Well that was an exceptional way to travel!
I boarded the plane nicely mellow after a few glasses of champagne in the lounge. Of course I had the obligatory glass of Dom Perignon before departure (and another one once we were airborne).
The food was probably as good as it gets for something served at 41,000 feet (yes we did get that high). I had rack of lamb for supper and it was beautifully cooked (I'm assuming the meat was from New Zealand) and this was washed down with a couple of glasses of Bordeaux red (I don't remember the details unfortunately).
After my meal I move from my seat 3A to the bed that had been made up for me in 2A. I then slept solidly for almost 7 hours.
When I finally woke up I managed to cram in some breakfast (nasi lemak) and kicked started my system with some strong coffee (Kenyan).
It was a shame it had to come to an end.
But it did and having to navigate a bustling Frankfurt airport during the early morning rush started the return to normality. Seeing that Spurs had lost just rubbed it in.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Monday, 9 April 2012
Not McDonalds
Just had the best hamburger in my life. EVER!
It won't score any prizes on the size front, but it was a total bruiser when it came to flavour. A USDA chunky beef patty, a fried quail egg, fois gras, red pepper relish and some rocket/arugula. Sensational. I could've quite easily eaten another one straight away. Decided I didn't fancy regular visits to a cardiologist in the future!
It won't score any prizes on the size front, but it was a total bruiser when it came to flavour. A USDA chunky beef patty, a fried quail egg, fois gras, red pepper relish and some rocket/arugula. Sensational. I could've quite easily eaten another one straight away. Decided I didn't fancy regular visits to a cardiologist in the future!
Spoilt
Well I'm writing this from the Singapore Airlines 'The Private Room'. This is the lounge for people travelling in Suites or First Class on Singapore Airlines. So that means no guests and nobody travelling on a 'partner' airline.
It's tranquility personified. When I entered the lounge I was the only person in it and there were about 6 staff members ready to cater for my ever need! So far my 'needs' have been a couple of glasses of champagne (Veuve-Cliquot La Grande Dame) and a refreshing/cleansing shower.
I need to take it steady on the booze or I could be staggering of the plane in Frankfurt in a right old state. Might need to eat something -- the hamburger with fois gras and a quails egg looks interesting.
This is the life!
It's tranquility personified. When I entered the lounge I was the only person in it and there were about 6 staff members ready to cater for my ever need! So far my 'needs' have been a couple of glasses of champagne (Veuve-Cliquot La Grande Dame) and a refreshing/cleansing shower.
I need to take it steady on the booze or I could be staggering of the plane in Frankfurt in a right old state. Might need to eat something -- the hamburger with fois gras and a quails egg looks interesting.
This is the life!
CBTL
So I walked out of my hotel -- left would've taken me in the general direction of Brewerkz and right towards Orchard Road.
I went left. But then changed my mind! An afternoon spent in Brewerkz would definitely be the slow road to ruin. There would be plenty of opportunity for booze later (starting with a glass of Veuve-Cliquot La Grande Dame in 'The Private Room' lounge at the airport).
As I walked along Orchard Road the temperature didn't seem too bad, however lugging a rucksack soon began to tell and I was heating up. Time for a pit stop at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf!
I went left. But then changed my mind! An afternoon spent in Brewerkz would definitely be the slow road to ruin. There would be plenty of opportunity for booze later (starting with a glass of Veuve-Cliquot La Grande Dame in 'The Private Room' lounge at the airport).
As I walked along Orchard Road the temperature didn't seem too bad, however lugging a rucksack soon began to tell and I was heating up. Time for a pit stop at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf!
Packing and Checking Out
I don't like packing -- I always seem to have too much stuff.
I especially don't like packing when I've got to check out of my hotel but my flight isn't for another 10 hours. It's the old dilemma of what do with yourself during that time and also the havoc it plays with packing when you know that you'll most likely be hot and bothered (and a bit smelly) when you pick up your bags later and will probably want to change your clothes. It's a logistical minefield.
I especially don't like packing when I've got to check out of my hotel but my flight isn't for another 10 hours. It's the old dilemma of what do with yourself during that time and also the havoc it plays with packing when you know that you'll most likely be hot and bothered (and a bit smelly) when you pick up your bags later and will probably want to change your clothes. It's a logistical minefield.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Aimless
The supreme tiredness that affected me on my first day in Singapore had gone yesterday -- the power of 8 hours of solid sleep!
I kicked off the day with a decent swim and then preceded to act like a typical Singaporean by aimlessly wandering around various shopping malls. The difference being that I didn't end the day clutching multiple shopping bags.
Instead my day ended (after a tasty Nasi Padang dinner) with a few beers at Brewerkz whilst being 'entertained' by the Sunderland v. Spurs match.
I kicked off the day with a decent swim and then preceded to act like a typical Singaporean by aimlessly wandering around various shopping malls. The difference being that I didn't end the day clutching multiple shopping bags.
Instead my day ended (after a tasty Nasi Padang dinner) with a few beers at Brewerkz whilst being 'entertained' by the Sunderland v. Spurs match.
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Jetlag
Yesterday was a bit of a jet lagged blur.
I had hoped that my 12 hours being pampered on Singapore Airlines would have set me up well. However, my body clock didn't really care what class I'd traveled in!
We arrived just before 6.30am and I was all checked in at my hotel a little after 7am. My first port of call was to go for a swim to, in theory, blow away any cobwebs. I actually felt pretty good in the pool, but I struggled for energy for the rest of the day. A particular low point was when there was an almighty thunder storm and torrential rain around midday. I was hungry and tired and really didn't fancy getting soaked in to the bargain!
I persevered through the day and rewarded myself by having a load of satays from Lau Pa Sat for dinner!
Thankfully a slept like a log for a full 8 hours -- I now feel much better.
I had hoped that my 12 hours being pampered on Singapore Airlines would have set me up well. However, my body clock didn't really care what class I'd traveled in!
We arrived just before 6.30am and I was all checked in at my hotel a little after 7am. My first port of call was to go for a swim to, in theory, blow away any cobwebs. I actually felt pretty good in the pool, but I struggled for energy for the rest of the day. A particular low point was when there was an almighty thunder storm and torrential rain around midday. I was hungry and tired and really didn't fancy getting soaked in to the bargain!
I persevered through the day and rewarded myself by having a load of satays from Lau Pa Sat for dinner!
Thankfully a slept like a log for a full 8 hours -- I now feel much better.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Fruhstuck
Airport lounges are great.
I'm in the Lufthansa Senator lounge at Frankfurt Airport as I wait for my flight to Singapore. It's all about 'wasting' time as there's next to nothing 'productive' I could be doing. So far I've had a bunch of coffee, a fruit smoothie, some bircher-muesli, a plate of bread with German ham, salami and cheese and a croissant with Nutella.
The food might not be 'gourmet' but it's different to my regular weekday breakfast of Shredded Wheat. The problem is the temptation to eat too much -- I've got to save some room for the excessive quantity of food I'll get on my flight to Singapore in First Class!
I'm in the Lufthansa Senator lounge at Frankfurt Airport as I wait for my flight to Singapore. It's all about 'wasting' time as there's next to nothing 'productive' I could be doing. So far I've had a bunch of coffee, a fruit smoothie, some bircher-muesli, a plate of bread with German ham, salami and cheese and a croissant with Nutella.
The food might not be 'gourmet' but it's different to my regular weekday breakfast of Shredded Wheat. The problem is the temptation to eat too much -- I've got to save some room for the excessive quantity of food I'll get on my flight to Singapore in First Class!
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