I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: RichardMEL on October 12, 2007, 11:00:09 AM
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I have splurged and will be flying on the new Airbus A380 from Singapore to Sydney in 2 weeks time.. one of the first (but not the first) flight of this new large plane. I coughed up the money for Business Class so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm going to slot the flights intebween dialysis sessions but might just live it up a little and drink a little champ (hey, special occasion!!)....
Just hoping there won't be a kidney for me that couple of days I'm out of the country!!
I ummed and aaahed about it and decided life, at this stage, is about experiences.. and I reckon this would be fun and I want to. I flew on the first flight of the Boeing 777 in 1995 and one of the first of the Boeing 777-300 in 1998... (yes I'm a nerd).... so I am really looking forward to this one.. and I even got a window seat :)
EDITED:Moved topic to proper section- off topic- kitkatz, moderator
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thats great man!!! Have a wonderful time!!! Glad your living a dream!! :clap; :clap; :2thumbsup;
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That's awesome. The largest plane I've ever flown on was a 737, and I'd really like to fly on an A380 or a 747. I've seen a 767 up close on the ground, and that thing isn't exactly small. Have a good trip.
Adam
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Is this your first time flying while on dialysis? I made a 26-hour, 8,000 mile flight while on dialysis and had no problems. My technique was simply to eat nothing on the plane and to drink very little, so there was little chance for toxins to accumulate despite the gap between dialysis sessions.
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Have fun and let us know how it went :2thumbsup;
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That's awsome! Good for you! Have a wonderful time, mate! ;D (that's "mate" with a Texas accent ;))
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Hi, Richard,
Have a wonderful time, enjoy yourself! Be sure to let us all know
how it was and all the details of the airplane.
Anne and Les :2thumbsup;
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Way to go Richard, sounds great :2thumbsup;
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Very cool! I love to fly! Have loads of fun!
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Have fun!!!!!!!!!! :yahoo;
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Thats great Richard. and why not splurge! you deserve it.
How long will you be in Sydney for??
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Sounds like a good time :thumbup;
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Go Richard Go ! See you up in the air real soon ! :2thumbsup;
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:clap; :bandance; :bandance; GO NERD BOY GO!!!!! :bandance; :bandance; :yahoo;
Have a great time Richard and don't forget the .... :pics; :pics; :pics; ;D
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I'm jealous! And here I thought I was a Nerd. Oh, wait. I'm a Geek, thats right! :)
Have lots of fun, and take some Pics if that machine, if ya can. :)
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Hey everyone...
I've been asked to write a blog and take pics for an aviation related online publication, so if they allow me to take pics I certainly will :)
Amanda... I will only be in Sydney a couple of hours... I arrive 0700 and while I haven't booked it I think I'll leave between 9 and 10 to get to Melbourne in time for my afternoon shift.
Thanks everyone for being supportive of the flying nerd :) I've decided life is about experiences and doing it.. though obviously I hope a Kidney doesn't become available while I'm over there! LOL. Still the chances are pretty small.
It's not the first time I will have flown while on dialysis, but the first International flying for me in well over a year. All my other trips have been 2 hours or under just around Australia. I'm not worried about the flying bit... as for toxins.. sorry but I intend to live it up. I spoke to the dialysis boss at my unit and she actually encouraged me (within reason)... saying pretty much "eat and drink and enjoy this experience.. we will fix it when you are on the machine!" - now I don't intend to drink for 7 hours solid or anything but I might just be a lil more relaxed about having a 2nd glass of champagne.... :-)
now.. for the nerds out there...
The Airbus A380 handover ceremony is on tomorrow (Oct 15) in France... streamed live for anyone that cares...
http://www.A380delivery.com (10am GMT+2)
And I expect the seat and services I have will be much like this...
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/businessclass/video.jsp
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I told my husband about your trip and he's SOOO jealous! He loves planes and can probably name every single one out there from the time they were invented. He used to fly too. He's also a self-proclaimed nerd (or geek, or dork, I'm can never remember)! ;D Have a great time! :beer1;
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There was a story today on Yahoo News about the first Airbus flight. Have fun on your trip!
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The Airbus stopped in Cincinnati last week and I saw some news reports about it...it's impressive and massive! Enjoy the experience!
