24 plus 4 into 32 does go

[blackcat20]

Awww, no golf buggy photo?

 

[TomVexille]

Awww, no golf buggy photo?

I seem to recall that you declined the buggy last time you were offered one

 

[blackcat20]

I seem to recall that you declined the buggy last time you were offered one

That's because I have legs that work....

 

[TomVexille]

That's because I have legs that work....

So you're saying that JessicaTam ​doesn't?

 

[blackcat20]

So you're saying that JessicaTam ​doesn't?

No such thing :shock:

 

[JessicaTam]

Dear reader, once again I must seek your indulgence. My recovery has not been as swift as I would have hoped. However slowy and surely I am returning to good health. This afternoon I shall be ensconced in my room at the Hilton FCO, with cup of tea in hand, and shall endeavour to make good this tale of my travels.

 

[blackcat20]

Dear reader, once again I must seek your indulgence. My recovery has not been as swift as I would have hoped. However slowy and surely I am returning to good health. This afternoon I shall be ensconced in my room at the Hilton FCO, with cup of tea in hand, and shall endeavour to make good this tale of my travels.

That's not good. Hopefully you're better by the time we meet in Houston!

 

[straitman]

This afternoon I shall be ensconced in my room at the Hilton FCO, with cup of tea in hand, and shall endeavour to make good this tale of my travels.

There in lies the problem :!:

Drinking Tea instead of Champagne.

Get well soon.

 

[JessicaTam]

Thank you, dear reader, for your patience. I shall attempt to bring some currency to my travels:

A glass of Veuve was delivered to my seat and I was advised that a massage would be available in about ten minutes. Well, it seemed like no time at all to when I was collected and escorted to the spa. It is located in the business lounge, but one must walk past the 'Royal Silk Guests Area' sign to enter it. Privacy was assured. I disrobed and donned some flattering* top and pants and stepped into the massage room. I was advised to lie on my front and the masseuse commenced her work. And work she did. I had made it clear that it was ok to be firm, and on occasion she asked if I was still ok. "Yes", I muttered through gritted teeth. And so she pressed on.~ The hour seemed to fly by, and I was soon getting changed back into my travel wear and returning to the Royal Silk First lounge, loosened body walking freely.

A spot of curry in the dining area, and then I settled into my private space.

A very empty dining room


The lounge was still relatively quiet at that time, as there were still in the vicinity of four hours until we were due to board. I spent the time watching some television, and catching up on some AFF news. I chose juices and soft drinks for the most part as I thought it would be best to keep myself nice for the delicacies that were to come. Little was I to know that my time in Italy would be much the same.

After a movie and a snooze, I was asked to follow the attendant and a family of three to the gate. Boarding was due to begin at midnight, and it was at least 20 minutes past before being summoned. There was no buggy for this journey, but after my massage I was happy for the walk. As we approached the gate some 7 or 8 minutes later another boarding lane was opened. A few of the last people to board ducked across to it and so our progress was slowed somewhat. The escort continued down the air bridge, with the much awaitened 'left turn' into the F cabin. I was handed over to the CSM who showed me to my seat. The F cabin attendant was quick to offer champagne or some other beverage (I forget what the alternative was, as I had tuned out after the word 'Dom').


*There I go again
~The odd pun may appear as well

 

[JessicaTam]

My glass was filled at the chair, with bottle proudly displayed*.

I relaxed and surveyed my surroundings whilst sipping at an exceptional drop. I have not had the pleasure of Dom before, and am placing it high on my list of favourites.

My seat:


Across the aisle:


The aircraft has ten seats in F so was not the most recent refurb. Be that as it may, the seat was comfortable and reclined into a nice long flat sleeping platform. But before sleep there was dinner. I had chosen to preorder the roast duck, as I would not be indulging in the caviar or prawns. This turned out to be a wise move, as there was no other entree offered. I had thought to ring TG and make mention of my dietary requirements, however that may not have made it all the way to the catering department. The duck was delicious.



Followed by the cheese:




*Some poetic licence may also be present from time to time.

