It seems that I have timed my arrival at the gate perfectly. SkyPrio boarding was already underway, Group 3 just about to start, and as I walked down the jetway, people were already streaming in, none of that “wait in the jetway” crap. Just how I like it.

This 737 has the new interior in it, great bins, workable seats. Economy comfort legroom is fine, however cabin width is forever the issue of the type.

I was going to type out the details of my routing and what went into the decision process, but as I did end up getting a seat mate in the middle in the end (plane seems to be packed to the brim, I was sort of hoping for an opup, but no such luck today) I think I will leave it until Paris. If I am lucky, I will be typing in the 2F lounge, if not…. I will be typing somewhere.

It is not clear how the lounge access in Paris after arrival works. Some people say there is none, some people say they have been able to enter, but it’s only for Gold and up, some say only Platinums get to do it. We’ll see in an hour and a bit I suppose.

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Another remarkably unremarkable flight. Coffee was had, another macaroon, and an on-time landing followed by a 10 minute wait for gate to open.

The only thing of note was that I noticed my seat neighbor had connected to wifi, which prompted me to check and apparently KLM now offers free messaging in the wifi enabled aircraft. Good to know.

After arrival I was unfortunately not able to enter the lounge, that remains departure only. Not the worst thing to happen, I will attempt to get an early check in in the hotel and nap for a bit instead then.

Which reminds me of what was supposed to be the point of this part - the trip and how it is planned.

I was lucky enough to get a fairly early position in the ticket lottery when the sale opened. With that, I grabbed a couple of tickets, for this weekend and next. I was already fairly sure that the second weekend will be incorporated into a driving holiday as a stop enroute to the south, so that was not something I had to think about much, but getting here for my events today and tomorrow proved more difficult than expected.

I have considered driving, but the idea of driving 5-6 hours at night after a day out and about did not appeal to me too much.

Flying was the obvious first choice, however there was an issue - the last flight of the day being at 17:50, plus travel time to CDG and early arrival…. No good. Expecting outrageous prices for accommodation, I did not want to stay an extra night either.

The last train left at 20:25, which was fine. The one-way fare to get to Amsterdam was not too bad and the train wasn’t too bad either.

I almost ended up with that, but when looking up prices, I considered ending in Antwerp as well, and finally have seen Brussels, which obviously has more trains than Amsterdam and a good bit cheaper. Flight BRU-AMS-CDG was also ever so slightly less and gave extra XP. The parking cost would be more than covered by the savings on the train. And I could take a bit later train to be able to get a dinner in Paris as opposed to eating whatever the bistro car could offer… so here I am.

Flight in today, train out tomorrow, drive in next week. Good variety, eh.

The last thing was hotels, and boy, did the hoteliers of Paris decide to get in on it. Couldn’t find an ibis Budget for under 200 a night, if not 250.

However I did luck out in the end, as Mercure Nanterre showed up one day, having missed the last years start of sale due to construction delays. That seems to have forced the hotel to offer reasonable prices and also not be locked with mandatory non-flex Olympic rates. So I’m “only” out some 175 tonight. OTOH, right outside of Nanterre RER, fairly good location at least compared to what I was considering before (Orsay and the likes).

And that’s where I will head to now. Maybe there will be some napping, maybe I’ll just drop off my backpack and go out, we’ll have to see. I will be getting back to you tonight to tell you if I messed up with the hotel or not.