Russian around the Baltic with some spice to finish off!

[Pushka]

And when it came it was good.


Flight arrived on time and through immigration in a flash. Very few people disembarked in Dubai. I'd say less than 20. My case was the first off!

Met by driver and whisked away and having breakfast here:

 

[JessicaTam]

So, two questions. Is it acceptable to change into PJ's in the small lounge? And also to walk through the J cabin (any cabin really) while brushing your teeth.

<snip>

Umm, no. And no.

 

[Pushka]

Umm, no. And no.

Miss Manners concurs. Pretty rank hey? 2 men changed into and out of their PJ's in the lounge area. Another guy was brushing his teeth walking down the aisle.

 

[RooFlyer]

The new amenities kit looks like a gastric accident!

 

[love_the_life]

View attachment 100701

Nice view from your lounge.

 

[Pushka]

The new amenities kit looks like a gastric accident!

It's quite pretty and the eye shades match it. It's size is a bit out of wack though.

 

[Pushka]

It's Tuesday. Must be in Stockholm.

Arrived today after a longish 7 hour flight in Y from Dubai. Flight was full and we had the looong bus ride to get to the plane. But nabbed a seat knowing it was going to take a while.

But first yesterday was rather hot. We arrived early and given access to the room around 11am. We spent some time around the pool before that.

Nice pool.





At any one time we could see three lifeguards even though this was the adult pool. It's also the pool for Burj Al Arab guests.
This is the kids pool looking down from our room.

 

[Pushka]

And we didn't move out of the hotel other than a quick trip to get some toiletries not packed

Way too hot and really humid. And add a bit of lack of sleep.

We knew we had a 5am start next day so figured it would be an early night - once the club drinks stopped at 8pm.

Some views from our room mid afternoon and in deference to drron - sunset.





Drinks in the lounge were generous and free flowing. The snacks were mainly sushi style which I don't eat but MrP does. He was happy.

We slumped off to sleep around 8.30.

 

[Pushka]

The alarm was set to wake us at five but of course I'd been awake since 3am. The limo comes with the club lounge but the driver didn't start work until after we needed to leave so a little tense. Anyway we made good time and because of WP status we were able to use First class checkin and avoid the crush. But that was waiting for us inside the terminal. So busy at 6.30am. We made our way to the B gate lounge which is the largest of the lounges. We realised after that there was another at gate C closer to the boarding gate.

The menu for breakfast




We actually chose the boiled eggs and marmite fingers.

Perfectly cooked eggs to medium.




The marmite toast was also excellent.

Knowing we had a walk to get to our gate we left early. Gate c is the most lengthy to walk to and the airconditioning was not working. We walked towards our gate lounge and the queue was horrendous and no obvious priority boarding lane. After about 20 minutes we were in the seated area and with no red light for the upgrade and thought there would be the bus that takes forever to get to the plane. And it did. We scrambled to the first bus and were on quickly. The third row of economy on a 777. We sat on the Tarmac for ages after a lengthy taxi.

The plane was packed with lots of kids but they were all pretty good for the lengthy flight. The food - mmm - not so good. I ordered the lamb
.

I ate about a quarter. It wasn't too bad but not to my liking.

 

[Pushka]

Arrived into Stockholm about 30 minutes late at 12.45. We were off the plane fairly quickly and walked through the corridors and stairs and elevators and turned into immigration to find very lengthy queues that were just not moving. As more people joined the queue they had to stop the escalator as there was no room for those at the bottom to move off it. After about 45 minutes we saw that the 'European passport' queue had ended so I moved into position to see if they were going to call us over. Sure enough she waved and MrP and I moved over and just manouvered in front of the family who had been behind us. The quick or the dead!

Immigration wanted to know why we were visiting, for how long and where we had started the journey. For us it took a minute but can imagine some of the questioning.

I'd bought tickets online for the Arlanda express - the fast train that costs the same as a taxi but is much faster. It was a few minutes to wait but it was a very speedy train trip that deposits into Central Stockholm station. The fastest it reached was 184 km/h. The Radisson Blu is located just outside the station. But of course there are 2 Radisson Blu hotels. Just why?

The view of the Radisson behind the Convention Centre.

 

[Austman]

The Radisson Blu is located just outside the station. But of course there are 2 Radisson Blu hotels. Just why?

Do you mean the Royal Viking, which is also beside the central station? It's been there since 1984. It used to be owned by the railways, then for many years it was a SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) hotel, then became Radisson SAS and now I guess it's also a Radisson Blu...

The rooftop Skybar was particularly famous. Not sure how much sky you can see these days...

 

[Pushka]

Do you mean the Royal Viking, which is also beside the central station? It's been there since 1984. It used to be owned by the railways, then for many years it was a SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) hotel, then became Radisson SAS and now I guess it's also a Radisson Blu...

The rooftop Skybar was particularly famous. Not sure how much sky you can see these days...

Yes. The building name just says Radisson Blu so within 400 metres - 2 Radisson Blu buildings.
Gorgeous sunny day outside today but still haven't done yesterday.
On to breakfast.

 

[love_the_life]

I think you will be boarding the ship tomorrow? Or today? Lose track of time.... (it's my age )

 

[Pushka]

I think you will be boarding the ship tomorrow? Or today? Lose track of time.... (it's my age )

Tomorrow. You'll be pleased to know Dame that fingers went white in Dubai hotel room also. There's something about Dubai airconditioning that kills me. No issues here in Stockholm.

Yesterday we strolled into Gamla Stan. Very much reminds me of a quiet Paris including dogs and poop. We didn't do much to start but took a few snaps.







You know where this is going




Yummy. But couldn't eat it all

 

[Pushka]

We hadn't made plans to meet up with our Canadian friends but thought we'd just catch up at our favourite drinking spot - the Martini Bar. They had arrived the day before but we didn't know where they were staying.

We strolled around with the tourists. Decided on a couple of these.


And of course. We spotted them. Strolling towards us and the said they were thinking they would catch us in a bar people watching. Within the minute that's exactly what they did. Great man hugs and laughter.

 

[fairbasa]

I don't suppose they do the 8x simultaneous coughtail pours at that Martini bar though?

 

[love_the_life]

Tomorrow. You'll be pleased to know Dame that fingers went white in Dubai hotel room also. There's something about Dubai airconditioning that kills me. No issues here in Stockholm.

So it wasn't me

Yesterday we strolled into Gamla Stan. Very much reminds me of a quiet Paris including dogs and poop. We didn't do much to start but took a few snaps.

We stayed at the Lord Nelson when it used to be part of the LSH group. Very atmospheric with Nelson memorabilia on display but I remember rooms were very hot. The idea of cool aircon did not exist .

And of course. We spotted them. Strolling towards us and the said they were thinking they would catch us in a bar people watching. Within the minute that's exactly what they did. Great man hugs and laughter.

It's always fantastic when something unexpected like that happens

 

[Pushka]

I don't suppose they do the 8x simultaneous coughtail pours at that Martini bar though?

They did 2 years ago. Martini flight.

 

[Pushka]

The rest of yesterday was followed by an early dinner around 6.30pm. By then the eating places were busy and it was too cold to sit outside. We ended up in O'Connell's pub where after the sweet waffle I needed salt. What better than fish and chips. And ordered haddock and mushy peas. MrP had meatballs.

Well this was the best fish I have tasted. Batter was crisp and not floury soggy and the fish obviously very fresh. Excellent chips. The mushy peas - well, at least it was a green food item.



Meatballs were apparently nice but MrP isn't a mash person.

By now it was around 8.30pm and a long day so lights out around 9pm. We both slept until 3am then both awake. We then both listened to radio being streamed by wifi then both of us went back to sleep until we woke at 8am. Yeah. Sleep zones adjusted.

 

[Pushka]

Down to breakfast that was included. And a brilliant spread it was. Great emphasis on organic food.
Coffee pots already on the table when seated.


Yes. I have brought Vegemite packets. Enough for this trip.

Then a DIY tea station - make your own tea bag.


The cereals and fruit station.




Breads