Dipping my toe back in the Nile

[Pushka]

For anyone interested, the November issue of National Geographic has an extensive coverage of Tutankhamun, the new museum etc.

Not sure how much of this will show for non-subscribers: November 2022 Issue

Thanks. Decided $25 annual digital was worth it. Egypt next May. Have also bought the book The earl and the Pharoah written by the Countess of Carnarvon.

 

[Major]

Or you could just read this

 

[Pushka]

Or you could just read this

View attachment 310846

AKA Monarch note guides for Year 12. Nah. I prefer a story.

 

[RooFlyer]

This time I had an almost 6 hour layover in DOH, ~15:00-21:00, so I had plenty of time to explore the Al Safwa First lounge (access via arriving in First). A pretty rigorous check by the lounge guardians at the bottom of the escalator, then up to the good stuff.



I was pretty tired after an early start (mostly involuntary) this morning. so I headed straight to the sleeping area. There are probably a dozen or more of these; can't book, but once in, yours for 6 hours.







After a nap, I went out to re-explore the lounge. Like before, I found it cavernous, but unlike last time, it grew on me as I became more familiar with it. Bags stored in the lockers, allowing an easy wander.

 

[RooFlyer]

Went to the restaurant for dinner. Menu









I had the lamb biryani, very good. With it, a couple of glasses of the French Julian 2008 red, which I looked up & is A$250 at Dan Murphy's.



A pav for dessert with a 5 putt tokaj. Afterwards a Chablis via waiter service in one of the easy chairs.

 

[RooFlyer]

Surprisingly, for the middle of the World Cup in Doha, the lounge, and indeed the airport wasn't very busy. QR were shuttling people in and out for the games, so even though this wasn't usually a busy part of the day for the airport, I expected more people about.

Had a long wander about the concourse in prep for my DOH-MEL flight, which came around soon enough; B777-300ER and I was again in a rear-facing QSuite. J cabin was about 2/3 full.

Menus; mostly the same as before but with a number of World-Cup themed snack options.





... which later on, I took advantage of, having had dinner in the lounge. A 'half time platter'



Followed by decaf latte



Flying over Abu Dhabi





Breakfast of steel cut oats and berries



Then, egged on by the FA (I promise!) a ' FIFA World Cup Chocolate Football' . Don't wrinkle that nose! You know you'd like one, wouldn't you? (maybe not JohnM)



And a couple of chokkies on approach to MEL.

 

[RooFlyer]

Forgot to say that the amenity kit wasn't like the 'handy bag' one we got on the way over - this time quite an underwhelming little box.



Reality landed with a thud at MEL, where immigration took a bit longer than usual when my 10 yo passport wouldn't be scanned in the machines and even the manual desk couldn't scan it. Directed to another desk for a scan, then though. This was its last trip - new one to be applied for ASAP and then a renewal of my US B1/B2 visa. Customs relatively uncrowded at 9:30pm on a Friday evening, so straight through and a short walk to the Holiday Inn nearby. I'm Plat with IHG so a very enthusiastic welcome at the desk and onto the 8th floor. Dining room full and a group of noisy bogans in the bar so just a quick bite there before crashing.



Nice car park view



Breakfast over the road at Maccas, with this endorsement from on-high



Final flight was Virgin B737-800 MEL-HBA. Quickly through the new-ish T4 security, quick stop for a coffee at the VA lounge then on board. Virgin not Qantas has I have abandoned QF (as much as practicable) since I initially booked the trip, and this leg was added later.

Heaps of legroom in 1C (I prefer aisle not windows in narrow bodies) and a PDB of some sparkling.

 

[RooFlyer]

That's that.

To summarise:

* QR and QSuites as good as ever. I consider it the best J ride in the sky.

* Al Safa First lounge not as I'd design it - I prefer the Pier First lounge at HKG, but amenities are very good.

* Intrepid Premium Egypt tour I'd give 4/5; hotels chosen were the weak point; hopefully one or more will be changed next year and they are already adding a day to the tour to better accommodate Abu Simbel

* Tour highlights: Cruise on the Nile and Abu Simbel (given I'd done the pyramids and Luxor before). If you do a cruise on the Nile, look at the itinerary carefully and where you'll be overnight. Some of the boats have very poor dining & facilities.

