Mt.Gambier to the Mekong.

[drron]

Yes it is already time for another trip report.Once again I start with a working trip to rural Australia.For me this is the first time I have worked in South Australia and it has involved by far thr most paperwork.
Sunday 16th November.DJ472 MCY-SYD.
As always there early for check in.Large queues for JQ and TT but only 4 in the line for DJ.Bag comes in at 14.6kg-important as a ZL flight later in the day with a 15kg limit.Once again the lovely agent at MCY comes through with an exit row for me,much appreciated.Then settle down with my book.Notice the TT line is hardly moving.Now 0855 and plane scheduled for departure at 0910 but still over 50 in checkin line.An announcement that TT regrets its IT system is down and there will be a delay-indeed there will be.JQ pulls back on time at 0940,we pull back 5 min late at 0955 and tt is still sitting there with front stairs in place.

I settle into 15B and decide on that AFF classic-the feet shot-

So that is exit row on DJ.Contrast with J on QF domestic-

And poor old ZL's Saab-

Now as usual the DJ passengers show their inexperience-all others have to be asked to put their bags in the overhead locker.!4c,D do not look like they would fit through the emergency exit.Arrive into SYD on time and am forced to exit by rear door.Takes forever as 2 little old dears insist on going up the stairs side by side blocking everyone else.But by the time I am coming down the escalator into the baggage hall there is my bag making its entrance.
Off to T3.Then realise I have left my FF cards at home-I certainly know my AA number but cant for the life of me remember my QF number and as luck would have it they have bought me an N class fare.Oh well at least AA gets me into the business lounge.Follow up an older grey haired fellow with a blonde in tow.I am sure it is Dr. Edelsten.My computer doesnt pick up any networks so i use the Macs-I am certainly not used to them.A small snack and some tomato juice(a big night the night before).
Next-miracles on QF.

 

[drron]

QF761 SYD-ADL
Have my BP for 19D.As my BP is scanned the red lights flash-just see the agent to your right sir.Good morning drron we have a new BP for you-it says 2A.So miss out on 1000 QF miles but get an opup to J-not a bad deal.Fortunately no FEBO on QF so I get the beef noodle salad as did all 5 before me-the rest have to do with the vegetarian tart.It is pretty nice.Decline the wine.Arrive on time at 1700 and by 1710 I have my bag and checked in with Rex.Plenty of time to have a pale ale at Coopers alehouse-and they take Amex!Darn i havent got one.
Here is the bird that got me my first op up on QF-

Next was to the Rex gate for ZL4643 ADL-MGB.Again seat 2A.Avoid this one as slightly less legroom than others as 1A is back a little for door.Boarding on time,doors closed,safety demonstration given then captain comes over PA saying a problem with a radio so is going to have to shut down and get an engineer on board.Engineer has been on 2 minutes and then an announcement that we would have to deplane and go back to the gate.
5 minutes after arriving back at the gate a call to reboard.Get to holding area and 5 have left gate to go and have dinner-it is now after 1900.So 30 minutes later we get to reboard.here is the culprit-

2A also has no window so a bit of difficulty seeing the scenery-a pity as you fly south east just off the coast most of the way.A beautiful sunset on the other side.Dark by the time we arrive in MGB.
Come up against another bit of PC absurdity.On Rex they will arrange a taxi to meet you.But now due to privacy regulations(maybe this is another bit of SA madness)names can not be used so I have to find the taxi for Mr 2A.I do my bit of kindness for the day-Mr 1B is a student who is living just near the hospital- i tell him he can come with me-after all i'm not paying.
Next my home for a week.

