Around the world in NZ/LH/LX/SA J (and LA/UX/BA/TP/U2/KL Y) - including Chornobyl

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KBP-LHR

Flight: BA883
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 12C (Y)
Departed: KBP 09/10/2016 14:09 EEST (1min early)
Arrived: KBP 09/10/2016 15:33 BST (27mins early)
Duration: 3h 24m


It was an interesting taxi ride to airport because of roads closures due to planned marches later in the day. Although not busy, it took awhile to navigate around the closures, but was a speedy journey once out of the city centre.

There was an additional security check to get in to the airport building itself (before check-in). This queue tailed outside the entry door in the cold and rain, which wasn't too pleasant! I was made to dispose of the scissors in the first aid kit in my hand luggage when clearing security in to departures. KBP is a clean, modern, and quiet airport, but not too much seating - but that wasn't really a problem.

Boarding commenced for everyone at the same time. This aircraft had newer seats with adjustable headrests, but seemingly had less shoulder space. I had paid the fee for the exit row seats again. Drop-down screens showed safety video and air show during the flight. Lunch was similar to the breakfast meal on the previous flight: sandwich, cheese and crackers, a fruit dessert thing, and a chocolate.

No bar service, but a tray of pre-filled juice cups was brought down the aisle later towards the end of the flight.

An early landing meant we had to wait a short while for a gate.

Exit through Heathrow took a little while (we took the subterranean walkway rather than the train from C gates at Terminal 5), but there weren't really any serious queues. It was very easy to get to the Sofitel along a covered walkway, where I was to stay the night before my flight to Portugal the following morning.

 

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LHR-LIS

Flight: TP363
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 7C (Y)
Departed: LHR 10/10/2016 11:24 BST (4mins late)
Arrived: LIS 10/10/2016 13:52 WEST (3mins early)
Duration: 2h 28m

Quick and easy transfer from Sofitel at T5 to T2 on the underground using contactless payment card to get through the gates.

United Star Alliance Gold status match was well used again! Although it appears I had been pre-allocated a middle exit row seat (in a fully occupied row), I decided to select row 7 aisle instead (front row of economy) with the hope that the middle seat there would remain empty.

Priority check-in and fast track security were fantastic, and the Lufthansa Senator Lounge (which is entered by scanning a barcode at a door in the rear of the business lounge) was calm and pleasant for light breakfast of a yogurt, apple, and coffee.




Priority boarding managed well even though economy was announced and made to line up first. Older seats with no adjustable headrests. Leg room not great - knee caps firmly in back of the seat in front - and would have been very bad if I had a recliner in front of me. Luckily the person sat in front of me moved to the window seat in his row, as it was one of the many (10/24) euro business seats left empty (interestingly my minimum bid plusgrade offer was rejected... why even allow a bid you won't actually accept it?). Euro business rows had same seat, and didn't have table in middle seat. I was lucky that the middle seat next to me remained empty - one of the few empty seats in economy .

Lunch snack box contained a nice roll and prune/plumb drink. Was served with hot and cold drink.


After pleasant flight, a bit disappointing to be confronted with a remote bus gate (how do full service carriers differentiate themselves again?). Immigration easy with EU electronic passport gate. Long wait for bags, but priority baggage worked well and mine was one of the first on the belt.

The airport was chaotic in arrivals. Taxi drivers protesting against Uber were striking and blocking the entrance to the airport. Seems a little self defeating to be harming your own customers... I imagine most people would have walked to the road and requested an Uber ride instead! Due to the blockade, the metro had insane queues. Luckily, I was being picked up by my parents and they had managed to find alternative nearby parking away from the blockade.

 

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Portugal

Most of the time in this two-week visit to Portugal was spent in the middle of the Portuguese countryside, with a few day trips and then a brief visit to Porto before flying back to the UK.


Tomar and Convento de Cristo:







Tomar - Quite a vertigo-inducing walk along the Roman Pegões aqueduct (the aquaduct leads to Convento de Cristo):




Tomar - streets with Convento de Cristo on the horizon:



We walked past some cats hanging out on this car on the way to dinner:



The food was great pretty much everywhere - one of my favourites was this meal of garlic octopus with mini baked potatoes:

 

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Portugal

This was the view most evenings from where we were staying:


The area was dense with Eucalyptus plantations, and was affected by the fires a year later in 2017:



Ruínas de Conímbriga - Roman ruins:





Aveiro:


The signage in this town really helped to orientate yourself:



Porto:








Porto was a fantastic city - and the riverside area is well hidden from the streets and is quite surprising to stumble out upon it when walking.

 

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And of course all the port tasting was great!

 

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OPO-LGW

Flight: U28498
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 12D (Y)
Departed: OPO 22/10/2016 14:24 WEST (49mins late)
Arrived: LGW 22/10/2016 16:37 BST (52mins late)
Duration: 2h 13m

OPO was a pleasant, modern airport. Calm and spacious, although there was still some queuing at security.

EasyJet speedy boarding was included with my exit row seat choice, and appeared to be managed well, with people who tried to sneak in turned away. However, all that actually resulted in was queuing for a long time in the aerobridge before the plane had even arrived.

