A Kiwi Flyer's Month of Madness

[Kiwi Flyer]

A MARATHON SEQUENCE of FLIGHTS continued

Back to the gate for another Singapore flight - in fact on the same aircraft I arrived on. Managed to get the best business seat - upper deck exit row. As usual the food, drink and service were all good. By now I have seen all the movies and tv shows (some several times) that I want to see on Kris World, so spend much of the flight dozing lightly and reading.

Menu to follow.

We have strong headwinds so despite leaving Auckland early we arrive a little late. This means no time to talk with Gotta Requalify this time as our paths barely cross for the second time in 24 hours. Have a refreshing shower - I always enjoy a shower whenever I can in transit for a long journey as it never fails to put me in a better mood.

Then its back to the gate near the far end of F pier for the flight to Tokyo. Before reaching the gate there is a long queue snaking alongside the moving walkway. It seems someone didnt realise a nearly full 747 would need more than 1 person operating both carry on xray and wanding! After a while some more people turn up to operate a second xray. But by this time we are considerably late in leaving - about 50 minutes.

From past experience on this (and other similar) redeye flight I skip the meals to try to get as much sleep as possible. 2 meals are offered a late night snack and also breakfast (with continental option for a later wake up).

Awakening near the end of the flight I see we have had very strong tailwinds and indeed have made up the lost time.

Arrive to a chilly Narita - just 6 C, so walk fast along the airbridge and up the stairs to transit security. (I hadnt brought warm clothing figuring its still warm enough in europe and middle east, and definitely hot enough in southeast asia.)

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

A MARATHON SEQUENCE OF FLIGHTS continued

The Singapore Silver Kris lounge at Tokyo isnt open until close to departure of the first flight, so I have time for a wander around the mostly closed terminal. I do, however, make sure I have time for a brief visit to the lounge, as I like sampling some of the foods there which havent seen in any other lounge.

Time flies quickly and its downstairs to board the 772 bound for Bangkok. The flight continues on to Singapore, and in fact the departure screens all just say Singapore rather than the more usual (at other airports) showing transit and final destination. I hope its the right aircraft and havent accidentally wandered onto the morning's direct Singapore flight instead. Fortunately I havent so settle in.

This aircraft has Wisemen 2000 entertainment system, which is non-avod. Its always a disappointment after any flights with avod to get the old system. It also has non-spacebed, which feels slightly narrower. Still plenty of legroom, at least in the bulkhead row.

Although I've flown out of Tokyo on Singapore before, this is the first time since the Hanagoyomi ("an array of 9 appetisers and entrees together with miso soup and cold noodle, served in Japanese style) was introduced as a meal option. It sounded good so I tried it and it was very good. I was pleased I had skipped breakfast.

Menu to follow.

Managed to sleep part of the way to try and catch up for the lost sleep the previous night with the red-eye. All too soon we were landing at Bangkok, taxiing past the golf course to the gate.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

A MARATHON SEQUENCE OF FLIGHTS continued

Go to the transit desks to check in for the next 2 flights, Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and return. I tried getting checked in for the following flights as well but no luck - flight not open for check in yet.

Head over to the CX first lounge. Its very similar to the Singapore lounge at Bangkok - couple of computers, dozen or so chairs/couches, some snacks and drinks. No shower and no toilet.

For the flight to Hong Kong I'm in business class on the 2-class 772. Get bulkhead aisle seat, but downside is no view as the middle section of seats are forward of the front seats on the sides. Its a relatively short flight 2 1/2 hours - just long enough for a nice dinner (menu to follow) and watch some tv shows. On this aircraft there is no avod, and there are no movies (would only manage to see full movies that are fairly short anyway). One thing I found odd & annoying was the channels are only identified by number - need to refer to the magazine to see what is on for each channel.

On arriving into Hong Kong again go through transit security and upstairs, then immediately back downstairs to the Pier first lounge. This is my first time here and I'd heard rave reviews. While I only had an hour to enjoy the lounge (and freshen up) and so didnt get to check out all the nooks and crannies, I did enjoy the lounge and would rate it similar to Singapore lounge in Singapore or Seoul, but definitely behind the Lufthansa F lounge and terminal at Frankfurt.

