Filling in some gaps in Spain, a Greenland cruise and I'm getting a tattoo!

[RooFlyer]

I’m still amazed about the number of bus to/from DOH given all the expansions…

My interpretation is that when this happens (at any airport), the aircraft isn't needed for an onwards flight - so they park it out of the way, and bugger the passengers being inconvenienced.

 

[SYD]

My interpretation is that when this happens (at any airport), the aircraft isn't needed for an onwards flight - so they park it out of the way, and bugger the passengers being inconvenienced.

I had a bus to an IB (QR codeshare) plane to MAD. No F (nor J!) buses for that one…. It was obviously on turnaround back whence it came.

 

[RooFlyer]

A good night at the Crowne Plaza Changi, Jewel Wing; love those rooms; big bathroom, desk, good aircon. A few minor issues in the room, reported on departure and instantly awarded 1,000 points.

SQ217 dep SIN 11:10 arr MEL 20:35, J, 14K
This was another award flight, booked using converted VA points.

I guess everyone knows about their very old J seats with offset footwell. Its OK for a day flight, but never overnight, again.



Chicken satays...



Sea bass - not a patch on QR's.



I guess the flight was OK, as I took no other pics and can't recall much - except that the FAs insisted on opening the loo door every time I approached. Also, SQ seem to have gotten their trigger finger off the seat belt sign for mild turbulence.

Arrived MEL to an almost deserted terminal. I was the first to an empty Passport control area and ours was the only bag carousel in operation. Note to self - always try to arrive MEL at this time. Its usually horrible, in my experience.

Walked to the Novotel - stay recounted here. Then a VA flight to Hobart next morning, and that was that.

 

[Pushka]

You sound a bit weary this time, not jet lag stuff. ,Maybe weary of travel and things not going as well as planned?.

 

[RooFlyer]

You sound a bit weary this time, not jet lag stuff. ,Maybe weary of travel and things not going as well as planned?.

Good observation. Yes, definitely and as I think you probably observed, a but grumpy towards the end and yes, very much less tolerant of things not going as they should, especially in the expensive places.

I had 2 x month+ long European trips this year in three months which I knew would be a strain and the second one was, but its just the way it panned out.

I've been trying to shorten my trips down to 3 weeks or less, but there's always so much to see! My next 2 trips are 2 weeks each, which should be better and maybe I'll be brighter


Summing up:

Spain - terribly hot, I loved Barcelona and enjoyed the mosque cathedral at Cordoba and the city in general. Spanish trains were good (Confort class).

I didn't enjoy the Scottish highlands as much as I thought I might. I love the lowlands; highlands were OK, but for some reason didn't resonate with me (my ancestors were low landers). The crowds may have played a part!! Harry Potter train was a major fail (diesel on the day, due to fire risk).

Greenland cruise - very good. Greenland is interesting - few land wildlife to be seen (hunting), its mainly a cultural experience. But lots of whales and its iceberg central. The Ocean Albatros was a good cruise outfit. Not as polished as, say Ponant and fewer inclusions but the expedition crew were excellent. I'd recommend them. The wifi was poor, though. Get mobile data - coverage is remarkably widespread.

Copenhagen - bloody expensive!

Next trip - a December cruise from Bali through the eastern Indonesian archipelago to Irian Jaya and down to Cairns. Nothing else!

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh, @Cossie - I looked for a number plate in Greenland but no dice, sorry

 

[Cossie]

Oh, @Cossie - I looked for a number plate in Greenland but no dice, sorry

Thanks for trying, those and the Faroes are very hard to get.

Your next trip is a beauty, it's also on my never ending 'want to do list'.