24 plus 4 into 32 does go

[serfty]

Enjoying the TR - brings back plenty of memories as well as giving new ideas for the future.

... Our drinks vouchers were put to good use as we toasted each other with a glass of bubbles. And frankly it really didn’t matter that it was only 1100. We were going to Bermuda. ...

Presumably you are aware that it's quite OK to go back to reception and request more vouchers in the event that initial (or even subsequent) bubbles be consumed.

 

[blackcat20]

Enjoying the TR - brings back plenty of memories as well as giving new ideas for the future. Presumably you are aware that it's quite OK to go back to reception and request more vouchers in the event that initial (or even subsequent) bubbles be consumed.

Yep. We actually gave away our excess vouchers...

 

[rogerkambah]

My room:
View attachment 36478

For some reason some of the photos are not able to be uploaded. I know not why. The standard photo uploader hasn't worked for some months, and I am having to resort to the basic uploader. An AFF problem perhaps?

The next day I rose at about 0900 still tired, but with an agenda that I had to keep to.

View attachment 36479

David for one. I queued for about 40 minutes this morning and was rewarded with his magnificence once more.

Giorgio Vassari is quoted as saying that "the statue so far surpasses both in beauty and technique ancient and modern statuary that one needn't bother seeing other works in sculpture". I tend to agree. Although Rodin's 'Thinker' comes a close second for me.

A spot of shopping and it was back to the apartment to rest.

My wife says he has a crack at the back - not sure if she meant a real or a plumbers as I didn't check him out that closely. Interestingly i found Italy to be full of boys (statues) without their pants, but girls dressed much more demurely.

 

[rogerkambah]

On Monday I went for a slightly longer walk than the four minutes to the Accademia I had done the day before.

I mad a point of visiting the market that Claudio had mentioned:
View attachment 36481
View attachment 36482

It very much reminded me of the Central Market in ADL, just on a slightly smaller scale.

Unfortunately not all of the food photos were able to load, so Anna, you may have a reprieve for now.

Isn't it just a great market? And with the leather stalls outside too.

 

[JessicaTam]

Isn't it just a great market? And with the leather stalls outside too.

It was fabulous. Lots to see. I am cursing that I was not up to trying too much of the wares on offer.

 

[JessicaTam]

JFK

After I had absorbed all I could (and froze slightly in the wind) I made my way back down and resumed my walking around the city.

During my walk, I found myself outside Tiffany’s on Fifth Ave. So I raised an invisible bagel to Audrey. When I got back to the apartment that night I was channel surfing, only to find the opening credits of Breakfast at Tiffany’s rolling. There was nothing for it, but to sit and enjoy it in all its splendour. “Oh, Cat”.

The next day I had agreed to meet a couple of other Australians who were staying in New York for a month. We enjoyed lunch and a bottle of red at Cafe Arte at 106 W 73rd St. It was a very enjoyable meal. Lunch is a good way to try out some NY restaurants as the prices can be quite a bit cheaper.

Schnitzel parma (hold the ham, ta) and spagetti!


We ducked back to their apartment for a bit before walking around the East Side. The New York Marathon had just been run, so there were blue singlets and ponchos everywhere. I tried to get into Central Park, but as that was where the finish line was, we had no hope. A bit of window shopping later and we ended up at the Plaza at the south-eastern end of the park. We settled in for drinks and chatted about life, the universe and everything. I took my leave as darkness fell and made my way home.

 

[JessicaTam]

I was keen to fly back to AU with SQ in J using LifeMiles. I had been keeping an eye on availability as T-14 approached. I spotted the flights I wanted and proceeded to select and book them. However due to a slight typo with my details I had to go back and start again. Only trouble was the seats weren’t released back into the available fare buckets. Now this has happened to me before when trying to book with a credit card the system hasn’t liked, and I was used to waiting a couple of hours and trying again. Except this time they didn’t come back. I tried again the next morning and that night to no avail. It was not for thirty-six hours that I was able to book what I wanted. And to be honest I was about ready to book anything, to make sure I could get home!


Fortunately the booking has ticketed, and I have been able to select a meal and seats on my two SQ and one TG flight. KUL-BKK-SIN-MEL.


Phew.

 

[JessicaTam]

JFK

Monday morning and it was back Downtown. This time I made it to Central Park, and through Strawberry Fields. This is the memorial for John Lennon who lived (and died) nearby. Lots of people taking photos, and a chap strumming his guitar and singing Beatles songs.

I walked through the park, stopping for coffee at a cafe in the middle. I then headed south again, and exited near the zoo.

I made my way to the Staten Island Ferry for the free trip across the bay. This was my opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty without actually visiting Liberty Island. Next visit I think I might make the effort to get a little closer.