Soon time to return. At the gate get the magical boarding pass spit out of machine - hold my breath - and yes, an op up to first. Not bad - first Cathay Pacific flight that is able to op-up and get one. Compare this to Singapore where no op-ups after over 100 flights. Hmmmm.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

AKL-SIN SQ286 BUSINESS MENU

To Nibble On
Satay with onion, cucumber and spicy peanut sauce

A Savoury Note
Mesclun with smoked seafood, asparagus and tomato. Oriental mayonnaise, red wine and garlic dressing

The Main Event
Baked salmon trout with pesto crust, sauteed shimeiji mushrooms, artichoke barigoule and roasted fingerling potatoes

Stir fried chicken with macadamia nuts, selected vegetables and fragrant rice

Seared tournedos of beef with Madiera jus, roasted vegetables and potatoes

Madras style lamb curry with spiced vegetables and pilaff rice

The Cheese Board
Gourmet cheese with garnishes

A Sweet Note
A selection of fresh fruit

Hazelnut bavarois

A Connoisseur’s Choice
Gourmet coffee

Selection of tea

Pralines

Special coughtail
Orange Cooler

coughtails
Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs
Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-alcoholic coughtails
Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits
Cognoc XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johhnie Walker Black Label
Jack Danniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon’s Dry Gin
Absolut Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs
Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer
International selection

Stout
Guinness

Champagne
Charles Heidsieck 1995

White Wines
2004 St Clair Marlborough Sauvignon
Dr Loosen Qualitatswein Dr L Riesling 2003

Red Wines
2003 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Merlot
Chateau Coufran Haut-Medoc 1998

Port
Taylor 2000 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Tea Selection
Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Japanese Green Tea
Chinese Oolong Tea
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea

Gourmet Coffees
Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees
Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages
Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water
Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water

Fruit Juices
Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Iced Drinks
Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

NRT-BKK SQ995 BUSINESS MENU

To Nibble On
Satay with onion, cucumber and spicy peanut sauce

A Savoury Note
Prawn with mozzarella and mixed lettuce, citrus vinaigrette

The Main Event
Grilled halibut fillet served with creamy white wine sauce, buttered assorted vegetables and potato

Famous Singapore chicken rice. Fragrant poached chicken with pandan flavoured rice, served with ginger, soya and chilli sauce

The Cheese Board
Gourmet cheese with garnishes

A Sweet Note
A selection of fresh fruit

Japanese mochi ice cream

A Connoisseur’s Choice
Gourmet coffee

Selection of tea

Pralines

Special coughtail
Orange Cooler

coughtails
Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs
Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-alcoholic coughtails
Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits
Cognoc XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johhnie Walker Black Label
Jack Danniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon’s Dry Gin
Absolut Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca
Premium Ginjo Sake Tamanohikari

Liqueurs
Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer
International selection

Stout
Guinness

Champagne
Charles Heidsieck 1995

White Wines
Montagny 1er Cru 2002
Dr Loosen Qualitatswein Dr L Riesling 2003

Red Wines
Chateau Coufran Haut-Medoc 1998
Nipozzano Riserva 2001 Chianti Rufina Docg Frescobaldi

Port
Taylor 2000 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Tea Selection
Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Japanese Green Tea
Chinese Oolong Tea
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea

Gourmet Coffees
Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees
Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages
Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water
Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water

Fruit Juices
Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Iced Drinks
Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

HANAGOYOMI
An array of nine appetisers and entrees together with miso soup and cold noodle, served in Japanese style.

Ha-sun
Chicken with pinenut terrine, salted gingko nuts, sweet potato crisp

Kuchitori
Burdock rolled with eel, chestnut, chrysanthemum leaf and flower

Yakimono
Grilled miso barracuda, pickled turnip

Aemono
Wild vegetable and shiitake mushroom in sesame dressing

Sunomono
Marinated mackerel, seaweed, wild ginger flower

Takiawase
Simmered herring and eggplant, ginger

Gohan
Conger eel sushi. Steamed rice with matsutake mushroom. Grilled soya glaced steamed rice

Tome-wan
Miso soup

Men
Cold buckwheat noodles

Mizugashi
Japanese mochi ice cream

Ocha
Green tea

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

BKK-HKG CX BUSINESS MENU

Appetizer
Duck tenderloin terrine with aromatic herbs and apple grape salad

Main courses
Grilled beef tenderloin with porcini mushroom, lyonnaise potatoes, carrot, pumpkin and broccoli

Steamed garoupa with wood fungus and preserved vegetables, steamed rice and stir-fried oriental mixed vegetables

Dessert
Rhubarb flan

Assorted bread and rolls

Tea and coffee

Pralines

Champagne
Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne

White Wines
Jaboulet-Vercherre Pouilly Fuisse 2002
Green Point Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2004

Rose
La Baume Syrah Rose Vin de Pays d’Oc 2004

Red Wines
Mercurey Domaine Louis Max 2001
Vieux Chateau Landon Cru Bourgeois Medoc 2001

Port
Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 1999

Aperitifs and coughtails
Gin
Rum
Vodka
Martini Rosso
Martini Extra Dry
Campari
Sweet and Dry Sherry
Bloody Mary
Screwdriver

Whiskies
Chivas Regal 12 Years Old
Johnnie Walker Gold Label
Jack Daniel’s Bourbon
Canadian Club

Cognac
Hine Rare and Delicate Fine Champagne

Liqueurs
Drambuie
Cointreau
Bailey’s Irish Cream

Beer
International selection

Cathay Delight

Pacific Sunrise

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

HKG-BKK CX FIRST MENU

Satay
Chicken satay

Main Courses
Braised e-fu noodle with shui gaw

Noodles in soup with roasted duck

Spinach and ricotta ravioli with tomato basil sauce

Fresh Seasonal Fruits

Selection of Pastries

Tea and coffee

Pralines

Champagne
Cuvee William Deutz 1996

White Wines
Puligny Montrachet Les Grandes Marches 2002
Frankland River Chardonnay 2002

Rose
La Baume Syrah Rose Vin de Pays d’Oc 2004

Red Wines
Chateau Branaire-Ducru 1998 4eme Cru Classe
Corton Grand Cru Louis Max 1996
Tignanello 2000

Port
Ramos Pinto Quinta da Ervamoira 10 Year Old Tawny Port

Aperitifs and coughtails
Campari
Martini Rosso
Martini Extra Dry
Harveys Bristol Cream Sweet Sherry
La Ina Dry Sherry
Gordons Dry Gin
Stolichnaya Russian Vodka
Bloody Mary
Screwdriver

Whiskies
Chivas Regal 12 Years Old
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Glenfiddich Ancient Reserve Single Malt Whisky
Gentleman Jack Bourbon
Canadian Club

Cognac
Hennessy XO

Liqueurs
Grand Marnier
Cointreau
Drambuie
Kahlua
Bailey’s Irish Cream

Beer
International selection

Cathay Delight

Pacific Sunrise

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SIN-AKL SQ285 BUSINESS MENU

DINNER MENU

A Savoury Note
Romaine lettuce in Oriental dressing with drunken prawns and marinated jelly fish

The Main Event
Panfried beef fillet with shredded oxtail sauce, herb-garlic butter, asparagus and fondant potatoes

Indian style fish fillet in masala spices with vegetable korma and steamed basmati rice

Chicken in basil-white wine sauce with creamed leek, caps mushrooms and fava beans

Slow-braised lamb shank in soya anise with seasonal vegetables and fried rice

The Cheese Board
Gourmet cheese with garnishes

A Sweet Note
A selection of fresh fruit

Ben and Jerry ice cream. Cherry garcia or chocolate fudge brownie.

A Connoisseur’s Choice
Gourmet coffee

Selection of tea

Pralines


BEFORE TOUCH-DOWN MENU

A Fresh Start
A choice of apple, tomato or freshly squeezed orange

Fresh fruit

A Healthy Note
Choice of cereals or yoghurt. Cornflakes with milk or birchermuesli. Plain or fruit yoghurt.

The Main Event
Lotus leaf rice. Steamed fragrant rice with chicken, Chinese pork sausage, chestnut and dried shrimps

Baked vegetable frittata with ham, sausage and roma tomato

Mushroom-herb omelette with veal sausage, roasted tomato and new potatoes

From the Bakery
Assorted breakfast rolls

Butter – fruit preserve

A Connoisseur’s Choice
Gourmet coffee

Selection of tea

WINE and BEVERAGE

Special coughtail
Orange Cooler

coughtails
Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs
Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-alcoholic coughtails
Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits
Cognoc XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johhnie Walker Black Label
Jack Danniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon’s Dry Gin
Absolut Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs
Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer
International selection

Stout
Guinness

Champagne
Charles Heidsieck 1995

White Wines
2004 St Clair Marlborough Sauvignon
Dr Loosen Qualitatswein Dr L Riesling 2003

Red Wines
2003 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Merlot
Chateau Coufran Haut-Medoc 1998

Port
Taylor 2000 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Tea Selection
Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Japanese Green Tea
Chinese Oolong Tea
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea

Gourmet Coffees
Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees
Brewed Coffee
Café Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages
Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water
Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water

Fruit Juices
Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Iced Drinks
Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

A MARATHON SEQUENCE OF FLIGHTS continued

Sorry for the delay.

Returning to BKK on the late flight, unexpectedly in first, meant instead of dozing like I intended I had to stay awake to sample the food and drink, and to check out the seat and IFE - purely in the interests of research of course.

The food was yummy, although the satay was prepared quite differently to Singapore's famous satay - cooked differently and sauce smoother and less of it. Same cucumber onion garnish though.

The A343 has full avod so played around seeing what is on it. The flight is too short to see a movie but long enough to watch a few shows. There is less choice than Singapore's Wisemen 3000 but more choice than Qantas for example.

The flight lands all to soon and I now face a dilemna. With late arrival and early departure tomorrow its not worth getting a hotel. Decide instead to stay airside and spend the few hours dozing, wandering around, drinking in the bar with a few other hapless travellers, and generally avoiding falling into a deep sleep. There are very few flights between 2am and 5am but throughout the airport I'd guess hundreds of passengers also trying to sleep or while away the time. Most shops remain open all night, but some close. I spotted a neat trick (too late to use it) - in the middle of the terminal there is a massage place (wooden semi-enclosure) with lots of couches, after it shut they were taken over by people to sleep on, looked to be the most comfortable spot in the airport.

Early in the morning the transit desk opened (actually earlier than they'd said the previous day ^ ) and so I picked up my next couple of boarding passes and headed for the Thai first lounge by pier 5 for a refreshing shower and to check my messages. This morning there are no Thai or *A flights (other than Singapore) leaving from pier 5 or 4 and so had the entire lounge to myself!

The lounge attendant personally calls me when it is time to board and so head through security to the gate. The Singapore flight to Singapore is on a 3-class 777, which means no suite and also no avod. I distract myself with some (okay a lot) dom to get in the right mood and the flight passes quickly. Load is fairly light, which surprised me for the first flight of the day. On arrival at Singapore we have a long taxi, which sometimes annoys me, but not today.

For after a few close calls, I finally get to see the big bird A380 which landed in Singapore less than an hour before I did. Our taxi takes us past the gate at which its parked, complete with Singapore logos (rather small I must say) and an A380 logo on the tail.

Head up to the lounge and catch up with MovieMan and infoworks (who we'd arranged to be on the same flight) and also CDG1 (who has been following the A380 very closely!). We decide to head out to the gate early, so that we can stop along the way by the picture windows in front of the A380.

With the flight being totally full we are unable to get seats together. While talking in the aisles I notice a couple are separated so I swap my seat so they can sit together. This short hop to Kuala Lumpur always amazes me how well organised the FAs have to be in order to do a meal service. Admittedly the meal only consists of panini or salad, plus coffee tea or water, but it is still quite good given may already be descending by the time some passengers are being served. The aircraft is a 772 (ie spacebed). For those unfamiliar with Singapore, this is their only route with 2-class where the 2-classes are first and economy. However first is in name (plus point earning!) only as the seats are spacebeds.

Arriving at Kuala Lumpur we take the short train ride to the main terminal, and quickly through immigration thanks to premier line. I get asked an odd question though - "Are you a caterer?" No of course not. Seemed to satisfy the officer and straight through. After changing some money go downstairs to take the express train into the city - which by good fortune is just about to leave.

So my marathon flight sequence comes to an end. 4 days and nights of continuous flying - 11 flights and approx 30,000 miles flown.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

DO DO DO

Yes a third do in 2 weeks!

The reason for taking the train was I had booked a room at the new(ish) Kuala Lumpur Hilton, which is directly connected to Sentral Station.

Check-in took a while and so by the time I'd dumped my bags in room and back down to the lobby, MovieMan was waiting for me. shortfinals and cawhite were delayed and so we grabbed a beer. Typically, they then turned up very quickly.

For more, check out the KUL Do Thread.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

BACK TO NEW ZEALAND

I'd staggered to bed early (for a Friday) but very tired. Wake up in a panic as my wake up call was missed ( ) - only 2 hours until my flight! Grab a rushed shower and shove every into my bags hoping I havent left anything behind. Race to check out and across to the train. On the top level I see next departure is a transit (ie non-express) train leaving in 1 minute, following train in 30 minutes is also transit. Rush down the 3 levels and board just as the doors close. Phew that was close.

At the airport I head straight for immigration as I'd managed to snag the first 2 boarding passes the previous day. Quickly through and have enough time to change some money and a brief visit to the small lounge. Boarding and push back is on time but spend some 40 minutes taxiing - that's as long as the flight! Very busy at this hour (and I later find out probably held back due to Singapore air traffic control). The flight is uneventful other than the mother of all taxis at Singapore.

It turns out only one runway is in use today and so we do almost a complete circuit of the 2 terminals to get to our gate. By now we are well over an hour late. Fortunately my connection isnt too tight. A brief stop in the lounge to pick up 2 more boarding passes, then back to gate for the flight to Bangkok. This time its a 747 and so get suite for the short flight.

With only one runway in operation, there is a long 30 minute taxi but we make up some time en route. After trying on 6 previous flights I finally have an flight with series 5 model available in onboard duty free. I guess it really worked out good as only needed to drag it around for a few flights, and the size is slightly larger than the earlier series so it will not fit in my carry-on.

This is a turnaround both for me, and the aircraft and crew. For some odd reason, the schedule has a lengthy turnaround (far more than is needed to deplane, clean and board) and so the subsequent flight is on time. Have a freshen up in the lounge again. The return flight is uneventful - by now I am dreaming of getting home. With still only one runway in Singapore, another long taxi.

For the final leg from Singapore to Auckland we pushback on time but again a long taxi. In just one day I have literally spent hours on the taxiway of Changi airport. Oh well. While taxiing I see John Travolta's "Qantas" 707 parked up - on its way to Qantas' 85th birthday celebrations.

As usual, we get a nice tailwind and so make up some time. Flight is uneventful and I catch up some much needed sleep. We arrive at Auckland and amazingly there is no queue at immigration - at this time of day it really can be a lottery as there are several flights arriving from all other asia in a short period. If lucky there are no queues as today. If unlucky it can take an hour or more to get through - even on a NZ passport.

I was expecting I might get grilled about travels - partly because I travel so much, but also partly as they would be aware from the airline records that I had earlier transited and done a turnaround at my home airport. However, I only got a few questions and so was quickly through. Got my boots cleaned by agriculture quarantine - to avoid any possible fine for having dirt on the soles and also because its nice to get them cleaned! Then homeward bound.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

DAY 32 UPDATE

For those keeping track, here is a flight map of my itinerary so far. 73363 flown miles, 41 flights, 9 airlines, 15 countries and 1 dependency, 450 miles by bus, 100 miles by train & unknown amount by taxi, and 6 satays


Thus ends my month of madness. Mostly everything went to plan, but had some pleasant unexpected surprises too. I did postpone some flights to another time as was worried about some tight connections with poor contingency options. I had a blast meeting lots and lots of FTers, some old friends and making some new ones. I probably drank too much and definitely ate too much. I somehow managed to survive on very little sleep. My passport is now that bit closer to needing a new one despite being just 2 years old. Hopefully I'll be grounded for more than a week, but just know it wont be long till I'm impatient for the next trip.

Till next time.

 

[QF WP]

Kiwi Flyer, I saw this thread and looked at it's length (3 pages) and thought I'd missed reading a TR from you....wow, you posted it all at once. Now that will get me off my butt and post my other TR's on AFF and FT.

Have bookmarked this for a late night read at Jupiters on Thursday, Friday and over the weekend. It'll take that long, but knowing you (and from reading the first few posts already), it's comprehensive.

 

[NM]

WOW, What a month! Madness is not a strong enough word to use :shock: :shock: . I think I got DVT just reading it. Thanks for taking the time and effort to create this documentary.

 

[serfty]

Good one Kiwi Flyer,

I've printed it out and will peruse on my way home tonight.

rgds ... Ross

 

[tuapekastar]

DAY 32 UPDATE

unknown amount by taxi

And I though you were keeping stats!! Just joshing of course!

Have read the entire TR Kiwi Flyer, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just as a matter of interest, do you jot down little notes as you go (eg. on each flight, at each lounge etc.), or write down from memory in chunks at appropriate break points (not that you had many of those in this trip). I suspect that by the end of a trip like this I would have flights/days/airports/lounges all merging into one long blur! Well done (on both the TR and surviving the trip)!

Cheers

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I wrote whenever I could so it would still be fairly fresh in my mind. However there were periods of several days where I didnt have time or computer access so would be a bit rushed when I did get a chance. Then pasted it all here on AFF in one go.

 

[BlacKnox]

Awesome effort Kiwi Flyer. I too will print out and savour it in front of a log fire tonight .

 

[NM]

Awesome effort Kiwi Flyer. I too will print out and savour it in front of a log fire tonight .

And use as fuel for the log fire the following night! No point in wasting all those trees .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

log fire? Are you in HEL?