Daver6 World Tour 2016

[Daver6]

The following day we had an organised private tour to St Emillion using Bordeaux with Elodie wine tour Again, they came recommended and did not disappoint. The day involved in depth visits to two chateau, lunch and a tasting in the town of St Emillion. On paper, it doesn't sound like much, but it was really in depth, drove past many famous chateau and in the end, I thought really good value for money. St Emillion is a stunningly beautiful place.

First winery for the day which is ranker premier grand cru classe B. We also got to try some of the wines from their sister wineries too.




Couple of the more famous wineries in the region (well technically Petrus is actually in Pomerol). I was tempted to nick a Merlot berry off the vine, but suspect that would probably be worth about $10

 

[Daver6]

After lunch the next stop was Chateau du Tailhas, but not before driving past some more famous wineries





And finally into the town of St Emillion for an in store wine tasting followed by a walk around town with the setting sun and hot air balloons.

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

[video=youtube_share;dVs-vqoL6Do]https://youtu.be/dVs-vqoL6Do[/video]

 

[Daver6]

Our flight out of France was departing from Orly in Paris. Originally we were just going to get a train, but in the end decided to save time and just fly there from Bordeaux. The AF flight was reasonably price and due to an Alitalia status match we would get free baggage allowance and access to the AF lounge. We checked in using the premium line and no issues with getting the bags done for free or access to the lounge.

The lounge wasn't anything special, but better than nothing. The flight was about half full and uneventful.





Sunset on the way to Orly

Moonrise over Orly

 

[Daver6]

The night was spent at the Hilton Orly. My less than favourable thoughts were covered here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....o-hilton-treat-you-18502-647.html#post1533875

Some pictures (excuse the mess).

 

[Daver6]

We had an early morning departure to LHR connecting to a BA A380 to IAD. We got the hotel transfer bus to the terminal and were very quickly checked in and through security. We made our way to the BA lounge which is down some stairs and the entrance next to the public toilets. The lounge had not yet opened (I can't quite recall how long before departure this was, but certainly less than 90 minutes). Down there waiting as another lady in a wheelchair who had just been left there by the airport/BA staff. A few minutes later the lounge opened. The staff member had no intention of wheeling the lady in so I helped her out. I thought that was particularly poor form.

Inside the lounge was a bit dark, but again, acceptable. No toilets in the lounge, you need to use the public ones outside. Worst thing was they were running the cleaning cycle on the coffee machine. This meant not coffee for about 30 minutes. If there is one think I want in a lounge in the morning, it is a cup of coffee. An uneventful flight to LHR T5. Some time in the Galleries lounge (very crowded). Food average, toilets sub-par. A long schlep from the lounge to the satellite area of T5 for boarding.

Our seats were upstairs, rear row (aisle and window) of the front cabin. The window seat is pretty good. You have the storage bins by the window and its pretty private. No aisle passenger's feet to climb over. The aisle seat is pretty average. Really open and very little privacy. Every time the crew serve the window seat they reach over you and through the privacy screen area. Food was ok, nothing special. However, afternoon tea was served including scones with clotted cream. That made the entire flight worthwhile for me.

There are two toilets at the front of this cabin. I presume its in a similar spot to where EK have their showers. So nice and spacious bathrooms. What was really annoying (and would have been even more so if one was trying to sleep) is the crew constantly left the curtain half open and stood just behind it talking loudly. The contrast to QR in this one department is amazing.

Goodbye rubbish weather

 

[Daver6]

The next few days were spent in DC (well just outside) staying with family. Touristy things were limited to one day spent wondering around the National Mall area and another heading to wine country in northern Virginia.

The first full day we took the train to the National Mall. First stop was the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Being a space nerd, this place was awesome. Even MrsDaver6 found it quite interesting. We sort of rushed our way through a little due to time constraints. It was super busy. The biggest disappointment was my lack of planning as we arrived just before lunch and by the time we were done it was mid afternoon and I was starving. The only food option was McDonalds. I went hungry instead.

