Euro Travel & More

One can choose to take a scenic flight on this small planes or a helicopter ride if you don’t want to spend hours on a bus tour – which was what we did.  We figured a helicopter ride would be more fun  we were traveling with kids – but a planer ride was just as good – according to my cousins who went up in a 4 engine plane with Scenic.We chose the Grand Canyon Deluxe and it was worth every penny we paid for. They pick you from your hotel and there were quite a number of people waiting for the same tour but of course different planes and helicopter – then they showed us some safety video and we were on our way.The Scenic flew us over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and finally the Grand Canyon – so if you are in Boulder – make sure you take book a tour to see the Grand Canyon.

I truly admire parents who travel with their babies, as for myself  – I don’t think I would be brave when they are so young.  In fact, my daughter was rarely brought out when she was this young.  But thank God for ergo baby carrier which helps traveling parents.  It’s not uncommon to see parents using these baby carrier as an easy means to lug them around – not only are they safe – they make the baby feel safe being so closed to their parents.  It also leaves the parent with a pair of free hands to do whatever they need while traveling.   But yes! some friends of mine – have already brought their baby home on their own – to Asia all the way from United States – and I can never do that – if i ever travel home – I’ll have to have the spouse with me – that’s for sure.

Having flown Singapore Airlines countless of times, you can imagine how pleased i was to find that they had upgraded the seats this time round for my flight to New Dehli.  The last time I flown a SQ777 .. they still had their old seats.. which weren’t the best and most comfy .. i’ll have to say. The new business class lived up to its name.. and the seats as you can see here.. were wide enough to fit at least 2 person .. or looked like it.

I didn’t have any stewardess hovering over me.. but they were very nice and discreet and had asked me a few times if i needed a juice or even milk .. before saying goodnite.  I had a pretty good meal on board too.. i heard the meal that nite was prepared by a celebrity chef in Mumbai, sorry no idea what his name was… but it was pretty good.  And by the way.. i was most pleased with the washroom, they had deeper sink in them.. so i don’t have to have water splashed all over my lower blouse or jeans, while trying to wash up.

If you haven’t been on the new UA’s international business class or ever got upgraded to one, you’ll have to try it.  This is way better than the old business class that United had offered before.  This new business class comes with a lie fat seat with controls for your VOD screen and these screen were large by any airplane standard that I had been on.  At first glance i thought they weren’t as good as SIA but it turned out to be better than i would have expected.

Compared to the old United’s first class and business class and those of Air Canada .. i’ll have to say that this is what i would go for .. always from now on.  If you are on a long-haul like i was used to, this is definitely my choice.  I guess United has come a long way.. or are they just now seeing that their flyers are a bit on the big side..??  Well.. whatever the reason may be.. i’ll have to say that this is a good thing for any traveler but i wished they could improve on their food.. and stop offering me cup noodles in a bowl .. just because i was in an International business class .. and because i am a CHINESE..!!  ello..!!  i eat western stuff too yer know.

Yes… for those who keeps asking me.. “really..?? you flew air canada to London or Franfurt??”  Really..!! i did..!! in fact .. Air Canada had been flying Europe for some time now.  I fly the Executive First Suite .. it’s like business class .. and instead of the what Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific first class, this is like an in between of business class and first class of the other 2 airlines.  I really don’t mind not flying first class .. even on long haul now albeit being alot narrower than I had expected, the passageway.

It was overall comfy and i had that lie flat seat where you can control it from your seat and adjust accordingly .. without worrying for the person behind you. Highly commendable were the mood lighting .. and the personal video screen although a wee bit bulky in my opinion.  I also like the washroom.. and it’s full length mirror.

I wouldn’t say that the food was great.. but definitely interesting.. if you asked me.  Although i liked fish.. i didn’t think i need 4 different types.  But it was food.. and it was good enough ..just before landing.. at the Heathrow Airport.

Flying to London on SQ Raffles Club is definitely an experience, yes the flight attendants were more attentive.. and that was a given.. since we paid quite alot for the flight. My first meal was lunch .. and the steak wasn’t too, too bad. To be honest. a little bit too heavy for me.

Dinner was this and it looks alot like Alfred Portale for tonite. Maine lobsters and olives and some sundried tomato dressing. Unfortunately, it didn’t taste as good as it looked. The dressing was not impressive too. I love lobsters.. but only with my lobster bisque. This was only the entree though.

Pan fried duck breast with wild rice and shitake mushroom was for main course. I tasted some dried cranberry i think and walnut… but i donch like walnut at all. I love the melt in your mouth duck.. but honestly .. it didn’t taste like duck at all.

Well.. when you have nothing to do.. when you are flying. .and you’ve already seen all the movies. .or the music is giving you a headache. .you do what i do. .watch the plane fly on screen. I do like Singapore Airlines, touted as one of the best.. you can expect good services… but i also noticed.. that my ang moh boss got alot more attention than i did. And they kept thinking that i was the wife..!!!! NO I WORKED WITH HIM..!! FOR HEAVEN SAKE..!!

Since i flew alot with United Airlines.. I thought I would show you some of the in flight food they served.. and this was only for economy class. I always choose the latest flight outta singapore.. and arrived in USA the next day… in the morning. So this was usually what the served as soon as i get on the plane. It wasn’t bad.. it wasn’t too much.. and was quite tasty.

Midway thru’ your flight.. they give you a snack box .. like this.. as you can see there was instant noodles.. and the flight attendants came around with the kettle. But the water wasn’t hot enough.. so my noodles weren’t really cooked too well. The cookie was nice.. since the instant noodles didn’t do it for me. And the banana .. i had kept till later. More later.. !

Long haul on flights.. can make one hate in flight food.. but what can you do.. when you have to eat.. and at the mercy of the airlines.  Some carrier does have not too bad food.. esepcially when you are on business class… but those who takes.. the economy class .. well.. i wouldn’t say it is a JOY.  With the food that we eat.. you can imagine .. what i need with so much traveling.  Anoretix is said to be very effective, so for those who travels as much as I did.. you may wanna try that.

I also flew Luthansa Airlines alot .. when i traveled around Europe.. but I’ll have to say .. that customer service at the passenger line .. whether at the airport or the offices.. were good experiences for me. I love the fact that the seating had a little more space in between than other airlines.. and in flight food was good.. when you flew business class.

I hear they are still running the Chef program at Lufthansa. I love that they provide cheese platter throughout your meals, including fresh fruit platter.

A quick flight from Heathrow to Frankfrut economy class gets you this sandwich only of cheese though but they also have a banana and chocolate flavored muesli bar.

We flew British Airways alot .. when traveling around Europe.  World Traveler’s class was what we usually fly in .  It’s actually economy class  but i really liked the seats.. because they are not small and squeezy .. like some airlines.  Meals are provided.. but don’t expect the asian hospitality that you are used to.  The flight attendants are nice.. but they are the matter of factly way.. and they won’t chat with you at all. But you do get your own personal seat back video screen for you to watch movies on .. so that you can wile away the hours on board.  I wouldn’t say food is extremely good on board.. but they are edible.  Check in can be done online.. and we rarely had any delays .. flying British Airways.