Trip Report: Round the World in 139 days (24 flights)

[Meggsy]

Safe travels, look forward to the next instalment.

 

[jetlagger]

And that's my last flight until February as I now travel overland from Mexico City to Panama over the next 6 weeks.

Thanks also coyote25.. Great read & ongoing pictures.
Wish you safe travels & keep the postings coming as time avails..

 

[docjames]

Safe travels. Look forward to further instalments but will now have to wait!!

 

[kelvedon]

Thanks for your posts. I'm enjoying reading them. Enjoy the Mexican food. As Billy Connolly once said " no matter what I ordered, they brought me exactly the same food, just folded differently".

 

[coyote25]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Thanks for your posts. I'm enjoying reading them. Enjoy the Mexican food. As Billy Connolly once said " no matter what I ordered, they brought me exactly the same food, just folded differently".

Extremely funny and true!

 

[mella2007]

It's been an amazing report so far! Enjoy the upcoming adventures and stay safe!

 

[coyote25]

Panama International Airport
10 February 2013

57 days after my last flight from Cancun to Mexico City and my Mexico and Central America tour was over and I start my long trek back home at the end of my world trip. It actually left like home being and airport again.

Arriving at 7 am the lines for checkin for the United, Delta and American Airline flights scheduled around 9 am were very long. Fortunately I had priority checkin so I'm not sure how long if takes in economy to checkin.

The airline workers give you an Exit form to complete when you join the checkin line so try and have a pen. The exit fee was included in my ticket so I didn't have to pay the $40 USD fee again not sure what airline tickets don't have this included.

Border control took 25 minutes to clear, you need to take your shoes off. Factor this into whatever time you get here being a Sunday I think this was a fast day (all lines were open).

There are lots of shops and a few eatery places including Subway and Dunkin Donuts. there is free wifi but it could barely load google so basically useless. American Airlines shut there lounge last year so I didn't have access.

At the gate for American Airlines flight I had to pass another security check basically the same as at border control. The cost of flying to USA - no trust of airside security in Central American countries.

 

[coyote25]

Panama International Airport Photos

Checkin Lines


Security Line


Shops (Airside)

 

[coyote25]

Flight 23: Panama to Dallas (DFW)

Date: 10 February 2013
Flight Number: American Airlines - AA 2172
Fare type: Business (Award)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Requested Seat: 5A
Allocated Seat: 5A
In-flight Entertainment: Audio & Video (Cabin)

Scheduled Departure: 09.15
Actual Departure: 09.15

Scheduled Arrival: 13.05
Actual Arrival: 13.00
Duration: 4 Hours 45 mins

Meal:
No pre flight drinks. Orange juice a few minutes after takeoff. Breakfast served included plate of fruit, croissant, eggs and sausages. Offer beard or another croissant (choose the croissant).

Summary:
Seat was broken if I reclined it wouldn't lock into position but no problem for a short daytime flight. Priority boarding worked well. Plane was full with overhead space a problem in economy based on announcements and movements of bags. Very full range of audio channels.

Landing in DFW went well. Border control was fast, efficient and friendly, seems it is getting better every time I came back to the USA. I was just inside my 90 day window from earlier in my trip.

I saw a QANTAS plane and felt like I was almost home

My bag was amongst the first of the plane, why can AA get my tagged priority bag off first every time but it is very hit and miss with QF Domestic?? I was barely asked a question at Customs and a call on the courtesy phone had my complimentary hotel transfer van on the way from Embassy Suites.

Two more flights and I will be back home in Melbourne.

 

[coyote25]

Flight 23: Panama to Dallas (DFW) Photos

AA2172


Business Seat


Breakfast

 

[coyote25]

If interested on my experiences during my 58 day "Mexico and Central America tour" I have summaries broken into the four smaller tours that G Adventures offered:

Panama Experience - http://nathanburgessinsights.com/2013/02/10/world-trip-2012-13-panama-experience-tour-highlights/

Volcano Trail - http://nathanburgessinsights.com/2013/01/30/world-trip-2012-13-volcano-trail-tour-highlights/

Mayan Sun - http://nathanburgessinsights.com/2013/01/13/world-trip-2012-13-mayan-sun-highlights/

Mexico Ancient Civilizations - http://nathanburgessinsights.com/20...mexico-ancient-civilizations-tour-highlights/

Countries visited: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Nicguara, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama.

Central America is a real interesting place definitely worth visiting. Also if you like roughing it a little I'd definitely recommend going with a company like G Adventures.

 

[Fantic125]

Breakfast looks a little light on......

 

[coyote25]

Breakfast looks a little light on......

Good pickup

 

[coyote25]

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Terminal D)
11 February 2013

Courtesy drop off from Embassy Suites went well. I arrived at 5.15 pm aiming for the early checkin for QF008 which starts at 6 pm which is 4 hours before departure. It seems that almost no one knows about the early checkin as at 6 pm there was only 5 other people waiting.

There is free wifi throughout the terminal.

While waiting for checkin I charged up my devices and sat in comfortable seat provided, which there are numerous. Checkin at counter 63 didn't take very long and arriving at Border Control I was the only person there making it an easy experience. They use the full body scanner at DFW but no problems for me.

DFW Terminal 4 is really spread out with lots of room, shops and restaurants. The whole place had a classy feel to it, the pubs looked like real pubs and played sports on the bigs screens. There are also play areas for small children and lots of charging areas for devices airside.





LOUNGE


The QANTAS lounge is located next to Gate D22 and is housed within the "Airline Clubs". Ere are two control areas the first to help direct you to the relevant airline lounge and then the standard gate dragon / angel.

The QANTAS Lounge has enormous area considering there is only one flight. There are 6 computers and wifi appears to be the airport free wifi signal. Showers are shared with the other airline lounges. No power charging outlets for the chairs nearest the windows but lots elsewhere.

Soft drink, beers, spirits and wines available. Finger sandwiches, soup, biscuits and packets of chips available. Some finger hot food available as well, from memory chicken strips was one option.

Friendly staff and not overcrowded at any point and not too far from the Gate being used tonight D14.

 

[coyote25]

Flight 24: Dallas (DFW) to Brisbane

Date: 11 February 2012
Flight Number: Qantas Airways - QF 008
Fare type: Business (RTW Award)
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Requested Seat: 5J - Exit Row
Allocated Seat: 5J
In-flight Entertainment: AVOD

Scheduled Departure: 22.00
Actual Departure: 22.00

Scheduled Arrival: 06.15
Actual Arrival: 06.00
Duration: 16 Hours

Meal:
Dinner is served about 30 minutes after take-off although in Business you can ask for it anytime in the first 8 hours. I choose Small Plate option - Chicken Schnitzel and Swiss Cheese Toasted Sandwich. Attendant could not believe I didn't want pre-flight drink or any wines or beers with main meal of dessert. I explained I had spend some time in the QANTAS Lounge.

Breakfast was served around 3 hours from landing. When I noticed that the service had started I quickly changed from provided PJs anticipating the rush after the service. For breakfast I selected croissant, free range scrambled eggs with pole wood bacon grill mushrooms and orange juice.

I noticed a lot of people selected the Express Breakfast option probably to get more sleep.

Summary:
Seeing the QANTAS plane on the tarmac made me feel like I was almost home already after 138 days


Boarding commenced right on time at 9.15 pm and priority boarding lines worked perfectly. No one seemed to get into the wrong line, I'm guessing people in USA are more used to this way of boarding.

The longest flight I have ever been on and ever likely to be on the Business Class seat makes it a lot easier. Leaving so late also helps you sleep and readjust to Australian Time Zones. I used the entertainment system to watch a movie and the "Kerry Parker Wars Howzat!" Mini series to stay up until 4 am USA time.

I love the QAntas PJs you ended up feeling some much fresher than staying in your own clothes. I'm thinking when I go back to Y for a long overnight flight I'll use this PJs again.

Seat was very comfortable. While an exit row I received no briefing about what to do in an emergency. Despite Business section being totally full on lower deck I rarely noticed anyone else in is seat. Toilets were located at the back of the section. Attendant jump seat is in front of you but is only used twice. On arrival I got to talking with Criss about the staffing schedule for such a long flight.

Combined with the friendly service all DFW personnel (security / checkin / lounge) and with the on flight service I think I'd actually prefer this longer flight than having to go via LAX which I never find more then a chore.

One more flight to go and I'm home

 

[serfty]

Being "attended" exit row seats at takeoff and landing, there is no requirement for a breifing.

 

[coyote25]

Being "attended" exit row seats at takeoff and landing, there is no requirement for a breifing.

Thanks serfty I am just so use to the briefing especially on QF but also of a few other airlines.

Personally I am more interested in getting drinks organised

 

[coyote25]

Brisbane International and Domestic Airport
13 February 2013

Departing QF008 at Brisbane International I was one of the first passengers off, a real bonus for business class pax on the lower deck. A sizeable number of pax where obviously staying with the service to Sydney and they were directed to a holding area. This resulted in myself being one of the first arrivals at border control.

The fastpath card really wasn't needed at all on this occasion. I had ticked on the arrivals card that I had visited "Central America, South America or Africa in the past 6 days". This meant I was given extra questions about vaccinations and exactly where in Central America I had been. I was given a document explaining Yellow Fever and advised to inform my doctor of this information if I was feeling unwell in the next fortnight.

Despite me only being at border control for a few minutes my bag as already waiting for me for collection. Priority tags obviously worked here but I was amazed any bags were there at all. It felt like my Singapore experience back in September when this trip started. After collecting my bag it took about 4 minutes to clear customs. All up I'd guess I was landslide within 15 minutes of leaving the plane. I'm not sure if this is a normal experience at Brisbane Airport.

On exiting I turned right and rechecked on for my flight to Melbourne at the QANTAS Transfer and Checkin desk. Bag as tagged and I was given new boarding pass for 11 am flight (I selected a long transit time not knowing how long everything would take). As a QANTAS pax I was entitled to a free transfer on the T Bus, it costs $5 normally and leaves every 20 minutes (from memory).

The transfer bus stops outside QANTAS and then Virgin Terminals. I cleared security around 6.40 am local time and headed for the QANTAS Lounge.

QANTAS LOUNGE
The QF Lounge is located on the right hand side second level after security. As I was on a Y ticket and I'm only a Gold member it was the standard lounge for me this time. I requested a towel set and used the showers to refresher up. At this time in the morning there was no waiting.

The lounge had a pancake maker, cereals, fruits and toast facilities. After 7 am you had to line up for most of these as the lounge got busier. Normal selection of local and national newspapers. Wifi was a lot faster than I have experienced in these lounge for evening departures to Melbourne. A large number of computers and lots of power charging outlets.

 

[coyote25]

Flight 25: Brisbane to Melbourne

Date: 13 February 2012
Flight Number: Qantas Airways - QF 617
Fare type: Economy (Paid)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-400
Requested Seat: 13A
Allocated Seat: 13A
In-flight Entertainment: Audio / Cabin TV

Scheduled Departure: 11.00
Actual Departure: 11.00

Scheduled Arrival: 14.20
Actual Arrival: 14.20
Duration: 2 Hours 20 mins



Meal:
I was offered a quiche and a soft drink / organs juice / water (I choose soft drink).

Summary:
Priority boarding was used at Gate 25 and appeared to work well with only a few people going in the wrong lane. I had pre booked what I thought was an exit row way back 11 months ago but I ended up one row behind that row. The good news is it meant I had an empty seat next to me.

An uneventful final flight which for the most part I felt me eyes closed for trying to get some rest. At the airport my bag was quickly out, I probably only waited 3 minutes which again surprised me. I usually try to avoid checking luggage but if this is the new standard I meant be more open to checking baggage.

Since I left Australia in September Melbourne Airport have changed the location for pax to get picked by family / friends. You now walked further away from the terminal but I think it is better now that ey have separated buses and car pick up points.

 

[coyote25]

And that is it for this trip report probably one of the biggest on AFF.

When I decided back in September that I should contribute back to the community by writing up my plane, airport and hotel (Hilton Group only) experience I don't think I knew what I was getting myself into!

Since so many people here helped me gain knowledge on how to book J OW RTW Awards and the Hilton Honours start match via Virgin Australia status match I thought this might be a useful report for others.

After 19 countries, 25 flights, 139 days, 8 tours (meeting over 100 different travellers on these tours), some independent travel, some basic stays, home stays, some luxury hotels and meeting some exceptional people it now feels very good to be home and in my own bed.

The countries I visited in order are; Singapore; Malaysia; Thailand; Germany; England; Spain; Iceland; Chile; Argentina; Antarctica; USA; Mexico; Cuba; Belize; Guatemala; Honduras; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; and Panama.

By my count I believe I have now visited 50 countries since my first world trip back in November 1999. My next world trip is probably at least 2 years away but I am considering a camping trip down Western Australia during that time to see more of my country.

If anyone is interested my blog details my travels and experiences at each location instead of this report that covers AFF matters;
http://nathanburgessinsights.com/

Thanks to those who read this report and provided feedback. I hope it is useful to someone.