Favourite Part of Traveling

[amaroo]

All of it.....even enjoy trying to remember what those charges are on the CC after a 2 month trip

 

[harvyk]

All of it.....even enjoy trying to remember what those charges are on the CC after a 2 month trip

It certainly helps bring back memories, however for some reason killing 5 hours at MEL T2 between 3am and 8am without lounge access always seems much more fun when remembering it using rose tinted glasses... (whats this mcdonalds charge I see at 4am, I never go to macca's..... ohhhhh riiiight.....)

 

[Jleno]

In no particular order

1. When the plane is actually taking off. The kid in me still gets thrill from the lift-off feeling. And I do still marvel at the idea that something that heavy can get off the ground. I had high hopes that the harrier jump jet vertical take off technology might one day apply to commercial airlines, but sadly it doesn't look like it's happening anytime soon.

2. Amazing views over landscape - as is highlighted by the 100 photos from the air link that's around on the web somewhere, flying still gets you some of the most spectacular views in the world that is not possible otherwise.

3. Foreign places. The idea of being somewhere completely different - languages, social customs, always something new to see or explore. Which is why I don't properly understand why so many people are happy to go through their lives not really wanting to travel. To me it's like being in a theme park and sitting on one ride over and over again until it closes.

 

[andrewjc77]

For me, it differs between work and holiday:

Work - the last 30 minutes of the flight LAX-SYD, the sun is coming up, you're descending through the clouds and you're almost home.
Holiday - the last 30 minutes before arriving at the destination and the excitement to get out and explore

The flight itself does nothing for me!

 

[freepyjamas]

Travelling is great, even if it's 'mundane' work trips: beats the hell out of being stuck in the one place all the time.

My Top 12:

1. Any and every time I get to turn left when getting on an international flight. I know full well the horrors of Y, and turning left is like escaping the executioner's noose.

2. Air travel is a mobile phone-free zone (for now). In an age where people feel compelled to check their emails in the coughper, this is a wondrous thing.

3. The F-lounge in Melbourne and Sydney. THIS is what I thought international air travel was all about when I was a kid and hadn't been on a plane yet.

4. The mini-cabin in Y on the old 767 home to Melb from Syd. There's something soul-destroying about being in a huge cabin full of people in neat rows, and this mini-cabin of 10 or so souls makes me feel cozy and comfortable.

5. Going Zen in Y (when travelling solo). If I'm flying by myself in long-haul Y, I can close my eyes and think of practically nothing for 10 hours at a time. No movies, no reading... just concentrating very hard on absolutely nothing. It's surprisingly relaxing and meditative, and the opposite of travelling long-haul in Y with kids... which is hell.

6. Electric seat controls. Zzzzzppp.... Zzzzzppp.... Zzzzzppp... So much fun.

7. Champagne before take-off at 8am? Don't mind if I do.

8. Upstairs on the 747. I KNOW the A380 is bigger and better and all that, but I still get a thrill when going up that spiral staircase.

9. Being able to take my kids places I didn't get a chance to go to when I was a kid.

10. The beagle sniffer-dogs in quarantine. Cute AND smart. Customs should also hire a bunch of Golden Retrievers, just to welcome people to Australia. Everyone loves a Golden Retriever.

11. Free pyjamas, when on offer. I just think the whole idea of getting free pyjamas is brilliant.

12. Hot towels. If I was wealthy I'd employ someone to follow me around all day with a tray of them.

 

[Jleno]

8. Upstairs on the 747. I KNOW the A380 is bigger and better and all that, but I still get a thrill when going up that spiral staircase.

12. Hot towels. If I was wealthy I'd employ someone to follow me around all day with a tray of them.

Doesn't the A380 have double decks as well and a spiral staircase?

You'll think twice about any more hot towels if you've seen what I've seen them being used for. I'm going to wait until an airline proves to me they've used industrial strength bleach on those things before indulging in a hot towel again!

 

[freepyjamas]

Doesn't the A380 have double decks as well and a spiral staircase?

You'll think twice about any more hot towels if you've seen what I've seen them being used for. I'm going to wait until an airline proves to me they've used industrial strength bleach on those things before indulging in a hot towel again!

