Bass Strait to the Black Sea.

drron · Jul 1, 2012

moa999 said:
Great start.Definitely the largest pre-trip report I have read.

Yes I am full of it!
So didn't sleep last night.Got up at 0400.Was ready for Tony and his stretch leaving at 0520.Slept down to BNE.In J lounge at 0625.Had some pancakes.Wandered off to the gate about 15 minutes to boarding only to have it started before wew got there.Those in the general lane were peeling off into the premium lane so a bit of a wait until boarded.J was full.Really not enough overhead space on the newer 737s.
QF509 BNE-SYD ETD 0825. Push back 0837. Take off 0841.
ETA 1000. Landed 0955. At gate 1000
We were in seats 3A,C.
Went straight to sleep again but woken for brekkie.Declined as we are to be Flounging.
Arrived on time.No wait for bus to International terminal so in Flounge at 1025 even though I got selected for secondary security as usual.
Mrsdrron got an immediate appointment for spa.Senator Carr is here again and the Melbourne Rebels have just left for JNB.
As soon as Mrsdrron gets back from spa it will be to the dining room.Unfortunately boarding is at 1130.
Next report hopefully from BKK.

drron · Jul 2, 2012

So after the first flush of success with mrsdrron getting her manicure and both of us having the salt and pepper squid with a bowl of chips washed down with a glass of Bollinger things took a turn for the worse.Of course it was the day the Carbon Tax started-why did I think it was uneventful.At 1130 asked when the BKK flight would be boarding as it was meant to be boarding now-told it was a minor computer problem but that it should start boarding in 10 minutes.
Well as I am getting slower and today as well have my left foot swollen,red and painful we decide it is time to wander to the gate.Get there and several staff clustered around the computer screen and then an announcement that boarding should start in another 10 minutes-Oh well not too bad.Unfortunately there were another 3 10 minutes to boarding announcements made at 15 minute intervals.Now had we stayed in the lounge.........
QF23 SYD-BKK. ETD-1225. Pushback-1340. Takeoff-1351.
ETA-1835. Landed-2044. At Gate-2051.
We are in seats 3E,F.Normally we would not be in the middle section but circumstances dictated it.As said I am on an Aaward and mrsdrron a paid QF/RJ ticket.Initially this service was to be a 744 but as you know was switched to an A330.We were initially assigned 24A,C.But later although mrsdrron had been moved to 2C I was left in 24A-well back in Y.Unfortunately the Aaward could not be changed on line so I rang AA.I knew by looking at mrsdrron's WP account that 2A was vacant-sorry said the Aagent we are only allocated 3,4,5A so I took 3A and then rang the QFF plat number-I knew 3,4,5C were all occupied so asked the QFF agent if she could move me to 2A-told no as I was on an AA ticket and then proceeded to tell me AA allocated 3,4,5A and so she could not get us together as all adjacent seats occupied.As this was another case of me getting a J award on QF when mrsdrron's account did not show availability through QFF I took the opportunity of asking the agent -Why is this so?The answer was AA have been allocated seats to sell and if they decide could make them available for Aawards-another instance of me being in AAs good books?
Just a further note re our lounge time.The particular celebrity I noted there had an agent come over and speak to him 3 times after the final boarding clicked over on the board.Also just before we left a group of 4 adults and 3 children came in but were turned around-possibly taking the 1 guest rule a little far?

Settled inwith a glass of champagne.amongst the last to board were a young family-he sits down in row1 and mum and the kids head to the back.So it was now time for lunch.We both started with the Yamba prawns with radish and zucchini salad and a lemon dressing.Both thought it was good-

I then had theHot,Sweet,Sour and numbing Kurobota pork with snake beans and rice.The pork was dry and despite the name-bland.

