

Early to bed, early to rise makes a man….on time for his flight. Saver any-space on the direct SAN-IAD did not open up until the night before but I was really happy it did! Originally booked SAN-IAH-IAD… I got an extra hour of sleep and the relaxation of not needing to double connect to an International flight. I like to double connect as much as the next Flight Memory loving person but not today.

I settled into 5A for today’s SAN-IAD and got a surprise E-mail from fellow FTer youreadyfreddie “Hello from 5D.” Very surprised and impressed that she could read the E-mail off my bag tag in the overhead bin above me and had spotted my yellow FT tag I replied via E-mail instead of yelling across the isle. It is always nice to meet FTer's in the air. Little did I know youreadyfreddie was only the first FTer of the trip.


View down SAN Runway 27 - I apologize for the dirty window.


SAN


Coronado


Breakfast was served, it was the usual "Same egg thing or same cereal", I opted for same Cereal, and continue to pray for anything other than honey-nut-Chex!

Boooorrrriiiinnnnnngggggg!


One cool part of the flight was the rainbow shadow of the plane that follow us for a while. Sorry for the poor picture, but if you have ever seen on of these they are cool, if not.....keep looking.
The remainder of the flight was forgettable, the movie "The Internship" was really funny, and before you knew it we were on runway 19C.






I did take a walk over to the UA IFL/ GFL/ FCL/ Whatever you want to call it because I had never been in there, and just had to see. That visit lasted about two minutes and on my way out the dragon said "Trust me, the LH lounge is much better than this....(look left and right).....place. Have a nice trip"


Beautiful International Terminal "B." I wish the united side looked like this

greg99

As a masters rower who will never be part of a rolodex boat (although one of our women was in a boat in Varese), I hope you'll also post plenty of pics of the regatta in addition to the cool trip!

Greg

Madone59

The Lh Lounge in IAD is a nice quiet space to charge a phone and have a snack. I have visited numerous times as a star gold on a long layover but never has a LH passenger. I was expecting something a little more than just LH ticket stock, I don't know what but for all they cared I was a star gold headed out on SAA.



I requested early boarding so I would have some time to enjoy a glass of french bubbles and take a few pictures of the new F seats. Upon exiting into the little waiting area outside the main lounge all passengers were ordered to wait, not by the LH staff but by the USSS. I do not know who they were escorting onto the flight but I know they were not in F because by time they did let us on the plane USSS agents were waiting in the galley and I was the first F passenger to take their seat. From the talking I could hear the guest of honor was upstairs in C, and before the door closed the agents took a quick walk through the whole plane (or at least F) to have a final look around.

"Baby bird." D-ABYJ was delivered to Lufthansa a little more than three months earlier.

View across from 3K


I started the trip in 3K but a family with a very, very small child was in F and wanted to all be in a row, and for the child to have her own seat so I switched to 1K and the family took all of row 3. I wish I had taken a picture of the toddler enjoying the flat bed and some candy, the bed was so big it was like an adult in a mattress store. She was happy, and quiet so I was happy too.

Welcome



"Every rose has it's thorn".....but not this one


View down Runway 30


I see all twelve apostles...what do you see Charlie Brown?


In my previous TR I noted that the biggest difference between SQ and LH was the service, well the crew on this flight really bridged that gap. This was no SQ, but it was better than previous LH F experience. The flight was originally loaded with out smaller PJ's but because of the USSS delay the crew got off the plane and found me a pair - they really were great!

My one BIG take away about the 747-800 is how quiet it is. The plane is creepy quiet, crazy quiet, mouse in a church library quiet, 'is this thing on' quiet. Beyond that I couldn't tell if it was more fuel efficient. Shortly after takeoff the table was set and I proceeded to enjoy one of the best meals I have ever eaten in the air.

Bread


Shrimp Starter


Crispy Veggie Starter


Entree' Masala Lamb


Desert "Dulce de leche....this is a great way to get kids to drink their milk" (Anyone know where that quote is from?)



After dinner and a movie I requested my bed be made up, and returned to a semi-private cocoon of duvet. The bed was not "bad", I got four hours of sleep, and would have gotten more if we hadn't gotten in almost an hour early, but it is not even close to the SQ 77W bed or the LH New 744 seat bed setup.

Bed

I opted out of breakfast as I had only eaten dinner a few hours earlier, also I knew the food in the FCT would be better. All in all this was a great flight, with a great crew. The todler was quiet, the food was good - can a modern traveler ask for more?

Good morning Germany


Landing in FRA


Plane Spotting in FRA

N830MH

Wow! Great photos trip report! Keep it up the good work.

MatthewLAX

Pretty tacky that LH F would serve ice cream in the carton.

Madone59

I had booked a little longer layover so I could take the walk and enjoy the FCT, and since I was traveling sans wife this trip I planned on checking into the FCT, having a shower and a meal than heading back to the main terminal to have a nice walk through the hustle and bustle.



