Mrs. "No way am I going to India"... goes to India via Etihad & Singapore First
Feb 19, 2016, 10:42 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,181
LOL
Your wife does not seem too happy on United.
And by the time you finally make it to New Delhi even in F, the poor thing looks exhausted. You sadist.
My friend also said No to India. But when I showed her pictures of the Maharajah palaces she somewhat changed her mind with reservations.
Your wife does not seem too happy on United.
And by the time you finally make it to New Delhi even in F, the poor thing looks exhausted. You sadist.
My friend also said No to India. But when I showed her pictures of the Maharajah palaces she somewhat changed her mind with reservations.
Feb 19, 2016, 4:24 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,609
Great TR so far!
Interesting, when I flew that route in biz a couple months ago wifi was free with a code at each seat. I hadn't researched it beforehand so I figured it was just part of the deal. Still, $22 isn't bad at all, though if someone's doing paid F or J I find it silly that the carriers bother to charge anything.
Indeed. Probably the best J product I've been in. Great hard product, food, and service. I held out for F awards opening on that route for months but no luck! (Was traveling around the holidays so just thankful to snag award tix at all)
Interesting, when I flew that route in biz a couple months ago wifi was free with a code at each seat. I hadn't researched it beforehand so I figured it was just part of the deal. Still, $22 isn't bad at all, though if someone's doing paid F or J I find it silly that the carriers bother to charge anything.
Indeed. Probably the best J product I've been in. Great hard product, food, and service. I held out for F awards opening on that route for months but no luck! (Was traveling around the holidays so just thankful to snag award tix at all)
LOL, thanks Clay Clayton.
LOL
Your wife does not seem too happy on United.
And by the time you finally make it to New Delhi even in F, the poor thing looks exhausted. You sadist.
My friend also said No to India. But when I showed her pictures of the Maharajah palaces she somewhat changed her mind with reservations.
Your wife does not seem too happy on United.
And by the time you finally make it to New Delhi even in F, the poor thing looks exhausted. You sadist.
My friend also said No to India. But when I showed her pictures of the Maharajah palaces she somewhat changed her mind with reservations.
Not sure how they do that but they they were remarkably crispy. I'm sure there's no deep fryer on board so some oven process, I'd think.
And just posted Delhi Day 2 on SFO777.com
The Oberoi Delhi and both Delhi segments...
• The Oberoi Delhi, and...
• Delhi Day 1
• Delhi Day 2
Will post to FT as soon as possible.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com
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Feb 19, 2016, 7:19 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
Lovely start.
I don't know what is the greater feat, finding Etihad First Class these days or convincing MrsSFO777 to go to India.
I will be interested to see your take on the Rambagh Palace. I found the grounds beautiful but the service to be sort of so - so. Don't miss a trip to the Amer Fort and an elephant ride- absolutely terrific. ^
I don't know what is the greater feat, finding Etihad First Class these days or convincing MrsSFO777 to go to India.
I will be interested to see your take on the Rambagh Palace. I found the grounds beautiful but the service to be sort of so - so. Don't miss a trip to the Amer Fort and an elephant ride- absolutely terrific. ^
Feb 19, 2016, 8:50 pm
#50
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: AA 2 MM, AA Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 62
As always, a terrific trip report!
IMHO, For Jaipur, I would have chosen the Oberoi Rajvilas over Rambagh Palace (I have been to both). Curious to hear your impressions of the Rambagh palace.
When you are at the Oberoi Mumbai, I wonder if you can post pictures of the Capital O Lounge, which is a recent offering for those residents in suites.
Cheers and safe travels!
IMHO, For Jaipur, I would have chosen the Oberoi Rajvilas over Rambagh Palace (I have been to both). Curious to hear your impressions of the Rambagh palace.
When you are at the Oberoi Mumbai, I wonder if you can post pictures of the Capital O Lounge, which is a recent offering for those residents in suites.
Cheers and safe travels!
Feb 20, 2016, 3:41 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 229
Again, lucky weekend for me at home with a potential 'live' TR from the best! Any info on miles burned to get the flight? Just curious. I'm hoarding miles now for a trip in the next 1-2 years. Thanks again for sharing!
Feb 20, 2016, 4:07 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
LOL
Your wife does not seem too happy on United.
And by the time you finally make it to New Delhi even in F, the poor thing looks exhausted. You sadist.
My friend also said No to India. But when I showed her pictures of the Maharajah palaces she somewhat changed her mind with reservations.
Your wife does not seem too happy on United.
And by the time you finally make it to New Delhi even in F, the poor thing looks exhausted. You sadist.
My friend also said No to India. But when I showed her pictures of the Maharajah palaces she somewhat changed her mind with reservations.
Also, SFO777, I have just learned not to pay attention to those kinds of things to minimise my risk of being a victim of crime overseas.
