It's early January and I've had the 'flu for the past week ...
SC knows I've had this crazy idea to take a long train journey in Russia - despite lots of advice to the contrary - from those who've experienced it ..
I need to be in Moscow - biz- and as most of Russia will be returning to work - the flights are full / silly money.
SO... we took the train ..
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=20443.msg421358#msg421358 We arrived in Moscow at 7am and it was 'brass monkey' ... - 13C and a cutting breeze. I have to be at a hotel nr Sheremetyevo and we take the special airport train to get there. Last time I used SVO it wasn't open - so I was interested to try it .
We bought our tickets online
http://aeroexpress.ru/en and took a taxi to Belorussky Railway Station.
So much has changed ..in 2007 ... I had an m-ticket [ ticket on my mobile/cell phone ] and a Russian Policeman had insisted I needed a paper ticket ...it was a relatively new 'thing'
On arriving at the airport we were collected by a driver and taken to our hotel ... it's a family place I recommend - if awaiting a long layover or needing a rest before/ after a flight ... It has a private sauna, conference facilities and is quiet- despite being 5 minutes from the airport...if not busy.
http://aviatorshotel.com/en SC hates the cold
Now comes the 'fun' part ...
As I had been recovering from the 'flu, 'madam' had sorted out the tickets and when my demonstration was completed - we headed off to the airport - but we were off to THAILAND .. not Sochi
As the dog is coming - we have to get him checked by a vet at the airport... He has a passport and has been chipped. He is passed to fly and now we can pay for his pre-booked ticket - 50 Euros..
This video shows folk boarding and the poor little fella is in a pink pet box at our feet ... Madam is ready for t'other end.. a crop top with 'DWEEB' emblazoned across the front .... I hadn't seen this top, before ...it appeared when she removed her sweater - so I had to explain what a 'Dweeb' is..I haven't seen it, since
VIDEO Aeroflot had a lousy reputation - but on long hauls - I couldn't find a fault - other than no booze was served with the meal ...strange as it IS served on flights across the pond or to Vietnam - for example.
The plane was great..a recent addition to the Aeroflot fleet - a Boeing 777. The Crew were attentive and polite and the new designs of planes have bigger windows and great A/V kit ...I couldn't sleep - too excited - and SC slept resting her head on my lap - while I watched ''Bridge of Spies''
I awoke to the first rays of dawn and mistook my first sighting of the Himalayas to be a cloud formation ..
The route took us over some great sights and we landed 1 hour late ... we left Moscow late ..due to all planes needing de-icing. Bangkok airport was a huge structure - unlike most western airports - this was one huge terminal...
Most of the staff wore face masks - did they know about my 'flu .. and seemed friendly.. but we had to process the dog at the airport vets ... cost 4 USD and poor Igor - who was collecting us - ended up waiting THREE hours - as then we had to pay an import duty for the tiny dog [ 30 USD ]
Igor lives in Thailand and his daughter was also wearing a face-mask - the poor lass had waited in the car - she was coming down with the 'flu, too . He had liaised with Ann - who's house we were staying at - it is huge and the bottom floor is converted into apartments.
We were dropped to the door.
Igor recommended us
1/ the best ATM
2/ a greet restaurant
SC had been before - so she knew Ann, but she was shocked how quiet the place was - and how many places had closed.
This was her choice of destination and I intended to work in the mornings in our room and come to the beach with the dog,later in the afternoon ...
to be continued
