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Bucharest - Again!
And now for something completely different, not!
The time has come for me to return to the dentist chair for a slightly overdue checkup. This weekend wasn’t originally planned to be a trip to the dentist, but unfortunately my consultant has left the practice and therefore the originally arranged visit has had to be rescheduled to fit into this trip. To make this work, the dental visit will be on Monday morning with my consulting surgeon. I have done almost no planning for this weekend, however I have visited Bucharest so many times now that there’s not much left in the city for me to see or do that I haven’t already seen or done. I was looking at the possibility of going to visit a different town or city on Sunday but I’ve decided that a much better plan will be to explore the plethora of microbreweries within the city :D The plan of the weekend (times are local time): Saturday 10am NCL-LHR Noon T3 Lounge rampage 6pm LHR-OTP, arriving midnight Sunday Much food and Beer, the grand Bucharest brewery crawl. Hmmm, maybe that should have been the thread title! Monday 10am Dentist 3pm OTP-LHR 6pm Concorde Room 8pm LHR-NCL Yes, as dull as dishwater! Actually, so dull that now I’ve written that down I’ve no idea why I’m bothering with a trip report. Lets call it my gift to insomniacs ;) |
I’ve got a two night stag do in Bucharest in March. The best man is about useless as chocolate trousers, so I will follow with interest for some ideas I can
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I appreciate you starting this on a Friday. I can now better plan my coffee time the next couple of mornings! 🤣
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Good morning from a damp and dreary start to the day here at Newcastle airport.
The traditional shot of the BA queue which is longer than I would expect given it is only 90 minutes to departure https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...247a3e2b8.jpeg Bragging rights in full swing, there is ‘best airport in the world’ on pretty much every screen :) As you can see above, they’re not being subtle about it, that is a seriously gaudy background. The airport is looking a bit ratty this morning with multiple equipment failures. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0ad1b95e9.jpeg One of the two lifts https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...435be5414.jpeg Up escalator on the right hand half of arrivals to departures https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...12dcf79ca.jpeg Down escalator on the left hand half of arrivals to departures On the bright side there was absolutely nobody in fast track and decanting my iPad from the bag meant no secondary for the first time in a very long time. First stop: Aster and Thyme for the Priority Pass glass of bubbles to start off the day. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7716047fc.jpeg |
Having enjoyed the glass of fizz in Aster and Thyme it was time to head to the Aspire lounge, and no surprise for anyone here
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...23238ad22.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eef91cd4d.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4b30289e8.jpeg When I returned to the table with my sausage bounty KARFA was there and waiting :) During our conversation he mentioned that he was no fan of the mini stotties as they fell apart. I said that had never been an issue for me and I’m sure you know what comes next! The stottie self destructed into a crumbly bready mess! He jinxed me :D |
By the time I reached gate A10 boarding was in full swing. Looking across from the plane A3 is still cordoned off.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4936091f5.jpeg G-EUOE is our plane for today and another new one for me. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...661a221dd.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c857e490c.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...526964227.jpeg Sat atop 1B to avoid the boarding battering and menus have been distributed https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5bb564f2f.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...902f26f96.jpeg I’m very disappointed to find that we are outside breakfast time and so no delicious kosher bun for me. |
Flew into Newcastle last night and I think we were on gate 7; never seen this before, what’s going on?
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Should you stay longer than a day in OTP, I would recommend day travel to Brasov to see Dracula's castle....
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The pilots announcement that we would be on our way shortly as there were a couple of bags left to load was a tiny white lie as I had just the moment before heard that they needed to offload a bag, presumably due to a missing passenger. It didn’t take them too long to track down the wayward bag and we were on our way and off the ground just 12 minutes late.
The crew were quick off the blocks with service. The IFL had already asked myself and @KARFA, who is in 1A this morning, if it was OK to unwrap our Kosher special meals. He did something I had not seen before, he left the menu label on the tray so we could see what the meal was. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...11becca73.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2fb09a2dd.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0b5b45ee4.jpeg The salt beef with honey mustard dip was very pleasant, the Rhubarb pot returned to the galley untouched, it’s without doubt my least favourite dessert from Hermolis. All accompanied by the standard trio, of course. With supposedly thirty minutes to go we had an early pilots announcement that we were ten minutes from starting our descent as we had been slowed down by London. Makes a change from ATC restrictions on departure I guess. The remainder of the flight passed uneventfully and we were on the ground in Heathrow by 11:30, fifteen minutes after the pilots estimate, and are currently taxiing to the A gates. Next stop for me is T5 landside and the Photo Booth , as I need to get a headshot for the companies web site, and they want one with me wearing a jacket :( |
Originally Posted by Arcadio
(Post 36608064)
Should you stay longer than a day in OTP, I would recommend day travel to Brasov to see Dracula's castle....