My return trip back to the ferry terminal was just as pleasant, and on disembarking I headed around a little of Battery Park. There was quite a bit of work going on, so access was not as good as I would have liked.



One of my main aims was to visit the September 11th Memorial site. I had only finished my training for the service I am in six months prior to this attack, so it was quite sobering to realise that so many men and women from the various services had died that day “going in, when everyone else was coming out”. I was not sure what to expect when I got to the memorial. As I watched the waterfall I think it hit home, and I was soon wiping tears away. The waterfalls are the same footprint as the buildings, and I was surprised at how small they were. I chose not to take any photos.

As it turned out, I visited the same day as the opening of One World Trade Centre, the new building dominating the New York skyline. It was around eight years in construction.

My flight out of JFK on Tuesday was after 5pm, so that gave me enough time for the last item on my list. A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. A few others had the same idea, but it was not very crowded. I remembered to look back as I crossed to get a view of Brooklyn as well as Manhattan.



Quite the city is New York. I shall be back often, methinks.

 

[JessicaTam]

MXP

I arrived at JFK at about 1430, so I had plenty of time for the formalities. I have no status with SkyTeam :shock: so there would be no priority queues for anything. As it turned out, they were quiet when I went though security so I was directed to the TSA pre-check queue - as was everyone. It certainly makes life easier when you don’t have to take out liquids/computers or remove shoes and belts.

I used a priority pass to visit the WingTips lounge. And I have to say it was very pleasant looking out over the gates, beer and spicy chicken wrap in hand. I would suggest it is at the same level as a QF domestic J lounge.




DL418 codeshared with AZ to MXP was due to leave at 1750, but we weren’t in the air until 1850. I minded not at all, as the delay would cut down the time I had to spend in Milan before my night train to Vienna. As it turned out, the pilot made good time and we were at the gate only 15 minutes late in the end.



I have not flown DL before, and as I watched the safety video I realised that something was up. A bit hard to explain, but DL definitely have a sense of humour. For example, a father fits his O2 mask before fitting his daughter’s. She then turns and fits one to her teddy sitting next to her. Little things like that meant I watched it intently from end to end.

Delta Safety Video

The trip by train into Milan was uneventful and cost €12. The trip takes just under an hour with half a dozen stops along the way. Once at the Milan Central station I headed downstairs to drop of my suitcase. This was €6 for the first 5 hours and .90 each hour after that. I was going to wander the streets, so I did not want to have a bag along.

A cup of coffee later and I was invigorated enough to take the Metro to the Duomo. This is a marvellous cathedral, with a wide open plaza before it to allow it to be viewed in all its splendour. I went inside and walked around, and then just sat for a while and looked at the architecture and artistry that keeps bringing me back to Milan.

(I realise I did not take any photos of the Duomo. For that I apologise).

I headed outside to the Palazzo Reale where there was an exhibition of Van Gogh works on display. He certainly was a fascinating and troubled man who died at his own hand. The entry ticket included a audioguide, so now I can pretend to be quite knowledgable about the artist.

I made my way back to the station, after doing a little window shopping, and stopping for more coffee, that is. I picked up my suitcase, and made myself comfortable with a book on my iPad. Come 9pm the platform was showing on the departures board, so I headed out to the train and settled into my cabin.

 

[JessicaTam]

VIE



I booked a single cabin some months ago, and found it to be very comfortable. The two seater sofa folded down into the bed, and there was washbasin tucked away as well. The amenities included slippers, water, and a small bottle of white wine.



After an hour or so of sitting and staring out the window, I asked the attendant to make the bed, which was done with a simple turn of the key to release it.



I was quickly lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the train. The train I was on joins the train from Rome in Venice for the run to Vienna. I think there was a problem or delay in the coupling as when I awoke we were an hour behind where we should have been. This just allowed me more time to enjoy my breakfast which I had ordered the night before.



Once in Vienna I asked at the train information counter the best way to get to the Hilton. I think I must have got my wires crossed, as I ended up walking a couple of kms from the station I was directed to. At least the weather was mild, and I was walking along the Danube.

Naturally I arrived at the hotel rather early, but my room was ready so I was able to check-in. I went up to my room to drop my bags only to find some fruit, two bottles of water, and a half bottle of red waiting for me. It was only later that I saw the welcome letter was not addressed to me, but to a gentleman dated the day before. Oh well, it was a nice drop. :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

I dropped my bags and then headed into the old part of the city. I went inside the Dom and spent a few Euros to take the elevator to the top of the North tower. The view was stunning, and I was able to get a good idea of the layout of the city. Another place I will be returning to no doubt.