Mrsdrron had the Roast chicken breast with celeriac and snow peas and felt it reasonable-

I had seen the movies available that I wished to see so just lay back and listened to 60s music.Ah the memories

Next-arrival into BKK and on to AMM.

amaroo · Jul 2, 2012

Hope that red hot foot clears up:evil: As you are medically attuned - I'm guessing that you have the appropriate magic pills to see it right

NM · Jul 2, 2012

drron said:
... so just lay back and listened to 60s music.Ah the memories

If you can remember the 60s, you weren't really there

. The only music I remember from the 60s is nursery rhymes :shock: (well I was in kindergarten when Mr Armstrong landed on the moon).

drron · Jul 2, 2012

Well I would have been old enough to be your teacher NM.:shock: Having turned 21 in 1967 and celebrated my birthday with a nasty case of Glandular Fever.
And Amaroo yes I have the necessaries but the problem is I get both gout and pseudogout so yesterday my coughtail was a colchicine and brufen tablet washed down with a glass of champagne.Doesn't matter which one worked and my stomach didn't complain.

So back to QF23.As we flew by Hanoi the Captain announced we were being put into a holding pattern due to the ongoing runway work at BKK.So we ended up a little more than 2 hours late.There were a few anxious pax on board.We were quickly off and through the transit security though the little lady you had to show your ticket or BP had no idea what was going on with mrsdrron holding both a QF and RJ E-ticket and I with one from AA.Straight to the RJ transfer desk but it didn't open until 2140.Thought about popping into the QF lounge but thought it would be better if we did a little walking and mrsdrron didn't mind looking at a few shops.
When we got back to the transfer desk there was a large Jordanian family and a Phillipino maid in front of us so took a while.Get our BPs and invites to the TG lounge-not the F lounge though.Decided to try the Royal Silk lounge as we have never been in a TG lounge before.Not very impressive,a little dark,mismatched furniture and worst of all-no wine!Debated whether to switch to the QF lounge but felt our main need was a shower-fortunately the showers there are good and a nice big room.So suitably refreshed we partook of their food offerings.A reasonable selection though not great.Mrsdrron noted 1 fellow who filled a beer glass with whisky.

Now we always like to get to the lounge a little early and as it was getting towards midnight and boarding was meant to start at 1130 off we went.Arrived at the gate just in time to see the plane arriving from HKG.So another wait at the gate.
Next RJ183-BKK-AMM.

drron · Jul 3, 2012

The incoming plane was from HKG.Those deplaning appeared to be Chinese.All had their documents inspected before they were allowed to proceed to Immigration.After that 4 burly,surly looking fellows embarked from the lounge-others who tried quickly told to sit down.Very shortly 4 others got off,with ill fitting jackets,and were allowed into the gate lounge.The behaviour of other pax whilst all this was going on suggested that it would be a bun rush when boarding finally started.
And so it panned out.A gate agent walked to the door holding up a business class only sign and it was then announced business class only to board-probably 40 people rushed the gate and let through-there were though only 6 pax getting on in BKK that were in J-the 4 burly guys were scattered around the cabin along with remaining pax from HKG.All 6 of us were in Row 1.We were 1H,K.

RJ183. ETD-0030. Pushback-0135. Takeoff-0135.
ETA-0515. Landed-0617. At gate-0623.

No champagne for pre take off drinks.Had a very nice orange juice + another dose of my joint medication.Then I am afraid I know little of what went on.I remember take off,recording the time,putting my notepad in the pocket on the bulkhead and then I was out to it.Had no knowledge of the meal service.Mrsdrron says she tried a Jordanian Sauvignon Blanc(St.George) but decided that it was better to switch to the french chablis.She said the smoked salmon and prawn salad entree was very good and better than QFs offering-she didn't feel like anything else except a nice piece of camembert.
I came to as we passed by Dubai just over 2 hours from AMM.Went to the Lav-quite small.Also had been left quite dirty.Came back to my seat and immediately an FA was by my side offering me a drink-I decided on a cup of tea-Twinings English Breakfast.Was exactly the right choice in the circumstances.Couldn't fault the service from the crew.Must add that the QF crew were also very good and mrsdrron had a long chat with one of the FAs filling her in on such things as the Jim Thompson outlet in Bangkok.Also when I went to the toilet 2 of the burly guys were in the galley talking to the FAs-exactly how it was reported on FT when a question was asked-how do you spot Sky Marshalls on RJ flights.

