Here is what we have planned so far. Any flaws in there? Any comments to optimise it? Any tips for our stops?

NUE-FRA-LIS
(1 nite in LIS)
LIS-FRA-KWI-MCT
(2 nites in MCT)
MCT-KHI-BKK (overnite)
(2 nites in BKK)
BKK-DEL
(2 nites in DEL)
DEL-SIN (overnite)
(1 day in SIN)
SIN-SYD (overnite)
(2 nites in SYD)
SYD-LAX-MIA
(2 nites in MIA)
MIA-GIG (overnite)
(2 nites in GIG)
GIG-FRA (overnite)

Makes up approx. 37.000 miles.

comments at the first glance:

- would try flying western direction instead of eastern: less jetlag

- in BKK
- - book the hilton: a really enjoyable rest
- - take a thai massage
- - take a trip on the river in one of this long tail boats
- - have dinner in Baan Kanita or in the hidden thai baan behind the oriental
- - negotiate a hourly price with a taxi driver and take him to visit all the must-sees during the day (should be not more than 100 BHT p.h.)

- try to make a visit to MY - people are very friendly, towns (KUL) are very modern, country is very rural (e.g. KBR, see the market!), flights (outside the RTW) are cheap

- suggest going MIA - GRU instead of MIA - GIG and then go straight to the coast: atlantic rain forest is worth a trip and the atlantic coast is great, esp. summer (= dec/jan). and would be great for relaxing if this is the end of your trip

- from MCT, go (surface) via Hatta to Fujairah: great stone desert!

- go business instead of coach

[This message has been edited by strflyer (edited 08-05-2001).]

We have optimised the routing yesterday:

NUE-FRA-KWI-MCT
(2 nites in MCT)
MCT-KHI-LHE-DEL (overnite)
(2 nites in DEL)
DEL-SIN-BKK
(1 day SIN, 2 nites in BKK)
BKK-SYD (overnite)
(2 nites in SYD)
SYD-LAX-MIA
(2 nites in MIA)
MIA-GIG (overnite)
(2 nites in GIG)
GIG-FRA (overnite)

Makes up approx. 33.000 miles. Thus cheaper. And we have a true adventure with a PK Focker Friendship

The KHI-LHE-DEL segments can be pruchased for 115 Euros directly from PK. The distance has been included in the RTW milage.

I'm reminded of the old pilot's joke about a couple of pilots sitting at the end of the runway watching the pilot of an F-27 absolutely butcher the touchdown:

Pilot 1:
"My, that landing was a bit of a Fokker, wasn't it?"

Pilot 2:
"Yes, it was nearly the end of a beautiful Friendship."

Good luck on PIA!

Greg