tom911 goes to the 2008 Olympic Games (includes swimming updates on Natalie Coughlin)
#1
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tom911 goes to the 2008 Olympic Games (includes swimming updates on Natalie Coughlin)
Can you believe I'm going to my second Olympic Games? I'm still in awe that everything has once again fallen into place and I'm in transit on the way to Beijing.
I booked an award ticket 11 months ago (AA award in business, 90K, $60 in taxes), and I'm glad to be able to use it rather than restacking the miles. Of course, this did require some flexibility, and it will take me four travel days and three flights to get there, but I have plenty of time (benefit of retirement), and will enjoy the stops along the way. I'll meet up with swimmer Natalie Coughlin's parents, sister, grandparents, and fiance in Beijing. I arrive at noon the day of opening ceremonies. They arrive one day ahead of me.
I'm writing from the American Airlines Admiral's Club at the Honolulu Airport.
I flew over on the nonstop AA flight this morning at 9a.m. in business class (757, sat in the last row). Breakfast was a Portuguese sausage quiche with macadamia nut bread. The breakfast item was a Sam Choy signature item that AA serves on Hawaii flights. I did have one glass of wine prior to arrival (Niner Sauvignon Blanc Bootjack Ranch from Paso Robles in CA).
Last night I had pizza and beer with Natalie Coughlin's parents, Jim and Zennie, and her sister Megan. They ran me over to Pleasant Hill BART afterwards for the train ride to SFO. I had a very nice room at the Sheraton that I booked on Priceline for $59, arriving there just before 10p.m. I was out the door at 7 this morning.
For those that have not me, I'm a long time family friend of swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Coughlin's family. Her father Jim and I both worked at the same PD in the Bay Area for over 30 years. I've been following Natalie's swimming since she first set foot in her backyard pool almost 26 years ago, and have traveled to many of her international events.
I wanted to take a minute to give everyone an idea of what the television coverage should be for Natalie's events.
These are the times the events will be broadcast in the U.S.:
U.S. television schedule:
8/9, Saturday, evening, 4X100 freestyle relay finals
8/10, Sunday, evening, 100 back semi-finals
8/11, Monday, evening, 100 back finals (Natalie holds world record), and 200 individual medley semi-finals
8/12, Tuesday, evening, 200IM finals
8/13, Wednesday, evening, 100 free semi-finals, possibly 4X200 freestyle relay (final) if selected for event in Beijing
8/14, Thursday, evening, 100 free finals
8/15 no events
8/16, Saturday, evening, 4X100 medley relay (final) if selected for event in Beijing
Also, yahoo news photos will have photo coverage of her events during the week. Right now they have quite a few photos from training camp in Singapore, as well as some from Beijing.
The San Francisco Chronicle had a nice article this weekend.
And always plenty of news stories on google news.
That's it for today. Heading into Waikiki in a few minutes, and dinner later tonight with some local FTers. Back to the airport on Wednesday morning for my next segment.
I will be using smaller pictures for this trip so they load quicker, but feel free to click on my website where there are larger pictures available for viewing.
I booked an award ticket 11 months ago (AA award in business, 90K, $60 in taxes), and I'm glad to be able to use it rather than restacking the miles. Of course, this did require some flexibility, and it will take me four travel days and three flights to get there, but I have plenty of time (benefit of retirement), and will enjoy the stops along the way. I'll meet up with swimmer Natalie Coughlin's parents, sister, grandparents, and fiance in Beijing. I arrive at noon the day of opening ceremonies. They arrive one day ahead of me.
I'm writing from the American Airlines Admiral's Club at the Honolulu Airport.
I flew over on the nonstop AA flight this morning at 9a.m. in business class (757, sat in the last row). Breakfast was a Portuguese sausage quiche with macadamia nut bread. The breakfast item was a Sam Choy signature item that AA serves on Hawaii flights. I did have one glass of wine prior to arrival (Niner Sauvignon Blanc Bootjack Ranch from Paso Robles in CA).
Last night I had pizza and beer with Natalie Coughlin's parents, Jim and Zennie, and her sister Megan. They ran me over to Pleasant Hill BART afterwards for the train ride to SFO. I had a very nice room at the Sheraton that I booked on Priceline for $59, arriving there just before 10p.m. I was out the door at 7 this morning.
For those that have not me, I'm a long time family friend of swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Coughlin's family. Her father Jim and I both worked at the same PD in the Bay Area for over 30 years. I've been following Natalie's swimming since she first set foot in her backyard pool almost 26 years ago, and have traveled to many of her international events.