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Wow!! :2thumbsup; Please DO take pics, that is sooo cool!!!! Enjoy that second glass of champagne, too!!! Yummers!!! :beer1;
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On Tuesday I deliberately went a lil over my usual fluid limit (and boy, did they notice!) but I explained what I was doing and they were cool. I wanted to see if I could handle taking > 3l off in a session (I could!!) since I hadn't had to for over 6 months and wanted to see if my body could handle it.
Not that I'm planning to be totally stupid on my flight, but I reckon if I'm paying $4,000 for the flight and they will serve drinkies with nice food etc.. well I want to enjoy my experience and not totally hold back... so hopefully it will be ok when I come in for my session and even if I'm massively over we can take it off over a couple of sessions and I should be OK.
What I like is that the staff are supporting me to do this not giving me grief... I guess they value that a rare experience like this is worth it.
I am booked into seat 14A - 3rd row from the front of the upper deck. :) Flying in under 2 weeks!! :)
thank you everyone for your support!! :)
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Go Go Richard Go ! :clap;
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Hi Richard - It sounds like great fun. What is your timeline from beginning to end? I hope you do get to take photos.
I want to fly in a jet - like an F16 or F18 -- I see them zoom over whenever Jenna goes to her transplant hospital - the military base is nearby. I love speed!
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Good luck on your flight and fluid gain..don't over do it though. I think for $4000 you should expect some female company. :lol; I hope you enjoy your experience.
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Just enjoy it amigo, it all happens so fast and then its over.... cant wait to see the :pics; ;) ;)
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Why would you gain more fluid weight on an airplane?
Can't you just drink on the plane, what you normally drink during the day (talking about amounts)? So like, instead of sitting at home drinking your fluids, you will be on the plane drinking them... so your still drinking the same amount.. just in a different place. You won't be at home much that day, so you won't be drinking your fluids at home, just on the plane.. so you shouldn't go over, if you do, it shouldn't be by much, or am I missing something here? :lol;
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Why would you gain more fluid weight on an airplane?
Yeah, I'm wondering the same thing. You usually become dehydrated on flights, particularly longer ones, due to the atmosphere in the cabin. That's why they recommend you have moisturizer with you. Alcohol will dehydrate you even more.
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On Tuesday I deliberately went a lil over my usual fluid limit (and boy, did they notice!) but I explained what I was doing and they were cool. I wanted to see if I could handle taking > 3l off in a session (I could!!) since I hadn't had to for over 6 months and wanted to see if my body could handle it.
Not that I'm planning to be totally stupid on my flight, but I reckon if I'm paying $4,000 for the flight and they will serve drinkies with nice food etc.. well I want to enjoy my experience and not totally hold back... so hopefully it will be ok when I come in for my session and even if I'm massively over we can take it off over a couple of sessions and I should be OK.
What I like is that the staff are supporting me to do this not giving me grief... I guess they value that a rare experience like this is worth it.
I am booked into seat 14A - 3rd row from the front of the upper deck. :) Flying in under 2 weeks!! :)
thank you everyone for your support!! :)
The reason he is going to gain extra fluid is cuz he plans on having a few :wine; :wine; while he is in the plane :clap;
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Yes, I know hes going to have some drinks on the plane, but those will replace what he would of had on the ground anyways, but he will just be having them in the air, right?
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Here is a picture of the A380 Airbus.
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Thanks for the pic Sluff :) yep that's it... I'll be sitting on the top deck about ummm.. hmm 6th or 8th window from the front..
Anyway I spoke with the head nurse yesterday about my plans. She thought it was great! When I talked to her about wanting to enjoy the experience, which would include some extra drinkies (and angela, I am certain to want to drink more on the plane as part of the whole experience... and I don't just mean booze.. but you're sitting there you get a nice meal and offered fine wine or spirits or even just some yummy coffee - I recall when I flew in First on Singapore Airlines a few years back they had like 4 different sorts of specality coffee beans!!). Anyway so I spoke to the nurse and she said "It's ok to enjoy the experience but if you find you're asymptomatic.. like shortness of breath or whatever.. then stop drinking" I pretty much get off the plane and will be going straight to my regular dialysis session so it should be alright.