 

[drron]

Well this part of the trip report is certainly different to the usual-no 5 star hotels here,no trendy bars but a typical Aussie country town.I am at the Lakes Resort motel.I am not sure where the resort part comes in.A fairly typical motel.I have a large standard room,shower only,but a balcony that overlooks the whole city.
One problem-the walls stop no noise.So I was able to diagnose 2 cases of sleep apnoea during my weeks stay,funny business on wednesday night and party animals Friday and Saturday.Unbeknowns to the party animals i need little sleep so retired~0130 and woke ~0500.I made sure the convenience was adequately flushed about 30 minutes after the noise subsided and again on awakening.
Reasonable restaurant.Choice of 6 local red wines by the glass.On the first night I started with Peking duck spring rolls-didnt quite work.Then a Terra Rossa fillet steak with a prawn and garlic sauce.6 good size prawns cooked to perfection,nice steak as well.A glass of Di Giorgio's cab/merlot.All up $60.
For my final night I went back and had the lamb shanks-just slightly overdone-and a side of mushrooms in balsamic-very nice.With a glass of Pavy's Wratongully cab sav it comes to $35.
Next more restaurant reviews.
I leave you with a few views of the Mount-
The Blue Lake-

Looking towards the coast-

Roses grow well-

 

[drron]

Tuesday night-Gourmet India restaurant.Not reccomended by the local indian docs but it is not often i get to try Indian food so I gave it a go.
Lamb Shishkabob with mint sauce-very tasty and a good start.
Mushroom beef marsala with garlic and herb naan.Although when asked I said hot it was a very mild curry and this is probably why it was not popular.however again very nice tastes.Washed down with a coopers pale ale.$38.
Yes I would go back-just expect things to be a bit on the mild side.
Wednesday night-Important to find a restaurant that accepts DC for triple points Wednesdays.It was easy.Chose Sage and Muntries.(Muntries are a native cranberry which grows along the coast locally).
West Coast fried oysters-absolutely magnificent.
Crispy skin duck with a muntrie and ginger sauce.duck just slightly overcooked but still a good dish.
Freshly made pecan pie with macadamia icecream finished off the night-nice.
Washed down with a glass of thirsty dog cab sav.all up $67.
i reccomend this one.Very friendly people as well.
Next-gourmet experiences continue.

 

[drron]

Thursday-Sorrento in Bay rd.Trendy and full of a younger crowd.
Began with scallops in the shell with a creamy pesto sauce-not overcooked.
Then American Style BBQ ribs.Well the cut was American but ribs served on roast potatoes with a tomato and red wine reduction-just dont see that in a Memphis BBQ pit.Also cooked pork chop style.Still very flavoursome meat and a good dish-just not American style.
with a glass of hollicks shiraz-$54.
Friday-Redfins.Began with chilli oysters with lime,ginger and coriander-very nice.
Then a seafood platter-smoked salmon,marinated octopus(really good),prawn and scallop kebabs(not overcooked),salt and pepper squid(perfect) and King George whiting and chips.
With a glass of O'leary and Walker sav blanc-$54.
Saturday lunch-Banana Tree Cafe-says modern Thai but more pan asian.I had a very good laksa.With a Pure blonde-$24.Very friendly place.
Saturday night-Wild Ginger,modern asian.
Began with Tom Yum-quite reasonable.Only problem they were using ordinary lime leaves not kaffir lime.
Then a Lime Chicken curry-very non-descript.Total $24 as they forgot my drink order.At the next table they only served 2 of the 3 people-the third dish arrived as they got up to pay.
Definitely not reccomended.
Sunday lunch-Belgiornos-had been reccomended but hard to find.Italian.
Began with suid tentacles-well presented but overcooked.With a bottle of Coopers sparkling ale.
Then a Calzone Di Mare-great seafood inside,covered with a creamy garlic sauce with chunks of hot smoked salmon.A really great dish for $13.Washed down with a glass of Magella Musicians cab/shiraz-nice.At least 12 reds available by the glass.All up $41.Definitely reccomended.
I hope this gives you some ideas if visiting the Mount.
Next-flying back to the coast.