 

[JessicaTam]

... and the dessert


You may notice that the glass is no longer containing champagne. During dinner I chose to try a glass of "Givry Premier Cru Clos du Cellier Aux Moines" which I thoroughly enjoyed. Cheese and dessert were accompanied with a glass of 1795 Otard Extra Cognac. I would be grateful if a learned reader would enlighten me as to wether 1795 is the batch/vat or in fact the year.

I had my bed made up and watched a movie whilst reclined. It was now that I felt my illness starting to make itself felt. Little was I to know how much it was to progress.

I slept in fits and starts as there was a considerable amount of turbulence for the first half of the flight, and dozed for the remainder. On awakening I was offered breakfast, however declined in order to sleep some more. We arrived a little early into Milan Malpensa airport and before disembarking the F cabin attendant and CSM presented themselves to each passenger to bow and thank us for choosing to fly Thai. I remarked that it was my first in F with them, and the quick response was "And the next"?

We left the aircraft and made our way to the immigration hall, where for a change, there was little in the way of a queue so I was processed promptly. I made my way down to the train station where I must have just missed the train. 40 minutes later and I would be able to board the next. The journey of a little under an hour was uneventful and I was soon standing in Milano Centrale wondering what to do for the next three hours.

My first stop was to the chemist for vitamin C, Strepsils (or their equivalent) and some Ibuprofin as the Panadol had done little for the headache and sore throat.

I headed up to the Sky Bar which was quiet and ordered a coffee - wondering how long between drinks I could stretch my residency. It seemed that as it was quiet, there was no pressure to remove me. I left at one point to use the facilities and on my return bought orange juice and water, as italian chewable vitamin C tablets are most unpleasant. There I waited until my train was imminent.

 

[boomy]

Enjoying the TR Jess, hope you get well soon.

 

[Buzzard]

Such a fine tale you tell. Hopefully your ills will soon pass.

 

[docjames]

Enjoying the TR.

If possible it's worth brief notes on the transit points and any insights on them as it can be helpful for those travelling through in the future.

 

[ckck]

I am loving your trip report.

I hope you get well soon.

 

[JessicaTam]

It seems my good health can not come soon enough. As a brief interlude before maintaining the continuity of the tale, I am in MUC awaiting a standby seat on a flight to IAD as I was never to make the flight from FRA due to a delay on the MUC-FRA flight. 2 hours until I head to the gate to await my fate.

 

[TomVexille]

It seems my good health can not come soon enough. As a brief interlude before maintaining the continuity of the tale, I am in MUC awaiting a standby seat on a flight to IAD as I was never to make the flight from FRA due to a delay on the MUC-FRA flight. 2 hours until I head to the gate to await my fate.

Bummer. That's the flight I wanted to see the most

Fingers crossed that you get a seat.

 

[JessicaTam]

Have I ever regaled the joys of European trains? I am sure I have, but just in case you you were not a party to that, then this picture tells better than a thousand words why.



I arrived in Florence in short order and walked the 15 minutes to the apartment I was to be staying at. I rang the bell and introduced myself, the door buzzed open, and I heard two words that struck fear into my heart, "Top floor". Of course it was. 6 flights of stairs and a few rest breaks later I arrived. Claudio was very welcoming. I had booked on AirBnB my room with its own bathroom for about $50 a night. Claudio explained the layout to me and some of the local sights that were worth seeing. I was not going to be in town long but the San Lorenzo Market sounded interesting.

I collapsed on the bed and fell asleep - it was 1530.

 

[JessicaTam]

Bummer. That's the flight I wanted to see the most

Fingers crossed that you get a seat.

I haven't even looked up what aircraft it is yet. They offered me a LH J 333 MUC-JFK followed by a UA Y middle seat down the back somewhere to IAD. I declined.

 

[TomVexille]

I haven't even looked up what aircraft it is yet. They offered me a LH J 333 MUC-JFK followed by a UA Y middle seat down the back somewhere to IAD. I declined.

LH 414 is a A333