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Index to this trip report
Map by great circle mapper ====================== I think I have some time before my next flight to make a start on this report. First a quick drink to settle the nerves. It has been one of those days. Even now I can't quite bring myself to believe the trip is really on. Crud - my glass is empty. Hang on a minute, I'll be right back. |
Ah, but dear Kiwi Flyer, where art thou off to to finish off the year?
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Okay I'm now sufficiently lubricated. Apologies for the delay.
I'd hardly settled into the lounge for the first flight, just reaching for my first drink, when I saw people congregating in front of the telly. More major aftershocks in Christchurch - fortunately no early news of fatalities. My heart sank as I numbly wandered over to a computer searching for details while I called the office for word on whether to abandon the trip or not. But I'm getting ahead of myself. |
INTRO
Although I haven't written up much travel this year I have still had a reasonable travel year. By the end of the year I should have flown close to 400k miles, or equal to about 20 times around the world. Not even close to my busiest travel year, but a respectable amount of flying nonetheless, and certainly much more than I anticipated at the beginning of the year. I've had my shares of highs (fantastic product & service) and lows (yes more run-ins with Canadian border protection) while travelling this year. However, I've been insanely busy and unable to write up my trips. Even now as I start my first trip report for over 6 months I'm wondering whether it is wise. Will I really have enough time to do justice to the report? 12 hours ago the answer to my self-posed question was yes. I have a few quite lengthy transits in which I could keep the report fairly up to date and thus not have to complete it when the trip is over and I'm back to madly busy. Now, with significant unplanned work to do during the trip I am less sure. There is a chance I may need to cut the trip short although work assures me I can take it - for they know I really need the break after the crazy year that is almost over. If anything, today's events underline the need for rest and recuperation - 2012 work is sure to commence at a frenetic rate and I'll be better placed being somewhat rested. For most people the idea of zig-zagging around the world with minimal time spent at any destinations is a horror story. Some kind of cruelty inflicted by an evil travel agent. Not for me. I love travel. Even the middle of the night transits. It is my wellspring of energy and tranquility. Where others stress about security hassles, flight delays and cancellations, missed connections and whether or not their bags will make it to the destination - I smile, relax and bliss out. The core of the trip was booked a long time ago, based around an around the world ticket. I've now flown so many around the world tickets that planning an itinerary has become second nature. The hard parts are (a) keeping up with all the alliance and network changes, and to a lesser extent fare rule changes (via FT), (b) finding ways to efficiently obtain new travel experiences in the air or on the ground, (c) fitting in as many new places as possible (this is now getting difficult on my secondary alliance but alas this has much cheaper fares), and (d) minimising risks. For minimising risks I mean selecting a routing to reduce the risks of misconnection - e.g. even though they'll let me ticket an international to international 1:30 connection at say Miami I know this is asking for trouble as a non-US passport holder, reduce the risks of weather issues (few flights through certain airports), avoid if possible overnight stops in cold clime places (a transit has 1 opportunity for weather disruption whereas an overnight has 2 opportunities), etc. Subsequently side trips were added - some small, some not so small. As with most complicated trips booked a long way in advance there is the inconvenience of dealing with schedule changes. Mostly they are minor - who cares if I have 5 minutes more or less to connect at some hub when the original transit was 3 hours? Some were more significant, like the time I was given a connection time of negative 1 hour. Of course the airline didn't bother to contact me - neither the airline whose schedule change caused the misconnect, the airline I was on for the preceding flight, nor the airline I ticketed with. My usual monitoring of my 100+ bookings for future travel identified the issue. As with the original trip I had fun rearranging my ticket to make it work, although in the old paper ticket days it would have been much easier as the simplest solution of allowing a 17th flight on my main ticket was disallowed. |
WELLINGTON to SYDNEY (WLG-SYD) on Qantas 737-800 in business