Although the plane was at an aerobridge gate, it wasn't actually connected, and everyone had to walk down the stairs (followed by another wait/queue including people sitting on the stairs, before the door was opened to the outside), walk 10 metres, and then board the aircraft using the stairs.

Priority boarding yes - 'speedy boarding' it was not.

After boarding was completed and safety demonstration given, the captain announced that we'd missed our landing slot at Gatwick, and that we wouldn't take off for another 25mins.

No moveable headrest. Plenty of leg room in exit row.

 

[Straubs]

Love the little details ... oh, and I only recognise the bridge at Porto due to my weird fixation with engineering programs on Netflix

 

[HeavyElectricity]

After a week in the UK it was time for a side-trip to Amsterdam - primarily to attend a conference, but I added on a couple of days.



SOU-AMS

Flight: KL916
Aircraft: F70
Seat: 7C (Y)
Departed: SOU 01/11/2016 10:24 GMT (64mins late)
Arrived: AMS 01/11/2016 12:39 CET (69mins late)
Duration: 1h 15m

Despite announcing 1h+ delays at the airport, we boarded only 30m late, at around our original departure time. The delay was due to fog in Amsterdam, and landing slot priority was being given to planes already en route. We were boarded so we could take off at short notice. We ended up sat in the aircraft before take-off for around the same amount of time as the actual flight duration. The delay was handled well - the captain came in to the cabin to explain, and then proceeded to walk down the aisle to ask everyone if they had any further questions. A cold drinks service was offered. After take-off there was also a small snack and hot drinks service.



En route the pilots provided updates on connecting flights, if people were going to be able to make them, and the alternative flights/routes that had already been arranged if they couldn't. I think I also saw a handwritten boarding pass being handed to someone who had a connecting flight. All very impressive!

The seat was great for this short flight. The non-reclining slimline design with a high tray table and pocket meant my knees didn't touch the seat in front (a rarity in economy class for me).

Bus gate for arrival, but was pleasant/easy enough. Easy to grab a train to Centraal Station.

 

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a wonderful city - and I the INK Hotel was fantastic - very funky rooms, and they went overboard in a great way with the welcome gifts! I ate a couple of times at the hotel restaurant for breakfast and dinner - the food quality blew me away, so I'd suggest eating there even if not staying at the hotel.














Dam Square, and The Royal Palace:




The conference was held in the revitalised tech-area of the Eastern Docklands:



I went past the NEMO Science museum one evening on my walk back from the conference:



Whilst in Amsterdam, I read Anne Frank's diary properly for the first time (I had read sections previously whilst at school) - and then visited the museum/house (buy/schedule online - the queues outside are horrendous!). Very moving to visit the hideaway.

 

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AMS-SOU

Flight: KL919
Aircraft: F70
Seat: 15C (Y)
Departed: AMS 07/11/2016 16:45 CET (5mins late)
Arrived: SOU 07/11/2016 17:00 GMT (10mins late)
Duration: 1h 15m

Train to airport - again very easy and pleasant. Self bag drop for KLM with no queuing, but there were then very long queues at AMS security. Other than that it's a nice airport. Gate 6, was (as expected) a bus gate (and was actually split in to 12 bus gates). We taxied for quite awhile. After take-off there was a prompt snack service (a small wrap - quite tasty), followed by drinks service (including alcohol). I quite like flying on these F70's!

A great sunset and views over the New Forest as we circled around Southampton. Southampton airport is small and easy, and is great if you end up at a gate where you can just walk to the terminal (sometimes a bus is required even though none of the gates are really that far away from the terminal building). It certainly beats flying in/out of a London airport if you're in the area, and the multiple daily flights to AMS can mean it's great for international connections too (apart from when there is fog!).

 

[Straubs]

Ooh, loving this trip report!

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Ooh, loving this trip report!

Thank you! I know I've been incredibly slow with this (I can't believe I actually started this report 'live'), but I'm gradually getting there!

 

[HeavyElectricity]

London

I then spent a few days up in London, catching up with a few friends and doing some sightseeing. The main reason was to go and see "The Book of Mormon" (recommended!) - that was a great evening.

I stayed at Hilton London Tower Bridge near HMS Belfast which was fine, but the room and executive lounge were not even in the same league as (what was) the Melbourne South Wharf or the Kyiv Hilton. Breakfast was actually pretty good, and I was given vouchers for hot breakfasts in the Jamie Oliver restaurant on the ground floor. The room rate I chose also included an all-day travel pass, but the process to obtain it was pretty strange - I had to accompany the concierge down the road to the train station (in the rain) where he used his own money to buy me a pass from one of the machines and hand it to me.

Fortunately it didn't rain all the time, and there were some fantastic patches of weather for November.

HMS Belfast:


Tower bridge:




The Shard and Tower Bridge in the background:


Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral:



My final day was very miserable outside (much more typical November UK weather!) - I decided to catch a slightly earlier train back down to The New Forest rather than spend more of the day in the cold and rain carting around my hand luggage. This photo, taken on my way to Waterloo station, has been enhanced to bring out more colour :

 

[HeavyElectricity]

And then it was time to continue the journey and start heading back towards Australia. First stop, a couple of days in Lisbon, so a bit of a repeat of my previous TAP LHR-LIS flight from just over a month earlier.