* Cairo always worth 2-3 days; Giza pyramids, Saqqara step pyramids, museums, Coptic Cairo, Islamic Cairo, old city

* Conrad. Nice, but poor value for money for me.

* Uber works well in Cairo; cheap.

Finishing, a photo from the Steinberger Hotel from one of the others on the tour. Yeah, not bad

 

[Pushka]

That's that.

To summarise:

* QR and QSuites as good as ever. I consider it the best J ride in the sky.

* Al Safa First lounge not as I'd design it - I prefer the Pier First lounge at HKG, but amenities are very good.

* Intrepid Premium Egypt tour I'd give 4/5; hotels chosen were the weak point; hopefully one or more will be changed next year and they are already adding a day to the tour to better accommodate Abu Simbel

* Tour highlights: Cruise on the Nile and Abu Simbel (given I'd done the pyramids and Luxor before). If you do a cruise on the Nile, look at the itinerary carefully and where you'll be overnight. Some of the boats have very poor dining & facilities.

* Cairo always worth 2-3 days; Giza pyramids, Saqqara step pyramids, museums, Coptic Cairo, Islamic Cairo, old city

* Conrad. Nice, but poor value for money for me.

* Uber works well in Cairo; cheap.

Finishing, a photo from the Steinberger Hotel from one of the others on the tour. Yeah, not bad

View attachment 310896

fantastic report. Thankyou. But Now I am in a packing mood for Egypt and it isn't until May next year. I even paid in full before I needed to. Of course it won't be anywhere near as Egypt immersive as yours unfortunately. Next trip?

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks very much for a fabulous TR. The photos were really great.

 

[Daver6]

This time I had an almost 6 hour layover in DOH, ~15:00-21:00, so I had plenty of time to explore the Al Safwa First lounge (access via arriving in First). A pretty rigorous check by the lounge guardians at the bottom of the escalator, then up to the good stuff.

View attachment 310860

I was pretty tired after an early start (mostly involuntary) this morning. so I headed straight to the sleeping area. There are probably a dozen or more of these; can't book, but once in, yours for 6 hours.

View attachment 310861

View attachment 310863

View attachment 310862

After a nap, I went out to re-explore the lounge. Like before, I found it cavernous, but unlike last time, it grew on me as I became more familiar with it. Bags stored in the lockers, allowing an easy wander.

View attachment 310864

View attachment 310865

View attachment 310866

View attachment 310867

Looks more like a modern art gallery than an airline lounge.

 

[Quickstatus]

A most enjoyable TR
Thanks for allowing me to live vicariously through it

 

[RooFlyer]

Next trip?

"Back to western Europe" next April/May - 10 days in eastern and SE France (little historic villages), little bit of Rhine Valley in Germany; 10 days in England and Scotland on the Cathedral circuit; 10 days in Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro (Exodus Tour) and a few days in Singapore either end. Doing SQ, LH and LX First there and back.

 

[RooFlyer]

Looks more like a modern art gallery than an airline lounge.

One of those high 'sandstone' walls is a water feature - water running down, top to bottom, along its length

 

[VPS]

Thanks for the TR - brings back great memories.

What did you think of the QR PJ's - I've got two pairs and not sure they will make it back to Australia because I have a drawer full of airline PJs

I quite enjoyed the Al Safwa first lounge but it is vast but the food was OK

 

[drron]

Wonderful TR as usual. Enjoyed tagging along.

 

[RooFlyer]

What did you think of the QR PJ's - I've got two pairs and not sure they will make it back to Australia because I have a drawer full of airline PJs

You mean the current, World Cup themed ones? I love the top - its heavier duty than the usual ones & am still using it. Bottoms can go.

 

[VPS]

You mean the current, World Cup themed ones? I love the top - its heavier duty than the usual ones & am still using it. Bottoms can go.

View attachment 310936

yep that's the one - I do like the fact it is short sleeved

 

[VPS]

You mean the current, World Cup themed ones? I love the top - its heavier duty than the usual ones & am still using it. Bottoms can go.

View attachment 310936

Oh and if you do decide to wash the bottoms make sure you wash them with something dark because the colour runs

 

[Bindibuys]

Looks more like a modern art gallery than an airline lounge.

Yes, here are some of the exhibits from when I was there.