Dobrý den Prague (long way round)

[OzEire]

Today the family (myself +1.5) is embarking on our journey to Prague - the long way 'round. Main destination is Ireland (OzEire going home).

More to come but the itinerary to start:

CBR SYD. LAX. JFK. DUB. LGW. DUB. PRG. WAW. VIE DUB. BOS... JFK LAX SYD CBR. (47,983 km)

A snap from our first lounge:

 

[I love to travel]

Subscribed. That is the long way round, fabulous more to read

 

[Milboo]

Watching with interest for tips.

 

[OzEire]

Sofitel Sydney Club Lounge

Complimentary entry as a LeClub platinum member.

Check-in (in the Club) happened to be afternoon tea time, so coffee and sweets while the staff completed the process. Very nice way to start.

Later, after exploring a bit, we returned for evening canapés. Since last visit staff are now strictly enforcing RSA = no self service drinks. No matter, our recently arrived (in Australia) Irish waitress kept us well watered.

I may have detected some increased effort here since the Sofitel sister property opened in Darling Harbour.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Strapped into 17A..

 

[ellen10]

Wow that is the long way round! Signing in for more.......

 

[OzEire]

Lounge #3 is very familiar to members here



@Melburnian1 will be happy to know that QF11 is on time (but QF73 is delayed due engineering, ETD 15:30).

Time for a quick bite, comparing the Sofitel service between the Sydney Wentworth hotel and the QF First Lounge.... and corn fritters in the Flounge win!

More to come when we start Mon 23rd a second time.

 

[LadyC]

That is a lot of miles you have planned. What is a +1.5?

 

[OzEire]

Its a long ol' flight and doubly painful in whY, but alas the budget just didn't stretch to booking a 4-y/o in J!

QF11 departed and arrived on time, few bumps across the Pacific as is to be expected, but nothing outrageous. The real bonus here was some great WP treatment onboard (after F checkin, express path, Flounge and priority boarding).



Big props to Lesley and her team. This was one of those times QF just got it right. Proactive seat reassignment from 3 together to two full 4-seat rows ... down the back to be sure, but ample room for two flat beds. But the WP treatment kept coming, bottled water, early drinks orders, Lindt balls after dinner and back to check a few times, just great.

Only 'complaint' would be the food, just awful. But an overall positive impression of QF on this sector.

 

[OzEire]

That is a lot of miles you have planned. What is a +1.5?

Wife plus half person (child).

 

[craven morehead]

TR tragic saddling up again.

 

[LadyC]

Wife plus half person (child).

Wasn't sure if I should be congratulating you on an impending arrival

BTW there is a good playground at the bottom of Petrin Hill if that is helpful at all

 

[OzEire]

Unfortunate timing of the QF11 arrival early morning meant we were facing a whole day staying awake in a very foreign time zone. But in these situations I really appreciate the benefits of elite status and we were able to check-in at the Intercontinental LA Downtown just after 9am. I made sure to comply with hotel policy.



Amazing 270 degree views of a very flat city from the reception on level 70... also similar to the Sofitel Melbourne level-35 bar, spectacular (if slightly unnerving) for gentlemen who have standing business in the bathroom as the deed is done against glass with a sheer drop 70 floors.

The hotel is so new that some of the amenities are still awaiting finishing touches (gym, etc). Staff are keen and helpful, even more so that usual for the US. The (upgraded) room is very modern and fresh with nice touches such as easily accessible plugs where you want them with both US power socket and USB outlet.



The view from our room includes thd Hollywood hills, 'the sign' and Griffith Observatory plus ocean at distance and LAX traffic on finals!

 

[OzEire]

Day 1 (arrival day) was spent at Santa Monica beach in a hundred degree (38 C) scorcher. Exploring and photos under the pier were a welcome relief from that sun as even the water was not altogether cool. Mrs Oz was happy to see the iconic lifeguard shacks from Baywatch... perhaps disappointed that Dwayne Johnson (or perhaps a younger Hoff) wasn't on duty.

We started using the LA metro and haven't looked back. Sure, there are som "interesting" folk riding the combo-subway/tram system but we haven't felt unsafe. Coming back from Santa Monica Uber quoted 90+ mins to downtown, Google maps similar and showed heavy traffic almost the whole way, so the metro avoided all that and we were home in half that time.

Having decided not to get a car a few things are a bit difficult, we want to see Griffith Observatory and hike up the Hollywood hills to behind the sign, but transit doesn't get anywhere near. We only learned on arrival that Uber drivers will refuse fares for children due to new childseat laws which carry harsh penalties. Looks like a tour bus is the only option to catch a bunch of sights.... oh well, not really my style but few other options available.

 

[OzEire]

Santa Monica beach to wash away the jetlag



Under the iconic Santa Monica Pier



Evening view from the Level 73 skybar at the Intercon

 

[OzEire]

Three days in LA on our stopover before continuing QF11 to JFK. I didn't find much time to update this TR so this is a catch-up of the past few days.

On day 2 we took the Metro down to the California Science Centre which has lots of interesting sights for the AvGeek at heart, an F18 (naval variant, carrier hook equipped) at the front door...


Both a T5 and T20 (NASA trainer jets) in the main foyer, Apollo capsules and a model of the Wright Flyer... and many more before you get to:



Wow is all I could say when seeing this first hand. We arrived just before crowds of schoolkids on excursions and took advantage of the brief opportunity to chat with the volunteers, most of whom worked on the Shuttle program (subcontractors, etc). There is a short film showing Endeavour's journey from Florida to LA in 2012, piggybacking on the 747 to the local AFB then a slow journey on a mobile platform through the streets to the museum. The external fuel tank (the orange one) is outside, dirty and much less impressive.

Despite the heat (39 degree, 6% humidity) we walked around the grounds to seeking a few other displays I knew were not immediately apparent from inside the main building, like this beauty:


SR71 "Blackbird"

...and an old United DC8:



Well worth a visit, it was free to see almost everything (paid exhibits also come and go). Apart from the aerospace displays the museum also has lots of other interesting things for kuds and adults alike, i had as much fun as Mr 4.

 

[OzEire]

Day 3 was spent around LA downtown, sights such as The Broad, Disney Concert Hall and LA Town Hall:


... again all via Metro but also taking the Angels Flight (driverless) cable car up the hill for a buck:



We also found an interesting and unusual display in the Townhall metro stop. It is probably intended to show skydiving or flying/free spirit but I found it quite a juxtaposition with the signs across the metro network which implore pax not to suicide on the rails.


It was nice to see many eucalyptus species planted in the gardens downtown, and indeed growing wild on the side of freeways, etc. A little familiar taste of home.



As the temps continued over 100 degrees F, that was enough.... even playing in the fountain wasn't cutting it so we retreated to the hotel pool and some evening drinks.