Author Topic: Hopping Around Asia (Mostly) (Read 61329 times)

moish · « **Reply #160 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:39:25 PM »

Back in the good ol’ days, you were able to book an Asia-US ticket in first for a measly 70k UA miles. And that’s exactly what I did. To get to the US for Pesach, I initially booked MFM-BKK-CDG-FRA-EWR, with the only real first being the BKK-CDG on a Thai A380. LH first generally only opens a week or so before departure and I was banking on that happening, so I booked into J hopefully for the interim. Right on schedule though, 8 days out, first class became available to JFK on a 747-400 and I was able to make the change without any problems.

Arriving in BKK from MFM, I was met by an airline employee holding a sign with my name. She proceeded to escort me, by foot, to the famed lounge. Others have been escorted by vehicle, but that wasn’t my experience.

Since I didn’t have too much time, I quickly set up a massage which was wonderful to experience before the flight. The massage room also has a full size shower which was a pleasure to use.

Shortly thereafter, I was escorted, again by foot, to the boarding gate. I settled in for the 12 hour flight to Paris. The flight featured Rimowa amenity kits which are my most favorite ones so far. There is also a sitting lounge which no one used at all. At the end of the flight they distributed gifts of a pack of cards and an orchid which was somewhat random.

Empty lounge

moish · « **Reply #161 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:39:44 PM »

Changing area in bathroom

Tailcam

moish · « **Reply #162 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:39:53 PM »

Paris

Arriving in CDG at around 7am, I quickly went through customs due to the fast pass issued for premier passengers, and Uber’d to my hotel, the Park Hyatt Paris.

They didn’t have any rooms available at the time, so I put my luggage in storage and walked to the Musée de l'Orangerie to view Monet’s Water Lilies which are absolutely fabulous. This being my third visit to the City of Light, I’m not sure why I hadn’t seen them before, but they are most definitely worth a visit. They are mesmerizing. Just be sure to give yourself some time, sit on the bench and get lost in them.

I then walked across the Tuileries Garden to the Louvre, but the line was too long so I figured I would return later.

moish · « **Reply #163 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:39:59 PM »

I was starting to get hungry so I hopped on the metro to the much hyped L'As Du Fallafel located in the Pletzl. After tasting it, all I can say is, believe the hype! It really is that good. If you don’t trust me, at least trust Lenny Kravitz.

I then went to the Korcarz bakery across the street for some dessert. I enjoyed the lemon meringue pie but didn’t care for much else.

moish · « **Reply #164 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:40:06 PM »

Random scene in the Pletzl

On the way back to the Metro I passed the Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue which was open so I ducked in for a quick glimpse.

I hopped back on to the Metro to go to Damyel on 35 rue Richer. After picking up a couple dozen macarons, I headed back to the Park Hyatt where my room was finally ready.

moish · « **Reply #165 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:40:14 PM »

I checked in to my room, which I found to be quite underwhelming. I know that my opinion of it is unpopular on here, but I say it as I see it. The PH Paris is quite popular in this forum, but I fail to see what people love about it. The rooms aren’t that great, there aren’t any significant views (although being in Paris, no view is still a pretty good view) and the service wasn’t anything to write home about. In terms of the other Park Hyatt’s I’ve stayed at, this one is down the list. I’m not saying it’s necessarily a bad hotel, but as far as Park Hyatts go, there are many stronger ones. I suspect that people on here get caught up in the allure of Paris and the PH doesn’t get judged on its own merits. At the end of the day, to each their own.

"View"

moish · « **Reply #166 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:40:22 PM »

I then returned to the Louvre, walked around while being guided by the Rick Steves audio guide, and said hello to a friend I hadn’t seen in almost seven years. I also spotted what I think is the first sculpture of someone taking a selfie.

Hello, old friend

Selfie??

Sculpture with eyeballs

I went out for some dinner before getting some shuteye for my early morning flight to FRA.

TimT · « **Reply #167 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:55:04 PM »

Quote from: moish on August 31, 2015, 04:40:22 PM

Selfie??

Taken with his new iStone

avrumy22 · « **Reply #168 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:29:15 PM »

Great TR!! Thanks!

How long did you spend in Macua? how much did you pay for the The House of Dancing Water show? did you need to buy tickets in advanced?

damaxer91 · « **Reply #169 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:38:12 PM »

Quote from: moish on August 31, 2015, 04:40:14 PM

I know that my opinion of it is unpopular on here, but I say it as I see it. The PH Paris is quite popular in this forum, but I fail to see what people love about it. The rooms aren’t that great, there aren’t any significant views (although being in Paris, no view is still a pretty good view) and the service wasn’t anything to write home about.

With you 100%. Nothing at all stood out about it...

Moshe123 · « **Reply #170 on:** August 31, 2015, 08:39:30 PM »

Amazingly written.

moish · « **Reply #171 on:** September 01, 2015, 08:43:01 AM »

Quote from: avrumy22 on August 31, 2015, 08:29:15 PM

Great TR!! Thanks!

Quote from: Moshe123 on August 31, 2015, 08:39:30 PM

Amazingly written.

thanks!

moish · « **Reply #172 on:** September 01, 2015, 08:43:21 AM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on August 31, 2015, 08:38:12 PM

With you 100%. Nothing at all stood out about it...

good to know im not completely off the rails

moish · « **Reply #173 on:** September 01, 2015, 08:44:40 AM »

Quote from: avrumy22 on August 31, 2015, 08:29:15 PM

\How long did you spend in Macua? how much did you pay for the The House of Dancing Water show? did you need to buy tickets in advanced?

2 days, 1 night.

i dont recall exactly how much i paid but the options are here http://thehouseofdancingwater.com/en/info/tickets/

did not need to buy in advance

Yehoshua · « **Reply #174 on:** September 06, 2015, 12:25:00 AM »

Wow, Moish, great TR! I just read the whole thing and it sounds fantastic. I'm glad your wife was happy to let you go. After traveling so often with her and your family, how was it by yourself? It was probably a really different experience, no?

moish · « **Reply #175 on:** September 06, 2015, 03:52:03 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on September 06, 2015, 12:25:00 AM

Wow, Moish, great TR! I just read the whole thing and it sounds fantastic. I'm glad your wife was happy to let you go. After traveling so often with her and your family, how was it by yourself? It was probably a really different experience, no?

thanks

it was surely a different experience, both enjoyable

AJK · « **Reply #176 on:** September 11, 2015, 05:21:31 PM »

Great TR. Don't think I'd like the whole solo travel thing, but I'm with you on the PHP. I found the service snobby and the rooms left what to be desired.

On the other end of the spectrum from, say, PH NRT and PH ICN.

AJK · « **Reply #177 on:** September 11, 2015, 05:26:18 PM »

That said, I did live the fragrance they use.

moish · « **Reply #178 on:** September 12, 2015, 05:12:34 PM »

Quote from: AJK on September 11, 2015, 05:21:31 PM

Great TR.

thanks

Quote from: AJK on September 11, 2015, 05:21:31 PM

I found the service snobby

i didnt feel welcome at all

AJK · « **Reply #179 on:** September 12, 2015, 09:52:40 PM »

That about sums it up. I mean, perhaps they distinguish between $$ and award, because I cannot imagine people paying $1,000/night put up with that. Or perhaps it's French vs. non-native speakers. Either way.

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Author Topic: Hopping Around Asia (Mostly) (Read 61329 times)