28 & 29 July 2012 - DC - De Capital!

Greetings once more avid readers.  Yes, it is time for another instalment.  Would you believe I had a little epiphany?  Did you know there are sights and sounds in the world outside of a jet airliner?  Did you know you could get food and drink served to you at things called restaurants and the food is not on a tray or in small square containes?  Who knew?  Seems like the whole world!

So it is time to present to you my Washington Warblings.  It has been many years since I have been to DC and I remember being really surprised and impressed by it.  It is essentially a big town.  No buildings higher than about six floors, road network all designed (gotta love a roundabout).  Lots of green park and open spaces.  Oh, and it has a number of cool monuments and attractions.

When I last left you (parting was such sweet sorrow) we were checking in at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  We decided to upgrade to a bigger room (size matters) and it had wonderful views across the water and to the Pentagon.  The highlight for me was the view to the runways of Reagan Airport - plane porn!  We had dinner in the fancy schmantzy CityZen Restaurant in the hotel.  It is the only Five Diamond Restaurant in DC.  We had to admit to never having heard of this rating and suspected that it was made up.  The staff indicated otherwise.  A likely story.  Dinner was great and just what was needed after an eight hour flight.  Some ate more than others....not pointing fingers.  This was all washed down with an excellent Californian Zinfandel.

Saturday 28 July 2012

So now it is Saturday morning...all worms look out, these birds are up and about.  We had decided to do a couple of the Smithsonian Museums today.  The Smithsonian consists of 18 separate buildings which each specialise in something museum worthy - fine art, modern art, American Indian Art, Air & Space stuff, etc, etc.  We decided to do the National Air & Space Museum first - no brainer really.  It is filled with lots of cool stuff related to aviation and space exploration.

Washington was having a bit of a heat wave (about 32-34 degrees) and it was pretty toasty in the sun.  The concierge at the hotel had recommended a place with excellent gelatti underneath two of the museums.  So under the guise of seeking fine art we headed over there and had a quick refreshment. 

It is always the unexpected sights that you come across that really make a holiday.  Those little treasures that you find in the souks of Egypt or Oman, Venetian blown glass from Italy, that Chinese "antique" you come across in the market are what you remember and bore your friends with. So it is the same for me.  In this case it is a certain Kodak moment that presented itself whilst we were slurping down our gelatti.  I have to ask, do you not look in the mirror before you leave the house to ask if something looks good or is age appropriate?  Furthermore, do you not check to see that you have put on all items that decency requires, for example underwear and a suitable lipstick?  I think this is lost on some...I let you be the judge, and yes that is boob you can see.  As they say in the classics, "thanks for the mammaries". Well, there was no warning for this in the guide books!

So it was back to a little wandering through the museums.  At some point we had OD'd on this and headed back to the hotel for a little respite (that is also known as a beer).  We then decided to head out to my town, yep, Georgetown for a little look around.  This is the trendy part of Washington bustling with young University students, bohemians, Washingtonians and us.  It is a truly beautiful part of the city and a must see.  This is also where JFK lived and proposed to Jackie. S and I did a spot of shopping and picked up some bargains. 

It was then back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.  I had got in touch with my friend John who lives in Philadelphia and mentioned we were States-side.  Lickety split he hopped in his horseless carriage (he is Amish, well, not really) and zoomed down the interstate to meet S and I for dinner.  It was great to catch up and we enjoyed some locally sourced food.  Of course no meal is complete without some sort of stuff up.  How hard is it to wait until everyone one is finished and plates cleared before bringing out the main courses?  One would have though quite simple but perhaps I am being too fussy.  Moi? Jamais?

Sunday 29 July 2012

As much as I love the eating and just absorbing up atmosphere in a city, I also generally do not have an objection to seeing all the main sights.  This is especially true if I have not been there before.  This was the case for S, so I organised a private tour for us to take in the sights and monuments.  There is always a moment of trepidation when you first meet the guide as you will be with them for some time.  When I first saw him I was a bit nervous.  He was an elderly chap and English....fish out of water??? My fears were soon quashed when it was clear that he knew his stuff.  He had been in the USA since 1969 and came over with Associated Press.  He then moved to DC in the 1980's to work for the now defunct News of the World.  Since then he has written a number of books, mostly about Abraham Lincoln and gives regular speeches.  He was an amazing guide and one of the best I have ever had.  He also has taken some seriously famous people around Washington from politicians, to corporate heads to the odd celebrity.  And to top it off he was invited on the first commercial flight of the original Boeing 747 - waaay cool!  You can see him as the 375th person from the right.

