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In the end the decision was a little bit of everything: Duck Pancakes, Dynamite Maki, and the Antipasti Misto, all of which were very acceptable and sated
my hunger nicely. Quite a boring day overall, and tomorrow will be much of the same with more business calls in the morning and then an afternoon in the chair again. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...71cd3fc6f.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4c03c2803.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5671de26c.jpeg |
Today has been a bit of a repeat of yesterday with an early start, multiple meetings, then another trip to the dentist for a template fitting that went really well, then back to the hotel for one last conference call.
Now installed in the lounge and the food has been put out and I continue to be baffled. After days of no starch, tonight we have double starch - potato and noodles https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c4dc9caa6.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7b9da196d.jpeg I think tonight I will partake of the lounge food for the first time this week and then a little later join some of my team for Jay’s youtube quiz, something we have been doing every week since lockdown! And that is the sum total of my update for today, the shortest update ever. Tomorrow is a travel day so lots of fun :) Edit: The potatoes had all gone before I got to them, must be faster. Replaced with roast parsnip and carrot! Two plates of the surprisingly tasty beef and noodles later and I am feeling replete but some rather nice looking baklava have appeared and so it would be rude not to. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3a2352b00.jpeg |
Is it possible that someone from the lounge team or kitchen is on FT?
Some mentions of starch-free dishes, then - voilà ! |
The last day of this, the first of four trips and so far, so good, the planes are still scheduled :). Tried the scrambled eggs from the menu and very acceptable but no sourdough toast so starch free.. I sense a theme!
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c2caa042e.jpeg Late checkout arranged and I have the morning at leisure so have booked one of the “free” tours with a company I have not used before, that’ll fill the morning and give me the opportunity to get some photos of the main Bucharest tourist spots. I find that every tour has a slightly different spin on things and a different route and focus depending on the guides interests so even though I’ve been on a couple of these with other companies over the past eight months it’ll still be interesting, I’m sure. Another lovely morning here in Bucharest and a good twenty minute plus walk to the meeting point so it’s time to get on the way. |
And with that it’s coffee break time at the coffee shop under the communist museum. A good tour, lots of talking, not much walking, and some good narration of history both ancient and modern
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...40e9d68ca.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9d7ca3b12.jpeg |
rapidex may be safe from edible hats as flightly is pinging me every few minutes because the OTP-LHR flight is becoming more and more delayed to the point that unless something changes for the better missing the connection is now almost inevitable. That said, today it doesn’t actually make any difference to me as I have the weekend free so if things are going to go wrong this is the right time for them to go wrong. Problems on the next three trips would be more of an issue.
Some more random photos https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e2e6301c5.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cd43469ce.jpeg Great restaurant, but pre-booking and absolute necessity https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...969b0a8a5.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b5b2a424b.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...abebdd839.jpeg Tour guide’s recommendation for Romanian food. I have eaten here before but forgotten about it, maybe a return visit over the next three weeks https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...772ea083b.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c51101ef5.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4efc18442.jpeg |
And update to the delayed flight, it is now expected to land 54 minutes before gates close on the NCL flight. It is a T3 to T5 transfer so there is a whisker thin chance that I can make it. It’ll all depend on the bus and the people on it.
In the meanwhile, at Otopeni airport Land-side to lounge took 30 minutes. There is no fast path at OTP and security is always a free for all zoo. 30 minutes is on the fast side and I always try to factor in at least an hour https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d3c0a888e.jpeg Expected delay on the board https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...464ba1f73.jpeg Busy-ish check in https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1a37e289b.jpeg Short queues at the BA desk https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7894833bb.jpeg And a short queue at security, I have seen this lane absolutely packed. Once airside and through the tunnel you inevitably arrive at duty free but you can walk straight through and onto the departures concourse, no rat maze https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...28874ced0.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...65a79a242.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...33a45e55b.jpeg The departures concourse is liberally sprinkled with shops and food outlets and a short distance from duty free is the elevator up to the business lounge. BA issue paper invitations to this lounge. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...aa5aee173.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eb7660e41.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...71aa3aad3.jpeg The lounge is usually busy and today is no exception as it is standing room only https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e04a6880c.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...22f6260f2.jpeg Food and drink options are extremely limited, sandwiches and crisps are guarded by the lounge dragons https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...15724803f.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d934eda61.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...28ceb307d.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6a34c3725.jpeg Normally I try to time things so that I can grab a coffee before boarding but no way am I spending 3 hours in here. I shall enjoy my snack and then head into the concourse |
30 minutes later and 30 minutes ringing BA holidays on the number supplied and getting user busy I turned to the marvel that is flyertalk.
