SOUTH AFRICA

International travel and Blog the Globe are back

August 28, 2022

International travel and Blog the Globe are back

A couple of days ago I boarded my first international flight since late 2019. Who would have thought international travel from New Zealand would have ground to a halt for the better part of two years. Like many of you we cancelled trips, ours to Ethiopia and Italy. Sadly, during this time a civil war in Ethiopia has caused chaos and unfortunately the country doesn’t have the same appeal until peace is restored.

So now we are heading to Cape Town. We are excited to explore the wine region around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Then onto Namibia to discover the spectacular landscapes, staying at three &Beyond camps. After this adventure we’re returning to Italy, staying in Rome and Tuscany, our favourite places. Finally, on our way back home we have a few days in Phuket, to get a good dose of vitamin D before summer.

Italy is an all time favouite destination.

We also love Africa.

If any of these destinations are of interest, stay abreast with Blog the Globe. Subscribe to the blog and follow me on Instagram.

Our business class flight was on Singapore Airlines A350-900. Post-Covid it seems the airline has taken the opportunity to reset, and some of the service experiences have changed.

  1. On boarding the aircraft, there were no pre-flight champagne or orange juice offered and no hot towels…no big deal. There were also no newspapers or magazines  on offer.
  2. There was no distribution of a beauty/hygiene bags although I don’t think this is a bad thing. People don’t use them and there’s so much waste. On request you could ask for slippers, sleeping mask, air plugs etc. There were ample toothbrushes and shaving equipment in the bathrooms.
  3. A highlight were the food and wine choices. While western food was avaliable, their Asian options including curries, noodles and dumplings for breafast were outstanding. The wine chosen by their highly acclaimed connoisseurs were a mix of excellent Australian, Italian and French wines.
  4. The service was faultless and the Singaporean stewards and stewardess are timeless and impeccably dressed.
  5. The seating/sleeping pods are large, but sleeping on an angle, into a narrower foot area could be problematic for larger people.

The following items were all on offer.

Overall, a good experience.

We were in transit at Changi Airport in Singapore for four hours on route to Cape Town. The lounge, heaving with  un-masked people was a sure sign the world has moved on from. Covid.

Post coming soon on our exceptional food and wine experiences in Franschhoek, Cape Town.

2022-08-28T17:36:03+12:00August 28th, 2022|SOUTH AFRICA|

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the Author:

9 Comments

  1. Penny Cowling August 28, 2022 at 6:24 pm - Reply

    What a wonderful time you are having and still lots more to come. We flew Air NZ business class to Vancouver at the end of March and they did offer preflight champagne etc, also the cosmetic bags were available. Every airline is different I guess and it will be interesting to see what happens on our flight to LA in two weeks. Our daughter in law is from Capetown and I’ve heard how beautiful it is so keep enjoying to the full. XX

    • Jane Jeffries August 29, 2022 at 3:30 am - Reply

      I did not know your daughter-in-law was from Cape Town. You have a very international family. Wonderful you are off again in a few weeks. Have fun. We are loving Cape Town and are very excited for Namibia in a few day.

  2. Robyn Adatto August 29, 2022 at 12:12 am - Reply

    So happy you are able to travel again I look forward to all your blerbicytes

    • Jane Jeffries August 29, 2022 at 3:27 am - Reply

      Lovely to be on the road
      again after so long

    • Jane Jeffries September 21, 2022 at 1:37 pm - Reply

      We are having the best time and thinking of you now we are in Thailand.

  3. Annette Ellis August 29, 2022 at 10:40 am - Reply

    Looking forward to the detailed blogs
    Fabulous itinerary Jane 👌. Enjoy every minute. Xx

    • Jane Jeffries September 29, 2022 at 7:21 pm - Reply

      Thanks Annette, we have had a real adventure in Namibia. You would love it.

  4. Pat Perry September 21, 2022 at 9:12 am - Reply

    Enjoying all you pictures Jane. Another wonderful holiday for you both. We could have doggy sat for you but guess you had someone. Cheers 🥂

    • Jane Jeffries September 29, 2022 at 7:23 pm - Reply

      Thanks Pat, it has been an amazing holiday and adventure. Now the kids have their own houses they can take care of the dogs, but will certainly keep you in mind for next time.

Leave A Comment

Go to Top