Willard's Travels

These are my travel exploits to date, since I started this journey, I've been on so many flights, and sat in so many airport lounges - it really does make a bear think!

Latest Update - "Never say DOWNGRADE Again" (Trip in progress as of 5 Aug 2010, fifth episode uploaded 31 Aug 2010)

Recently Updated - "Fly Another Day" (Trip completed, third episode uploaded 9 Aug 2009)

Oh No Four Oh! - The travelogue that started it all, where my traveling companion, Ken, takes a bumper trip round Asia to celebrate turning 40.

Wedding Bells - Where Willard flies across the Atlantic to attend a good friend's Wedding

Bear in the Air - I fly to Las Vegas, then Fly/Drive around Colorado, and then spend a little time in Vegas before the flight back (under construction)

Breakfast in London, Lunch in Brussels, Dinner in Bradford - Where we see how many short-haul flights we can do in three days (this also includes the FlyerTalk London Amex meeting, and a day trip to Jersey!) (under construction)

Back to Cairo - I think that one of the great things about buying a "Round the World" ticket is that you know you will end up where you started! Ken started a Star Alliance RTW ticket in Cairo last year, so this is the trip home, including visits to Frankfurt and Florence. (under construction)

Back to First Class (AKA Willard on the Baht Run) - After many months finding myself consigned to Business Class, I'm finally back where I belong, in a First Class seat, on my way to Kuala Lumpur and Chiang Mai!

Sheep's Birthday - Sheep is, without doubt, the World's premier Travel Sheep, and so, when his first birthday party was announced, Willard realised that this was an event he had to be at!

Willard Goes To Old Trafford - Willard gets invited to Manchester United to watch the England v. Sweden game by his home airline, bmi.

More Curry Sir? - Willard joins the Flyertalk British Airways board at an FT Meet in London, skillfully arranged by More Champagne Sir?

Willard at the biggest Flyertalk DO ever! - Willard travels to London for the 2006 Remembrance Day Mega DO, and meets up with Sheep, FreddieJr and many, many Flyertalkers!

From Thailand with Love - Whistle Stop tour of Bangkok and Krabi - Willard takes an annual qualifying run to Thailand, and Ken gets a much-needed rest - albeit a short one!

OctoSheepie - BA Flyertalkers "Detox DO 2007" - the annual post New Year party organised by Jenbel and Sheep (awaiting photo clearance from attendees)

The Fare is Not Enough - Willard takes his first trip Down Under - United Airlines had a very special offer on flights to Auckland, and Willard thought it would be just rude not to take them up on it! In the process, he also visits the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, and gets to try out Air New Zealands new Business Premier seats and service (still a work in progress I'm afraid)

"Miles are NOT forever" - Willard's back in the Air, and back in First - Ken's seemingly bottomless stack of Flying Blue miles is finally dangerously close to expiring, so, now that travel for a pleasure is a possibility again, we manage to secure a First Class itinerary on Malaysian Airlines to Sydney, and connecting flights to Auckland to do a celebratory "there is light at the end of the tunnel" trip in the style we hoped we had become accustomed to. (in progress as of 24 March 08)

"Gold (Life) Member" - "Do you expect me to walk, Goldmember? No, Mr. Bear, I expect you to fly!" (with apologies in equal measures to Ian Fleming and Austin Powers). Willard's 2008 did not turn out as he expected, and with the twin evils of Corporate Travel Agencies and (eek!) Low Cost Airline travel policies, Willard has found himself woefully short of the target for bmi Gold renewal. Normally, this would just be a case of "grin and Bear it", but since this particular year represents the end of the long hard (10 year) road to lifetime Gold status qualification, this bear isn't taking it lying down, and has embarked on a marathon Status/Mileage run to Las Vegas, Phoenix and New York to ensure that his furry behind remains firmly placed in Star Alliance lounges for the rest of his life! (completed as of 7 May 2009)

"Fly Another Day" - "Ahh so good to see you again Mr. Bear, would you like your usual suite?" - Willard makes a return trip to Hong Kong, and Thailand, after a long absence (though, unlike James Bond, not because he is stuck in a North Korean prison!), and takes the chance to spend some of his hard earned miles on the joys of Lufthansa and Thai Airways First Class. (Third episode uploaded as of 9 August 2009)

"Never say DOWNGRADE Again" - "Good to see you Mr. Bear. Things've been awfully dull 'round here..." - Willard finally manages to get a routing to New Zealand that works, and spends some of his soon to be merged bmi miles for a multi-centre jaunt in First to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Auckalnd and Sydney, with many other stops in lounges along the way, and a nasty shock as he learns that there is no such thing as a confirmed booking until your furry behind is actually sat in your First Class seat! (Fifth episode uploaded as of 31 August 2010)