I am not planning on being stupid about all this, and being in hot and steamy Singapore for a day or so prior to the flight should also help with some natural fluid loss (and I intend to do swimming and walking and stuff) but I do want to enjoy my time. A co-worker and I are going to go to Raffles hotel bar and order a Singapore Sling (a classic cocktail experience)... I really like that the nursing staff in my unit are all behind me going and enjoying the experience and not telling me to watch what I drink or whatever....
i guess they know after a year that I'm pretty good with my fluids and diet on a regular basis and this is a special occasion so it's "ok" to let go, as long as I do it within limits.
And yes all, I will admit to how much my fluid gain was when I return! LOL
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Make sure you have an extra Singapore Sling for me :beer1; :cuddle;
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With the cost of such a flight you may only get to do this once, so live it up Richard!! :yahoo;
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Richard, TAKE PICTURES!!!! I am so happy for you, to have such an adventure!! (And soooo jealous!!!). LIVE IT UP!!!!! :beer1;
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Fluid Shmuid, LIVE IT UP MY FRIEND :yahoo; and most importantly, enjoy yourself ;)
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Fluid Shmuid, LIVE IT UP MY FRIEND :yahoo; and most importantly, enjoy yourself ;)
Send him the quart jar I gave you Susie, he will really be flying high in that airbus.
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Richard my boyfriend is obsessed with the Airbus.. we went to see it when one came for a test flight to Sydney this year..... He lives only about 5 minutes from the Airport we are going to walk up to go see the plane it arrives.....When driving past the airport these is a big screen that is counting down to its arrival.... Maybe we will bump into you at the terminals. ;D
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Enjoy it! I am so jealous!! I used to be a flight attendant and love planes! My sister's boyfriend is an F18 pilot in the Navy. Love airplanes. I live about 5 miles from the Air and Space Museum in VA and haven't had time to go yet, but they have a Concorde. I am dying to see it!! And there is nothing wrong with being a nerd, I married one.
Beth
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I gotcha Ken, I just figured you would drink whatever you drank normally on the ground, in the air, since you won't be on the ground that day long enough to drink.. :lol; I have confused myself now! Enjoy your flight and live it up. :)
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Fluid Shmuid, LIVE IT UP MY FRIEND :yahoo; and most importantly, enjoy yourself ;)
Send him the quart jar I gave you Susie, he will really be flying high in that airbus.
Sorry, no can do amigo, we are saving that (& Jose) for Thanksgiving :2thumbsup;
and thank you again amigo :beer1;
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Enjoy the adventure...can't wait to hear all about it!!
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In a week it will all be over.. so stay tuned guys (and girls)..
Amanda, I will be touching down at the unsociable hour of 0700 Tues 30Oct, then catching QF back to Melbourne 0900 to get to my afternoon shift. If the hours were better or i had more time I'd have suggested shouting you a coffee (OR LOTS TO DRINK!! :) )
I leave for Singapore in 4 days :)
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Hey Richard!
I just saw the Airbus A380 land in Sydney after completing its first commercial flight. It was amazing to see! :thumbup; There was like 10,000 ppl at the beach watching. It was great!
Your trip is going to be amazing!
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I just saw the plane on TV this morning! It was landing in Australia (maybe I saw Amanda too ::) ). My husband is so jealous, but impressed!
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Richard, i am so excited for you, i surely do hope this trip is all you expect and more (which i am sure it will be) :2thumbsup; That is one huge plane :o
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Great pic Amanda :) Yes I will be staring out of the 6th or 7th windowfrom the front of the upper deck in just 2 days time :)
Anyway I'm off to the aiport now to head to Singapore...
So I'll let everyone know how it was when I return!!
Thanks all for your support!!! I have pretty much kept to my dry weight or thereabouts overnight so... let the fun begin. At least Singapore's 89% humidity will help with the fluid a little :)
I'll add more when I return!
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:waving; Siyonara my friend, have a great time :2thumbsup;
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Mondo cool Richard...I read the press reports about your flight. People were standing in the aisles making life tough for the flight attendants. I heard it was a party atmosphere from takeoff to landing. Tell us where you were on the plane. Did you have a double bed up in the front? How was the ride? Was takeoff and landing nice and smooth? Did you have some of the free champagne? Hope you took lots and lots of pictures. Way on!
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Mondo cool Richard...I read the press reports about your flight. People were standing in the aisles making life tough for the flight attendants. I heard it was a party atmosphere from takeoff to landing. Tell us where you were on the plane. Did you have a double bed up in the front? How was the ride? Was takeoff and landing nice and smooth? Did you have some of the free champagne? Hope you took lots and lots of pictures. Way on!