Breakfast was served just over an hour out of Amman.A bowl of fruit with good taste,roll,croissant,muffin,danish with jams and honey and a glass of mandarin juice which was very nice.After that the FAs came around offering tea and coffee.We were served by the FA who had brought my tea earlier on.She demonstrated her great ability at summing up a person's character by saying to me-tea gentle man?Mrsdrron though thought she was not so good when she was called tealady!
Just before the seat light sign came on a young western couple came up from Y with their backpacks and went to the loo.How did they fit?They were thin but it probably would have been a bit of a squeeze(pun intended).Also when the seat belt sign comes on the sign next to it says please turn off all electrical devices.First time I have seen that.Also was the first time I have seen the purser come around and collect all the menus-menu obviously doesn't change much on that sector.

Next-the fun deplaning and in the Queen Alia terminal.

drron · Jul 4, 2012

At the Queen Alia International airport our A330 stopped just short of the gate to be towed in.Why I have no idea.The crew made several announcements re remaining seated with seatbelts on but we soon realised we were the only ones seated in the cabin so I got up and got my bags down.This prompts the purser to come through the cabin to get everyone seated.As soon as the sign goes out I am straight up but immediately knocked back in my seat by one of the previously mentioned burly fellows.As I go to deplane the young couple emerge from the toilet and deplane-I wonder how they felt when the plane touched down?

Anyway we were soon off the plane.The terminal is a dump although they are building a new one-I read on FT a few months ago that a fellow was told it would be open in 2 months.I asked and was also told it would be open in 2 months.I suspect in 2 months the answer would not change.We first changed some money to have JODs for the entry visa-just pay your 20 Jods and no other paperwork is necessary.Interesting that the visa is not only a rubber stamp but also you get a real stamp stuck in.After you get your visa Immigration is quick so then on to the baggage carousel.

Now let me tell you that if you are frustrated by BNE and SYD baggage handlers take a tranquilliser before collecting your bags in Amman.Even an Aussie TWU handler on a go slow would be quicker.Bags come out in dribs and drabs.The sounds from outside suggests the treatment of the bags was quite rugged.
Also RJ have a different twist on priority baggage-it comes off last-virtually all that were left when our bags made an appearance where other pax from the J cabin.Even the crew baggage doesn't get priority-it came out just before ours.Then off to Customs where all your bags are xrayed.As we exited we spotted our driver-more of that next.

meloz · Jul 4, 2012

RJ's Sky Marshalls are quite amusing in their lack of attempt to blend in. e.g. sitting in galley jumpseats when you board then taking a J seat, and yes very crook suits. I was the sole passenger in J on one of their flights and felt like talking to the guy for the leg to make his day more interesting, but then thought better of it.

I mounted a gopro camera to my window for a timelapse before takeoff, that got their attentioon.

Great report.

Meloz

paxman · Jul 4, 2012

avoid food with nitrates it will help with the gout...

Major · Jul 4, 2012

paxman said:
avoid food with nitrates it will help with the gout...

So will the 2 Arthrex ( Indomethacin ) capsules I just swallowed

drron · Jul 6, 2012

Who wants to avoid food?Life is not a dress reheasal.Besides my coughtail has still not failed.
But back to the TR.
We are met by Wael who mrsdrron found on TA and Lonely Planet-I also found a report on FT.20Jods for airport transfer which is what people report is the taxi fare to the Sheraton.Throughout our dealings with him we found him very good and have no hesitation in reccomending him.
wael salih tours (wael) on Myspace

It is about 35Km to the Sheraton.Already I am intrigued by this place.Flying in over desert but on the ground patches of agriculture tended by Bedouins still mainly living in tents quite often next to some quite large houses.A real contrast between rich and poor here.When we arrive at the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil our bags are X-rayed again.They should be well and truly sterilised.We already had confirmation that we had been upgraded to an executive suite using my suite night awards.Arriving at~0730 it was not unexpected that our room was unavailable but without asking we were given a regular room to use until our suite was ready.Good first impression.Mrsdrron promptly went to sleep but as I had already done so it was catching up with emails and AFF.

