Having owned them for less than three years, Malaysia Airline’s is offering all six of its Airbus A380s for sale or lease. The Malaysia Airlines A380 has 494 seats with eight First class “suites”, 66 lie-flat business class seats and 420 economy seats. They are used to fly between Kuala Lumpur and London twice daily and Paris daily. I have not yet flown Malaysia’s version and it looks like my time to do it is limited. Also up for sale are four Boeing 777-200s. After years of losing money, the two incidents last year worsened that situation. Malaysia…
Alitalia Five Star?
Alitalia is one of my least favourite airlines! Out of the 90 airlines,I have flown, the Italian carrier sits in the bottom five of those still flying! In the early 1970s when I first flew them, they represented the chic side of Italy.The uniforms were stylish, cabin crew glamorous with the best of Italian food, bread and wine aboard. They even served Italian bon bons (candy) just before descent and landing which always endears an airline to me! By the 1990s, the brand had become well and truly tarnished. The Bonbons had long gone, along with consistent…
My Grandfather & World War- ANZAC Day 2015
100 years ago on 25th April, a dramatic World War One battle impacted Australia and New Zealand when soldiers from both countries supported the British attempt to take control of the northern bank of the Dardanelles as part of the campaign to capture Constantinople (now) Istanbul in Turkey. 100,000 men perished in eight months over this failed attempt. The date of the landing, is known as “Anzac Day” (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) and is commemorated by hundreds of thousands across both countries and Turkey, every April 25th. Yesterday, I attended a dawn commemoration with 120 000…
Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
Whenever and wherever, I am travelling, I always try and squeeze a market in. Just enjoyed a beautiful sunset which accompanies the Dry Season Mindil Markets in the Northern Australian City of Darwin. The setting of these markets has to be one of the most spectacular in the world! There is almost every type of Asian food available, along with exotic meats like camel burgers and croc steak sandwiches, frozen bananas and local mushrooms! Lots of Aussie trouristy type stuff including didgeridoos, crocodile leather purses and wallets, stock whips and local jewellery. Tonight was the first market…
Poor behaviour, Jesus and Karma
As I stood at the Malaysia Airlines service desk at Sydney International Airport, a gentleman approached the counter and began apologising to the staff. The staff member he was addressing was clearly was not interested. She said: “Please take a seat Mr Jones -we will be done in a few minutes” As he walked away she giggled and said to the woman serving me and myself: “Jesus must have spoken to him“. The context : ten minutes before he had been told there was a problem with his ticket and the staff would need a…
US Tornado App
The American Red Cross has a free tornado app which may be useful for people living in or visiting a US tornado area: Southern states’ tornado season is typically from March to May In the Southern Plains, it is May and early June On the Gulf Coast, tornadoes occur most often during the spring. Northern Plains, Northern states and upper Midwest, peak season is June or July Tornado Alley which covers the northern region of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, the eastern edge of Colorado, southwest tip of South Dakota and the southern edge of Minnesota have tornadoes…
Don’t be an introvert
As we waited for the shuttle to depart from the airport, I said “hello” to the person sitting next to me. He said to me “I don’t speak English” and turned his back on me. My biggest disappointment are the people who do not try to connect with others, especially overseas. One of the benefits of travel is connecting with new people from different backgrounds. Moving out of your comfort zone can be extremely enlightening. Other travellers can give advice, tips or help. This guy may have been surprised to learn I spoke his language and I could…
Stealing from the Buffet
I was bemused while eating breakfast at a Phuket Hotel breakfast bar to observe a woman stuffing food into two bags. On her lap was a plastic bag. Into that bag she was placing fruit-both whole and pieces. On the table next to her was a paper bag into which she was shoving bread, croissants and dim sim. Have you ever taken food from a breakfast buffet for later? At what point should one finish? Is one piece of fruit okay-and a plastic bag unacceptable? Or is it all okay?/not okay? I have seen signs at…
Don’t Be a Tourist Target!
The gentleman strolled past me, as I entered the Sky Train Siam station in Bangkok, Thailand. In his left hand he clutched a detailed city map, a free overview city map and the transit system map. In his right, was the Bangkok Lonely Planet guidebook. His face was an expression of panic. Nothing screamed louder than lost tourist! I have a problem with looking so obvious! There are some advantages! You may meet interesting and well travelled locals who understand and sympathise. Others will pretend they cannot see you, fearing a long complicated interaction over obscure…
Hip Hua Hin – Place Report
Few tourists to Thailand include Hua Hin on their agenda which is a shame. At the risk of spoiling the town with a sudden over run of tourists, this beautiful relaxing town 200 km (120 miles) south of Bangkok is well worth at least a couple of days. Far from the “excitement” of Phuek nightlife and Bangkok, Hua Hin has been enjoyed by generations of Thais for weekends and vacations. Originally known as Samore Riang or “rows of rocks”, it was adopted by the Royal Family as their seaside resort in the 1920s. Today, it is very popular amongst Thais who come…
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