He hasn't been on the flight yet.
Richard--I know I'm a little late, but I hope you have a safe and spectacular flight!
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Hi everyone :)
I got back yesterday but was pretty tired after I did dialysis so crashed... but here I am!!
I wasn't on the inagural flight, but the 3rd commercial flight. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!
I am so glad I went!! I had a ball and despite all I drank and ate (!) I still was only 2.1kg over when I rocked up to dialysis (I had to weigh myself twice to believe it - I was sure I would be 5-6kg over!). Seems that I sweated out 3kg in the natural Sauna that is singapore (I was walking the streets quite a bit!) :)
The plane was very nice inside (specially in the pointy end where I was :-) ).. the service was sensational and the seat... oh yeah.. seat was lovely.... the bed wa very comfortable (but the flight was only 6:45 so not much time for sleeping!).
The aircraft was a little more quiet than older ones I can conform that and yeah it was very nice.
I didn't take a HEAP of pictures (they really didn't want people roaming about the cabins) but I will post a few shortly when I d/l them from my camera :)
Again I'm really glad I took the trip and it's hard coming back to earth where there's not someone standing nearby offering "another glass of Champagne, sir?"
:)
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Glad you enjoyed your trip.
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Woohooo, so glad you had a safe trip and you enjoyed yourself, and not bad on the fluids RichardMel, i can imagine how hot it was for you to lose all that fluid by sweating, Glad to have you back my friend :beer1;
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Glad you had a good flight :thumbup; Welcome back
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Well I spent about 3 hours walking around out there. I sweated a heap but I didn't think it was THAT much. I was dying for a drink but new I had to be "good" because I intended to live it up... finally though I was feeling a bit faint so knew I had to have something and get some sugar into me, so I stopped at 7-11 and had a slurpee (thinking ice, less fluid and sugar included). It was a weird tropical flavour (blue???) but quite refreshing and I felt much better for it (I nearly got a tiger beer, but thought better of it :) ).... and whoa when i got on the scales after drinking champagne, tea and juice etc on the plane.. I was so surprised :)
I may just move there...
no just kidding :)
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Welcome home Richard. I am glad you had such a good time. GO NERD BOY GO!! :clap;
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Glad you had such a great time Richard, welcome home :clap;
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Welcome home Richard. I am glad you had such a good time. GO NERD BOY GO!! :clap;
I second that GO NERD BOY GO lol :clap; :bandance; :clap;
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I just saw the plane on TV this morning! It was landing in Australia (maybe I saw Amanda too ::) ). My husband is so jealous, but impressed!
Impressed with Amanda or the plane? ;) :)
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Great Ken!!! So glad you had a great flight!! :)
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Sounds like an awesome adventure...way to grab for the gusto!!
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Hooray the Aussie girls calling me a nerd boy.. I think I like it... mmm sort of... well... yeah! lol
So, here are some pictures from the NERD BOY...
1st: Picture of the Whale parked at Gate F31 at Changi. I am certain that gate was setup for the A380 (with boarding bridges to the upper deck as well as lower) because of its position. When I was there you can see the plane from the main terminal area, so a lot of people were staring and taking pictures etc... Defintely not a co-incidence that. Alas there were no other planes nearby at the time to do a shot to show the size in comparision with say an A320 or something.
2nd: A not so great picture of the Business Class seat (good ones can be found elsewhere!) it looks decepively small in terms of space between the seat and the console, but my 6'2" legs had no issues and it was very comfortable. The seat is so wide you could fit 2 people in there snuggled up (incidently the seat has a headphone jack on each side of the shell... maybe they had this in mind?? :) )
3rd: Stuff the fluid limit! Have a drink and some mixed nuts... above the fold out drink tray in the console next to the large video screen is a little mirror for the ladies.... to the left of the screen is another compartment to put glasses or other smalll odds and ends. There is also storage under the console for a bag.
4th: An appetizer of "drowned prawns" it was very nice.
5th: A shot from in bed (no it's not kinky) - trying to show the space... my legs are under the console and I am lying in the bed mode watching the video (transformers).. it's a bit blurry but you get the idea of the kind of space there is.
5th: Shot out of my window of the large RR engines...
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Prawns and cocktails and Transformers and a stroll around Singapore...
impressive...very impressive!!!