So as you can imagine I was pretty happy that we had been given Anthony Pitch.  He was certainly well known around the place. So what did we actually see....we took in the:

• White House and environs - including pointing out all the cameras and security aspects;
• Quickly past the Capitol Building;
• Washington Monument - big pointy thing that is now closed after an earthquake last year;
• Lincoln Memorial - very presidential;
• Jefferson Memorial - less visited but equally stunning;
• Roosevelt Memorial - everyone is getting in on the action.  Interestingly Roosevelt only wanted a small memorial.  This was completed many years later and pays homage to his four terms as President.;
• Vietnam War Memorial - one of the most moving sights I have ever been too.  I am getting shivers as I type;
• Korean War Memorial;
• World War Two Memorial;
• Martin Luther King Memorial - Anthony was not happy with this one.  He pointed out a number of "flaws" including the fact that the stone and artist were from China and that no where did it, amongst the 30 quotes, include the "I have a dream quote".  Oops!
• Ford's Theatre where Lincoln was assassinated - we also bought Anthony's book which he graciously signed.

Couple of chaps resplendent in matching Lacoste.

Washington Memorial and Capitol in the distance 

Abe.....

"Four score and twenty years..." 

This was all done in four hours.  We were very lucky with the traffic and weather as Anthony said this normally would take six hours.  He was an absolute delight and full of insights and stories.  An excellent morning out.

It was then back to the hotel to prepare for departure.  The weekend was done and it was time to take the Lufty 747-8i back to Frankfurt.  Check-in was a complete mess and the staff were rude and unhelpful.  Our seats had been changed from the upper deck to the main deck and we were separated.  After much huffing and puffing we managed to get back upstairs (after being accused of changing the seats ourselves followed by claims of moving us to accommodate a family...it was all lies!). 

So then it was finally on to the jet for our overnight flight home.  Was not too bad and the new Business Class seats are comfortable and great to sleep in.  The food was pretty average (there is a pattern forming on airline Business Class food - hmmmm). 

I leave you with some obligatory interior shots:

Our seat in row 88, yes, 88!

Cool corporate ID

Frozen mozzarella and tomato salad

Questionable beef rendang and mashed potato

Lime cake and Bailey's

27 June 2012 - Flight of Fancy on a New Jet

Oh gentle reader, 'tis only a few times in one's life that you get to experience the new and exciting.  Like all things the beauty of this definitely depends on the eye of the beholder.  So for me, the excitement of being able to try a new aircraft and new inflight products, puts me beside myself with excitement. 

A little backtracking is worthwhile I think (yes, I can hear you groaning).  When it was confirmed that I was heading Swiss-side, S and I started looking for side trips.  Lufthansa had just started flying the brand new 747-8i from Frankfurt to Washington.  So we did some investigating and found an excellent fare in Business Class.  S was able to use some points to upgrade us to First on the way over so I was one happy flyer!!  Also S had not been to Washington so this was an extra bonus.

So for those of you who do not wish to endure the long and detailed flight reviews there will be a separate post just on Washington.  That said I know you all crave these posts and it is what makes getting out of bed in the morning worthwhile. 

Our day started quite early and we piled into the Mercedes SLK, roof down and wind in our hair - well for me there is not movement from all the product.  S wore a sensible scarf or was it a cap, I cannot remember.  We arrived well in time at Zurich International Airport where we went to the exclusive First Class Check-in pod.  We were checked in quickly-ish for our little flight on Lufthansa to Frankfurt and then onwards to Washington.  It was then off to the Swiss First Lounge - a world of understatement and Lindt Chocolate.  Please note that there are finally people in these photos!

Of course no beginning of a journey is complete with out the obligatory champagne.  Luckily it is a drink that can be had any time of the day without guilt.  Soon enough it was time to head to our little Lufty A319 to take us to Frankfurt.  This flight only has a flying time of about 50 minutes.  Business Class in Europe is pretty scant.  The seats are economy seats with the centre seat kept empty and the food a little meagre, even on a longer flight.  So below are a couple of shots from the little jet.

In case you forget where you are.


Trying to forget....

My space? I will stick with FaceBook.




I reckon the big QF offers more in economy.









On arrival we took ourselves to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal (yes, it is a completely separate building surrounded by a force field of disinfectant for our protection from the masses - too right I hear you cry!). We clear security here and are looked after by a personal assistant.  Although a lovely idea, the lounge itself is like most others and was in true German understatement.  Of course to celebrate my first time here we enjoyed a couple of glasses of Tattinger Rose.  The other excitement for me was to score myself a much coveted rubber duck.  Odd I hear you say, yes, odd indeed.  What I did not know until I snaffled the first duck is that they make them in seasonal motifs and they are quite collectible.  This one as you will see below is an Olympic Duck, let's call him Ian Squawk!

Next it was time to head off to the jet.  No bridge for these travellers....we get driven to the jet in a luxury German car, a BMW 7 Series, a Mercedes S Class, a Porsche Cayenne or in our case a Mercedes people mover....big thumbs down. That said our driver took us the "long way" so we could see more of the airport and get some photos of the plane. Brace yourselves, jet photos ahead!

Like you it is with eager anticipation that we now get to enter this new beauty.  We were booked in First on this sector and there are only eight seats in the nose of the plane.  We had 1A and 1K - are there any other seats????  Again, more creams, browns, greys and beiges - I thought it looked great - S was not so happy with some of the stitching on the leather armrests - picky or what!  Sounds like something I would say!  The crew were very welcoming and it was then of course time for a welcoming champagne, a lovely Laurent Perrier.  I will let the pictures do some of the talking......

