Las Vegas, Nevada to Zurich Switzerland, Frankfurt then Venice
Our bags are packed, we’re ready to go. Our flight leaves at 7:00 pm! Kent took us to the airport and we got through security no problem! Somehow we got Business Class seats. Huh? Larry just looked for seats with the best price and the most leg room. This business class travel opened the door to a whole new way of traveling. We got to go into the airport lounge where there were complimentary snacks of cut veggies, hummus and pita bread, the most yummy potato soup, etc. Needless to say, we did NOT need to stop by Starbucks for a bagel and veggies (OUR plan for on-flight snacks). Once on board the pampering did not stop! We were seated front and center - literally. There were blankets and pillows, headphones, water, alcohol (we passed), and fancy cheese stick crackers like the ones we made for Jana’s wedding. While waiting for take off, they took our order for dinner (organic chicken). Our flight was being delayed for some mechanical thing they needed to fix. Please fix it quickly - Venice is waiting!
Kent was kind enough to chauffeur us to the airport.
He tried to squeeze into Larry's bag, but he just couldn't fit.
This is the plane that is going to fly us over the ocean
to a land we have only dreamt of visiting.
Our delay ended up lasting about 3 ½ hours. During that time we disembarked with a voucher worth $25.00 each to eat dinner at any place in the terminal. We wandered around, contemplating our choices, and decided on a restaurant called The Pub. We had a delicious meal of fish and chips, and an avocado BLT. Both were scrumptious! Our bill came to $35.00 leaving us with $15.00. We were told to choose some drinks or snacks to use the remaining money on the voucher. Crazy! After devouring our meal we made our way back to the gate. They were still working on the problem. After a bit we were told it was time to get back on the plane. Yay! Finally our plane, loaded with at least two very happy, well-fed travelers, and the flight was ready to go.
Traveling in style with Business Class - What!?
Goodies to make our flight more comfortable -
eye mask, socks, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste
The take off was smooth as silk, which made me very happy. Flying isn’t my favorite activity, but could quickly become my favorite if this pampering was the norm. We settled into our comfy seats, got our TVs going, and were ready for the long flight.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, food started showing up again. First, the flight attendants fixed our tray tables with a tablecloth (yup, real fabric) and a folded up, all pretty napkin. The first course was sushi. Next came lobster and a salad, then the main course of our previously ordered chicken, green beans wrapped in bacon, and these little fancy potatoes. It was all so yummy! I could only eat about half, because let’s face it, I am not a hobbit. No second dinner for me! Only ½ of a second dinner :). To top off the gourmet meal there was a delicious dessert of either cheesecake (Larry) or chocolate mousse (Clare). Both were perfection! After dinner, we each did an imaginary jogging lap around the plane to help settle all the food we had already consumed on this trip! We are going to have to do A LOT of walking to compensate for all the yummy food we plan on eating.
Now it’s time to settle in for a long night nap. Wait!! Our seats, just like transformers, change into beds! No crooked necks for us! Larry is already out. I think I will join him. Oh! Before I go to sleep let me just share one more thing - we each have a little zippered pouch, a very cool packet with an eye mask, socks, mini toothbrush, and an even mini-er tube of toothpaste and earplugs. There has been NO detail left unthought-of of! I could get used to this! Sweet dreams!
We could get used to this kind of travel!
Sweet dreams!
What an awesome night’s sleep! Almost better than at home in my own bed!
When we landed in Zurich, and before we got off the plane the pilot came out to say goodbye and wish us well. He was a neat guy. We had met him while we were boarding the plane. He indicated the mechanical problem had been an engine heat sensor that had to be replaced. He showed us the old part, which looked to be about the size of a metal pencil with a sewing bobbin on the end. He kind of chuckled and mentioned that they had carried the spare part on the plane for fifteen years, but that it had been in a lock box, and they couldn’t find the key to the box. They had needed to call from Las Vegas to Zurich, and get someone out of bed, to find the key to unlock the box for the part.
Because of our late departure from Vegas we missed our connecting flight to Venice. But the Swiss Air staff were very helpful in getting us another flight to Frankfurt, Germany, and then to Venice. We had very little time to get to the next flight. We will have to come back to Zurich sometime soon. Upon take off we were able to see the beauty of the surrounding area. There were beautifully plowed and planted fields, dotted with cute neighborhoods. It looked like a patchwork quilt my Grandma Ivy would have been inspired to make. Then we were over some hilly parts of Switzerland with little clusters of houses nestled in the valleys. The mountains in the background offered a protective, rugged contrast to the smooth lines of the hills. I love the mountains! I love God’s creativity! I am so thankful for this experience to travel with Larry. Pictures from the plane through the murky window do not do justice to the beauty I am surrounded by.
Majestic escalators!
Zurich to Frankfurt transfer
The patchwork quilt effect
Hurrying to our last connecting flight to Venice!
Oh my goodness! We really are turning into hobbits. The flight from Zurich to Frankfurt was only one hour but more food appeared before us! Another small, but tasty breakfast European style…sliced meat, yummy couscous, and strawberry parfait. This kind of traveling is addicting! Descending into Frankfurt - more beautiful patchwork landscapes!
So far, no motion sickness - maybe it’s all the food! Hope it stays this way. :)
Touchdown Frankfurt, Germany 8:00 pm. The trip from Frankfurt to Venice was uneventful. Thank goodness! Travel so far has been a delight, and yes, there was another meal. We are going to have to really put some miles on our Nikes if we continue to devour such delectable morsels of food. Venice is on the horizon! Touch down soon! VENICE, ITALY; 11:16 pm!
A quick description of our cuisine experience in Business Class...All the food was delicious, seriously gourmet. It was served on small geometric shaped dishes. Everything was scaled down in size. I felt as though we were having several tea parties as we made our way across the sky. Now on to exploring a new country and culture. Buongiorno Principessa!
A Hobbit's Life!
Dinner during the flight from Las Vegas to Zurich.
Amazing!
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Top Right: first breakfast before landing in Zurich
Top Left: second breakfast from Zurich to Frankfurt
Bottom: third breakfast from Frankfurt to Venice
A shout out to all the delicious, gourmet food just to get us to our destination!
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