QF009 visits the US of A [dedicated to taipeiflyer and HUGE AL]

[Keith009]

Ok... I'm totally lost...

 

[Hawkeye]

In medical terms, they are talking about flatulence.

Sorry, I had to end your misery.

 

[Keith009]

In medical terms, they are talking about flatulence.

OH............... :shock:

Well I did have more than 2 hours in transit at JFK.

 

[Hvr]

The Windy Finale

Yesterday 08:35 PM
Hawkeye In medical terms, they are talking about flatulence.

[FONT=&quot]Sorry, I had to end your misery. [/FONT]

I'm glad you did, especially after QF009 started the post with the above title.

 

[docjames]

How can you use the phares "real coffee" and "soy latte" in the same context????:mrgreen:


Great further installment, as always!

 

[Keith009]

How can you use the phares "real coffee" and "soy latte" in the same context????:mrgreen:

Yes I'm one of those wankers at coffee shops who delay queues by insisting on soy without medical need for soy. My usual barista knows what I want ('large soy latte, 2 sugars') and doesn't even need to ask now. But occassionally I have cravings for 'soy chai latte with honey' or 'soy mocha.' I use Grinders beans myself at home. I also avoid cafes which use Vittoria coffee beans.

However I was rather disturbed when I heard an order for 'decaff skinny mocha with caramel and 4 sugars' the other day. Uhh - how about apple juice???

 

[Evan]

However I was rather disturbed when I heard an order for 'decaff skinny mocha with caramel and 4 sugars' the other day. Uhh - how about apple juice???

That sounds terrifying !

As for Soy, it adds a nice taste to the coffee i feel, i dont mind it although i usually don't order it unless other i am drinking with do.

E

 

[Commuter]

However I was rather disturbed when I heard an order for 'decaff skinny mocha with caramel and 4 sugars' the other day.

Scary and contradictory and baffling - yes very disturbing.

Signed: a person that drinks black coffee (no sugar), or very strong hot chocolate with soy milk who has just discovered the mixture of two.

 

[Keith009]

Epilogue

So to recap, I’ve covered the following in this 2nd part of my DONE4 TR:

Flights

AA137 LHR-LAX F
AA3105 LAX-LAS whY
US473 LAS-SFO whY
AA178 SFO-JFK F
AA423 JFK-MIA F
AA637 MIA-MSY F
AA720 MSY-DFW F
AA384 DFW-JFK F
QF108 JFK-SYD J
QF459 SYD-MEL whY

Hotels

W Los Angeles-Westwood
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, a Sheraton Resort
W San Francisco
W New York-Union Square
Four Points by Sheraton Miami Beach
W New Orleans-Poydras St

Cities

Los Angeles
Las Vegas
San Francisco
New York City
Miami
New Orleans

It’s only been less than 3 weeks since I got home, but I’m already looking forward to the next trip. I get a week off uni due to Easter break and so I took the opportunity to schedule a quick trip to Sydney and Wellington the weekend after Easter with my SWP segment allowance. In the meantime I’ve already booked the next DONE4, but it’d be split into much shorter and smaller trips. So I don’t know when the next 7 week fully round the world epic is going to be. But each trip is different and totally unique, and I fully look forward to every single trip just as much as the last.

It’s funny to think that how a few years ago such a journey would totally baffle me and I wouldn’t even dare to contemplate one let alone go through the process of planning, ticketing and actually traveling. And it’s even more astounding that I now consider such a journey to be remotely straightforward. Thanks to the inspiration from so many of you fellow travelers.

There are ups and downs with every trip. And this trip definitely had its fair share of bumps. But despite the downs, there’s nothing I’d have done any differently. And I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Well, except I'd now avoid the shellfish.

Until next time,
QF009

 

[Keith009]

So… it’s only fitting that I conclude with the first (possibly last)....
QF009 Travel Awards!!

Disclaimer: No specific methodologies have been employed. Apples, oranges and possibly several other types of fruits might have been compared. Assessments are based on: 40% personal priorities, 40% self-gratification , 20% personal bias and 20% PUTI. All that totals 120% which makes this poll 20% more spot on than your average travel award!

Flights

Best wine list – QF29 MEL-HKG J
Best champagnes - QF (particularly QF29 when I got Dom Perignon from F )
Best entrée – BA109 LHR-DXB J
Best main course – JL719 NRT-SIN J
Best cheese plate – QF9 SIN-LHR J
Best dessert other than cheeses – AA137 LHR-LAX F

Best cabin crew – QF108 JFK-LAX J, with QF9 SIN-LHR J coming a close 2nd
Best seat – AA137 LHR-LAX F, otherwise I found the QF Skybed and the BA NNCW bed generally rather comfy for J.
Best IFE – QF
Best amenity kit – QF (love that trendy case and the PJs!)

Best ground staff – AA
Best lounges – BA (since I got to use the Flounges), the CX LHR Flounge came a close 2nd

Best-in-category – Qantas

Hotels

Best lobby - décor – W New Orleans-Poydras St
Best lobby – vibe – W San Francisco
Best lobby – crowd – W New York-Union Square
Best lobby – music – W New York-Union Square

Most happening hotel bar – Underbar at W New York-Union Square
Best hotel restaurant – Nine Thirty at W Los Angeles-Westwood

Best room – most inspirational decor – W New Orleans-Poydras St
Best room – functionality and size – W San Francisco
Best bathroom - decor – W Los Angeles-Westwood
Best bathroom – functionality and size – Hotel Eden, Rome
Best bathroom amenities – Bliss Sinkside 6 at W Hotels

Best upgrade – From non-smoking Wonderful Room to non-smoking Fantastic Suite, W San Francisco

Best service – W New York-Union Square; Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam comes a close second

Most central location – Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam
Best proximity to nightlife – W New York-Union Square, or W New Orleans-Poydras, or Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam

Best availability of free internet – Four Points by Sheraton Miami Beach; Any W hotel with free internet in the Living Room
Most reasonably priced in-room internet – Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas

Best-in-category – W New Orleans-Poydras St

Cities

Best shopping – New York City, or Dubai
Most unique shopping – Los Angeles

Most trendy – Los Angeles
Best-dressed - Los Angeles


Best nightlife – New Orleans, or Amsterdam
Most glam nightlife – Los Angeles

Best restaurants – New York City
Most unique restaurants - Amsterdam

Best pace – Los Angeles

Best coffee – San Francisco
Best soy chai latte - New York City (Meatpacking District)


Friendliest people - New Orleans


Best overall site – St Peter’s Basilica, Rome; or Kitson on Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles

Best-in-category – Los Angeles



Best moment - Realising that my friends were there for me when I needed them most.

 

[Hawkeye]

I am absolutely stunned that there is no award for Best Champagne!?!?

Or is that still a touchy subject, given the enforced sobriety!

 

[Keith009]

I am absolutely stunned that there is no award for Best Champagne!?!?

Or is that still a touchy subject, given the enforced sobriety!

I'd thought best wine list covered that. No?
Hmm better go clarify...

edited to add - Edited to 'Best wine list (including champagne)'

 

[Hawkeye]

I'd thought best wine list covered that. No?
Hmm better go clarify...

Too true, but Best Wine List is so much more generic. Good champagne, imo, transcends all other wines.

... I think I may be preaching to the converted!

 

[Keith009]

Actually... you're right. Edited yet again.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for the great trip report; lots of pictures and so much detail.

I was getting some live reports via MSN as QF009 changed cities, wifi internet is practically everywhere. The shellfish incident was a big shock, glad you recovered from that and you had some friends to get you to hospital fast.

 

[simongr]

Good stuff QF009 - a long and memorable journey

Still stunned that QF IFE won that category :shock:

 

[sr81]

Bravo! Great TR with all the highs and lows of a good modern epic. I've been in the car for work round Western Vic during your travels and believe me, the W San Fran is much more romantic that the Portland Comfort Inn.

You really should go easy on the W hotels though, perhaps a compliment from time to time?:mrgreen:

Looking forward to the next trip and more DONE4 fun.

 

[Tooner]

Great report QF009, and glad to hear the comprehensive reviews of W hotels - I do miss the Sydney W.

Look forward to the next report - ??What dramas will unfold this time!!

 

[Keith009]

Thanks folks.

Oh and I do have to say the new Gucci flagship at Trump Tower on 5th would've also made it for 'best overrall site' but for the fact that they didn't have my sizes. Such a big store but nothing fits lil old moi. :shock: Nice to browse though.

And I really recommend paying Kitson on Robertson (Shop kitson home of celebrity shopping | Kitson Boutique) a visit when you visit LA. Even if you don't like shopping - the store is truly amazing to go through. Truly an iconic shopping mecca that everyone should pay homage to. Especially Commuter. They stock lots of exclusive lines by great up-and-coming labels that are almost impossible to find elsewhere (eg Great China Wall, Aviator Nation, Retribution, Literature Noir etc). You might also meet a celebrity or 2. Almost topped the St Peter's Basilica as the best cultural attraction on my visit but I'd face the wrath of the 'history/culture' brigade if I mentioned that in the awards list.

 

[NM]

I am absolutely stunned that there is no award for Best Champagne!?!?

And where is the award for best lobster?