The end of 2011 has snuck up on me and just a few days after returning from San Francisco (dang upgrade didn't clear, I got my own wine spilt over me and almost every flight was delayed) I was rushing from the office to pack and head out to the airport. I just about fell asleep while standing outside waiting for my ride. The fear of missing the first flight and having to rearrange my complicated run of 8 flights in sequence at this time of year was about all that kept me from dropping where I stood. It was a battle between tiredness and fear, and just as the delay in my ride arriving got long enough that I thought I'd lose out it turned up. Phew. The airport terminal was heaving with pre-Christmas travel just getting underway. I walked past the long economy line into the short business/elite check in lane. After about 10 minutes wait the person in front suddenly remembered he'd checked in online and thus could go to bag drop (no queue) instead. When my passport was swiped the agent just about fell off her chair and had to get her colleagues to "check out this crazy itinerary". A few moments later I had boarding passes for the first 3 flights, paid the NZ$25 departure fee by credit card and was off. I was exhausted and wondering how I'd make it to the flight. If I lapsed into a semi-coma in the lounge would the staff manage to get me onboard? One foot in front of the other. Sheer will power holding my eyelids open. Hoping for no hassles - in this state I have no idea whether I can respond sensibly to any queries or conversation. I nodded to the departure fee sticker checker as I entered the international part of the terminal. Security was a breeze and then to the smartgate machines - there was no queue but I didn't want to speak with an immigration officer. The first machine I tried I heard the whirring of the ticket being prepared but none came out. Ah crud. I tried another machine and this one worked. Through the duty free shop on autopilot, barely registering the pleas from shop staff to buy some booze or try some chocolates. I handed over a boarding pass to the lounge bouncer, hoping I'd given the right one as I was struggling to read by this point. |
As noted already then was the shocking news and the rest of my time before the flight went by in a blur of activity. All flights were delayed as air traffic control is based in Christchurch.
Boarding was eventually called for the Sydney and the Melbourne flights. I finished up my work and found myself the last passenger in the lounge and the side door direct to airbridge had been closed, so I was escorted by a lounge staffer past the queue of economy passengers. Despite being a heavy travel day the business class cabin wasn't completely full and I had a spare seat beside me to put various papers, some of which related to the days news which I'd printed off while waiting for the delayed flight. Pre-departure drinks on offer were bubbles (Charles Heidsieck), orange juice or water. Boarding went by fairly quick but we had a moderate wait before doors were closed and pushback. We skipped ahead of the other 4 trans-Tasman flights also about to depart and soon roared into the skies. A few minutes later I was staring out the window at a great big river valley and mountains with last of the winter snow just about disappeared from the peaks. I was so tired it took a few minutes concentration to realise I was looking at the Wairau and Awatere valleys and the Inland Kaikoura mountain ranges. A hot towel that was too dry. I don't like sloppy wet towels, but there should be at least some moisture. Arrival cards and express arrival cards for Sydney, which I declined. I listened to a movie while reading. Bagged peanuts declined, but a glass of water accepted. An hour into the flight and the meal was served. Just one drinks round! It wasn't that long ago when even economy class got 3 drinks rounds on trans-Tasman flights, at least for the longer westbound ones (about 3 hours flying time). I avoided falling asleep during the meal, but only just. I was woken after 30 odd minutes by the announcements prior to landing. We did the obligatory few loops and turns before landing in Sydney a little late, having made up a lot of time en route. Normally by now I'd be thinking about what I'll do during transit and about the flights ahead. Instead my thoughts were with the poor people of Christchurch and work. |
Qantas