I wanted to take a minute to give everyone an idea of what the television coverage should be for Natalie's events.
These are the times the events will be broadcast in the U.S.:
U.S. television schedule:
8/9, Saturday, evening, 4X100 freestyle relay finals
8/10, Sunday, evening, 100 back semi-finals
8/11, Monday, evening, 100 back finals (Natalie holds world record), and 200 individual medley semi-finals
8/12, Tuesday, evening, 200IM finals
8/13, Wednesday, evening, 100 free semi-finals, possibly 4X200 freestyle relay (final) if selected for event in Beijing
8/14, Thursday, evening, 100 free finals
8/15 no events
8/16, Saturday, evening, 4X100 medley relay (final) if selected for event in Beijing
Also, yahoo news photos will have photo coverage of her events during the week. Right now they have quite a few photos from training camp in Singapore, as well as some from Beijing.
The San Francisco Chronicle had a nice article this weekend.
And always plenty of news stories on google news.
That's it for today. Heading into Waikiki in a few minutes, and dinner later tonight with some local FTers. Back to the airport on Wednesday morning for my next segment.
I will be using smaller pictures for this trip so they load quicker, but feel free to click on my website where there are larger pictures available for viewing.
#2
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I look forward to your reports tom911.
For those that have not me, I'm a long time family friend of swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Coughlin's family. Her father Jim and I both worked at the same PD in the Bay Area for over 30 years. I've been following Natalie's swimming since she first set foot in her backyard pool almost 26 years ago, and have traveled to many of her international events.
Thanks for the explanation; I must have missed it before. I just thought you were a Natalie stalker.
For those that have not me, I'm a long time family friend of swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist Natalie Coughlin's family. Her father Jim and I both worked at the same PD in the Bay Area for over 30 years. I've been following Natalie's swimming since she first set foot in her backyard pool almost 26 years ago, and have traveled to many of her international events.
#3
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Should any of my countrywomen not make it to a competing round Natalie has a fan in Canada. Irrelevant of that I still will look forward to your updates and pics. Most definately something to look forward to, as I followed your trip to Omaha with baited breath for the outcome of those results.
#4
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Thanks for doing this, Tom - it really helps those of us who can't make it to Beijing a true feeling of what it's like to be there.
I very much look forward to your observations on not just the swimming events, but the atmosphere, the vibe, and the overall Games.
Best of luck to Natalie, and all of US Swimming!
I very much look forward to your observations on not just the swimming events, but the atmosphere, the vibe, and the overall Games.
Best of luck to Natalie, and all of US Swimming!
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MEL
Programs: QF WP, VA, AA
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tom911, I recall a very pleasant dinner with yourself and Natalie's parents (and her sister was there at some stage) and some other FTers when you were here in MEL for the world swimming championships a year or two ago. Very pleasant and down to earth people with none of the snooty airs or graces that could potentially come with being family of a champion athlete.
Nice to see the support she is getting from you and her family, and I do wish her all the best, but I will of course be supporting the Oz girls! (though it's hard to see her getting rolled in the backstroke).
Have a great time in Beijing!
Nice to see the support she is getting from you and her family, and I do wish her all the best, but I will of course be supporting the Oz girls! (though it's hard to see her getting rolled in the backstroke).
Have a great time in Beijing!
#6
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at the JAL Sakura Lounge at HNL, heading out..
That must have been in the Crown Casino when they had the cheap steak night there that packed the place ($A10 for dinner?). Not that I planned for that specific discount but it was a nice dinner with good Australian beer.
I'm in the JAL lounge at the Honolulu Airport awaiting my next flight out. Had a very nice Thai dinner last night with Ripper3785 and his wife, Amy. Nice to talk travel and about some of the same FTers we have met (is there anyone that has not met my long time FT friend DHammer53?).
This morning I went over to the Shorebird Grill at the Outrigger Reef Hotel for their breakfast buffet ($12.95), and was early enough to get a table right on the beach facing Diamond Head (benefit of being there at 7:20a.m.---I'm still on CA time and was sound asleep last night by 9:30p.m.).
I'll just add two photos for now, and the rest from this stop are linked below.
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head
Diamond Head with Queen Kapiolani Park below
I'm in the JAL lounge at the Honolulu Airport awaiting my next flight out. Had a very nice Thai dinner last night with Ripper3785 and his wife, Amy. Nice to talk travel and about some of the same FTers we have met (is there anyone that has not met my long time FT friend DHammer53?).
