It's finally here - time to take off!
Touchse is on the road; #TouchseGoesAsia tour lasts 4 weeks from
11th October until 8 November 2016.
My travel plan (Emphasizing word plan i.e. it may change along the way) is as follows:
4 weeks, 4 hotels
Leg 1 & 2
1st flight HEL-BKK
2nd flight BKK-USM (Koh Samui, Thailand)
6 days at the fabulous, world famous
Nikki Beach Koh Samui beach club resort (This is link to my blog thereof)
LEGS 3 & 4
3rd flight USM-SIN (Singapore)
4th flight SIN-KUL (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
2,5 days at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur (This is link to my blog post thereof)
LEG 5
5th flight KUL-DPS (Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
Here I will stay at first in Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua hotel, at the Elysian Boutique Villas and Anantara Bali.
LEGS 6 & 7
then on 8th November
my 6th flight DPS-SIN
7th flight SIN-HEL
- - -
So this adventure of mine starts with a flight with Finnair's newest plane type, A350 and of course, I wanted to upgrade myself to test out the fabulous business class, only right, pleasant way to fly long-hauls if you ask me (and I'm telling even if you're not asking...)
You may read more of this fabulous plane here:
https://www.finnair.com/fi/fi/a350
I have to say though, booking tickets isn't always quite as straight forward as you'd think.
Especially when you
a) travel in business
b) have specific dates you need to travel
c) are missing some points in order to upgrade yourself to business class both ways, not just one way.
d) the trip is route trip, i.e. your departure flight's destination airport is not the same as return flight's airport
e) have plenty of food allergies and food restrictions, so you need special diets
f) your luggage will weigh more than they are allowed.
Ok, despite of all of the above, I managed to get tickets exactly the way I wanted.
I will tell you though, on another post, more about how to book those tickets in the best possible way, if you have similar special needs as I did. As you know, I travel a lot, so I've learnt to deal with those issues during the years, and would be happy to share my knowledge so that others can benefit from my experience as well.
OCTOBER 11, 2016 - THE DEPARTURE DAY!
I arrived at the airport early, for once, on time to actually enjoy the calmness and luxury of Finnair's business lounge.
CHECK-INI went to priority check-in with my luggage which were in total; 1 large hard suitcase, 2 softer bags, 1 carry on bag and a hand bag. What do you mean that's a lot?
Isn't that a normal amount of luggage for a lady to go touring for four weeks?
Well, it was for me!
The lady on the check in counter was very kind, as they, in most cases with Finnair are. I did have a short chat with her and told her that I'm actually going to tour around Asia for one month and that's why I have so many bags - as if I had to explain myself.. but felt the need as I almost felt guilty for taking so many bags with me.
However, when I asked her if she knew what happens with my bags on my next leg, i.e. Bangkok-Koh Samui, she had no idea.
I don't have a photo of me when going, but I do have a photo when I'm at the other end so you see the amount of bags I was having... (Please, a woman needs her precious belongings, don't judge!)
Raoul from Finnair's phone sales
Well, it so happened that I had this amazing sales person on Finnair's phone sales (Raoul) who was actually able to tell that primary flight, in this case that being Finnair's business flight from Helsinki to Bangkok (BKK) defines the quantity of the bags allowed to the following leg. I told him that this didn't work on my previous trip so I strongly doubt that I would have better luck this time.
He knew the booking system inside and out and told me to tell the airport customer service personnel to check the "Ozzy" (...wonder if that was the correct way to write it) field, probably something to do with Amadeus, has it very clearly stated that the primary flight defines the allowed quantity of bags also on the continuing flight if both flights are written into one ticket.
Well, at Helsinki airport the check-in counter officer couldn't find this info. Anyway, I had to take a risk as I couldn't just dump my bags so checked them in and went to security. For those who don't know, it's ok to take check-in 3 bags if you're traveling in business.
SECURITY CHECK
Priority security check is nowadays on the second floor at Helsinki airport.
I have never had any problems with security since I consider myself as an experienced traveler after all these years. It was then my turn to get security checked so I put my laptop, tablet computer, GoPro camera, liquids' see-through bag etc. on the line to boxes and then showed the staff that I have this plastic ice block (sealed, it has frozen water inside, KylmäKalle in Finnish) here in my carry on bag for my chocolates (as I'm allergic to so many things, I always have some Milky Ways with me to get some energy if needed if there's nothing eatable for me).
On my previous trips it was perfectly fine. However, on this time, the security officer said: No, not allowed, only for medical purposes. Wait, hold on, it is like medicine for me, but I guess that's not what they meant, but... Well, lucky for me, I had my eye drops in that same plastic backd and they need to be kept cold at all times, so I told them that and also showed my prescription for my eye drops. After that, all good. Very much appreciated, it was a long trip before I actually got to my hotel and those Milky Way bars turned out to be more than necessary.
Of course they checked everything, as they should. However, before I got to pack it all up they wanted to make a drug sweep with their gears of my handbag. Well, fine with me, and said ok, but somehow that did, indeed, make me feel uncomfortable. Was that just a coincidence or did they do that because of all the hassle? Anyhow, its funny how human mind works, now it made me feel like a criminal and I did nothing wrong.
BUSINESS LOUNGE
Well, all good, and I continued towards the Finnair's business lounge. This is the part when I always start to feel happy and excited about my trips, yay, it's finally the departure day! I walk around the airport with the stupid grin on my face, as if I never traveled before and I travel all the time. But you know, that's my passion; traveling, and one of the best parts of it is Finnair's lounge & business class. No, I'm not kidding. They are relaxing for me as I've made a promise to myself that I don't have to work when flying, so it's actually like my mini vacation.
