Penultimate Country? CriMeA River! Putin on the Ritz: Turkmenistan, Siberia, Malaysia
Jul 9, 2016, 11:24 am
#61
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I was supposed to go with DanielW last year (I actually planned the trip), but then they denied my visa :/
Jul 9, 2016, 2:05 pm
#63
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Jul 10, 2016, 1:25 pm
#64
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Join Date: Mar 2003
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2. Las Vegas to Frankfurt with Delta and Lufthansa
After exiting the airport I called an Uber, which was slightly confusing to find. Las Vegas has an Uber waiting area in the parking garage, and the signs to find it aren't great. I suspect the local taxi mafia is behind it, but in the end it worked out fine, and was a convenient way to get to the hotel.
When I booked my hotel, I had one primary motivation: don't stay anywhere too exciting so I can manage to get a reasonable amount of sleep. I chose the Westin which was off the strip for this reason. Waited in line over ten minutes to check in, and when I did was told they were 100% full, so I ended up with an old unrefurbished room. Pretty poor platinum treatment, but they did offer 500 starpoints as an apology.
That said, the room was cold and functional, and I slept well, so can't really complain. Best part...they was a Starbucks in the lobby which was great in the morning. I'd definitely stay there again for a quiet Vegas stay if the price were right, but overall for a Vegas hotel it was very, very unimpressive.
Uber to the airport in the morning, where I got a super awesome driver. She's a kindergarten teacher who drives Uber in the summer "because I meet all sorts of fascinating people." She was really awesome, and the first driver I've ever given a cash tip to! No line at security, and off to the packed Centurion lounge. Was super impressed to see dragonfruit, but the rest was awful. The waffle was rock hard and the eggs were awful, cold, and rubbery. At least there was Veuve...
Small rant. The lounges are nice enough, but they're way, way too packed. Maybe that's expected with a Platinum Card, but they really need to do something for Centurion members. When you pay six times the annual fee, you shouldn't feel herded into the same cattle lounge. Ok, end rant.
Delta flight 976
Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) to Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Depart 11:03, Arrive 12:20, Flight Time: 1:17
Boeing 717, Registration N969AT, Manufactured 2001, Seat 3C
Miles Flown Year-to-Date: 105,204
Lifetime Miles Flown: 2,295,341
Nothing much to say about this flight. I'd originally booked on American, but it got delayed 90 minutes, so I bought a last minute ticket on Delta which was super reasonable. Short flight, and I recommend the firefly vodka and lemonade as a beverage
Thanks to the semi-new connector tunnel at LAX was able to walk to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) without having to reclear security. My first time in the Star Alliance first lounge there, and was very nice. Small, but functional and plenty of space that even when it got full it didn't feel crowded. The menu of to-order items:
Nothing caught my attention so I decided to stick to the buffet and champers instead:
Great cheese selection AND macarons? Best lounge in the US for sure!
Was offered an escort to the plane by the lounge agent, which I turned down because it just felt awkward. Should have taken it, because when I got to the gate there was already a huge line to board, and when I walked to the front I got yelled at by a couple of angry Europeans that "we're all waiting in line here!" Rather than get in an argument I just ignored them and walked to the front of the queue, where the agent was happy to board me right away.
Lufthansa flight 457
Los Angeles, California (LAX) to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Depart 15:25, Arrive 11:20 next day, Flight Time: 10:55
Airbus A380, Registration D-AIMH, Manufactured 2010, Seat 1K
Miles Flown Year-to-Date: 111,010
Lifetime Miles Flown: 2,301,147
Nice matronly crew today, and it didn't take long for bubbles and macadamia nuts to appear:
Today's menu:
Did something I never do, and changed into the pyjamas before the door closed. This was a long flight, and I wanted to be comfortable. Oh, and first was full today...three couples obviously on "once in a lifetime" trips and their excitement was contagious. They were all in their PJs the moment they got them, and I have to admit it kind of felt like a fun pyjama party up in there! Other reason is I was nervous Lufthansa would do it's "turn up the heat to Mediterranean levels" thing, and I didn't want to sweat through my clothes. Fortunately, nice and cool today, as it has been my last few flights.
Before the door closed amuse bouche was delivered...mmmm Spargelsaison!
Shortly after takeoff the crew was quick to action, and it was caviar time:
I've never had such a large portion, AND such an artistic presentation:
Next, the appetizers came around, and I wasn't given a choice. I was told I would try all three of them plus the salad. For once, they were all super tasty, and I may have finished it all...