searching for the BA number I already had threw up an alternative number that was answered by an actual human! The plan is to roll the dice and see if I can get lucky on the T3-T5 transfer, which I’d estimate as. 20-80 chance of success/fail, and if I miss the LHR-NCL flight then to call back. In the meanwhile and as insurance a club seat a reserved for me on tomorrows flight And with that it’s time to take a little stroll through the concourse and see if there is anything good to eat. |
The food court seems to deal mostly in fast food so first stop - space dog. The hotdog was just plain nasty! A hard dry bun, a Luke warm dog, and even the ketchup and mustard were sub par. Two bites and abandoned. The beer on the other hand was cold and crisp.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fa0fe8fa1.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3279598f9.jpeg on the bright side, the NCL flight is now gathering delays, from 11 mins, to 40 mins, to 1 hour 11 mins. The hat is back in play :D |
On the other hand EU261 will buy a nice bottle of Cognac. Make sure you book your own hotel and claim it back from BA, that way you get the hotel points. Conformance is likely to screw you:tu::D
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No other food really looked appealing so back to the lounge for a quick beer and then off to the gate. Many people crowding the gate and they’ve just announced they are boarding strictly by group number and I’m sure you know how well that works with bus gates 😂
they have laid out sandwiches and water for any that want them which is a surprising touch https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...001895a4b.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...658fd11c5.jpeg And now awaiting the group 1-3 call and watching the mess around the gate itself |
Roughly 2 hours 50 mins late we are all on board but luggage proving a bit of an issue so doors are still open. Our carriage for today
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5e432b931.jpeg Apparently the flight came in late from Copenhagen to London and therefore they had to roster a standby crew. Pilot was on airport standby but the first officer was on home standby and had to do the airport rush. now waiting to see if we get a departure slot as the pilot just mentioned it’d be a slow taxi out. LHR-NCL now over 2 hours late so at the rate I might even get some lounge time. It’s not often you are grateful for a delay but I’m very happy with the onwards service delay today! Flight deck is still open and captain is chatting to the IFL so not feeling we are going anywhere soon All buckled up, luggage still an issue, someone’s bags are going into the hold! |
Really enjoying this TR and the others you’ve written, please keep it up. 👍😁
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Originally Posted by rapidex
(Post 35679794)
On the other hand EU261 will buy a nice bottle of Cognac. Make sure you book your own hotel and claim it back from BA, that way you get the hotel points. Conformance is likely to screw you:tu::D
|
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
(Post 35680160)
I would have thought weather related, but if the delay is due to waiting for standby crew... mayhaps?
and 40 minutes later we were actually boarding. I detest it when they do that, show a flight as boarding and then leave us hanging at the gate for an age. The gates were really hot and the boarding was completely shambolic and there were some very irate people getting on this plane. 21:37 now and at least I’m on board and heading home on the flight I expected to be on, albeit somewhat delayed… with the double departure delay working in my favour. Ten minutes later and boarding is complete, the doors are closed, and we are awaiting pushback. Next stop, Newcastle |
Originally Posted by krispy84
(Post 35680083)
Really enjoying this TR and the others you’ve written, please keep it up. 👍😁
|
23:12 and we are on the ground and awaiting luggage. I spent most of the flight dozing but was awake long enough to enjoy my special order meal which was the Kosher smoked salmon.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0d07f1ba6.jpeg Farewell sunny Bucharest (for now) and hello rainy Newcastle https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6f463288e.jpeg And with that I’m signing off for the week until we do it all again in 7 days time |
Congratulations on making it home. The trip report is excellent, and I'm glad my hat is still at risk.
