45 Comments

At least your one and only 1st Class trip was on a long leg and not wasted on a short flight. As for the photos, I have a pretty good idea about #3, but would only be guessing about the other location, so will leave it to others to shine with their knowledge. Cheers.

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The first time I went to Indonesia I got the ferry from Penang to Medan (an unorthodox introduction to Indonesia for an Australian). I had been to Penang the year before and I saw travel agents advertising this ferry. For some reason, this stuck in my head as how I should arrive in Indonesia.

The trip took about 6 hours (or maybe that is how long is felt) in a cramped ferry, and then arduous bus trip from the port that isn't really near Medan. If I had known the reality of this ferry I would have gotten the flight instead. So yeah, I do not begrudge you this one flight to Medan on this itinerary!

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Sep 13, 2022Liked by Stuart McDonald

love the memories. Been privileged to have flown first a few times the first time back in the 80s with Gulf Air, " would sir like caviar or lobster?" "sir would like both please"

Another ancient memory asking the pilots during a stopover on a domestic flight in Brazil which side of the plane to sit on as we came into land at Mananas to see the two parts of the Amazon and the Captain telling the best place is in the front and I again asked which side thinking he meant avoid the wings and he said get your bag and join us in the cockpit which I was able to enjoy the take off the flight across the Amazon rainforest an almighty thunderstorm and then the view of the river with the two branches side by side and then landing - gone are the days of the invitation to the cockpit unfortunately

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author

Oh yeah, getting in the cockpit while aloft—many times as a kid. Now, no chance!

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Sep 15, 2022Liked by Stuart McDonald

I have been fortunate to have twice been invited for the entire flight, once as mentioned above and the other when waiting for take off at Surabaya for Sulawesi when hearing the captains announcement and an Australian accent I asked the stewardess if she could ask the captain what the test match score was I assured her the captain would understand. She came back and told me that the captain invited me to join him. Needless the say the Aussies were thrashing us but fabulous experience

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The boomerang on an airplane is hilarious! Man, that attendant would get canned today! As for flying, I do think we have genuinely changed the amount we fly. By picking to stick around the Balkans for six months -- and driving instead of flying when moving longish distances -- we really have reduced our flying, at least some.

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Sep 13, 2022Liked by Stuart McDonald

#7 - Bali (Denpasar) Ngurah Rai

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author

Yup! You got this first, will add a year to your subscription in a sec.

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Is 6 Medan?

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author

Nope sorry!

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7. DPS

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author

Correct but Ann beat you to it unfortunately!

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:)

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Thank you!

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#4 Chiang Mai (CNX)

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author

Correct, but Iain beat you to it!

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#4 Chiang Mai airport

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Correct! Iain are you a free subscriber? I can’t find an account with the name Iain to comp! Can you drop me an email at stuartmcdonald@travelfish.org with what email address you either signed up under (or the account you’d like to receive the newsletter to) and I’ll comp you the year. Cheers!

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Beat me to it, that was going to be my next guess as well. Can't think of another Thai airport that is that big and has mountains in the background.

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puf I'm late; great quiz and great stories:

3- Sorong

4-KLIA2

5- Georgetown

7-Denpassar

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author

You’re right with Denpasar, but Ann beat you too it. The others, nope!

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#2 Xieng Khouang Airport

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author

Nope :)

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#2 banlung Rattanakiri

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author

Oh wait, you’re already on a comped account ha ha! Well done anyway

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Sep 15, 2022Liked by Stuart McDonald

I’m in it for the glory 🤓

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author

Correct! Will add a year subscription to your account in a sec.

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#6 wattay Vientiane

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author

Nope!

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#6 Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)

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author

Nope!

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#7 ( the 2nd one) Landing at Trat / Koh Chang

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author

Nope sorry, it is flying into Bali.

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#7 Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali)

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author

Correct, but Ann beat you to it!

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