Took a risk and went with the filet and pork belly main, and it was delicious. The beef was even cooked medium well, which on a plane I consider a huge success! The veg was good, but too much sauce. It was easily avoided though.
I can never say no to cheese, and today's selection was super tasty:
Since it was a long flight, I decided why not keep going. The tart was superb, and washed down with a couple of glasses of Johnny Blue it was delicious. Unfortunately, yet another crew who doesn't understand "one ice cube." Oh well!
Before the meal, the flight attendant asked if I wished to be woken for breakfast. I told her no, on the off chance I was still sleeping. Since it was a far longer flight from the west coast I expected to be awake, but....seven solid hours of sleep, and I was woken up about 20 minutes from landing. Just enough time to get out of the pyjamas and guzzle a bunch of water. Another superb Lufthansa first experience.
After this trip is over, I'm going to do a comparison of first classes from this year, but so far Lufthansa hit another home run! Next up, the first class terminal and onwards to Dubai...
When I booked my hotel, I had one primary motivation: don't stay anywhere too exciting so I can manage to get a reasonable amount of sleep. I chose the Westin which was off the strip for this reason. Waited in line over ten minutes to check in, and when I did was told they were 100% full, so I ended up with an old unrefurbished room. Pretty poor platinum treatment, but they did offer 500 starpoints as an apology.
That said, the room was cold and functional, and I slept well, so can't really complain. Best part...they was a Starbucks in the lobby which was great in the morning. I'd definitely stay there again for a quiet Vegas stay if the price were right, but overall for a Vegas hotel it was very, very unimpressive.
Uber to the airport in the morning, where I got a super awesome driver. She's a kindergarten teacher who drives Uber in the summer "because I meet all sorts of fascinating people." She was really awesome, and the first driver I've ever given a cash tip to! No line at security, and off to the packed Centurion lounge. Was super impressed to see dragonfruit, but the rest was awful. The waffle was rock hard and the eggs were awful, cold, and rubbery. At least there was Veuve...
Small rant. The lounges are nice enough, but they're way, way too packed. Maybe that's expected with a Platinum Card, but they really need to do something for Centurion members. When you pay six times the annual fee, you shouldn't feel herded into the same cattle lounge. Ok, end rant.
Delta flight 976
Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS) to Los Angeles, California (LAX)
Depart 11:03, Arrive 12:20, Flight Time: 1:17
Boeing 717, Registration N969AT, Manufactured 2001, Seat 3C
Miles Flown Year-to-Date: 105,204
Lifetime Miles Flown: 2,295,341
Nothing much to say about this flight. I'd originally booked on American, but it got delayed 90 minutes, so I bought a last minute ticket on Delta which was super reasonable. Short flight, and I recommend the firefly vodka and lemonade as a beverage
Thanks to the semi-new connector tunnel at LAX was able to walk to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) without having to reclear security. My first time in the Star Alliance first lounge there, and was very nice. Small, but functional and plenty of space that even when it got full it didn't feel crowded. The menu of to-order items:
Nothing caught my attention so I decided to stick to the buffet and champers instead:
Great cheese selection AND macarons? Best lounge in the US for sure!
Was offered an escort to the plane by the lounge agent, which I turned down because it just felt awkward. Should have taken it, because when I got to the gate there was already a huge line to board, and when I walked to the front I got yelled at by a couple of angry Europeans that "we're all waiting in line here!" Rather than get in an argument I just ignored them and walked to the front of the queue, where the agent was happy to board me right away.
Lufthansa flight 457
Los Angeles, California (LAX) to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Depart 15:25, Arrive 11:20 next day, Flight Time: 10:55
Airbus A380, Registration D-AIMH, Manufactured 2010, Seat 1K
Miles Flown Year-to-Date: 111,010
Lifetime Miles Flown: 2,301,147
Nice matronly crew today, and it didn't take long for bubbles and macadamia nuts to appear:
Today's menu:
Did something I never do, and changed into the pyjamas before the door closed. This was a long flight, and I wanted to be comfortable. Oh, and first was full today...three couples obviously on "once in a lifetime" trips and their excitement was contagious. They were all in their PJs the moment they got them, and I have to admit it kind of felt like a fun pyjama party up in there! Other reason is I was nervous Lufthansa would do it's "turn up the heat to Mediterranean levels" thing, and I didn't want to sweat through my clothes. Fortunately, nice and cool today, as it has been my last few flights.