The FCT is well documented on FT and if you would like a more current update check out the SFO777 TR from his trip to Milan......which I am sure you have, because I did not take to many photos.
My PA seemed a little put off by the length of my stay, and as soon as I checked in was not sure why I had a four our layover. To be fair this was only part my fault, 419 got in about an hour early. I assured her I would be in anyone's way or dirty up the furniture. After my shower, by the way those rain showers get me every time (love them), and a snack I was off on my walk about FRA.



Yo Taxi!


Singapore sling....I mean escalator


I made a mid walk pit-stop in the welcome lounge for another pretzel and a coke; I had never been in those lounge before, and figured 'why not...I have access'.


My family is already full of these, I'll pass


Before heading back to the FCT I swung by the UA ticket counter and had a chat with special services about my award ticket. They were nice enough to let me speak to the US on their phone and see if there were any 'O' seats available for my flights home.....none yet....so I headed back to the FCT for a good sit and R&R.

My ride to the plane


Hello Ladies


After a short delay LH 252 was boarding, and thanked my driver for the ride and headed on-board. Ready to roll we quickly started to taxi out, and I was able to see the ANA 787 taking off and snap a picture of the wing bend.




As I had previously noted when flying HKT-BKK in my previous TR I was blown away at how much the crew got done on a short flight. FRA-MXP is a shade under a 90 minute flight, and again the US carriers Trans-Con service takes a bath. The crew sprung into action passing out meals than drinks, than a second round of drinks before readying the cabin for landing in Milan.

A little note to anyone who get's this lunch in the future watch the Mouse....it is SPICY . I committed to the first bite and almost ended up in tears.

Lunch




Descending over the hills of Switzerland




While taxiing to the gate the pilot over cooked it a bit and almost parked us in the terminal! After an abrupt jolt the unimpressed jet-bridge operator maneuvered everything into place. I was surprised at how outdated MXP was, and really surprised by "customs", which on this day was two dudes in tight T-shirts with guns leaning on a table profiling the crap of the passengers only stopping who they wanted. I was walking next to two gentleman from the middle east as I headed out into the terminal and was quickly dismissed while customs had a chat with the guys walking next to me.

Thank's for following along so far, Varese is up next.

tomofmaine

Great report so far! I have incredibly fond memories of my high-school and university rowing career, so this report piqued an extra interest for me.

jtav559

Was at MXP this summer, and noticed the same thing! They do seem to have some chip on their shoulder about it. However, I shot them back a thousand yard stare and all was well.

Great TR so far!!^^

JMN57

Enjoying your report - we were just in Gavirate last month - if you're still there and looking for a nice place to eat, Fileto e Contrafileto in Varese is very nice (the pork shank is great).

Relative to the customs/immigration lines at MXP - one word of advice - do not get into a line behind a pretty woman/girl. They will sit and ask them questions ad infinitum.

Madone59

Greg00 and tomofmaine I don't have to many pictures from the regatta but below are a few. I raced six events, and took home (only) two wins. For our roladex club two is a very small number, a few years ago I left with a haul of nine!




The view up the course towards the start line....I see Switzerland I think


Amazingly clear water of Lake Varese

halfcape

Thanks for your report, I am enjoying your photos and commentary. Looking forward to the rest.

Flyingfox

Nice report thus far.

LH F food is going downhill. You had some chopped raw vegetables as a starter and they gave you ice cream in its box for dessert? Not looking good for the future.

quirrow

To be fair, OP also got shrimp as a starter... And NH/CX/TG also serves ice cream in its original packaging for F pax, or at least they did when I flew with them. But NH does make sure it was not hard-rock when they served the ice cream!

Thanks for the report! From some of the TRs I read recently, it seems LH is still the best European based airline to fly with in F.

Madone59

Love locks



People frequently say "Oh, and me with out my camera" in reference to a 'Kodak' moment they want to remember. Well for a guy doing a TR I dropped the ball here, I only took my camera with me one night in Varese, and don't want to wait any longer to collect my friends photos.


My friends and I at at Trattoria Caprese Varese two nights in a row, it was fantastic and I highly recommend it even though it is a (local) chain. After following the "Centro" signs to the city we parked and started to walk around town. My friend Will found a local and Will's bad Italian combined with this guys bad English got us walking down side streets that got smaller and darker passing at least half a dozen restaurants which the local insisted were no good. Our long-shot paid off and our walk ended at the front door of this amazing place.

Shellfish, white-wine and butter - a job well done!



Great pizza comes from great ovens, the mosaic is cool!




After an amazing meal, some Limonchello and community pasta with dancing we stumbled into a gelato place....god knows how we found it...and were treated to a beautiful walk back to the car.



Over the next few day's the sky was incredibly clear and we were treated to some beautiful sunsets.


Pavarotti water - true hydration after a long day of racing




The last night in town a small group of us were treated to Albergo Bolgna-Varese. This was with out a doubt one of the beast meals I have ever eaten, I strongly suggest it. Towards the end of the night it started to rain, but instead of leaving out table outside we ordered another round of drinks and sat in the rain, alone on the street watching the world go by.....hey life is a water sport