Feb 20, 2016, 4:09 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
I'm guessing AA award on the way there (with UA paid F, though, personally, I would have gone DEN-DFW-JFK-AUH-DEL if I were him, to minimise cash outlay), and an SQ award on the way back to LAX.
Feb 20, 2016, 7:59 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
Nice report as always! I maybe going to India this fall, and after a great experience on the AC 787 that will probably be the way I go. Not as glamorous as this but still a great seat, the quiet 787 and a fairly easy connection.
Feb 21, 2016, 5:24 am
#57
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,609
As always, a terrific trip report!
IMHO, For Jaipur, I would have chosen the Oberoi Rajvilas over Rambagh Palace (I have been to both). Curious to hear your impressions of the Rambagh palace.
When you are at the Oberoi Mumbai, I wonder if you can post pictures of the Capital O Lounge, which is a recent offering for those residents in suites.
Cheers and safe travels!
IMHO, For Jaipur, I would have chosen the Oberoi Rajvilas over Rambagh Palace (I have been to both). Curious to hear your impressions of the Rambagh palace.
When you are at the Oberoi Mumbai, I wonder if you can post pictures of the Capital O Lounge, which is a recent offering for those residents in suites.
Cheers and safe travels!
We were upgraded to a Royal Suite and had a most spectacular private dinner last night, in a secluded gazebo.
And I'm not getting up a 4am just fly two flights when I can pay a reasonable price for a nonstop and leave home 7 hours later.
Thank you AAerSTL. We were amazed at how big a difference the extra humidity on the 787 made for comfort.
Feb 21, 2016, 2:34 pm
#58
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,609
The Oberoi Delhi
We arrived at the Oberoi just before 4am, and received a warm welcome and were escorted to a very nice upper floor suite.
After a late sleep, we finally surfaced at around 11:30am.
And headed to the all day dining restaurant, 360.
Terrific wait staff. Not sure why maintenance couldn't vacuum and polish floor overnight instead of doing it in the day when customers are there.
Unfortunately, lunch didn't start until 12:30p so we had breakfast. Also learned that the hotel was closing at the end of March for a 2 year renovation program. Wow.
We finished at around 12:30p, just before lunch service started. A very impressive lunch spread... may try that tomorrow.
And later that day after our tour, drinks and pupus in the Club Bar.
And later in the evening, a delicious meal back at 360.
OK, the best garlic naan.
We arrived at the Oberoi just before 4am, and received a warm welcome and were escorted to a very nice upper floor suite.
After a late sleep, we finally surfaced at around 11:30am.
And headed to the all day dining restaurant, 360.
Terrific wait staff. Not sure why maintenance couldn't vacuum and polish floor overnight instead of doing it in the day when customers are there.
Unfortunately, lunch didn't start until 12:30p so we had breakfast. Also learned that the hotel was closing at the end of March for a 2 year renovation program. Wow.
We finished at around 12:30p, just before lunch service started. A very impressive lunch spread... may try that tomorrow.
And later that day after our tour, drinks and pupus in the Club Bar.
And later in the evening, a delicious meal back at 360.
OK, the best garlic naan.
Feb 21, 2016, 2:37 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,609
Delhi - Day 1
OK, what was I thinking bringing Mrs. SFO to Delhi? And then I compounded it by adding Old Delhi. Quel idiot!
The good news is that Punam, our guide from three years ago, was in the lobby to greet us at 1pm. And with our driver Mohan, we headed out to Old Delhi and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. Wow, talk about sensory overload.
Love the colors on the women.
Professional ear wax remover. I kid you not.
And then what was supposed to be a 20 minute rickshaw ride turned into much longer when Mrs. SFO kept saying OK to Punam's suggestions.
And another yes to seeing the spice market. This cannot turn out well. But we're in too deep now.
Mercifully, the extended rickshaw tour came to an end and we headed for New Delhi... India Gate and various goverment buildings including Parliament House and the President's residence.
We arrived back at the hotel just after 5pm and headed for the bar. Do not stop. Go straight to the bar.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com
OK, what was I thinking bringing Mrs. SFO to Delhi? And then I compounded it by adding Old Delhi. Quel idiot!
The good news is that Punam, our guide from three years ago, was in the lobby to greet us at 1pm. And with our driver Mohan, we headed out to Old Delhi and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. Wow, talk about sensory overload.
Love the colors on the women.
Professional ear wax remover. I kid you not.
And then what was supposed to be a 20 minute rickshaw ride turned into much longer when Mrs. SFO kept saying OK to Punam's suggestions.
And another yes to seeing the spice market. This cannot turn out well. But we're in too deep now.
Mercifully, the extended rickshaw tour came to an end and we headed for New Delhi... India Gate and various goverment buildings including Parliament House and the President's residence.
We arrived back at the hotel just after 5pm and headed for the bar. Do not stop. Go straight to the bar.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com
Last edited by SFO777; Feb 25, 2016 at 10:28 am