SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains in J

[TomVexille]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

How good is pork knuckle!

 

[Timtammi]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Ditto on the thanks. I really need to see more of Germany!

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

How good is pork knuckle!

Now admittedly we had some very average pork knuckle and then some sensational ones.

What we found interesting was the better is looked (inc presentation) the worse it was.

When it was almost just thrown on the plate from a back-alley restaurant; it was juicy, full of flavour and the skin crunchy.
And when they literally just serviced it with some dumplings and sauerkraut ... oh that did the trick.

A perfect winter dish ... and even better when snowing outside.

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Morning of the day to start the journey back to Australia had finally come.
We were none to impressed when the alarm clock went off. Thankfully the flight didn't depart until 11:30am which meant we could have a relaxed time.

Breakfast was taken in the exec lounge which was the usual scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, breads, fruits, yogurt, cereals and various cold cuts.

As we were HLO, packing was rather quick. Surprisingly the bags had gotten heavier with little trinkets we had picked up along the way (including some new light weight beanies from Munich). Wherever possible we've refined our winter clothing to reduce size without impacting warmth and functionality.

Check-out was fast and efficient and the hotel provided directions to the change of terminal we had to do to hook up with our upcoming AY flight.

Off we went ... trudging through FRA terminal to find our skytrain


Terminal 2 was our destination


Skytrain transfer ... seems to run every few mins


View from the skytrain


Terminal 2 is a very quick few mins ride ... and eye spy with my little eye ... AY


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

We hadn't online checked in so got in the J line.
The agent was day-1 on the job we soon found out and was a contractor ...
and because we were HLO I had thought this will be real quick as we only needed BPs issued on AY metal through to BKK via HEL.

I could see she was getting flustered and now there was a line behind us. So after repeatedly trying to politely ask her what was wrong, she finally said something to the effect of that she was having issues issuing BPs for our QF flights ... now she was actually starting to tremble. I gently called her by her name (from the badge) and said "it is Ok. Ignore the QF flight and just issue the two BPs through to BKK and we'll re-check in BKK with QF. It will be fine". She looks at me and almost bursts into tears (of joy). She then thanked us profusely for being so understanding and help etc.

I wished her well on the job and suggested that she remember to breathe and everyone has to be new at some stage and to inform her customers today was day-1.
I then suggested "each day, tell your customers today is day-1 until you are comfortable".
Her response "oh I like that so much".


Off to the lounge we go ... we were directed to a contracted Air France lounge


Which serves other airlines as well


Seating


More seating and the bar area


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Snacks


Booze selection


Right next door to the AF lounge is an Iberia lounge with OneWorld signage on it.
Taking a leaf out of the AFF forum lounge hopping threads, we decided to go for a walk and check it out as we had time to kill.


QF Platinum / Gold access ... check


The very friendly lounge angel said I was welcome in but the AF lounge next door was much better in her opinion. But welcomed us.
And in we did.


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

The Iberia lounge was average as was the AF lounge. But a quick drink, some wifi and a few nibbles is always nice.
Neither of the lounges have toilets ... so this means exiting the lounge, going down some escalators and using very average pubic facilities.

Time had come to leave the lounge and head to the gate


Arrival at our gate (1 min walk away)



Flight details: FRA-HEl with AY on an A320 in J

Check-in opens and there is no priority boarding ... which is never a good sign


And then we discover it as we go down the ramp ... a freak'n bus transfer to the plane. I personal pet peeve.


No special treatment for J pax ... the bus pulls up and opens both front and rear doors and pax stream off to try and get on the AY flight.
And to top it off ... God is lightly crying all over us.


TBC ...

 

[coriander]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

When it was almost just thrown on the plate from a back-alley restaurant; it was juicy, full of flavour and the skin crunchy.
And when they literally just serviced it with some dumplings and sauerkraut ... oh that did the trick.

Pork knuckle mit sauerkraut und kartoffel Knödel - sigh - haven't had that meal since my mother passed away. Loving this TR, salivating frequently

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Row 1 bulkhead ... standard inra-Eu seating of 3-3 Y seat with mid seat blocked out


Legroom shot


View into FRA airport


Meal time ... this was cannelloni with hare stew filling. Was good, not special.


This was dessert ... now having had these little pastries before, I ask the crew to warm them up for a bit in the oven ... oh yum yum yum.

TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

We landed into HEL on time to a true coverage of snow.
As we landed we were giggling again with all the snow.


It is fun to watch the airport just go about business like it was a beautiful sunny day. The snow seemed to have no impact on operations.


Time to say goodbye to our 'domestic' from FRA to HEL. The flight itself was uneventful. Loading was close to 100% across the entire plane. The crew were efficient but you could see they had no time to stop. The J cabin was attended to and regular checks were made for more drinks or anything else.

At HEL airport, we then passed through immigration as we had to exit the Schengen zone and into the long haul area. This was a process that took all of about 5 mins and from landing to lounge, it was about 20 mins.

HEL has 2 x long haul lounges as the old J lounge was at over-capacity during peak times.
Our preference is the old lounge, but seeing it was busting at the seems we went next door to the premium lounge.


Seating


More seating

TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Self serve Champagne ... now I wont lie ... we made use of the self serve as it was now afternoon.
We just reminded ourselves that Champagne and flying were made for each other and it would be rude not to have a drink.


After a few drinks we then freshened up and went to find the Shower rooms


Shower room ... ready and waiting


After a shower, back to the Nibbles ... to help the Champagne go down


More nibbles ... there was also a soup of some description


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

We found some little chocolate cake nibbles and a sauce ... a bit of sweet for my sweet.


Boarding time was no approaching, so we packed up and headed to the gate which was only a few mins walk.


Flight: HEL to BKK with AY in J.
Plane: A330 reconfigured

There was already a line that had formed at the business counter.
Our observation was that AY used to do premium boarding well ... but on this flight, not so well. It was almost like someone had been reading the QF Domestic priority boarding manual and thought it must be Worlds best practice.

Premium it wasn't. A minor blip.
Or may be we were also less tolerant as this was the inevitable start of the real journey home out of Europe.


Pre-flight drink was their signature champagne coughtail which we had on the way up and enjoyed very much.
I then had another as my pre-dinner drink. The little bit of sweetness sparks up the appetite.


Drinks trolley


Boring I know, the choice being Champagne and more Champagne. I was also treating it as sleepy juice aid.
SWMBO sampled their Reds with much joy.


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Entree of lobster bisque soup ... mmm very tasty and I ordered a 2nd serving which they happily obliged.
Not wanting to fill up I had it with rye crackers.


Main was the pre-ordered Rudolph (reindeer) fillet


Nice and pink on the inside ... very tasty. But only order if you are a meat eater. We both had the same and decided it was a good selection (which must be pre-ordered via your MMB section)


Cheese plate for dessert with some Calvados


A 2nd serving of Calvados was in order just to finish things off before sleepy time (as this was an overnight flight to BKK).


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Their coughtail


The Champagne


The seat - we selected the 2 mid seats on the A330 which provided aisle access to each of us.


Plenty of space


Power and storage options


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Yep that is where ones feet goes when stretched out. No issue of seat droop either.


AV and storage


Lets get this bad boy ready for sleep time. The seat goes to lay flat and I find it good to sleep on.
Tip: I ask for an extra blanket which I then use as a mattress


About an hr before landing into BKK we were woken for breakfast. And as others have pointed out, the ceremonial spinach appears.


After breakfast we changed out of our QF PJs and freshened up.
The flight itself was uneventful (well we did sleep for most of it). Service was the usual AY 'coolness' but attentive.
Landing was a few mins early.

A quick walk down the back of the boat indicated the flight was as good as 100% full from HEL to BKK.

We disembarked the plane with our HLO sorry to see the AY plane fade away.
TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

As we had a long layover in BKK ... landing at 9am and then not departing on QF until 6:15pm, I decided to use some more Accor points on a room. The same deal was on offer of about AUD10 and points. A day room was actually more expensive vs an overnight room that included breakfast.

Anyways, we found the BKK Novotel hotel airport shuttle and were taken to the hotel. We were the only pax on this shuttle.
We checked in at the Business centre ... no room upgrade this time.

As the room had breakfast included I asked if we could have breakfast 'now' vs tomorrow morning (we didn't tell them we'd be using the room for day use only). The A-Ok was given ... so before going to our room, we had a 2nd breakfast and make running jokes to the LoTR movies where hobbits were always eating.


Our room


Clean and comfortable


Bathroom - separate shower and bath


Selection of products - seeing as we weren't carrying any, this worked perfectly.
(We did pop down to the pool and before doing called housekeeping and requested more products for SWMBO to use).


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Time for a swim and relax ... all that touring starts to catch up with us and the swim and sun bathing hits the spot well.
The Novotel also gave use a pair of drink vouchers which we exchanged at the pool bar for some frosty beer.


Check-out ... we don't bother. I leave the keys in the room an exit.

The free hotel shuttle is waiting to take 2 weary pax back to BKK airport.

Flight: BKK to SYD with QF
Plane: A330 with Mk1 skybeds

The airport seems quiet and the QF check-in is empty. Check in again is fast and we are advised of the lounge choices.
We go straight for the CX lounge, order up some noddles and wait for about 30 mins until time to leave.


Off to the gate we go which is a short walk in the scheme of things.
Right plane ... going to SYD ... check.


Our QF A330 waiting


Usual Mk1 pods ... this plane is looking old and my set is temperamental with really needing the buttons pushed hard to get it to do anything it seems at times.


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Seating


Drinks time ... Champage for moi


Red tasting for SWMBO


Entree - tasty


Main ... we both had the same which was tasty though we find fried eggs never reheat well


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Dessert time ... cheese plate tasting. I tell myself I can eat as much cheese as I like as 'no carbs'.
I always seem to forget the carbs in the crackers that come with it for some reason.


After dessert we both god a good deal of shut eye only being woken for breakfast as we were heading to the office that morning.
Breakfast ... we opted not to have the baked eggs relish dish. Neither of us like it, so picked the fruit and energizer drink.


Landing was on time. Another good uneventful flight. Staff were friendly and attentive. Shame the old config A330 was in service as a few days prior it was showing a reconfigured plane. But thems the breaks.

To finish it off our driver was waiting to run us home for a quick shower, change before slipping back into city hustle and bustle life.


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Best main meal of the trip ... little restaurant in Vienna


Goose ... seems small in the pic, but oh dear was it large in real life.


What surprised us was somehow we managed to create carnage and devour poor the goose. By the end of it we needed to walk.


Best strudel ... we made it a mission to have strudel wherever possible and considering we were passing through Austria, how could one not sample Strudel


The favorite became the usual cheese and cherry along with a savory number containing cabbage.


In conclusion ... we give the tour an A-Plus.
Entry level planning before leaving Sydney and then the bulk of the day-to-day when on ground the evening before.
We used Dr Google to give us the top-20 for each location and then a bit of quick reading resulted in what we wanted to do.

Long haul trains were booked about 2 to 3 months out.

HLO was absolutely the way to go.
It meant some compromises especially around number of outfits and toiletries.
Fortunately, staying at a major hotel chain meant we were never without either and could always ring housekeeping and ask for more hair conditioner, a fresh razor, more toothpaste etc.

The large camera was left at home and only our mobile phones were used as we made a change in the way we saw photos ... they were for jogging the memory vs trying to create a postcard shot. This then meant we fired off the phone quicker and didn't agonize over framing the shot etc. It meant we lived in the moment and were more 'present'.

Learnings ...
* re-evaluate some clothing and replace to better use HLO - take the essentials only. You can always buy things if needed
* Keep a digital and printed copy of everything (then discard the paper as you go)
* double check train platforms as they can change + make sure you are in the right carriage
* take fruit from breakfast buffet as a snack during touring (fresh fruit is filling and hydrating)
* don't carry plastic water bottles (think, your typical Mt Franklin bottle) to be refilled ... but rather invest a few dollars in a collapsible bladder style bottle that can be rolled up when empty
* smile and ask questions ... most people will try and speak English (especially younger people)
* eat and drink too much ... this is part of the joy to always be sampling something ... and often we would try and pick random things from the menu
* not a lot of cash is needed ... CC seemed to be accepted at most places
* keep having fun ... this is what it is all about

QF SCs earned for those that collect them (Points are as a QF WP)

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[TD="bgcolor: #F5F5F5"]Date[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F5F5F5"]Description[/TD]
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Points[/TD]
[TD="class: statusBonus, bgcolor: #F5F5F5"]Status
bonus[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F5F5F5"]Total
points[/TD]
[TD="class: statusCredits, bgcolor: #F5F5F5"]Status
credits[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD]xx_xx[/TD]
[TD]xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_x[/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures statusBonus"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits"]-[/TD]
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[TABLE="class: basic, width: 760"]
[TR="class: underline1 alt, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]JAN 16[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]QF 024 BUSINESS JAN16 BANGKOK/SYDNEY[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]7,800[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]13,000[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]120

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[TABLE="class: basic, width: 760"]
[TR="class: underline1 alt, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]JAN 16[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]AY 095 BUSINESS JAN16 HELSINKI/BANGKOK[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]6,125[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]6,125[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]120[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD]JAN 16[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]AY 822 BUSINESS JAN16 FRANKFURT/HELSINKI[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]1,375[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]1,375[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits"]60[/TD]
[/TR]
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[TABLE="class: basic, width: 760"]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD]DEC 15[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]AY 753 BUSINESS DEC15 HELSINKI/BUDAPEST[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]1,375[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusBonus"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]1,375[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits"]60[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1 alt, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]DEC 15[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]AY 090 BUSINESS DEC15 BANGKOK/HELSINKI[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]6,125[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusBonus, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]6,125[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits, bgcolor: #FFFFFF"]120[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD]DEC 15[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]QF 8419 BUSINESS DEC15 SYDNEY/BANGKOK[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]7,800[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusBonus"]5,200[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]13,000[/TD]
[TD="class: figures statusCredits"]120

[/TD]
[/TR]
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That about does it. Safe travels to you.

Hopefully some of you were entertained and others found some of the pics helpful for your own planning / assessing the products along the way.

And a final thanks to the great AFF community forum from whom we continue to learn then ply the trade in practice.

If you liked it or found some value, clicking the like button never goes astray.

May Peace & happiness be with you.