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Originally Posted by Nimrod1965
(Post 36608001)
Flew into Newcastle last night and I think we were on gate 7; never seen this before, what’s going on?
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T3 security is a complete disaster today, this is the end of the fast track line!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...10f575be5.jpeg I’ve never seen anything like it. Staff I have spoken to so far have no idea what is going on or why it’s a complete mess There are staff scurrying around with trollies loaded with tensa barriers and this the another chunk of standard security queue https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...951b57f53.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d7b8a6653.jpeg |
All I can think of is that there were a lot of delays and cancellations at Heathrow yesterday as it was thick fog until around 11ish, maybe still suffering from that? Luckily for me, my 1830 NCL wasn’t one of the cancellations and although slightly delayed, wasn’t bad
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Somewhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour later and I’ve finally cleared the absolutely steaming hot security area and first stop of the day is The BA first lounge and First Dining
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a596aec76.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9e3b6b223.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eb92d1769.jpeg Different invite today, much larger. First time I’ve seen these, up until now it has been small cards. Apparently these are the proper invites that have been out of stock for some time. The Dining Room is busier than I’ve known it, at least half the tables occupied, so no roaming photos around the space on this visit. I’ll almost certainly be back later. |
Elevenses was the cottage pie, this is a pretty small portion but packed with flavour and definitely one I recommend.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6c6d9b147.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b507b221e.jpeg Time now to enjoy the Pommery Louise for a little while before heading off to the Cathay lounge before that gets locked down for the day and restricted to Cathay passengers only. |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36608231)
Elevenses was the cottage pie, this is a pretty small portion but packed with flavour and definitely one I recommend.
Did you check the regular security as well? Was it any better than fast track? |
Originally Posted by VorelNaCestach
(Post 36608246)
How were the carrots?
Did you check the regular security as well? Was it any better than fast track? that last photo shows the final ten percent of the standard security queue, there had to be pushing on for a thousand people corralled further back, it was a complete mess. Staff walking up and calling for stragglers flight by flight. |
Next stop is the Cathay first lounge. I always come here if I can, the olives are outstanding! I also could not resist the halloumi fingers with sweet chilli dip.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b58390ba9.jpeg Whilst here I raided the magazine rack for later reading and obviously this one caught my attention https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c39bd31fb.jpeg The dining room is pretty busy, the main lounge space not so much. I’ll not eat a sit down meal here, I shall wander next door to the noodle bar in a little while. |
After a couple of Asahi I decamped and headed in the direction of the business lounge and the noodle bar. It was completely rammed, every table in use!
There was nothing for it but to return to first and an huge cheery “welcome back!” from the lounge attendant I said goodbye to two minutes previously :D Having literally just left I knew there was space in the dining room to sit and eat. I have also managed to drink the last of the Asahi and so it’s Tiger Time https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5993938d5.jpeg Menus for today https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...152b58a87.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0a5b7d4b6.jpeg Chicken Sambal Fried Rice. I really enjoy this dish, just the right amount of heat in it to tingle the tastebuds. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c9e6f333f.jpeg |
Love the Cathay lounge, even though us lowly Silvers are restricted to the Business version. I’m looking forward to comparing it to the Singapore version next year!
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Having enjoyed the rice, the beer, and the company in the dining area it was time to head out in search of dessert. Before that though… the gentleman at the next table had espied the flyertalk tag on my distant backpack and struck up a conversation. He took a photo of the trip report header so hopefully he will pop in and say hi, but it was a very pleasant way of passing 15-20 minutes before the need for sugar to contract the spice kicked in. An unexpected and cheering interlude.
Over to the AA longe and they’ve had a little mishap https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...817ef0078.jpeg As I turned the corner towards the dining area and spotted the mess I saw came face to face with one of the lounge attendants. I already had phone in hand ready to take a picture “Oh no!” Said she. “Oh yes!” Said I :D The menu only offered one desert that really did not appeal, and the buffet just had a donut https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1743968ea.jpeg Only one thing for it, a beer and an assortment of naughty things, and then onwards and outwards in the fullness of time. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eb7ce2b9d.jpeg |
Sorry Budweiser is not beer🤭
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Originally Posted by atcodave
(Post 36608489)
Sorry Budweiser is not beer🤭
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Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36608498)
Compared to the garbage BA have in the fridge?