Got to the lounge and... wait!
Did I come to the right place?
I think I've been here often enough to recognize the place but.... what the heck?!
It was completely full, packed, jammed, whatever the word you want to use, it was so full of people that I couldn't even find a seat for myself. Never in my life had that happened before. Ok, I'm hungry, got to the food serving line and ask the staff if they had anything gluten free. Turned out that they had gluten free muffins and these buns with butter and sugar in the middle. I used to love those years ago before I found that I'm gluten intolerant.
So I decided to pamper myself and had one of those and it was DELICIOUS!!!
Best one I've had in a long (and I mean LONG, like years!) time! It was so good, I immediately regretted for not having 3 of those and taking 2 of them to the plane with me. Due to all those crowds and everything, turned out that once again, I didn't even have enough time to sit at the lounge and enjoy all the servings as it was time to go to my gate.
Well, no time for that as I noticed that it was time for boarding. Once I got to the gate, it was obvious that it is going to be a fully booked flight, there were so many people there. I was truly happy and grateful for being able to fly in business class - which by the way is the best and the most enjoyable way to travel long-hauls!
BOARDING
It is always a pleasure to get on the place when flying in business, but this time I'd only give it maybe 7 out 10, namely the entire economy class walked by me, as my seat was in the "middle" business seat part (there are two separate business seat areas in this new plane type).
The place feels crowded and there is a hassle going on for as long as passengers keep walking into the plane. But that is just a small thing, not even a problem, except when they punch you in the head with their bags.I got to my seat and got all my main entertainment gears ready; i.e. my laptop, book, tablet computer and some snacks as well as my phone (camera).
Wasn't that long after "boarding completed" we heard the notification that there was some electrical malfunction in one of the plane's doors and we had to wait until they check that out. I was so happy to be in business class as at that point I heard some poor little babies and kids started to become restless in the economy class. (I remember the days travelling with my son when he was little, when he was a toddler and tired - boy was that miserable for everyone, poor child). Well, I got another glass of sparkling delicacy and had some good talks with Jussi and other crew on board, so no complaints on my part.
Turned out that we will be at least 2 late when arriving to BKK, which means I won't make it to my next flight. The head purser/cabin crew chief (not quite sure what the term is nowadays) lovely and the friendliest lady, Sirpa Brusila was kind enough to arrange everything on my behalf so I didn't have to worry at all.
Although we took off couple of hours late, I didn't mind. That business class is like a mini vacaytion so I don't mind spending there little extra time - not at all, good food, good company, fun things to do, relaxing - what's there to complain about? Nothing!
I do have to say that although I've traveled in Finnair's business class numerous times, this time it was the best service ever. Thank you Jussi & Sirpa!
DINNER TIME
Dining on board. It's a show case of its own.
From the moment the plane takes off, everyone waits for the food.
Then, when they get the food, they take their forks, poke the food around the plate, and then decide not to eat it, and naturally, the complain about it. Hands up, who hasn't seen this?
As I always contact Finnair's catering in advance due to my many food allergies, I pretty know what I'll have or at least what's not going to be in my food. In most cases, it's basically chicken and rice.
However, this time I decided to try something new and I chose the duck and my goodness IT WAS DELICIOUS!! Devine. Lovely. According to Urban Dictionary:
Sick! Dope! But sick as in so good that I could eat it until I get sick!
Never have I ever asked if I could have the second set of starter course, but now I did. It was a divene mix of sweet, a bit greasy meat (duck is quite fatty), salty, and a bit sour. Absolutely exquisite. Thank you so much to your smart chef who made this experience possible.
Well, with the main course I had a problem, it was chicken and rice, just like I asked, and that was not a problem - the problem was; I had so much of that starter so my stomach just didn't have room for any more meat. Good thing though, the dessert was lovely Finnish ice cream, Jymy, that actually was suitable for me even with all my intolerances.
Thank you Finnair and your food & catering department, you really absolutely exceeded my expectations - and I don't say that lightly.
LADIES ROOM
Before getting some sleep I decided to check out the ladies room - and yes, there is an actual LADIES room in that particular plane type and what a beautiful, peaceful space, with lovely aromas it was. Never have I ever enjoyed my little stop by at the ladies room, especially on the plane like this time. Ok, back to my seat after having, once again, one little fun small talk/chat with Jussi - there should be more people like him working for airlines. Or, if my company is ever big enough that I can hire people, I just might steal him to work for me! đź’–
 |
| Some gadget to adjust your seat magically to turn into a bed |
Once again, no problem. These seats in the new A350 are so comfy. Not sure whether it's the same if you are a very tall man, but at least for me, it was like sleeping in a bed and once my head hit the pillow, I woke up 4 hours later as if I had slept the entire night.
Then I had another one of those delicous ice creams, some wonderful breakfast and it was soon time to prepare for landing. Before that Sirpa kindly informed me that they have arranged everything so I have no problem what so ever to get to Koh Samui, I have been transferred to the next flight and there should be someone waiting for me at the airport to escort me to the gate (well, things didn't go quite as smoothly, but it was by any means not Finnair's fault, it's just the way things go at Bangkok airport pretty much everytime - but more about that on one of my future blogs).
Time to get ready to start my amazing 4 weeks #TouchseGoesAsia tour. I'm on my way to new adventures and also challenges I'm sure, but I can't wait - and neither should you! There is plenty more great stories to come, stay tuned!
Enjoy your lives people, it's for living, not just existing.
Just to remind you in case you've forgotten!
If your life is boring and you feel stuck - do something about it, don't expect others to do it for you. You're the captain on board in your life!
Love,
Mia
xoxo