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Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 35680861)
2:40 late so no joy. The transit from T3 to T5 was an hour, mostly because the bus was a good ten minutes to turn up and then clearing security took an age. So long, in fact, that I went straight to the gate in T5 as it said ‘boarding’.
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Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
(Post 35681092)
It's the whole trip time that matters anyway.
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Definitely a good read, and even though I'm not off to OTP until January this has whetted my appetite. Looking forward to the next episode :tu:
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Fantastic trip reports, please keep them coming!
I fear I may need some dentist details soon ... |
Originally Posted by sl1ppy
(Post 35685276)
Fantastic trip reports, please keep them coming!
I fear I may need some dentist details soon ... |
I'll be passing through Bucharest in late November/early December. I'll be re-reviewing this report for some restaurant ideas! I also like the idea of trying a variety of airline special order meals. Nice report!
|
Originally Posted by lamphs
(Post 35688029)
I'll be passing through Bucharest in late November/early December. I'll be re-reviewing this report for some restaurant ideas! I also like the idea of trying a variety of airline special order meals. Nice report!
For the specials my personal recommendations are the Muslim, Hindu, and Kosher, and stay well away from the low fat/salt/calorie options… fat and salt are all that give some of the standard meals their flavours :D |
Originally Posted by rapidex
(Post 35664316)
I'm so happy that at least day 1 went without a hitch, and you got some decent lounge food. I bought my neighbour a bottle of Hennessy XO earlier in the year. He had never had an expensive bottle of cognac before, and once he got over his initial shock of not needing to put Coke in it, we've had a couple of pleasant nights sipping. Pedant note, there is no U in Qantas. Looking forward to the rest.:tu:
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 35664693)
As a fellow pedant I must admit to feeling it was wrong as I typed it and, being equal part idler, too lazy to check it :D
Glad to hear you have converted another to the fellowship of the cognac Great trip report, btw. :) |
Originally Posted by greg5
(Post 35689465)
Being even more pedantic, it's actually an acronym. QANTAS, Queensland And Northern Territories Air Service. :D
Great trip report, btw. :) |
Originally Posted by greg5
(Post 35689465)
Being even more pedantic, it's actually an acronym. QANTAS, Queensland And Northern Territories Air Service. :D
Great trip report, btw. :) But I have seen breaches of this in IT, e.g. NTFS and FAT filesystems (not getting in to GIF)... |
Originally Posted by Tocsin
(Post 35690485)
To be even more pedantic :D - I have seen some style guides which suggest acronyms that can be 'spoken' should be written with an initial capital, while those which have to be spelt out should be all capitals.
But I have seen breaches of this in IT, e.g. NTFS and FAT filesystems (not getting in to GIF)... Then again their FB page is 'Qantas'..... |
Seconds away, round 2! Here we go again, back to Bucharest and the dentists.