Business Class menu New Zealand to Australia December 2011 Menu From The Bar Roasted Nuts Entree Cream of Mushroom Soup Main Courses Seared Hapuka with Red Pepper Sauce and Herbed Farro with Roasted Vegetables, Green Beans and Toasted Almonds Japanese Style Chicken Salad with Somen Noodles and Ginger Miso Dressing Roast Lamb with Braised Peas, Potatoes, Asparagus and Black Olive Tapenade Warm Bakery Selection of Cheeses Ice Cream and Biscotti Chocolates Beverages Champagne Your Flight Attendant will advise whether today's menu features Billecart-Salmon Brut or Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. Australian and New Zealand Wine Wine from Australia and New Zealand is renowned around the globe for its intensity of flavour and fine fruit characteristics. Differences in climate, topography and soil type provide us with a broad spectrum of wine styles and varietals. For your enjoyment we have a selection of these wines onboard. Your Flight Attendant will advise you of today's selection. Aperitifs Bloody Mary Campari and Soda Gin and Tonic Vodka and Ginger Beer Spirits Bacardi White Rum, Puerto Rico Bundaberg Dark Rum, Australia Chivas Regal 12yo Scotch Whisky, Scotland Plymouth The Smooth English Gin, London The Glenlivet 12yo Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland Wild Turkey 86.8º Bourbon, Kentucky Wyborowa Polish Vodka, Poland Beers James Squire Golden Ale Heineken Victoria Bitter Hahn Premium Light Dessert & Fortified Wine Australian dessert and fortified wine is available for your enjoyment. Liqueurs Baileys Irish Cream Cointreau Cognac Martell VSOP Juice Bar Apple Juice Orange Juice Spicy Tomato Juice Tomato Juice Non Alcoholic Appletiser Sparkling Apple Juice Bundaberg Ginger Beer Coca-Cola Coke Zero Lemonade Lemon Squash Sparkling Mineral Water Still Mineral Water Soda Water Tonic Water Ginger Ale Hot Beverages Fix Coffee High grade Rainforest Alliance, 100% Arabica Coffee Bodum Decaffeinated Dilmah Tea Experience the flavour of these fine Ceylon teas. English Breakfast Earl Grey Peppermint Chamomile Jasmine Green Vittoria Chocochino Hot Chocolate Italian style drinking chocolate J_TAS_MM_1_NZ-AUS_SPR_OCT11 |
My thoughts are also with the people of CHC, lets hope there are no fatalities - 60 people reported injured so far.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/la...223-1p7ya.html Looking forward to hearing about yet another crazy itinerary of yours Kiwi Flyer! |
Looking forward to another great TR.
Aroha to the people of CHC, I waited a long 4 hours to hear how my brother was doing, he is fine but says the human strain is significant... |
I only have a few minutes before I need to board the next flight, thanks to a ridiculous length of time spent circling before landing (no, not at London Heathrow). Apologies in advance for the brevity. I'll post more later.
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SYDNEY transit
Our gate was at the end of the pier so a moderate walk to security. No queue and I managed to avoid the "random" explosives check. Up the lift to the lounge. No bouncer at the entrance downstairs, but of course need to show boarding pass at reception upstairs. The transit was moderately long as my next flight is one of the last of the night, juggling dual curfews at original and destination. However the time went fast. By the time I'd caught up on news and messages for work, and had a quick shower, there was only 30 minutes until boarding. The lounge was fairly empty despite QF1 to London Heathrow via Bangkok being delayed by a few hours due to the inbound aircraft from Johannesburg being diverted to Melbourne, and also the Christchurch flight was hours late. I decided for a light snack so I could sleep through the flight if I wanted. Unfortunately the dining staff had other ideas, taking & filling my drink order very quickly, and soon providing a refill, but taking an age to get my food order. I noticed the menu was much improved - not so much in terms of quantity or quality of food & beverage, but rather it had none of the numerous typos which characterised the Qantas Sydney and Melbourne first class lounge menus for so long. The food had barely turned up at my table when boarding was called. Cleaning staff had already started clearing up and vacuuming around the few remaining lounge guests. I trudged off. |
Qantas
First Class menu Sydney First Class Lounge December 2011 In the Sydney First Lounge we bring the market's inspirations to our seasonal menus along with great producers that understand the Qantas and Rockpool philosophies. On this menu we feature Bannockburn chickens from the small town by the same name, just North West of Geelong in Victoria. Processed without chemicals - the only commercially produced free range chickens in the country that do so - using a unique air chilling process, allows the natural flavour, colour and texture of these chickens to be of outstanding quality. Summer Menu All Day Dining available from midday Buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes, basil and 20 year old balsamic Rustic pate of blue eye and ocean trout on toast with herb salad & salmon roe Tapas plate - piquillo & goat's curd, jamon, octopus, black sausage Spicy rare beef salad with fragrant herbs, green mango and cashews Salt and pepper squid with green chilli sauce and aioli Tofu, vegetable and udon noodle soup Grilled fish with prawn butter, green and white asparagus Bannockburn free range chicken