To write about our experiences of now nearly two weeks in Asia would be a little bit much in one report, so I'll start with the airlines and airports we used and reveil the first destination.
We arrived at Dublin Terminal 2 for our flight to Asia. After long thinking how to get best to our destination we chose KLM. The flight was more expensive, but offered the better flight times.
KLM has a co-share agreement with Aer Lingus between Dublin and Amsterdam Schipol.
Having used Aer Lingus previously with another carrier to connect in Amsterdam we knew the self check in machine should print out our boarding passes from Dublin to Amsterdam and Schipol to Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea. Incheon, where the airport is located, is a own city with around 2 million inhabitants near Seoul. Of course the machine was own minded and printed only the boarding passes to Amsterdam, so I headed off to get advice, where to best queue to get tickets for our second leg. The lady from Aer Lingus told me she didn't know, but thought we would receive our tickets in Amsterdam, which didn't make sense, because our luggage had to go through from Dublin to Seoul and the time in Amsterdam was too short to immigrate and check in again. The lady then gestured vaguely to the Bag Drop and Check In Desks and told us to ask there. What a service! If I had believed her, we would have been in serious trouble and probably couldn't have made it to our destination at all. It upset us a great deal, because as an employee of Aer Lingus she should know how co-sharing functions. It's sad, I as a person, who doesn't work in the aviation industry knows more than one who does.
We decided to go to the Check In Desk, still grumbling. We were glad we had calculated in enough time. There were at least fourty people in front of us waiting. thank goodness the queue moved fast. The gentleman at Check In realized immediately what the problem was and printed the boarding passes between Amsterdam and Incheon. He said: "The next time you see your luggage is in Seoul."
At security it was only a short wait before it was our turn. We had bought a back pack, specially built for the transport of cameras. It caused a security alert. EW had to unpack everything. Security was satisfied he didn't carry any drugs and wasn't a potential terrorist.
We had lunch at Burger King. The taste and quality was acceptable, but not ideal. Later we saw Laduree (famous for macaroons) had opened a small store.
Our flight was delayed for fifteen minutes, because a flight attendant was missing and a replacement had to be organized. We were a little bit worried, if we would arrive on time for a connecting flight. It was a bit tight.
The flight itself was pleasant. It was a delight to arrive via the Atlantic and see the coast of the Netherlands approach. We thought we had to go quickly to our gate, because there was less than an hour left. Looking on the departure board we realized the other flight was delayed by two hours and suddenly there was no need for rushing.
Beside the Rijks Museum, there is now the Bols Museum and a liberary and of course shopping. We visited the Bols Museum, had a sneak peak at the library and mini pancakes at the Dutch restaurant. They were delicious and freshly made before our eyes.
Time passed fast. Before we knew it, it was time for boarding and a security check. Amsterdam has the new body scanners. I don't see a specific advantage for the use of scanners against metal detector. The alarm went off at everyone using the scanner and a body search by security staff had to be done.
Our plane was a Boing 747 named the city of Paramaribo. The configuration in economy class was three - four - three. Leg room was okay for my better half, but could have been better. We both don't like it much, preferring two - four - two configuration like Oman Air uses, one of our favorite airlines. We can't say enough good things of them.
The reason behind the dislike is, that I have to inconvenience my neighbor, in our case a nice South Korean, when I want to get out. He said, he would't mind and I should simply ask. Of course I kept getting up to a minimum.
The cabin interior is blue and white, the seats are comfortable and the colors are inviting and calming at the same time.
Our flight was completely booked out and took aproximately eight hours.
The AVOD was switched on after reaching cruising altitude and dinner served around two hours into the flight. There was a choice between an European or a Korean meal. The Korean meal was created in collaboration with Yongsusan Korean Royal Cuisine Restaurant. Of course we had the beef with Kimchi rice. It was outstandingly good.
Shortly after dinner the lights were dimmed and the passengers at the windows asked to close the blinds. I wasn't tired yet and played a game of Tetris. The AWOD offers a wide choice of TV and music programms, the newest film releases, Dutch movies with English subtitle, World cinema and European movies. Before sleeping I watched a Dutch film about Queen Beatrix. Sleeping was comfortable and soon enough breakfast was served. Choice was Western or Asian. We had omelet. The Asian meal would have been Congee. Again it was excellent. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
Shortly before landing we received the Arrival Card and Customs Declaration. Touch down was at around 12.30 hours. The sun was shining and it seemed much warmer than it was. Temperature was 8 C degrees.
Incheon is huge and one of the best airports in the world.
Getting to immigration included a short trip with a train and took around fifteen minutes. The queue wasn't very long. The immigration officer didn't ask any questions and we were through within minutes. Next we went to the baggage claim. Our suitcase was already waiting for us. Then came customs. We handed over our declarations and were waved through.
The whole procedure from leaving the plane to passing customs took an hour, including breaks for a visit to the restrooms and photography.
We went to Exit 3, where our hotel offers a free shuttle service to and from the hotel. There is another stop at Exit 13. Buses arrive every twenty minutes.
Look out for the next part: The Hyatt Regency Incheon, where we stayed a night.
©2011
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