 

[Daver6]

After the museum we walked towards the Washington monument. Unfortunately it was closed so we couldn't go to the top. Interesting fact is the stones are just placed on top of each other, not cemented together. Then walked to the Lincoln memorial, followed by the Vietnam memorial and a lap of the White House. Walked about 18kms that day!

 

[Daver6]

We took a half day trip heading west to some wineries. I was keen to try the local grape Norton, so sought out wineries that had it. Scenery was beautiful. Wines were ok on the whole. Some average stuff and some interesting. Nothing really outstanding but an enjoyable day out.


Something you don't see in Perth; trees changing colour

 

[Daver6]

The following day we went for a short hike with the family dogs to Scott's Run nature reserve along to Potomac River. Again, really beautiful with the trees changing colours and dropping their leaves





[video=youtube_share;LOeLIDMSFzw]https://youtu.be/LOeLIDMSFzw[/video]

 

[JohnM]

Norton is not Vitis vinifera​, which makes it interesting. I think this winery: Welcome to Horton Vineyards is reputed to have resurrected it. They have quite a large array of unusual varieties. I guess I may have tried the Norton there but I can't recall what it was like - although I was driving, so limiting what I drank.

What was that Cab Franc like?

I've had some crackers from the NE US, with a particularly memorable one that I got from a random stop at a winery on the N fork of Long Island.

 

[Daver6]

Next stop was New Orleans departing DCA and via DFW. Arriving at DCA there were two issues. Firstly, our inbound aircraft was delayed. Secondly all the AA computers were down. End result was we were going to miss our connection in DFW to MSY. Long story short, they got us on a later flight from DFW to MSY, meaning arriving in MSY a couple of hours late. Ah well, what can you do. Not the end of the world.

Flights were pretty uneventful. My first experience in F on AA. It really isn't anything special at all. It makes flying domestically in the US bearable.

Some great views awaiting our turn to depart DCA




Found in the DFW AA lounge. I just couldn't decide which one I needed. Really, I couldn't see why anyone could possibly need any of these weapons!


Racing a plane taking off on a parallel runway.

 

[Daver6]

What was that Cab Franc like?

It was ok. Happy to drink it, but not amazing. I thought most the wine in the region was priced above its quality level.

 

[amaroo]

Not sure how I missed this one Sensational TR

Saint Emilion is one of our favourite places to visit.

 

[Daver6]

New Orleans. What a place! Other than the hassles we had with the Hilton there it was fantastic. We stayed at the Hilton St Charles which is a block away from Canal St and the start of the French Quarter. Location wise, I was really happy. A bit quieter from the craziness of the French Quarter, but only a couple minutes walk away. I'm going to let the photos and videos speak for themselves. Essentially, we had a blast. Some great jazz venues on Frenchman St and just generally fun venues in the French Quarter. You have crazy, cheap and cheerful at one end to really classy places like The Ritz or Carousel bar. Food is amazing. We took the trek to have the world's best fried chicken at Willie Maes. Worth the wait...but I'm no expert in the field.

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

I think this video sums up the atmosphere. The Halloween parade happened to be on this night. Zero agro, everyone just having fun.

[video=youtube_share;il-8uymFzOg]https://youtu.be/il-8uymFzOg[/video]

 

[Daver6]

Next stop was Boston for a couple of nights. Flight there was AA F via DFW with a 58 minute layover in DFW. Nothing exciting to report from the flights. We stayed at the Hilton downtown in Boston. Nice enough hotel, but no EL was disappointing and lets it down. Incredibly expensive too, but so was other similar level accommodation in Boston.

I thought Boston was an incredibly beautiful and tourist friendly place. My first time to New England and I have to say, much less "American" than other places I've been in the US. I really liked it...although quite cold. We only had one full day there and spent it walking the Freedom Trail finishing with a beer at Cheers. A great way to take in the sights.

 

[Daver6]

No squirrels were harmed in the end. Eagle went hungry.