LHR-LIS

Flight: TP359
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 7C (Y)
Departed: LHR 21/11/2016 13:38 GMT (2mins early)
Arrived: LIS 21/11/2016 16:38 WET (18mins late)
Duration: 3h

Another unsuccessful minimum Plusgrade bid, but with the United Star Alliance Gold status match offer I still had many of the benefits anyway (especially when it's only euro business).

Incredibly speedy check-in / baggage drop. No queue in the priority lane or gold track security at T2.

Lufthansa Senator Lounge was nice and peaceful. Ate a very nice Lamb Tagine with couscous, followed by a coffee and tasty 'homemade' biscuit and truffle.


This flight was on an older plane with chunky plasticy seats, so the seat pocket reduced the legroom. The plane was pretty full, and there were not many empty seats that I saw.

A complimentary snack and drinks service was offered an hour in to the fight.


Another bus gate upon landing. Full service? (rabble rabble rabble!) Very quick e-gates again, but a bit of a wait for luggage and then a long queue for taxis.

 

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Lisbon

I stayed at the Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade, which was just ok - room was really quite small, and that was after I had requested if there were any upgrades available (as no mention of one was made when checking in as Accor Gold, and come to think of it - I don't think I received any drinks vouchers either). The king bed was actually formed of 2 singles with separate mattresses, so wasn't particularly comfy either. Didn't matter too much as I didn't spend much time there.

On the first day, I did a lot of walking along the waterfront, from the hotel to Praça do Comércio and then along the waterfront to Belém (return). All up over 20km I think. The weather started a little overcast, but improved a lot by the afternoon.

Praça do Comércio:


Waterfront along the Tagus river, with Ponte 25 de Abril in the distance:


Lunch near Ponte 25 de Abril - a fantastic meal of garlic Cod (if surprisingly bony):


Jardim da Praça do Império and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém:


Padrão dos Descobrimentos, unfortunately covered in scaffolding:


Torre de Belém - the light started getting really great here!:


Along the Tagus river, with Silopor in the distance:



On the second day I had a walk around the more of the city streets, including a visit to Parque Eduardo VII and Castelo de São Jorge.


Parque Eduardo VII:


Rua da Vitória:


View over Lisbon from Miradouro do Castelo de São Jorge:

 

[HeavyElectricity]

LIS-ZRH

Flight: LX2085
Aircraft: A320
Seat: 2D (J)
Departed: LIS 24/11/2016 14:56 WET (31mins late)
Arrived: ZRH 24/11/2016 18:41 CET (31mins late)
Duration: 2h 45m

Check in not open until ~2h30 before original scheduled departure (a shared check in with Lufthansa group, but I'm guessing because of the ongoing Lufthansa strike, it wasn't used for other flights). Unfortunately the lounge experience was poor - it was a shared lounge run by the airport and used by all airlines - very busy and I couldn't find a free seat, so I left and came back an hour later and it was a little quieter. Had a couple of sandwiches and a coke.

The flight was delayed due to late arrival of the aircraft, announced ~2hrs before the scheduled departure time.

Onboard there were slimline seats, which were comfortable, but unfortunately did not have adjustable headrests. As expected, an empty middle seat in euro business - no table covering seat. No amenity kit, but then not really expected on short flights like this.

A drink and some olive crackers/biscuits were offered immediately after take-off. I had the Swiss red wine.

Lunch of veal, with green beans and mash potato. Side salad, cheese, and mouse desert. Followed by coffee and a chocolate. All very nice!





Drop down screens showed skyshow, Shaun the Sheep, and then arrival and connection information.

Zürich airport is quite nice, and the train in to the city was fantastic.

 

[Straubs]

Aargh, travel bug is biting. Portugal seems to be everywhere in the news at the moment as a destination ...

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Aargh, travel bug is biting. Portugal seems to be everywhere in the news at the moment as a destination ...

I loved Portugal, I'd highly recommend it!

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Zürich

I stayed at Hotel Continental Zürich MGallery which was quite nice, and had a great breakfast selection. It has an older/traditional decor, and I was upgraded to a suite on arrival:



The welcome gift was tasty:

 

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Zürich

Zürich had it's charms, but the gloomy weather didn't relent, so no views of the mountains across the lake which I was hoping for. It seemed quite a quiet city, but that could have just been the areas I was walking around.



Grossmünster church and Fraumünster Church along Limmat river:


Grossmünster church:


Fraumünster Church and Stadthaus Zürich:



Lake Zürich:


There were lots of waterpark / swimming facilities around the lake, which would be interesting to visit in the summer:



Polybahn funicular:



It was very disappointing to see lots of "Black Friday" sale banners in shops. That marketing fad really has spread everywhere.

The Christmas market and decorations were great however!





A huge Christmas tree and more markets at the central station, Zürich HB: