I wonder how many people have flown every one of the 13 One World alliance member airlines? After four flights across Russia with Siberia Airlines S7, I can now claim this milestone. In a previous post, I noted that I have also travelled on Air Berlin and Malev, two One World members that have now closed down. I also flew Aer Lingus prior to it leaving the alliance in 2007. Hoping that I get a certificate?! (I think not!). I have traveled in Economy (Coach) and Business with every current One World carrier with a…
My Musings (Sundays)
Category Archives for My Musings (Sundays).
Exciting travel times ahead!
We are now half way through the year! It has been a very busy full on year, for me! So far, in 2019, I have traveled to 19 cities in nine countries on eleven airlines, a couple of rail companies and bus companies. How about you? Where has the year taken you? Loved Auckland and Alice Springs, was fascinated by Beijing, chilled out in Chiang Mai (below) and walked myself silly in Hong Kong (above)! Ran at dawn in 90 degrees F (32 C) to raise funds for defibrillators, slept out all night at a…
Who has flown every One World Carrier?
I am curious to know how many people have flown at least one flight with every one of the 13 member carriers of the One World Airline alliance? There cannot be many fliers who have can claim to have checked off every One World Airline. As of now, I have now traveled with every One World airline except for S7. This alliance has taken me 37 times around the world, a a total of 1.5 million kilometres (968,000 miles). Altogether, that has been aboard 582 flights. From Hobart to Helsinki and Hawaii to Hong Kong…
Eva vs Austrian Premium Economy Dilemma!
Found a great airfare between Europe and Austria with Eva, the Taiwanese five star airline for a seat in Premium Economy. Ticks a few boxes. Great value for money, a five star airline, a new carrier for me and Star Alliance for points earning. Oh and a cool looking amenity kit! I was close to booking this fare, when another Star Alliance carrier’s Premium Economy product popped up. This time it was Austrian for a price point much lower than Eva’s. They use older planes (often on a 767 – which I love). I hear…
Sri Lanka Easter Horror
I was going to write a positive post wishing everyone who celebrates it a “Happy Easter” but this morning’s news from Sri Lanka of over 200 killed at three churches and three five star hotels experienced bomb attacks shook me. Six bombs all went off at around 845am local time. Three suicide bombers have been reported as being involved, so far. No claim of the cause and no motives as yet. Explosions were reported at: St Anthony’s, an historic shrine in Kochchikade, a district of Colombo. St Sebastian’s Katuwapitiya in Negombo, a town 10km from…
Brunei Launches Genocide Program
Royal Brunei Airlines’ advertising campaign asks “how far will you go”. When launched, one wonders if their advertising agency realised how far the country of Brunei would go to create their own vision of moral purity? Brunei, a tiny nation which abuts Malaysia. this week quietly unveiled a law designed to wipe homosexuals from the country. In a world where many countries are better supporting the human rights of all of their citizens, Brunei is taking a proud step backwards ignoring scientific knowledge, UN conventions and international human rights laws. From 3rd of April, 2019,…
A gorgeous walk in Stunning Auckland
Auckland gets its natural beauty from its stunning harbour. A short ferry ride from down town are the communities of Devonport and Cheltenham. Blessed with tranquility, beautiful views, lovely beaches and proximity to Auckland, these communities have been exempted from the significant developments appearing across the rest of the city. I walked a six kilometre (four mile loop) around the town. The walk took me from the ferry terminal along Devenport Beach and up to Maungauika/North Head part of the Hauraki Gulf marine reserve. A short walk down to Cheltenham Beach followed. From there, it…
China to ground 737MAX fleet
China’s Civil Aviation Administration, has reportedly asked its airlines to temporarily ground Boeing 737 Max aeroplanes following the Ethiopian Airlines crash. Many airlines, Canjing reports had already switched 737MAX flights, replacing the plane with the older (and reliable) 737-800 I think a grounding is a sensible precaution following the two similar crashes of the model in clear weather; Ethiopian yesterday and Lion back in October 2018. Two fatal crashes in five months of a brand new aircraft is too great. Such a grounding is significant. China is also one of the biggest travel markets on…
My 2019 Travel Plans -What are yours?
What are your travel plans for 2019? At this stage I plan to visit 15 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Pacific. . I plan to visit two new countries this year- probably the two will be in Eastern Europe. In Asia, I have plans to go to Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.There will be at least two diversions to Europe, one of which will involve Christmas markets! The Pacific will see me travel around Australia and New Zealand and across to the Americas. I have now flown 105 airlines. I…
Making Merit – New Year in Thailand
On January 1st, Thais in every part of the country offer food to monks at temples or public places to give themselves a good start for the year. These New-Year ceremonies pay homage to Buddha. The tradition is that the New Year is seen as a time to establish a new chapter in one’s “karma ledger“. We rose early on New Year’s Day and joined a local community’s ritual in the Northern suburbs of Bangkok. Tables were set up along the street and the offerings placed on them. There were also balloons for luck available…
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