This morning I went over to the Shorebird Grill at the Outrigger Reef Hotel for their breakfast buffet ($12.95), and was early enough to get a table right on the beach facing Diamond Head (benefit of being there at 7:20a.m.---I'm still on CA time and was sound asleep last night by 9:30p.m.).
I'll just add two photos for now, and the rest from this stop are linked below.
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head
Diamond Head with Queen Kapiolani Park below
#7
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Forgot to add that Natalie is posting on her blog, and it's on this web site. Can never tell when she's going to add something (last post was 4 days ago). Looks like she enjoyed shopping in Singapore.
#8
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Great photos, and thanks for sharing, Tom. You're making me homesick.
Safe travels in the Middle Kingdom, and GO NATALIE!
Safe travels in the Middle Kingdom, and GO NATALIE!
#9
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I am happy for you that you are able to travel to the Olympics and support your friend. I, too, look forward to seeing the completed Trip Report.
#11
Join Date: May 2005
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[QUOTE=tom911;10160831]That must have been in the Crown Casino when they had the cheap steak night there that packed the place ($A10 for dinner?). Not that I planned for that specific discount but it was a nice dinner with good Australian beer.
QUOTE]
'Twas indeed! Don't know if they still do it, but yep, was great value, planned or otherwise.
QUOTE]
'Twas indeed! Don't know if they still do it, but yep, was great value, planned or otherwise.
#12
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my first visit to KIX
Making progress. I arrived at the Kansai Osaka Airport (KIX) about 4 hours ago after the 8 hour flight from Honolulu.
I've crossed a time zone and it's just after 8:30pm Thursday night here, just one day away from opening ceremonies in Beijing. By now the Coughlins have arrived in Beijing, and I'll be joining them there tomorrow afternoon. I spoke with them at SFO just before their departure. My flight to Osaka left Honolulu about an hour after their nonstop flight to Beijing.
I've been able to do carry on so far on this trip, and avoided checking any baggage. With 3 different flights it seemed a recipe for lost luggage.
I selected one of the western lunches on this flight (shrimp and scallops), and the other choice was a beef dish. After looking at the Japanese meal that the guy next to me had I was pretty happy with my selection (his meal included eel and duck). I did take a photo of my meal and it will be in the gallery linked below. I also enjoyed red and white wines from the Sonoma Valley, and Piper Heidsieck champagne. This flight was 8 hours long.
The seats, sadly, do not fully recline, but this is probably because although the flight has JAL 747 markings, it is operated by Jalways which offers service from Japan to Honolulu and Guam, primarily to leisure travelers. This was a daytime flight so I was eating, drinking, moving photos to the laptop, or watching movies/TV, so the minimal recline was tolerable. I watched the movie "21" on the flight, and then 2 television programs on the laptop that I have along. I also read two newspapers that were supplied on board, one being the Japan edition of the International Herald Tribune. That pretty much took care of the whole flight.
I did meet three U.S travelers from Hawaii that are also on the way to Beijing, though they're going for volleyball. One of them was wearing a USA Volleyball shirt (I was wearing a USA Swimming Beijing China t shirt and a cap with USA and Olympic rings).
Wednesday morning, before leaving Honolulu, I went over to the Shorebird Grill at the Outrigger Reef Hotel for their breakfast buffet ($12.95), and was early enough to get a table right on the beach facing Diamond Head (benefit of being there at 7:20a.m.---I was still on CA time and was sound asleep the night before by 9:30p.m.).
When I arrived at the Honolulu Airport I checked out the Japan Airlines Sakura lounge, but it looked a little too sterile for me so after an hour I bailed out and went to the American Airlines Admiral's Club, which just happened to be right next to the gate for the Osaka flight. I took a shuttle van to the airport this time ($10), rather than the ciy bus I took in ($2), because my experience is that all the tourists are heading out by bus to Pearl Harbor in the morning, and I didn't want to be standing on a bus with 2 bags for the ride to the airport. Well worth the cost.
That's it for tonight. Added more photos and they're all linked below. If all goes well next e-mail should be from Beijing.
lunch on the Honolulu-Osaka flight
after dinner drink
I've crossed a time zone and it's just after 8:30pm Thursday night here, just one day away from opening ceremonies in Beijing. By now the Coughlins have arrived in Beijing, and I'll be joining them there tomorrow afternoon. I spoke with them at SFO just before their departure. My flight to Osaka left Honolulu about an hour after their nonstop flight to Beijing.
I've been able to do carry on so far on this trip, and avoided checking any baggage. With 3 different flights it seemed a recipe for lost luggage.