I had a stroll around the old part of town and dropped into cafe for a coffee. It was quite odd to find that smoking is permitted inside. There were only a couple of smokers, but it was a good reminder how nice it is to be able to eat and drink without the smell of smoke in Australia.

Back to the hotel, and upstairs to the exec lounge for something to eat and drink. There was not much on offer that was hot, but it was vego, so I enjoyed some felafel and rice.



There were only two or three of us in the lounge, and when I asked the attendant she said it was unusual to be so quiet.

 

[JessicaTam]

PRG

After a pleasant breakfast in the lounge, I walked to the metro station and caught the train to the main station. Actually two trains, as I had to change lines. As I was travelling first class to Prague I was able to access the lounge at the station. (I may have been able to access the one in Milan too, but am not sure). It was small and cozy with a few soft drinks available. The thing about trains is, you don’t need to get to the station an hour or so before hand. A few minutes is all that is required, so a small lounge suits a constant flow of pax. I was there for an hour - I was not sure how long my metro trip would take, so erred on the side of caution.

My seat faced backwards and was in the last carriage, so I was able to look at the receding track. The journey took about 5 hours, so it was not one of the high speed juggernauts that cross other parts of the continent. This journey would have taken barely two in one of those.

I wandered up to the dining car (next one forward from mine) and had a beer.

Oh, before I forget, Vienna is not bad for beer vs water pricing (and I forgot to Czech* in Prague).



I spotted that the train had happy hour for their meals. Essentially half price for the middle third of the journey. So a little while later I sauntered back to the dining car at the appropriate time and had “Chicken steak with roast potatoes”. Quite tasty and only $10 - well, with the two more beers only $10.

We arrived in Prague on time and I spotted the HH as we drew into the station. I made my way to the metro and bought a 30 minute ticket for Ckz24 and travelled one stop to Florenc where it was a short walk to the hotel.

*See what I did there?

 

[JessicaTam]

PRG

I spent three nights at the HH Prague, followed by one night at the HH Old Town Prague. And I wish it had been the other way around as the service at the Old Town HH was a step up from the Prague HH. I have detailed this more completely in the “How do Hilton treat you as an Elite” thread.

What a magnificent city. I could wax lyrical for ages, but will hold my tongue as best I can.

I have said before that I do not take fondly to people telling me what I must do. Nor do I do it to others. However…

If you find Paris delightful, Milan enrapturing and Florence captivating then please visit Prague. Please.

I spent three days walking the streets of Prague (in a nice way). The Dom, the Old Royal Palace, the Powder Tower.

I will let the pictures tell the story (as soon as I load them from the phone).

 

[TomVexille]

Looking forward to it.

 

[alieninperth]

I totally agree with you about Prague. Can't wait to see the photos

 

[rogerkambah]

PRG

I spent three nights at the HH Prague, followed by one night at the HH Old Town Prague. And I wish it had been the other way around as the service at the Old Town HH was a step up from the Prague HH. I have detailed this more completely in the “How do Hilton treat you as an Elite” thread.

What a magnificent city. I could wax lyrical for ages, but will hold my tongue as best I can.

I have said before that I do not take fondly to people telling me what I must do. Nor do I do it to others. However…

If you find Paris delightful, Milan enrapturing and Florence captivating then please visit Prague. Please.

I spent three days walking the streets of Prague (in a nice way). The Dom, the Old Royal Palace, the Powder Tower.

I will let the pictures tell the story (as soon as I load them from the phone).

We had 3 days in PRG and 3 in BUD in September. Both lovely cities - can't really say which one I liked over the other. Took the train (F) from Bud to PRG - Happy hour seemed to be most of the time.

 

[vitagen]

Did you skip Vienna?

 

[JohnM]

Did you skip Vienna?

VIE appeared upthread or somewhere else earlier.

Jess, I'm losing track of your movements . How about posting a track from GC Mapper ?

 

[vitagen]

Haha was referring to rogerkambah. I'm thinking of doing BUD for 3 nights, overnight in VIE just for a stickybeak then 3 nights in PRG and 3 in BER..

 

[JohnM]

Haha was referring to rogerkambah. I'm thinking of doing BUD for 3 nights, overnight in VIE just for a stickybeak then 3 nights in PRG and 3 in BER..

Aaaah, OK - and I can recommend all of those places .

 

[JessicaTam]

VIE appeared upthread or somewhere else earlier.

Jess, I'm losing track of your movements . How about posting a track from GC Mapper ?

Your wish...

GCM map

I am withput laptop at the moment as it is in my case in the IST lounge. I am currently taking advantage of TK's long transfer hotel room, and didn't want to take everything through security on the way back in.

Transmission will resume presently.