We have finally arrived in Goa after a mere 53 hours of non-stop travel. I don't remember it being QUITE so long last time, but that's probably because we weren't re-routed as much or had so many long layovers. Flight delayed by 9 hours at LAX? Check. 9 hour layover in London? Check. Lost our baggage in Delhi? Check. Missed our flight to Goa? Check.
The only bright spot in the whole bit of traveling nonsense was the flight to Delhi from London. After dutifully passing the time for our 9 hour layover, we made it to our gate, sat down, and had our name called. Never a good sign. Went into the line and stood behind 2 couples begging and pleading to stay on the flight after being told there weren't enough seats. I thought, great. This is all we need now is to get bumped off this flight. I make it to the front of the line, hand over our boarding passes and he RIPS them up. Before I start to protest he has already printed me new ones. We made it onto the flight, YES! But, oh, we aren't sitting together. So I point out to him I would love to be able to sit next to Steve, if possible. He looks at me and points out that yes, we are sitting together.
"These seats are next to each other in Business Class".
"Business Class?", I ask.
"Yes we wanted to upgrade you", he says with all the nonchalance of a man offering me the seat next to him on a parkbench.
I walk back to Steve like the cat who got the canary. He is excited, but warns me not to get my hopes up. This airline will not be like newer, nicer planes we have seen, so Business Class might not be that great.
BUT IT WAS.
We got private pods (you know, the ones that recline to a flat sleeping bed?), Dom Perignon, hot towels, and meals prepared by a 2 star Michelin chef, and a 20 inch flatscreen tv.
This may not mean much to those of you who already travel in style and luxury, but I save my pennies for the travel, not the 'getting there', so seeing the inside of one of those pods was something I never expected to experience. At least not until I'm 60 and have money to burn (hopefully?). So this, for us, was beyond amazing. Best 9 hour flight I've ever had.
So, now all that is over and we have arrived in paradise. Gorgeous 80 degree days, cool ocean water, and a joyful reunion with our German friends Udo and Marco (as well as our Indian friend Luku).
I am almost jealous of myself.