 

[drron]

An early start on Monday.leave the hospital at 0600 and checked in by 0610.No fuss with country airports.Fellow in suit sits down beside me and ev eryone knows him.Turns out to be the local member.I am in 5A.The MP is in 1B and allowed to put his carryon overhead in the locker containing the emergency equipment.An uneventful flight to ADL.
Bussed into terminal.As I do not trust the baggage handlers to do 2 transfers between flights in a day I have just checked my bag to ADL even thougfh rex interlines with DJ.As I have an interstate connection my bag is sent to the main baggage hall.A little walk outside between terminals but unlike MGB Adelaide is fine.As I walk into the terminal my bag makes its appearance.
Upstairs to DJ checkin.A hold up with a young woman in tears-her boyfriend has bought her ticket and it is in his name-will she fly?Well i dont find out as they bring out another 2 agents and the line moves swiftly.The lovely agent i have apologises for the delay and then because the exit row on the segment to SYD only has a middle seat available.No worries.I have 14B to SYD then 14C to MCY.
Was only an hour to connect at ADL.I get to gate at 0829 with boarding due in 1 minute.The plane is just pulling in.Ah well I thought going to be late.Pullback though is only 2 minutes behind schedule and into SYD early.Fellow in 14A was on the Rex flight from MGB and is going on to MCY in 14A again.
DJ477 is going from the gate just across from where we deplane.Unfortunately though a 30 minute delay as plane is late arriving.Make up 15 minutes of that in flight.As soon as we take off I am out to it.Wake as the captain announces our descent.
Next an eventful week at home.

 

[Evan]

All that talk of food is making me hungry
As always interesting reading !
E

 

[drron]

Monday 24/11 and everything is looking rosy.Back home and looking forward to our trip beginning Sunday.The first paid F for 10 years.More Flounging and our first time to Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang.Particularly Luang Prabang as we are sponsoring a book party there for Big Brother Mouse-basically a lending library for a school.Having been to Laos before and seeing their schools this is the sort of thing we wished to do.
Big Brother Mouse - Books in Laos
Thursday 27th and the day starts perfectly.On the Beerwah golf course at 5am.Today is ladies day so from 5 until they start at 0800 I have the course to myself-why are men afraid of women?
Starts well but with atrocious putting manage to get a triple bogey.The second is a par 3 that normally I am short with my 5 iron.Today onto the green and the birdie putt is no problem.So confident am I that on the 4th I take out my one iron-straight down the middle.Use it on all but the 2 short par 3s and not one bad shot.Finish with an 88-my best score this century!
Back home and get in touch with my TA-Get 2 seats on hold SYD-SIN instead of SYD-BKK.As well 2 seats on Jetstar Asia SIN-REP on hold for 48 hours and a booking at the St.Regis SIN for 2 days.Always good to have a good relationship with a TA-when the chips are down a good one certainly is worth what you pay them.No problems-or so I thought.
Preparing to go out for dinner at Le Baroque,Buderim(a nice french restaurant) and mrsdrron goes to the shower-a scream and a crash-she has slipped and her knee is painful-seems like a ligament has gone.MRI on Friday and it is confirmed-no surgery required but a knee brace for 6 weeks.At 0830 my TA had rung saying BA had officially cancelled our flight and after the MRI I rang back and officially cancelled my trip.As BA cancelled all fares refunded.Only the hotel in Luang Prabang had a 21 day cancel rule but they waived a penalty.
Only problems-will not requalify EXP now unless AA again allow it to be bought.And will fall short on SPG nights for the 25000 bonus points.Flounging will bebut a memory.
So a verbose trip report is cut short.Maybe again in 12 months.
In April a DONE4 is planned so that should be my next trip report.

 

[NM]

Very sorry to read about Mrs drron's mishap. At least she is in good hands for her recovery.

 

[Evan]

Well thats a **** isn't it i hope Mrs is better soon.
Look forward to April.
E

 

[JohnK]

Another great trip report but sadly a disappointing ending. I hope mrs drron's knee is healing well.

If I was eating out as often as you and the meals you describe I would be at least 20kgs heavier. :-| Vegetable soups will have to suffice for the next few months....

 

[drron]

Fortunately mrsdrron's knee is coming along very well but still another 3 weeks in a brace.
Amazingly I have now broken 100 at golf the last 9 rounds I have played-yesterday scoring 80-I can tell i am setting myself up for a big fall,methinks in Brisbane in February.
Just wanted to share photos of the book party in Laos-the smiles are incredible(see my last post in this TR).

We think our trip will be on again at the end of 2009 when we will sponsor another book party.
Thanks for all the messages.

 

[JohnK]

Great work drron. I think it is time some of us, including me, started doing some charity work in 3rd world countries instead of worrying about SCs and FF points....