Best flight – Emirates Business Class Hong Kong - Bangkok
Probably due to the fact that I held little in the way of expectation on this flight, I was impressed by seating brought about by the aircraft substitution, the finest crew of the trip and a great lounge.

Honourable mention to Sri Lankan Airways for their lounge at Colombo, hospitable crew and a seat that was better than I had originally feared.

Worst flight - Singapore Airlines for the Business Class A380 Singapore-Sydney flight
I had been looking forward to this flight in particular and obviously developed too much expectation. I must take some blame over the choice of seat but the onboard service was the worst that I recall ever having received in any cabin.

Best Hotel – Four Seasons Las Vegas
Tranquillity and privacy in an otherwise crowded city.

Honourable mention – Ibis Siam Bangkok
Phenomenal value!! A clean, quiet, large room in a hectic city for just £17 per night. If I ever return to Bangkok, I’ll be staying here!

Worst hotel – Ibis North Point Hong Kong
I am fully aware of the shortage of space in Hong Kong but this is economy taken to the extreme.

Best surprise – Absence of Jetlag
I had feared that some of the flying may have been too intense and that the quality of the time spent actually at the destinations would be impaired as a result of fatigue and jetlag. I am glad to say that this was not the case and I barely suffered from any jetlag at all. Surprising considering that I crossed 44 time zones!

Worst surprise – Discovering my JFK taxi driver was out to screw me
Seriously, after demanding several times that he let go of my baggage, I was ready to punch him.

Biggest regret
Not spending as much time as I could have in the pool at Mandalay Bay!

Best TEX277 moment – Getting out of Rome
Hated the baggage hall, the arrivals hall, the commission charges and exchange rates at FCO, the stupid ATMs, the three steep steps up into the non air-conditioned Leonardo Express train whilst carrying my baggage, electricity socket hanging from the wall in my room, customer service at FCO train station, customer service at the lounge at FCO, getting cut-off in the lounge at FCO and the departure lounge at FCO. That Delta flight was like a return to right thinking civilisation.

Worst TEX277 moment – Losing the 8/8/8 Singapore Flyer certificate
It was nothing more than a simple certificate but I really liked it and was considering framing it! I had carried it faithfully from Singapore through BKK-CMB-SIN-SYD-HKG-LHR-FCO-LAX to Las Vegas without so much as a single bend or crease and then leave it behind in my first room at Four Seasons. Housekeeping had been in and cleaned up the room before I realised it was MIA. RIP oh beautiful certificate!

Honourable mention – That Mrs TEX277 had to remain in Hong Kong and not join me for the rest of the journey.

Unexpected sightings
Seeing two old school friends on one flight and then three other people that I knew on the next flight!