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I just saw the plane on TV this morning! It was landing in Australia (maybe I saw Amanda too ::) ). My husband is so jealous, but impressed!
Impressed with Amanda or the plane? ;) :)
The plane! He'd better be since we JUST got married!! :boxing; He's obsessed with planes!
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c'mon...married or not, being obsessed with Amanda is kinda like breathing...it's just natural ;D
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The pictures are fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
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c'mon...married or not, being obsessed with Amanda is kinda like breathing...it's just natural ;D
First of all, my husband is not allowed on IHD. This is my private space. Likewise, I'm not allowed on his Bengals' forum. Second, he's not like that at all!
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Airline brings lovers down to earth
Wed Oct 31, 9:17 AM ET
Singapore Airlines, the first operator of the new Airbus A380, has dashed the hopes of sexual thrill-seekers planning to engage in amorous activity aboard the world's biggest jumbo jet.
The carrier said it would ask passengers on the A380 to refrain from sex while ensconced in one of its 12 first-class suites, which boast the world's first airborne double beds.
"All we ask of customers, wherever they are on our aircraft, is to observe standards that don't cause offence to other customers and crew," the company told Reuters in a statement.
"Nothing different applies for our Singapore Airlines Suites customers."
While private, the double cabins are neither sound proofed nor completely sealed.
Singapore Airlines, the world's second-largest airline by market value, started commercial flights of the double-decker A380 last week with a Singapore-Sydney service.
"So they'll sell you a double bed, and give you privacy and endless champagne and then say you can't do what comes naturally?" Tony Elwood, who traveled with wife Julie in a suite aboard the inaugural flight, told the Times of London.
"They seem to have done everything they can to make it romantic, short of bringing round oysters," Julie said. "I'd say they shouldn't really complain, should they?"
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:rofl;
I don't know about that guy, but I think i could control myself if given a bed and champagne. I mean, geez, everyone would hear you!
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Note in the article the guy who travelled with his wife didn't say if they did or didn't indulge... but it sounds like they did - it's implied!
Anyhoo the forward Lav I tried was well and truly big enough for people to get friendly.. and it sure as hell wouldn't be the first, or the thousdandth time it would have happened.
SQ are just trying to cover their butts after launching the damn thing with the 2 beds together scattered with rose petals and a chilled bottle of Dom with 2 glasses... what did they EXPECT the reaction to be???
Anyway some people are quiet.... or can be :-)
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Richard, what an amazing adventure! My husband has worked for the airlines for decades, so our lives have always revolved around aircraft. We have arranged our vacations around air shows, visiting the Boeing plant, flying new planes when we can. He has been talking about this aircraft since word first came out. It is magnificent! Your pictures are great and really show the room. We are a little green with envy! I am so glad you made the decision to do this. Grab the brass ring--we only go around once!! Thanks for sharing this with us. It was an incredible trip! :clap;
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Wow!!! Looks amazing... wish I had the chance to fly on that!! Your lucky :)
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The next goal is the 787 in May next year (ANA-All Nippon).. that could be tricky though. Will have to see what the deal is.
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I enjoyed the account, AND the pictures, Richard, too cool!! :2thumbsup;
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I'm officially jealous. Did you dialyze in Singapore?
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KR Cincy... your a funny one!
Richard those pictures are amazing.. do u have anymore?? Glad to hear that you had such a great time. i can't wait to go on the Airbus!... i think i saw you fly past my place... well i think it was you....the handsome one.. of course! ;D
Amanda
xxoo
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but my 6'2" legs had no issues and it was very comfortable.
How tall are you if your legs are 6'2"? :lol;
Thanks for the pictures. :thumbup;
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lol Amanda... flattery will get you everywhere.... but gosh darnit your boyfriend would beat me up!! :) I did wave to you as I flew in and out of Sydney !! :) :) :)
Alas I have no more pictures... They didn't really encourage wandering the aisles, and people were trying to sleep etc... so yeah no more pictures, but I am writing up my impressions in way more detail and will post it here when it's done... a "trip report" of sorts.
And no I didn't dialyse in Singapore.. didn't have time to organise it.. so I had dialysis on the Saturday, flew to Singapore Sunday morning (arrival late afternoon), spent a day and a bit in the humid city, then flew to Sydney Monday night, then Sydney - Melbourne Tuesday morning and then off to dialysis Tues afternoon...
phew! :)