Halong Bay- Halong Violet- Feb. 21 to 22, 2011

After a 3 hour journey we expected to be wowed- since this boat was sold as the most luxurious and expensive  boat. All I can say is GROSS!! The only good thing was the food and halong bay. I hope never to board the Violet again. Not worth the price we paid and the hygiene was a major issue.

This boat was only 2 years old but was rusted like a 10 year old ship and then the towels and surfaces were dirty. In fact we found out if you threw a dirty towel on the floor they would pick it up and refold it and then put it on top of the clean towels.

I ended up breaking 2 rollaways- I should mention I paid a 1 person charge and was given a rollaway for a 70 pound child. I am NOT that and unlike other rollaways there was no part in the middle to connect the two pieces together. Weirdly, the bed was split into two mattresses.  The final resolution was an uncomfortable matress on the floor and glassy look in their eyes(in Vietnam this translates to we speak English but really only know 3 words, Nobody really speaks or understands English).

The food was excellent and we wanted to steal their chef. Especially because her food deserves a better environment to showcase the quality and beauty.

Our First meal consisted of traditional Vietnamese dishes (Not the only one we know PHO):

Spring Rolls: Wonderfully presented and done- a favourite of my family

Clear Crab Soup: Something that appears to be served at most Vietnamese meals

Grilled Shrimp on Mango Salad- for those that know my mother she makes the best mango salad. However, she conceded this Chef made a better one.

Our Main course was Sea Bass- beautifully prepared but not as tasty as the previous dishes.

For dessert they stepped away from the traditional Vietnamese to Cheesecake. We had brought our own fresh jackfruit, so I admit to not trying this dish.

The rest of our day was sailing along Halong Bay area, visiting a floating village (that actually had nothing to sell but had people doing real work) and then having a wonderful dinner in a Cave. This Cave dinner was not part of our itineray, however our company found the cave in December. As a result they could host private dinners in it with permission from the government.

Our Cave Dinner: This was the highlight of our trip and made up for how gross the boat was.

Day 2: We only had the morning on the boat then back to Hanoi for our cyclo tour and water puppet show.

That morning we learnt how to make fresh spring rolls. I have to say it was a tie between my dad and myself how made the best ones.

Verdict: The boat was not worth the money however the food, Halong Bay and the Cave were wonderful experiences.

Sofitel Hanoi- February 20th to 21st

Coming in late off our Asiana flight we spent the night in the Sofitel Hanoi. The journey from the airport here takes about 1 hour and our driver was the slowest one I have ever been with. Just to give some perspective, my dad and myself would have passed him within 2 minutes and my mom within 5 minutes. We think he was paid by the hour judging how slow he drove everyday (Vietnam we learnt during our trip is a strange country).

The Hotel has two lobbies- one for the older Hotel and one of the new. Our driver dropped us off at the Older one and it was a classic French architecture. Our room however was located in the new portion that was created to mimic the old style with modern amentities.

The new hotel:

After eating a wonderful breakfast, we left this gem for our stay in Halong Violet at Halong Bay. The breakfast was great included all types of Asian and North American choices and I even got a chance to tried their High priced tea (about $10 Canadian).

Verdict: A wonderful hotel and looking forward to returning here after Halong Bay.

Asiana Business Class- February 20, 2011 Seoul to Hanoi

We were welcomed in as usual Business Class passengers. This time unlike the First Class no introduction to the purser or pampering. They did offer us the champagne and juice before takeoff as usual.

Foodie: I tried the Korean option: Beef Bulgogi with lettuce and it was tasty. There were first only going to give me fresh fruit till I asked for Ice Cream(on the Western menu but not on the Korean one). I then enjoyed a quick bit of Haagen Daz Vanilla.

Bed: This a Lie Flat business class which means it does not go down all the way. It was fine but not as comfortable as First Class.

Verdict: Okay flight for 5 hours but nothing special. However, when we landed in Hanoi we were able to the be the first in line for our visa(if we had gone straight to immigration with visa done before we would have to wait to get thru). We then had a 15 min wait to the front and individually had to speak to the officer. Meanwhile, everyone from our flight was waiting for their bags and ours being priority were there for us.

Onwards to the Hanoi Portion.

Asiana First Class Lounge and Business Class Lounge- February 20, 2011

As a passenger coming off a First Class I decided to try the First class lounge first. I had a wonderful shower- except they gave a general shampoo, conditioner, and other essentials. I felt a bit gross about this considering the experience they tried to give and took out my lufthansa ones from the lounge and used these.

Food and drinks: They had 4 hot dishes including Korean, Dim Sum and noodles and a number of cold selection The Champagne was Mumms and average drink selection except for the Johnny Walker Blue Label. The best part of the Haagen Daz selection- Green tea, vanilla, chocolate, macamdia, bars and carmel ice cream sandwich.