Today is a slight departure for me, these are reward flights for this weekend and the outbound pair are going to be in Euro Traveller rather than Club Europe. I only booked these three additional weekends about six weeks ago and for some reason the 27th and 29th were incredibly expensive, approximately £1,300 as I recall, so it was time to roll out the Avios. There was no business reward availability on the outbound and hence it is off to the back of the bus. I’ve reserved exit row seats for both flights so unless the business cabin expands dramatically I’ll still have plenty of leg room. It’s also a good excuse to try out the highlife cafe and so I’ve pre-ordered for the NCL-LHR leg due to the shortness of the flight but I’m leaving it to chance on the LHR-OTP leg on the minuscule possibility of an operational upgrade or a decent priced Airport Upgrade :) If no upgrades forthcoming then maybe it’s time for something a little different. These three weekends are going to be much the same yet also each somewhat different to the other. Weekend 1: This weekend is the simplest, almost entirely a flight, restaurant, and lounge review weekend. My standard NCL-LHR-OTP flights with no reschedules or cancellations so far. A planned arrival at the hotel 4pm or later this afternoon and then dinner at Hanu Berarilor. Saturday is a guaranteed long day in the dentist chair then probably hotel business lounge or hotel restaurant for dinner in the evening, depart early Sunday OTP-LHR-NCL. Weekend 2: Early rescheduled departure from Newcastle due to cancellation and, because of this, a 10 hour! transit in LHR. Working from the lounge for a few hours and then planning a lounge safari for the second half of the day, probably mostly in the business lounges as I did a first class lounge tour on the last trip. Arrival at the hotel should be close to midnight. Saturday is expected to be some, currently unknown, amount of time in the dentist chair, and then out for a meal at the iconic caru cu bere in the evening. Early departure Sunday but travelling back OTP-LHR/LCY-EDI then LNER to NCL. This will be my first time ever in LCY and on City Flyer so looking forward to that. Weekend 3: Thursday night LNER NCL-EDI and hotel in Edinburgh. Early Friday afternoon departure from EDI to LHR which will be another first for me as my previous planned flight from EDI was during the recent NATS failure so I took advantage of LNERs generosity and jumped on the train instead. A short connection onwards to OTP, late arrival at the hotel. Saturday is reserved for dentist just in case, but if not needed then this is the day I’ll go to Bran and Peles castles. If I am needed in the chair then I’ll book dinner in the other iconic Bucharest eatery, Hanu lui Manuc. Early departure Sunday, 5 hour LHR layover due to another reschedule so almost certainly another first class lounge safari, and finally back to NCL The messing around in Edinburgh is because weekends 2 and 3 are booked as one BA holiday to get an additional 480 Tier Points. Hand baggage only this weekend, the suitcase appearing to be overkill for two nights but is mostly filled with rain gear, fleece, and a wide array of dental cleaning devices :) Accompanied by what has now become the bag of many tags with thanks to corporate-wage-slave for the subtle flyertalk tag :D https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...65c879810.jpeg And with that War and Peace length introduction to weeks 2-4 it’s time to wash the coffee mug and await the taxi to take me to the airport. |
After getting out of bed at stupid o’clock I am once more back at Newcastle Airport which, as an aside, recently won airport of the year for airports under 5 million passengers at Routes World Conference. It is a really nice regional airport, even when busy the staff are friendly and cheerful, in my experience the airport is alway clean, and it has a decent range of bars, eateries, and other services. Time from kerb to lounge is generally in the region of 15-20 minutes and boarding is mostly well organised… mostly. If only the lounge was better, and maybe it will be after the Aspire refurb and expansion, we shall see.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...74d7efe47.jpeg Today was no exception to the speedy clearance, kerb to lounge in under 10 minutes, no real queues anywhere. The building work is still ongoing and last weeks overly sensitive mass scanner has disappeared again and the left hand wall of the security area has moved inwards a few feet. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2bffe7a13.jpeg I upgraded to the Aspire plus lounge again as the main lounge was pretty busy, and am currently enjoying the obligatory morning trio of fizz, coffee, and orange juice. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...485b79bd3.jpeg As I recall I only ordered a bacon roll from the highlife cafe to eat onboard so a small english breakfast is the order of the day. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c9da61d58.jpeg And with that it is time to sit back, relax, and await the gate notification which I expect will be gate 3 again. |
The flight information displays updated and it is Gate 3 as expected and after a very short walk from the lounge I arrived nice and early for once. Red flashing lights and loud beeping signalled all was not well with my boarding pass and a new one was issued for seat 1a - my first ‘at the gate’ upgrade… yippee! The plane was ready and it was straight through and onboard.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f87e1badd.jpeg It will be interesting to see how the food and drink plays out as I have items ordered from the speedbird cafe. Boarding has been really smooth so far, people are flowing onboard at a steady pace and the crew are in good humour, has the makings of a good flight. In other news, flightly is alerting a 40 minute delay to my second leg onwards to Bucharest and I do not mind in the slightest as I have all day so any delay equals more lounge time. Very wet this morning so in flight photos are probably not on the cards https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9d315156e.jpeg Bucked up, tray table away, seat back in the upright position, and window blind fully up, it’s a boarding complete at 05:48. Time to sit back and enjoy the ride. Next stop LHR T5 and the never to be sufficiently cursed transit to T3. |
In the end we were in the air about 10 minutes late but still expected to land on time as the schedule for NCL-LHR is very generous.
