Dublin/USA Trip Report Part III

Part I
Part II
Part III

I spent the week in Denver with my family where I enjoyed all things Ammmurrrican.  Giant supermarkets and delicious Cheesecake Factory....mmmmmmmm.  I also managed to get some skiing in.

Keystone

Keystone

Blizzard on drive home

After a nice visit home, I boarded a plane to Dublin after a 5 hour connection in PHL.  I had an exit row on my flight which was nice, and even managed to get a bit of sleep.

DIA security -- fun for the whole family

Philadelphia Airport Sbarro -- food of champions

I arrived in Dublin the next morning and headed to the Mespil Hotel.

The room was nice.  It had three beds so I didn't have to sleep on a cot, which rocked.


Had a good day in Dublin.  Started off eating some Irish breakfast (with Guinness).  Then walked all around the city, saw the Book of Kells gift shop, Trinity College, and the Guinness factory.  Then ate some fish and chips and went to bed.

Trinity College

 

Trinity College rugby match

The Guinness factory was cool.  We didn't get to see the actual factory, but rather a Disney-fied version.  The building was shaped like a giant pint glass and was filled with whimsy and wonder. 

Disney-fied pint glass Guinness factory

The real Guinness factory hides ominously behind the Disney version and holds what I can only assume to be Oompa-Loompa-esque slaves.

Real Guinness factory

The next day I took Air Coach back to Dublin Airport and boarded my flight back to Paris.  I got stopped at Dublin security for trying to smuggle two jars of peanut butter through (can't get peanut butter in Paris).  The security guy said I wasn't supposed to have it because it was technically a paste and larger than 3 ounces, but he let me take it anyway.

Air Coach

Diep Noodle Bar -- best airport food ever

Crowded Aer Lingus flight back to Paris

Great success

 Overall, it was great trip.  Can't wait for my next adventure.

Dublin/USA Trip Report Part II

Part I 

Part II

Part III 

US 723, DUB - PHL

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Depart: 11:05,  Arrive: 13:50

Ireland coastline

Ireland

Doesn't that look appetizing?

Somewhere over New York

 After a turbulent descent into Philadelphia, we landed about 40 minutes early.  Unfortunately, there was something wrong with the ramp so we were stuck on the plane for another hour.

I finally entered the Philadelphia Airport and got me some Dunkin Donuts.

What makes sense for you. (Not just cents for us.)

This was an ad in the airport for Charles Schwab.  It's not funny, but there were some Germans standing next to it who were cracking up over it.

Philadelphia Airport rocking chairs

After exploring the Philadelphia Airport, I boarded my next flight to Washington DC.  It was an extremely short flight -- only about 20 minutes, which was really nice as I was sick of flying.

I stayed with a friend in DC, and left for Denver the following morning.  I had a connection in Charlotte, where I did a bit more airport exploring.

Tub o' mouthwash in the Charlotte Airport bathroom -- classy?

Bonjangle's fried chicken -- all part of a balanced breakfast

I arrived in Denver later that day.  When I got home, I immediately went to sleep.  Stay tuned for more trip report!!!

Part III can be found here.

Paris to USA and Dublin Trip Report

Part I
Part II
Part III

My trip was as follows: CDG-DUB-PHL-DCA-CLT-DEN-PHL-DUB-CDG

My school has spring break in Febraury for some reason, so I decided to take a little mileage run and visit some friends and family. 

My trip started at CDG Terminal 1.

Tubes in CDG Terminal 1

Thai Airways FAs entering the tube.

€4 bottled water...ya, i'm a badass

Aer Lingus 529, CDG - DUB, A320
Friday, February 18, 2011

Depart: 21:30

Arrive: 22:10

Luxurious Aer Lingus interior

My flight arrived at Dublin's recently built Terminal 2. It was very modern.

Dublin's Terminal 2

 I wandered around the Terminal a bit, and had a good chat with a cool Irish janitor.  We were gonna grab a pint, but he had to work.

Art

Weird toothbrush dispenser in the bathroom

Since my next flight was not until 11:05 the following morning, I decided it was time to find a cozy place to rest for the night.  Found some nice seats and pushed them together......almost as good as the Ritz.

My bed

View from bed

 I awoke approximately 2 hours later to the sound of my janitor friend buffing the floors.  Since I had not eaten anything in a long time, I decided it was time for a hearty Irish breakfast.

Hearty Irish breakfast that I devoured

View of the runway from Burger King (the poor man's lounge)

Stay tuned for the next segment of my Dublin-USA trip report (the suspense).

Part II can be found here.

Welcome!

Welcome everyone to the first post of Travel, Miles, & Luxury.

Let me start by introducing myself.  I am currently a college student, and since before I can remember I've been interested in traveling the world.  Unfortunately, traveling is extremely expensive, and almost impossible to do on a college student's budget.  Furthermore, flying in today's world is just one big hassle.  You start off a trip by paying numerous fees.  Then, you continue on to security where you are promptly groped.  And when you finally board your plane, you're greeted by crying babies, rude flight attendants, and cramped seats.   Luckily, there is a way out of this -- elite status.  

With elite status comes a wide array benefits including upgrades, priority boarding, waived fees, and much more.    I am not currently an elite on any airline, but I'm sure as hell going to try.  I currently have a few trips planned which I will go into further detail about in future posts.  So put your tray tables and seat backs in their upright position and join me in my quest for elite status.