After enjoying this lounge met my family in the business class one. This lounge was more crowded and limited food selection- only noodle soup, chicken nuggets and salad. The drink selection was worse but we only had 2 hours left till the Hanoi Flight.

Verdict: Lufthansa won hands down on this round. I was not impressed by the Asiana first class though the business class lounge is okay for a business class one.

Asiana First Class February 19th from Frankfurt to Seoul

Using our free tickets allowed me to redem a first class reward. Instead of continuing on Lufthansa I tried their Asian partner/competitor Asiana. The moment I walked into the cabin I felt the word PAMPER. I was the only women of 5 people in a 12 seat cabin. We had four wonderful women fluttering and there to grab a bag, put it up, nothing was too small for them to do for us. During the flight, I mistakely tried to put away my table tray and a second later one said NO, NO and quickly put it away (like she had failed by allowing it to sit for a minute).

The meal was wonderful here. No Caviar but they served a Tattinger Comte de comte champagne and everything was beautifully prepared.

To start off we had a beautiful pate, smoked salmon and mushrooms in cucumber- a tasty dish.

We moved to a hot potato cream soup with melted cheese on toast- very yummy and satisfying dish.

The next course was a mango yougurt salad- all right but the worst of all the courses.

The main course I selected was the Korean BimBiBap. The attendant was suprised by my choice and equally suprised I knew how to make the dish (enjoyed this dish many times at my time at Queen's)

Finally the cheese course- ordinary by Lufthansa's standards but it will pass.

Then my favourite course- a mascarpone tart with blueberry sauce- interesting and tasty.

The service was amazing as mentioned before. After each one of us used one of 2 washrooms, they cleaned it up. The purser unlike the Lufthansa flight acted as our 4th staff member in providing us with our meals. The only issue if anything was their English was basic (I will have to amend this statement now writing from Vietnam).

Fellow passengers were Korean businessmen. Nothing unusual about most of them except one man couldn't wait to change in his pajamas during takeoff. I turn my head a minute to get the view outside and the man is in his boxers with pajamas coming up his legs. I then decided not to turn again. Strange.

The bed- unlike Lufthansa they know how to make a bed. They first put a mattress to ensure comfort and then gave a very warm duvet.

Overall, I enjoyed the pampering and want to come back again. I know had to wait 4 hours till I saw my family and then take our flight to Hanoi.

Lufthansa First Class Lounge February 19, 2011

Knowing my flight wasn't until 6:30pm that day on Asiana to Seoul, I decided to try the First class lounge. All I can say is WOW!!

As per my emails to the family, we could live here if possible. The staff were helpful and even arranged my ticket with Asiana (something that involved a few phone calls and patience). The moment I entered Giacamo- a wonderful Italian bartender asked my drink of choice. I was waiting of course to try their Champagne selection and started off with Tattinger Rose. Wonderful pink champagne with all the right flavours and taste.
Realizing I was a champagne lover he arranged for my try bollinger, Mandois and Ruinart champagne during my stay plus some secret champagne cocktails(he wouldn't tell me what they were).

During my stay I enjoyed a wonderful bath with my Spa Duckie(a rubber duck with Spa theme compliments of Lufhansa), a sleeping room with awesome music player and a restaurant with choices that include dim sum, butter chicken fried calamari to order and wonderful meat selection just to name some of the highlights. There was no request to small for this staff and I enjoyed it. They even went as far as to secretly allowing me to take a Voss Water Ball to my Asiana Gate.

Verdict: Wonderful. I promised myself if I win the lottery this is the first place I am heading to.

Lufthansa first class

I know realize what the other half is enjoying and want some too. I have never had such wonderful sleep on a plane in my entire life. I curled up like a baby and actually went to sleep even with all the food in my Tummy.

The moment you enter they welcome with a glass of champagne- only drappier and macamadia nuts. The lounge is making up for this oversight.

To start the amuse bouche was a potato and meat pate- yummy and a good combo with the German riesling. The wine was the best of the plane choices.

Being the foodie I am I has all three starters and the caviar. It comes on small plates. I started with the beef which was good. Then moved to thes salmon, I liked that. The last was the corn cake- not very good and heavy, a disappointment.the caviar was good howeve the vodka they served was warm.

For my main I had the beef tenderloin and was tough, which was fine because I wasn't very hungry by then. The red wine from France with this course wasnt very good actually wasn't drinkable.

For dessert I tried the pannacotta. I liked it but it wasn't great. The dessert wine that came with it was wonderful.

Finally to Finish the meal the cheese. Wonderful selection of gorgonzola, manchego and other cheeses.

For breakfast: I tried their freshly squeezed orange juice and muesli. Beautifully presented but nothing special.

Verdict: A nice meal and wonderful sleeping bed. Being FC they turn the bed down to a flat position and provide you with pajamas and a warm blanket. I can understand why you want to fly First class out of choice.