Over the past 20-30 years we have, er uh, had(!), accumulated LOTS of airline miles, so, for this trip, we chose to use about half of them for a first class flight to Rio… WOW, what "trappin's"! Regent Seven Seas Cruises includes airline flights to the cruise's port of origin port and back from the port of the destination. We normally fly United (previously Continental) and just accumulated the points. On this trip, our options were American through Miami, or American through Miami. American not being our favorite airline and Miami being the airport we absolutely least want to be in, we chose to take a flight credit and book our own flights to Rio. Overall, that saved a few dollars on the cruise!
We had two of the 4 bulkhead seats in the cabin, perfect seats, easy for each of us to get out to stretch a little. Tom settled into the center aisle seat and I settled in across the aisle from him at the window seat. Had we known that there was no head high "barrier" between the two center seats, we most likely would have chosen those. Before we were off the ground in Dulles, a flight attendant offered cocktails and we being us, of course, accepted!
 |
 Once off the ground and at cruising altitude, we were given a menu describing the evening meal, and to select our main course from. It was after midnight by now, however, we had eaten little since breakfast and were quite ready for a full meal. First course was a very nice appetizer: a shrimp tempura and a vegetable stuffed dumpling with an Asian barbecue sauce. It never ceases to amaze me how the airline caterers can cook, and then keep warm without drying out, such delights! |
|
 Next up was a mushroom brie bisque. It was extraordinary flavorful with quite a few oddly shaped specialty mushrooms in it. Delicious!
Next up was a fresh salad with a choice of dressings.
|
|
For the main course, we had a choice of: Grilled Pork Chop, Osso Buco-style breast of chicken, San Francisco-style Cioppino, or Spinach Cannelloni. We both chose the pork chop! It was served with a green peppercorn sauce, shiitake mushroom bread pudding, white asparagus and broccolini. YUMMY!
|
|
 Then time for dessert! There was an International Cheese Selection, accompanied by grapes and crackers and served with port and Ice cream with a choice of toppings. We both opted out of the cheese selection and went straight for the ice cream! For mine, I chose whipped cream, strawberries and Amaretto accompanied by coffee and Bailey's Irish Cream. |
|
 After that delightful meal, we checked the flight map to find we were over the Caribbean, less than half way to our destination. The flight attendant turned our seats into flat beds, yes, ones even long enough for Tom! and we were soon off to sleep. Actually the "seats" made for a fairly good night's sleep! |
|
 Because it is the largest city in Brazil and the Southern Hemisphere, the seventh in the world in population and is also the business center of Brazil, we first stopped in São Paulo.
The pictures are from our landing there, the first semi- close-up view of Brazilian soil.
 
As we got closer, we noted the roads looked quite modern and that in Brazil, like in the US, vehicles drive on the righthand side of the street!! We had no intentions of driving, however, it did make it easier when crossing a street!! |
|
We did have to deplane for about an hour in São Paulo but stayed in the gate area. The flight attendant had advised that our bags would be off-loaded and we would go through customs there. FORTUNATELY, that was not the case! When we got back on the flight, we noticed that the cabins had been completely cleaned and that for most of the passengers, it was their final destination. Our cabin had been full and now, there were only three of us.
On arrival in Rio, we first went through immigration with no wait. It was a speedy process as all our papers were in order. From there, we claimed our checked bags and headed for customs. They waved us through without even x-raying our bags! The most expeditious foreign arrival process ever!
The Regent representative was there to meet us and take us to the hotel!! A nice easy process! Hope all days go as smoothly as this one!
rf |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment