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Today starts a bit of a jump into the unknown; a week in the Republic of Georgia and a few days in Azerbaijan. Fortunately that jump will be eased by going SYD-AUH on Etihad's A380 in one of their F apartments, claimed using AA miles .
This trip came about in a way completely appropriate to AFF. One of the best lessons I learned here was to buy AA miles during bonus periods and I gorged a bit when the dollar was close to parity. Then I felt they were burning a hole in my pocket, a target for devaluation, so I thought I better use some of them. Obviously the best use would be on EY F to the gulf, but then what? Having loved eastern Europe, and gotten as far east as Romania, the map suggested that Georgia and Azerbaijan should be next. A bit of research showed that Georgia, south of the Caucasus mountains was one of the claimed birthplaces of wine. Sold!
I got hold of Caucasus Travel in Tbilisi and they came up with what I hope will be a great private tour, focusing on historic places, scenic vistas of the Caucasus and, of course some wine. Only a few days in Azerbaijan but some history there too of course. No visa required for Georgia and I got an e-Visa for Azerbaijan from the travel agent.
So today its VA up to Sydney, then EY455 tonight to AUH.
From there, its an Etihad limo down to Dubai for a night (Novotel World Trade Centre), then on flydubai (talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous) to Tbilisi. Coming back, its QR to Baku (Hilton Baku) and then QR to Doha (Oryx Rotana) for another night, then a short flight to AUH and another night (Fairmont) and back to Melbourne. Could only get J on the return leg, unfortunately, but I'll suck it up.
There is a lot of padding in this itinerary (all those nights around the Gulf). This is partly as a result of when I could get my EY flights on miles and also that I don't believe in taking chances with pre-paid tours and hotels.
And just as well. EY455 on the 1st was delayed by 11 hours (left on the morning of the 2nd) and this has had knock on effects, obviously. The return flight AUH-SYD is late and I expect my flight tonight will be late. But it is a A380 on the way, so I think I'll avoid aircraft substitution (cross fingers till I'm on board).
This trip came about in a way completely appropriate to AFF. One of the best lessons I learned here was to buy AA miles during bonus periods and I gorged a bit when the dollar was close to parity. Then I felt they were burning a hole in my pocket, a target for devaluation, so I thought I better use some of them. Obviously the best use would be on EY F to the gulf, but then what? Having loved eastern Europe, and gotten as far east as Romania, the map suggested that Georgia and Azerbaijan should be next. A bit of research showed that Georgia, south of the Caucasus mountains was one of the claimed birthplaces of wine. Sold!
I got hold of Caucasus Travel in Tbilisi and they came up with what I hope will be a great private tour, focusing on historic places, scenic vistas of the Caucasus and, of course some wine. Only a few days in Azerbaijan but some history there too of course. No visa required for Georgia and I got an e-Visa for Azerbaijan from the travel agent.
So today its VA up to Sydney, then EY455 tonight to AUH.
From there, its an Etihad limo down to Dubai for a night (Novotel World Trade Centre), then on flydubai (talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous) to Tbilisi. Coming back, its QR to Baku (Hilton Baku) and then QR to Doha (Oryx Rotana) for another night, then a short flight to AUH and another night (Fairmont) and back to Melbourne. Could only get J on the return leg, unfortunately, but I'll suck it up.
There is a lot of padding in this itinerary (all those nights around the Gulf). This is partly as a result of when I could get my EY flights on miles and also that I don't believe in taking chances with pre-paid tours and hotels.
And just as well. EY455 on the 1st was delayed by 11 hours (left on the morning of the 2nd) and this has had knock on effects, obviously. The return flight AUH-SYD is late and I expect my flight tonight will be late. But it is a A380 on the way, so I think I'll avoid aircraft substitution (cross fingers till I'm on board).