Spherical-the-world SAS EuroBonus problem half 2: Bali to Vietnam

I am doing the SAS EuroBonus million-mile problem. In complete, the problem will include me touring for 25 days on 18 flights and visiting 15 completely different nations on 15 completely different SkyTeam airways with the intention to find yourself with 1 million SAS EuroBonus miles.

My first week on the highway took me from Portland to Seoul, South Korea, through Seattle, and on to Bali on a mix of carriers together with Delta, Korean Air and Garuda Indonesia.

After a number of blissful (if wet) days in Bali, it was time to take to the skies once more. This is the place I went subsequent and what I have been as much as.

Flight 4: Garuda Indonesia

I arrived at Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport (DPS) on Bali two and a half hours earlier than my flight, which is sort of early for me (I are usually a last-minute flyer).

To my shock, the airport wasn’t even open once I arrived because it was early within the morning, and there was a queue of individuals ready to enter. This might need been as a result of I used to be within the home a part of the terminal, since my subsequent flight was simply to Jakarta.

Ultimately, the doorways opened and after I acquired via safety, I proceeded to the Blue Sky Lounge. This may be one of many finest Precedence Go lounges I’ve visited, with a full barista-manned espresso bar and even a chocolate fountain. There was additionally a large unfold of small bites and different drinks.

Sadly, I used to be caught with a center seat on my flight, however it was solely a two-hour hop aboard a Boeing 737, so it was not too uncomfortable, particularly as a result of the seats had respectable padding and seatback leisure displays. In keeping with Skytrax, Garuda Indonesia gained the award for finest cabin crew final yr, and I can see why. On this quick haul to Soekarno-Hatta Worldwide Airport (CGK), the service was glorious, even in economic system, with a full meal and really nice interactions.

I used to be fairly stunned to obtain a scorching breakfast in economic system class on such a brief flight. I suppose that is the frequent home U.S. flyer in me being stunned by higher service exterior of the nation. It was not a restaurant-quality meal, however the omelet tasted recent and the sausage was respectable. I additionally appreciated the eco-friendly picket cutlery.

The one draw back of this flight was the dearth of Wi-Fi, although because it was so quick, that wasn’t a problem for me.

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Flight 5: Vietnam Airways

Once I landed in Jakarta, I had about six and a half hours to fill, so I caught a Seize (a ride-hailing service that you will discover all through a lot of Asia) and headed to the big Grand Indonesia mall to kill a while. I am nonetheless amazed at how reasonably priced getting round was. The Seize price me $8 for a 45-minute airport journey round-trip.

My day was going fairly easily till I returned to CGK and was checking in for my Vietnam Airways flight. That is once I encountered just a few snafus.

My visa for Vietnam had not been processed initially as a result of there was an error, and it wanted some revisions. I had submitted the revisions in time and was informed it could be resolved in three working days, however ultimately, it had not processed in time. Due to that, I used to be compelled to pay a hefty $370 payment to get an expedited emergency visa on arrival. It was simply my luck that my unique visa was processed the morning after I acquired to Vietnam.

As soon as I acquired that sorted out, I requested the Vietnam Airways check-in agent so as to add my SAS EuroBonus quantity to my ticket, they usually informed me I used to be the eleventh individual that day asking so as to add that. I’m actually hoping that there are some TPG readers on the market chasing these million miles together with me.

After clearing safety and immigration, I went to the Plaza Premium lounge, the place there weren’t many meals and beverage gadgets on provide and the air-con didn’t appear to be working. For sure, I didn’t linger.

As soon as I boarded the Vietnam Airways Airbus A321 that may be taking me to Tan Son Nhat Worldwide Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I noticed I had lucked out with an exit-row seat with further legroom.

Throughout this flight, there was one other full meal service with the selection between a rooster or beef dish. I opted for the meat, whose sauce was flavorful, however the meat itself was very powerful.

Like my earlier Garuda flight, there was no Wi-Fi on this one, however that was advantageous because the flight time was lower than three hours.

Vietnam highlights

From bustling cities with motorbike-clogged streets to coasts and mountains full of lovely surroundings, I want I had 5 weeks and never 5 days to discover Vietnam. I’m undoubtedly going to return.

For this journey, I began in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, which was teeming with preholiday exercise. I spent a pair days exploring its varied neighborhoods and wandered via temples, its imposing central publish workplace and the well-known Bui Vien strolling avenue that is well-liked with backpackers.

I stayed on the Le Meridien Saigon, which had an impressive breakfast buffet and was a stable worth at round $130 or 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.

In fact, I ate native Vietnamese delicacies across the metropolis as a lot as doable, from steamy pho to crusty banh mi sandwiches to ultrafresh goi cuon (summer time rolls). It was all scrumptious.

After two days in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I took a fast two-hour shuttle flight to Noi Bai Worldwide Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, the place I spent the following three days.

I stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn in Hanoi, the place I paid $260 complete for 3 nights. This proved to be a wonderful selection because the resort had free laundry amenities and I had some garments piled up that wanted to be washed.

In Hanoi, I noticed temples, pagodas, the Previous Quarter and the well-known Hanoi Prepare Avenue, which was one thing to behold. The sheer variety of markets, cafes and avenue distributors promoting meals and different gadgets alongside the prepare tracks was astounding. I arrived early sufficient to get a seat at a restaurant so I may watch because the prepare chugged by inside arm’s attain of the place I sat. It was exhilarating.

And similar to I had in Ho Chin Minh Metropolis, I attempted nearly each native dish I may discover, plus what turned out to be a moderately scrumptious pizza at a restaurant referred to as Pizza 4ps.

Total, I had a wonderful time in Vietnam.

Once I return, I wish to attempt doing the Ha Giang Loop, a well-known four-day motorbike route within the northern mountains, and hit the seashores of Da Nang on the central coast.

I additionally liked how reasonably priced my go to was. My Seize rides averaged lower than $1.50 every and my meals, even at sit-down eating places, had been usually under $4. Price range and mid-tier vacationers can simply get by on $40-$70 per day with out sacrificing something concerning the expertise. Fortunately in all places I went accepted bank cards, so I used to be capable of pay with my foremost journey card, the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card and earn priceless factors alongside the best way.

Backside line

Issues have been going easily, apart from my visa subject. That mentioned, I am bracing myself for the second half of my journey, the place I’ve 12 flights in 10 days. I am hoping that every thing goes in line with plan, and I am trying ahead to flying on some distinctive new airways for me.

Keep tuned for half 3 as I journey to Taiwan, China, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, as it will be an action-packed dash.