8. I just have a thing for the 747. Love that plane, and love going up into the bump. It's not about the staircase at all. More an old-school romance-of-travel thing. Having said that, I'll take a fully flat bed in the A380 over the playground slide bed in the older 747's any day.

12. Don't go down that road. When it comes to this kind of thing, ignorance is bliss. Know too much, and you'll never want to leave your house again... let alone stay in a hotel room, or touch a doorknob in a public place. I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW what people do with their towels, nor do I want to know what the South Melbourne Market people put in their dim sims, nor do I want to go into hotel rooms with a bluelight.

 

[Simo]

If travelling for business.

Getting home

If travelling with the family seeing there faces when we see new places and the experiences and just the entire trip is awesome.

 

[boylero]

Hmmm.... I can see 2 flag poles. Greece?

right region

 

[simongr]

As odd as it is (given I'm at airports basically everyday), I still enjoy the international departure experience. Checkin, seeing all the excited people about to go travelling, the touching goodbyes, the excitment of being in a terminal with planes going to every corner of the world, the F lounge.... then either the enjoyment of a premium cabin or the horror of Y.

My airport experience is very different - straight to check in then weave through the people paying absolutely no attention to them - they might as well not even exist to me - unless they get in my way.

Travelling alone is not as exciting after a while..

About 90% of my travel is alone - it is less than fun. I love being able to guest people into the lounge and actually talk to people over dinner.

8. Upstairs on the 747. I KNOW the A380 is bigger and better and all that, but I still get a thrill when going up that spiral staircase.

Which airline has a spiral staircase still?

For me I love going and I love getting back - often the bit in the middle (work) isn't as much fun.

 

[AlexH]

Gotta be the anticipation - counting down the days!

Counting Down the days til USA trip in September

 

[fairhsa]

Gotta be getting home. I guess the poster of the poll doesn't travel much.

 

[drron]

For me it is the planning.

 

[fairhsa]

Doesn't the A380 have double decks as well and a spiral staircase?

You'll think twice about any more hot towels if you've seen what I've seen them being used for. I'm going to wait until an airline proves to me they've used industrial strength bleach on those things before indulging in a hot towel again!

Not sure about Qantas but I'm pretty sure Cathay chuck them after use (the hot towels, not the staircase!)

 

[Fantic125]

If I'm going somewhere new or exciting I'm going to, then I'll look forward to actually arriving at the destination and getting out and about as much as I can.

The SYD and MEL QF F lounge still put a smile on my face, but the rest of the transit experience I'm more than happy to skip if I could, particularly this morning at Shanghai Hongqui Station trying to buy a ticket to Hangzhou. After flying ADL-SYD-HKG-PVG and only getting 3 hours sleep due to a 2 hour delay from HKG-PVG the night before, 32 degree temperature and 600% humidity, I wasn't in the mood for queues of 50 people, never mind all the others that tried to push in.....

 

[ALH]

1. Flying alone and not having to talk to, or look after anyone else.
2. Flying in J or F and relaxing in comfort.
3. Hitting the streets after a long flight and finding where the locals eat. Clears the head and helps me get my bearings.
4. Reducing my world into a suitcase.
5. Not being at work.
6. No immediate responsibilities.
7. Uploading humorous Facebook posts & photos every night for the family back home.
8. Meeting new people.

 

[JohnK]

I am obsessed with travel. I can spend hours and hours researching flights, hotels, golf courses etc. I always feel excited arriving at the destination.

18 days to go....

Which airline has a spiral staircase still?

SQ A380.

 

[k3nnis]

Where are you off to JohnK? SQ F or J?

I am obsessed with travel. I can spend hours and hours researching flights, hotels, golf courses etc. I always feel excited arriving at the destination.

18 days to go....


SQ A380.

 

[jetlagger]

Love the spiral staircase.. any quality food & wine/champagne in J or F enroute & the best room in the 'house" at your destination.. That is the difference..

 

[JohnK]

Where are you off to JohnK? SQ F or J?

Same place as usual. SQ Business gets another chance to redeem itself....