Before the door closed amuse bouche was delivered...mmmm Spargelsaison!
Shortly after takeoff the crew was quick to action, and it was caviar time:
I've never had such a large portion, AND such an artistic presentation:
Next, the appetizers came around, and I wasn't given a choice. I was told I would try all three of them plus the salad. For once, they were all super tasty, and I may have finished it all...
Took a risk and went with the filet and pork belly main, and it was delicious. The beef was even cooked medium well, which on a plane I consider a huge success! The veg was good, but too much sauce. It was easily avoided though.
I can never say no to cheese, and today's selection was super tasty:
Since it was a long flight, I decided why not keep going. The tart was superb, and washed down with a couple of glasses of Johnny Blue it was delicious. Unfortunately, yet another crew who doesn't understand "one ice cube." Oh well!
Before the meal, the flight attendant asked if I wished to be woken for breakfast. I told her no, on the off chance I was still sleeping. Since it was a far longer flight from the west coast I expected to be awake, but....seven solid hours of sleep, and I was woken up about 20 minutes from landing. Just enough time to get out of the pyjamas and guzzle a bunch of water. Another superb Lufthansa first experience.
After this trip is over, I'm going to do a comparison of first classes from this year, but so far Lufthansa hit another home run! Next up, the first class terminal and onwards to Dubai...
!!!
Jul 10, 2016, 3:56 pm
#66
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,659
Thanks so much. I look forward to these trip reports. I once had the goal of all the countries in the world, but now I've decided I want to dive all the primo diving spots first. Since I'm 69, probably the only way I'll get to all the countries is through FT trip reports like yours! Again thanks and thanks for continuing.
Jul 10, 2016, 11:48 pm
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Posts: 5,523
Yup and it was delicious!
Awesome - I want to definitely do more diving after I've finished all the countries. Palau and Bonaire are two I definitely want to return to - where else would you recommend?
Awesome - I want to definitely do more diving after I've finished all the countries. Palau and Bonaire are two I definitely want to return to - where else would you recommend?
Jul 11, 2016, 1:03 am
#68
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Maastricht, unless I'm out.
Programs: BAEC, Flying Blue, Eurostar, Miles&Smiles
Posts: 320
So glad you came back to post, ironmanjt. Your posts are always interesting and inspiring, and I appreciate the insight you can give to countries which don't always figure in our consciousness. Your reports bring a spotlight to lives, countries and experiences which help us gain a greater armchair understanding of how tiny this world is through what connects us.
You've also inspired me to try my own country challenge. I had a bet with a dear departed friend that I could get to every country in the world before I died, but I've changed that to before I'm 40.
I'm about to road trip to Kigali from here in SW Uganda. While I'm following well trodden ground by many on this forum, the bit I'm lacking is disposable income and First Class plane tickets. However reliable my decrepit Toyota is, it's not Lufthansa First...
You've also inspired me to try my own country challenge. I had a bet with a dear departed friend that I could get to every country in the world before I died, but I've changed that to before I'm 40.
I'm about to road trip to Kigali from here in SW Uganda. While I'm following well trodden ground by many on this forum, the bit I'm lacking is disposable income and First Class plane tickets. However reliable my decrepit Toyota is, it's not Lufthansa First...
Jul 11, 2016, 1:53 am
#69
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Ditto - thanks for continuing. I'm very curious about where this roller coaster ride will take us next...
Jul 11, 2016, 2:00 am
#70
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,523
Jul 11, 2016, 5:50 am
#71
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Jul 11, 2016, 11:35 am
#73
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 939
is there a way ?
Hi,
Is it possible to set up an alert (subscription alert) here only when OP posts ?
This would be really helpful in situations like this trip report ! If you know how to do
this, please let me know.
Thanks...
F.A.
Is it possible to set up an alert (subscription alert) here only when OP posts ?
This would be really helpful in situations like this trip report ! If you know how to do
this, please let me know.
Thanks...
F.A.
Jul 12, 2016, 5:38 am
#75
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Geneva, Dubai, Paris
Programs: Disillusioned Cent
Posts: 1,880
But the most important question of this whole TR obviously is whether you got the UEFA 2016 ducky at the FCT...
(I still have three silver ones ready to trade with you at an exchange rate to be defined). I'll be in the FCT in two weeks again, maybe they'll have an Olympic ducky out by then.