"Miles are NOT Forever" - KULSYDAKL08

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gcmap.gif View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 481 x 241 Size: 5.5 kB Date: 03/20/2008	After a long, forced, hiatus, Willard is off on his travels again. Here is our planned route (provided by the Great Circle Mapper website) showing that we are off to New Zealand again, this time via Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. Why are we doing this? Well, it turns out that not all airline miles are created equal, and our miles in the KL/AF programme, Flying Blue, are set to expire this year if we do not use them, so, realising that, unlike Diamonds, Frequent Flyer miles are NOT forever, we decided it was time to do our last big trip on our FB miles, whilst they were still ours to spend. Of course, especially after such a long spell on the bench, Willard insisted that we should fly First Class, so we chose to fly with Malaysian Airlines on the long-haul segments, and, since MH no longer offer First Class direct to Aukland, we decided to fly to Sydney and redeem a seperate award to fly with Air New Zealand from Sydney to Aukland in Business Class. Willard also persuaded Pat to join us for this trip, making it her first trip so far away for over three years. Truly an occasion to celebrate!
Dscn5167.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 545 Size: 37.8 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Not a very good start to our luxury trip, sadly! We arrive at London Heathrow at roughly the same time as some of the worst gales to hit the South of England in a decade, and the new security rules require us to be dropped, it appears, about a quarter of a mile from Terminal 3. The idea of using a hotel limosine to ease our arrival is now looking a little ill thought out, as we are dropped far away from the terminal, to much laughing and pointing from the airport staff assembled under the shelter of the terminal roof, who are, presumably, employed to move the luggage trolleys that are completely absent from the drop-off area, and are instead placed usefully just by the doors to the terminal, just in case anyone suddenly decides they need one after they have dragged all of their cases through the wind, rain and puddles that seperate the drop off area from the terminal. Augh!
Dscn5165.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 413 x 640 Size: 22.4 kB Date: 03/20/2008	So, from Willard's perspective, he's been bundled into a limo at the hotel, driven to the airport, and then hustled into the terminal hidden under a coat. He's decided that this obviously means he's a celebrity, and so decides to don his shades at check-in to avoid being mobbed by his adoring fans!
Dscn5168.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 537 Size: 25.6 kB Date: 03/20/2008	After an interesting trip through Terminal 3 security (Fast Track is still there, which is nice, but there is now a completely seperate random shoe carnival section hidden after security. The foot-fetishists have now taken over BAA security, it appears (and this may not be far from the truth, as victims (sorry, selectees) seem to be predominantly female, I half expected to find them sniffing the bleedin' shoes, to be honest!) Anyway, we arrive at the Malaysian Airlines lounge, which Willard liked so much last time he was here.
Dscn5169.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 548 Size: 44.6 kB Date: 03/20/2008	The First Class section affords a wonderful view of the tarmac for the spotters amongst us. Willard looks at the United Airlines 777 and feels himself very lucky that he isn't on it!
Dscn5171.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 617 Size: 32.5 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Champagne breakfast is the order of the day for Willard - and a very comprehensive breakfast menu was available in the First Class section of the Lounge.
DSCN5172.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 33.4 kB Date: 03/20/2008	...and a nice water feature to calm your nerves after the fight to check-in and through security.
DSCN5174.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 17.0 kB Date: 03/20/2008	After we board, Willard is shown to his/our seats 1A/K right in the nose of this Malaysian Airlines 747. We were frankly surprised we managed to secure these seats on Award tickets, but they are probably the best compromise for couples, as they give windows for both of you, and are probably uncomfortably close to be occupied by two strangers.
Dscn5175.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 489 x 640 Size: 15.4 kB Date: 03/20/2008	It doesn't take Willard long to get a glass of Dom in front of him.
Dscn5178.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 17.7 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Safety first though! Thankfully there appears to have been a lull in the driving rain and gale-force winds especially for our take-off roll, and Willard straps in in his now customary place on the First Class Ottoman.
Dscn5177.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 25.6 kB Date: 03/20/2008	...But as soon as I move over to join Pat after the seat belt signs go off, Willard attempts to make claim to the whole seat!
Dscn5179.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 26.3 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Thankfully, another glass of Champagne (Dom 1998, for those who keep track of these things) entices him out, and gives him, and us, a whole new perspective on things!
DSCN5185.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 32.1 kB Date: 03/20/2008	We make no apologies in this particular instance for looking like www.airlinemeals.net as a flight on Malaysian Airlines means one thing for sure - Satay!. And very very nice it is too!
DSCN5186.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 32.1 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Main courses of Lamb Kurma and crispy Cod keep us very busy!
DSCN5187.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 34.2 kB Date: 03/20/2008	...and as we progress to deserts and coffee, Willard sees the need to loosen his DJ a little and let it all hang out.
DSCN5189.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 23.4 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Sadly, one of Malaysian's few ommisions on this flight was a complete failure to load sleeper suits in bear sizes. Luckily we had packed an alternative, so Willard can take off his dress suit, relax, and settle down to sleep once his seat has been converted to a bed by the very attentive crew.
Dscn5191.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 391 x 640 Size: 31.6 kB Date: 03/20/2008	A short connection at Kuala Lumpur international allows Willard to take advantage of the famous i-Symphony massage chairs that have been located in the First Class lounge.
Dscn5193.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 565 x 640 Size: 37.6 kB Date: 03/20/2008	A relatively quiet time in the lounge, and since we were shortly boarding another 10 hour flight, we resisted the temptation to raid the restaurant section.
Dscn5194.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 539 x 640 Size: 12.7 kB Date: 03/20/2008	All too soon we're back on our flight to Sydney - Still in 1A/K, and with Willard keeping lookout from the seat on the 1A side this time.
Dscn5195.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 563 Size: 39.3 kB Date: 03/20/2008	More Satay!
Dscn5196.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 554 x 640 Size: 25.3 kB Date: 03/20/2008	Willard poses with our Cabin Lead, Ravi, who looked after us flawlessly, and provided numerous tips for our visit to Auckland, including a handy restaurant recomendation.
Dscn5206.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 626 x 640 Size: 44.5 kB Date: 03/20/2008	After a short taxi ride we find ourselves at the 4-Points Darling Harbour Sydney. Where Willard checks in and is glad to fnd he has been upgraded to another suite, just like he was last year!
DSCN5197.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 35.2 kB Date: 03/20/2008	For what is a very short layover before our flight to Aukland, the one big advantage of the 4-Points is the easy route across to the Darling Harbour ferry pontoon. This allows us to take the ferry to Circular Quay, which affords pretty much the same views as the Sydney Harbour cruise, but without the distracting commentary in 5 different languages, and for a fraction of the price!
Hpnx0227.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 640 x 439 Size: 35.0 kB Date: 03/20/2008	When we arrive at Circular Quay, we decide to take a leisurely breakfast at the Oyster Bar, and look out over one of Sydney's two iconic landmarks.
Dscn5199.jpg View Now "Miles are NOT Forever" - Willard's back in the air, and back in First	Dimensions: 615 x 640 Size: 51.6 kB Date: 03/20/2008	After some cajouling, we manage to persuade both of the afforementioned iconic landmarks to pose with Willard for a classic postcard shot.