Even though you drunk the Cathay lounge dry of Asahi, surely Tiger is better than Bud! Sorry very much tongue in cheek just trying to spice up your TR🤭😂 |
Originally Posted by atcodave
(Post 36608509)
But you left the Cathay lounge to drink Bud😩
Even though you drunk the Cathay lounge dry of Asahi, surely Tiger is better than Bud! Sorry very much tongue in cheek just trying to spice up your TR🤭😂 You forget, I left the Cathay lounge in search of dessert… found it in the Qantas lounge https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9a6897db3.jpeg Does this count as better beer? ;) https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d21f086c1.jpeg |
Yep that would do nicely 😁
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And that’s it, full circle and, now having finished lunch, it is time for dinner :D
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...669927966.jpeg I have a little more than a hour before I need to head to the gate and so I’m going to hang around here, have a little bite to eat of a couple of the dishes I have yet to try, and the might just be a whisky somewhere closer to boarding :D |
Well, I think it’s fair to say I’ll sleep well on the plane :D
I decided on the duck for a starter as I had not tried it before, and then straight to desert for the classic cheese plate and port. The duck was ‘Ok’, I’d be happy to eat it if someone else ordered it but I’d not choose it myself. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5f4117786.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dc46a2aa6.jpeg And now settled in for the last half hour with a fairly impressive pour of the JW blue label. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1fe1d5c83.jpeg |
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And so to the gate. Gate 23 this evening, a very short stroll from the lounge. The tense queue for 1-3 was well loaded so I used the empty 4-9 lane to get to the desks and asked if they were pre-boarding group 0, and indeed they were!
Now sat the right side of the gate scanners waiting for boarding to commence https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7ed3dbb01.jpeg |
Boarding started almost exactly at 6pm and I was first on board G-EUUG which I was last on in August for the NCL-LHR run
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ab8d81a53.jpeg 1C again for this second flight of the day and propped on top of 1B as usual to avoid the battering https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...20b072d82.jpeg Menus have been distributed https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fe178ac4d.jpeg The safety briefing is in progress and whomever is doing the speech is really faltering. I asked the IFM if he was new. “Believe it or not he has 27 years” was the laconic reply :D 18:47 and we are trundling around Heathrow, not long now, hopefully! |
Indeed, 15 minutes early is the estimate, every minute counts when you’re arriving after 23:30 anywhere.
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Light coloured pants for a day of travel is brazen in my books. Good chance they wouldn't come out unscathed.
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Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36606979)
Actually, so dull that now I’ve written that down I’ve no idea why I’m bothering with a trip report. Lets call it my gift to insomniacs ;)
Also, it's barely 10pm tonight, evening's not even started yet. re. the poor sod on the safety briefing, I wonder if the issue is coming back from widebody fleet where it's almost always automated. I recall one time I flew, A380 Lufty I think it was, where the safety video would not play for some reason and they dug out the manual demo kit.... I have never seen a bunch of FAs so flustered, worse than having to tell an F pax the champagne is out. |
Originally Posted by atcodave
(Post 36608906)
Indeed, 15 minutes early is the estimate, every minute counts when you’re arriving after 23:30 anywhere.
I know who my moneys on but let’s see🤔 |
Originally Posted by theshaun
(Post 36608909)
Light coloured pants for a day of travel is brazen in my books. Good chance they wouldn't come out unscathed.
They’ve survived amazingly unscathed! |
Originally Posted by atcodave
(Post 36609045)
Now watching your arrival, neck and neck with a Lufty from Frankfurt!
I know who my moneys on but let’s see🤔 |
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
(Post 36609035)
re. the poor sod on the safety briefing, I wonder if the issue is coming back from widebody fleet where it's almost always automated.
I recall one time I flew, A380 Lufty I think it was, where the safety video would not play for some reason and they dug out the manual demo kit.... I have never seen a bunch of FAs so flustered, worse than having to tell an F pax the champagne is out. |
Well, that flight went amazingly quickly! Everyone in row one was incredibly chatty and the three hours just shot by.
I’d ordered the Muslim special this evening and that turned out to be the standard curry from the menu. Very tasty but could have done with a little more spice. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ef7daa74.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...54e058ed0.jpeg We arrived onto a remote stand but the buses were already waiting and we were very quickly over to the arrivals hall and the long march to passport control which was completely empty. A no drama entry, just a quick peruse of the passport and a stamp and that was it. I ordered a bolt to take me into the city and the driver was already here, no wait at all and that is where I am currently sat heading to my hotel. That has to be the smoothest arrival into Bucharest ever. |
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