Excellent crew today, completely on the ball, had the entire 20 people in business fed, watered, and cleared by the time we reached Birmingham to start our descent. Photos are bit blurry as the lighting was kept low for the duration of the meal, dining in the dusk. The only moment of note was when I was moving my coffee and it kept dripping… took me a tiny while and a wet shirt to realise that the first mug was actually cracked and leaking, hence the half full mug in the photo. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b8e67c88c.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b5a231c01.jpeg |
There was plenty of time for a couple of refills along the way and then we were over london. Not quite the scenic views of last week.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...587eb906c.jpeg I do like the pre-dawn flights when there is low cloud, it is almost ethereal with the glow of the clouds from the lighting below. Landed bang on time, and a short taxi saw us offloading quickly and now it’s time for the joyous transit over to T3 |
The T3 transit took the average 1 hour exactly from plane to exiting T3 security. Managed to get behind a group at security that apparently had never flown or cleared security before, it was so bad it was funny.
Straight to the BA galleries guest services to check for an airport upgrade but unfortunately none available despite expert flyer showing a seat free in J. Never mind, back of the bus it is 😊 Then straight to the Cathay first class lounge where I managed to snag a pew with a view https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3ed078a5c.jpeg The pantry was laid out for breakfast https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...838d9c5ee.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3d4d2df64.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2d1305a67.jpeg And now with the requisite champagne, coffee, and delicious cheese and ham croissants it is time to kick back for half an hour before wandering off to the gate https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...edc5bc46f.jpeg |
After a gate change alert from expertflyer I just realised that I have been staring out the window at today’s carriage
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7ea4c6867.jpeg A very short stroll to the gate this morning! |
First on the bus after the pre-boarding and unsurprisingly no red light and buzz so it’s down past the curtain and into 11c
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...60eb38a47.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ac01c5f60.jpeg Crew and friendly and chatty so has the makings of a fun flight. Boarding is incredibly slow, don’t know why but the queue down the aisle is hardly moving. We are supposedly delayed by 10 minutes but I will be amazed if we are pushing back on time. Time to wait and see who my neighbours will be for this little trip to Bucharest |
Well well well! The captain has been on to announce that we are waiting for one important person to board, his first officer! He reported that the originally scheduled FO had just flown back from Amsterdam and was unable to continue flying! We are now awaiting a replacement FO who is on airport standby, so the delay is going to be close to an hour before we get off the ground.
in much happier news, all the passengers are on board for this almost completely full flight and the seat next to me in the exit row is empty! Just perusing the highlife cafe menu and it seems smaller than the last one I read, I assume there are different menus for different destinations or flight lengths. Update: The replacement FO is onboard and we are all buttoned up and rolling to the runway almost exactly 1 hour late. Next stop, Bucharest |
Using the onboard wifi today as I needed to get a credit card PIN number for the highlife cafe purchases. All my card numbers are meaningless and different so I remember none of them!
according to flight radar we have just crossed into Austria and not to far from Steyr which caught my eye as I’m hoping to go there next year for a week long Segway event. in any case, did a little taste test of the highlife menu, all in the interest of science, you understand! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a159065cc.jpeg The sandwich was very very good, thoroughly enjoyed that. The uncommon bubbly rose was not particularly bubbly or rose, I would not order that again https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bf955cabf.jpeg You cannot go wrong with Joe and Seph’s popcorn, been a fan of theirs since before they were mainstream when I tried (and bought) all of their popcorn flavours at a good food show way way back. Equally hard to beat Freixenet for an easy drinking drop of fizz. And it has taken me all the way to Vienna to write that little update. Time to enjoy the fizz, and may be another, and it’s roughly an hour to landing. |
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