I selected one of the western lunches on this flight (shrimp and scallops), and the other choice was a beef dish. After looking at the Japanese meal that the guy next to me had I was pretty happy with my selection (his meal included eel and duck). I did take a photo of my meal and it will be in the gallery linked below. I also enjoyed red and white wines from the Sonoma Valley, and Piper Heidsieck champagne. This flight was 8 hours long.
The seats, sadly, do not fully recline, but this is probably because although the flight has JAL 747 markings, it is operated by Jalways which offers service from Japan to Honolulu and Guam, primarily to leisure travelers. This was a daytime flight so I was eating, drinking, moving photos to the laptop, or watching movies/TV, so the minimal recline was tolerable. I watched the movie "21" on the flight, and then 2 television programs on the laptop that I have along. I also read two newspapers that were supplied on board, one being the Japan edition of the International Herald Tribune. That pretty much took care of the whole flight.
I did meet three U.S travelers from Hawaii that are also on the way to Beijing, though they're going for volleyball. One of them was wearing a USA Volleyball shirt (I was wearing a USA Swimming Beijing China t shirt and a cap with USA and Olympic rings).
Wednesday morning, before leaving Honolulu, I went over to the Shorebird Grill at the Outrigger Reef Hotel for their breakfast buffet ($12.95), and was early enough to get a table right on the beach facing Diamond Head (benefit of being there at 7:20a.m.---I was still on CA time and was sound asleep the night before by 9:30p.m.).
When I arrived at the Honolulu Airport I checked out the Japan Airlines Sakura lounge, but it looked a little too sterile for me so after an hour I bailed out and went to the American Airlines Admiral's Club, which just happened to be right next to the gate for the Osaka flight. I took a shuttle van to the airport this time ($10), rather than the ciy bus I took in ($2), because my experience is that all the tourists are heading out by bus to Pearl Harbor in the morning, and I didn't want to be standing on a bus with 2 bags for the ride to the airport. Well worth the cost.
That's it for tonight. Added more photos and they're all linked below. If all goes well next e-mail should be from Beijing.
lunch on the Honolulu-Osaka flight
after dinner drink
#14
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:-::-::-: It's 8-8-08 in this part of the world. It's finally arrived. :-::-::-:
I'm in the lobby of the Hotel Nikko, all of a 2 minute walk across a ramp from Kansai Osaka Airport. I booked here on an internet rate of 12,000 yen (about $111) to avoid leaving the airport vicinity. They have wi-fi in the lobby for a $5 fee for 24 hours.
Have added a few more photo from around here. Will walk across to the airport and check in for my Beijing flight in about 2 hours. Going to be a very exciting day ahead, and hopefully a great week for Natalie.
I'm in the lobby of the Hotel Nikko, all of a 2 minute walk across a ramp from Kansai Osaka Airport. I booked here on an internet rate of 12,000 yen (about $111) to avoid leaving the airport vicinity. They have wi-fi in the lobby for a $5 fee for 24 hours.
Have added a few more photo from around here. Will walk across to the airport and check in for my Beijing flight in about 2 hours. Going to be a very exciting day ahead, and hopefully a great week for Natalie.
#15
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Tom in Beijing
Safely arrived in Beijing just before noon and made my way to the airport express train for the trip to my hotel (25RMB, about $3.75). The shuttle trains connecting the gates with baggage claim/arrivals hall were packed, and quite a crowd in the arrival's hall, but everything did work. I did not see a sign for my station, but one of the locals heard my pronunciation, and saw me pointing as to whether I should exit, and I ended up at the right place.
Have talked with the Coughlins and we'll be getting together for breakfast on Saturday morning to start the day. I'm heading out in a few minutes to get my bearings to their hotel, and then a stop to watch opening ceremonies somewhere else. Opening ceremonies start in less than 3 hours.
Prior to leaving KIX I did visit the JAL Lounge, and also noticed a JAL aircraft painted in One World colors, a new site for me. These photos and many more linked in the two galleries below.
shuttle train from gates to arrival's hall
arrival's hall
airport express train
Have talked with the Coughlins and we'll be getting together for breakfast on Saturday morning to start the day. I'm heading out in a few minutes to get my bearings to their hotel, and then a stop to watch opening ceremonies somewhere else. Opening ceremonies start in less than 3 hours.
Prior to leaving KIX I did visit the JAL Lounge, and also noticed a JAL aircraft painted in One World colors, a new site for me. These photos and many more linked in the two galleries below.
shuttle train from gates to arrival's hall
arrival's hall
airport express train