The entertainment system was one of the most complicated ones I had come across and a number of other guests were having issues with it.  Not helped by the fact that the crew kept saying that it was the first time on the aircraft!  One area you never think of until the need arises is the bathroom.  There is a picture above which shows the thinnest window shade ever - why did they bother!  there was not a great use of space and the hand towels were paper - where are my 1000 thread count cotton towels!!

Next event is lunch! The menu was fine and the entree was by far the highlight.  Lovey choice of wines too.  Again, my words can't do it justice and I think you all need a reprieve from them anyway.

Somebody getingt a full run down of the menu and receiving his eagerly awaited rose, a Lufthansa service signature.

 Set up for entree....mmmm....caviar




My main to the left and Stephan's to the right.

Average dessert and great chocolates

"Yes, one of everything please....."

Pretty shot of my rose through an empty glass, I am so artistic.









I had a bit of a wander around the plane to see what else was on offer.  I will only put in a couple of shots.




A tale of two cities!















There is only a little bit left to go (sighs of relief).  I had bought a magazine on the Lufthansa 747-8i and got the crew to sign it for me. I was pretty chuffed they did this for me.  I am such a geek!  After landing we also went up to the cockpit for a quick visit - very cool too.

So there you have it.  A long tale of the flight but worthwhile reading don't you think?  That question is rhetorical and does not require an answer.

After this we were met at the airport by our driver and whisked off to the Mandarin Oriental Washington DC.  Stay tuned...........

26 July 2012 - My environs

Yo-de-lay-he-hoo! Have you missed me?  Did you wonder where I had gone?  Did you think that I had lost interest in the blog.  No such luck I am afraid!  We have just spent the weekend in Washington DC and so I have been without time or proper keyboard to keep you up to date of my goings on be they big or small, insightful or inane.

Before you have to endure the sights and sounds of the flight to Washington (airport code IAD) and the touring of the US capital I thought I would take a step back and reflect on my environs that are Einsiedeln (it has taken me some time to get the spelling right on this one).

For those of you interested in some detailed information and history about the town here is the Wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einsiedeln).  Let's consider some of the facts:

• First mention of Einsiedeln was in 1073 - goodness!
• The Benedictine Einsiedeln Abbey is considered one of the most significant Roman Catholic pilgrimage sites in Europe - my God!
• It rains about half of the year - hooray, more time for fireside mulled wine!
• It is 100 sq km in size of which 47% is agricultural and 44% is forested.  5.5% is populated (that includes me) and the rest forms part of the Bermuda Triangle - an unwritten fact.
• There are about 14,000 inhabitants (plus one) and the most common language is German followed by Serbo Croatian and Albanian - who knew!

So, there is the history lesson.  Its not always giggles here, sometimes it is educational....I am but a teacher brought here to inform and amuse.

As you know, in an effort to shed some of those unwanted kilos from all the food and wine from First Class I have taken to cycling.  You will be thrilled to know that the urge to don lycra has not taken me.  I am sticking to something a little looser fitting...leaves more to the imagination I think.  Anywho, what this means is that I have had a chance to get up close and personal with the countryside.  Sometimes a little too close when I hit the ground from a poor cycling decision - my poor knee.  Was tempted with a photo but it is too healed now and does not show the true suffering I had to endure.  Amputation was considered.

The little picture post card shot to the right is pretty typical of the surrounding countryside.  This is summer so imagine what it will look like in winter.  It will be sleigh (cow) bells ringing and a world of snow men!

Below are some town shots showing the sort of housing around - love a pitched roof and gorgeous cobble stoned roads and footpaths.  Just dripping in history, well, maybe that is a bit of a leap!



Of course what every town needs is its own Olympic grade ski slope and jump. Wheee!!

As it get super duper cold here you can imagine there will be people with a lot of colds and sneezing endlessly.  So luckily there is a local sneeze clinic to help with all those maladies.  The Swiss think of everything. 

Actually it is a medical centre.  All the Deutsche-files would have course have know that "gesundheit" means good health but personally, my interpretation is much more interesting!

I can't stop peddling at the moment and am enjoying the time exploring and of course the training for the Tour de France in 2050 (that would be the only year where I may have trained sufficiently to get in!!).  So here are a couple more Kodak moments.

Of course I have to save the best sights until last.  Our kitchen (and bathroom) windows overlook the neighbours patio.  I am creating my own story about them as they spend a lot of time there eating and drinking.  The sons come for lunch and dinner but mostly it is the parents.  I am calling them my "Swiss Family Robinson" and plan to keep you informed of their antics.  So to start with you need to see them in all their glory....

So that is a little insight into the village of Einsiedeln.  What will the next epistle contain.  Be warned it involves a long haul flight on a new aircraft so you know what that means!  Yes, an extensive travel diary on all aspects of the product down to the stitching of the leather on the seats!  It is time to say G'day USA and see what Washington DC has in store for these intrepid travellers.