After mrsdrron awoke we decided to go to lunch at their casual restaurant-The Spice Garden.I had the buffet-some fantastic desserts and OK lamb dishes.All up this was 38JD($A55).After this we collected the keys for our suite and after unpacking it was time for my normal nanny nap.Dinner was in the lounge.Food offerings were OK.The best part were the local sweets-pastry,nuts and honey in various combinations.
Major problem was the wine-just a Jordanian white and red.The red was ok but the white certainly was different to its Southern Hemisphere cousins.This time the brand was Mt.Nebo-what is this with naming their wines after QLD country towns-what would you expect from a wine from the back of Mackay?

The next day we started with tea delivered to our room by the Butler.Then had the choice of brekkie in the lounge or restaurant.Went with the restaurant.Great pastries but the beef and chicken sausages looked and tasted the same.Also no fan of beef bacon.Enjoyed the fried Haloumi though.
Next picked up by Wael for a trip to Madaba then the old town.

drron · Jul 7, 2012

OK now to the real TR with pics.Madaba is not far from Amman and close to the airport.We first went to the St. George Greek Orthodox church.The town is known for its mosaics and this church for an ancient mosaic map of the Promised Land-

The church itself reminded me of the Russian orthodox churches we saw in Eastern russia and the Aleutians last year-

There are many mosaic works of art.Quite remarkable-

And a street scene from Madaba-

Next a small church on the road to Mt.Nebo.

drron · Jul 8, 2012

Our next stop was the church of St.Lot and St.Procopius.Off the beaten track,the government has erected a concrete block building around the ruins.It is locked but there is a caretaker who will unlock it-from the Bedouin family that had lived on top of this church for centuries and had their cooking fires on top of the mosaic floor.Now the admission here is included in the price you pay at the Mt.Nebo Moses Memorial but it was explained to us that this does not increase the income of the old deaf caretaker but for a dinar that he can keep he will let you in.This is what we did.I felt it was the best we saw and more importantly we had the whole place to ourselves.The church dates from the sixth century.So pictures of the mosaic floor-

There were also ruins of other churches above and below this one.The lower one is partly used as a goat pen-

Next-on to Mt.Nebo where Moses went to die so that he could take a last look at the promised land.

drron · Jul 8, 2012

First just a shot of the countryside around our little church-

Then on to Mt.Nebo and the Promised land-

And their mosaics which have been removed and housed in a tent-

And a few other artefacts-

And a demonstration how fertile the Jordan Valley can be-

Then we left to drive back to Jordan Old Town.On the way we stopped at one of the numerous fruit stalls by the side of the road-

Wael bought us some of those cherries and they were delicious.
Next Amman Old Town.

drron · Jul 9, 2012

After negotiating central Amman's traffic the first stop was the Amphitheatre-

Now was this for the lions or....

One of the interesting things here was you could walk anywhere you wanted.There was also a museum with historical clothing and artifacts-

Some was very suggestive of the Hill tribes of Asia-

Next more artifacts,most from Jerash.

drron · Jul 9, 2012

So for the artifacts-

Then a shot of another stop later,The Citadel-

On our way up to a different Mosque we got shots of the Royal complex and the town-

Next to the Mosque.

drron · Jul 9, 2012

So more shots on our way to the Mosque-looking over the Old City,Citadel,Palace and the results of excavations in the Old Town revealing an even older town-