schnitzel with Italian coleslaw and aioli Veal fillet with wild mushroom sauce, soft polenta, green beans & salsa verde Rangers Valley 300 day grain fed tenderloin with bearnaise, harissa and chips Our Signature Sandwiches Club with chicken, slow roasted tomatoes, bacon and aioli Beef burge with bacon, Gruyere, Zuni pickle and tomato chilli relish Side Dishes Bowl of chips Our signature mixed leaf salad Wild rocket and parmesan salad Slow cooked organic carrots Boiled greens with Colonna lemon oil Dessert and Cheese Seasonal fruit plate Vanilla cream panna cotta with raspberries Chocolate brownie with vanilla gelato and hot fudge sauce Gelatomassi gelato selection Bitter chocolate, Vanilla, Yoghurt, Pistachio or Walnut Gelatomassi sorbet selection Green apple or Wild berry Cheese hand selected by Will Studd Healy's Pyengana Cheddar, Dutch goat's cheese and Will Studd's selected Stilton Daily Specials Potato and leek soup Sashimi of blue fin tuna with organic soy and horseradish Crispy honey chilli beef with asian style mango salad Wild mushroom risotto with crispy sage and truffle pecorino Christmas pudding with brandy anglaise and berry salad * we use sustainably farmed blue fin tuna Beverages Cocktails Negroni - Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and orange twist French Martini - Vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice Champagne Taittinger Brut Reserve Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Bollinger Special Cuvee White Wine and Rose Carlei Green Vineyards Pinot Gris 2010, Cardinia Ranges, Victoria Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand Heemskerk Riesling 2010, Coal River, Tasmania Rockford "Local Growers" Semillon 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia Yering Station Chardonnay 2009, Yarra Valley, Victoria Rockford Alicante Bouchet 2011, Barossa Valley, South Australia Red Wine Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir 2010, Yarra Valley, Victoria Torbreck "Woodcutters" Shiraz 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia Wynn's Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Coonawarra, South Australia Devil's Lair Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Margaret River, Western Australia Penfolds Seventy Six Shiraz 2010, Koonunga Hill, South Australia Petaluma Merlot 2007, Coonawarra, South Australia Dessert Wine De Bortoli, Noble One 2008m Riverina, New South Wales Stella Bella, Pink Muscat 2010, Margaret River, Western Australia Beer Crown lager Cascade Cascade light Heineken Peroni leggera James Squire amber ale James Squire pilsner Coffee Cinque Stelle by Vittoria Short black Long black Cappuccino Flat white Cafe latte Vittoria hot chocolate Tea by T2 English Breakfast Earl Grey Peppermint Chamomile Sencha Chai |
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
(Post 17684635)
However the time went fast. By the time I'd caught up on news and messages for work
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SYDNEY to TOKYO NARITA (SYD-NRT) on Qantas 747-400 in business
Boarding for the flight was started late since departure was being delayed in order to avoid landing too early in Tokyo during curfew with short flight time tonight. It is a juggling act on this route as there isn't much time allowed to delay before Sydney curfew starts. I'm reminded of my many redeye flights from Singapore to Tokyo Narita which often sat on the ground for 30 minutes or more. With the flight load fairly full, and lots more hours of sitting onboard aircraft ahead of me I wandered around and made sure to be one of the last to board. Only a couple boarded after me as the gate agent tried to switch their seats as they were not seated together. The menu, fast-dine and breakfast order cards, amenity kit and pajama top were in my seat. I was just about dead to the world and declined the pre-departure drink. I noticed my breakfast order was not taken, but since I planned to sleep through it this was no matter. Once airborne I wasn't quite fully asleep so tried watching a movie figuring the noise may put me to sleep. However my IFE wasn't working and required a reboot. When it came on the audio was "Its a fine line between pleasure and pain", which instantly brought back memories of my double RTW run for lifetime status a few years ago - since that was the title of the trip report. Sucess - I fell asleep about 10 minutes into the movie. I slept most of the flight, awaking for the announcements on descent. As we got within a mile or so of the airport I guessed we'd be arriving too early for curfew, and sure enough we pulled out of final approach for a go around. During most of the next 10 minutes until we landed there was an announcement basically .....ing about stupid curfew rules. I thought it was quite unprofessional and besides which the home base of Qantas, ie Sydney, also has a curfew. |
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