Nando’s Fix VIII

Posted on July 29, 2018 by vanbraman

Last night I got another Nando’s Fix. This time it was not as long as my last trip to Nando’s as I was recently in South Africa where Nando’s was founded. However, whenever I visit an area where I can get Nando’s I always get my Nando’s Fix.

nando's, Australia, North Ryde, Macquarie Centre

Last night I had dinner at the Nando’s in the Macquarie Centre. I was so glad when they opened one up there, as before I would have to go to the city center on the weekend to get my Nando’s Fix.

Table Number, Chicken, Nando's, Australia

After ordering I patiently waited at my table for my food to be delivered. I like the table markers that Nando’s have. I have seen them around the world and always know that I have good food coming.
Quarter Chicken, nando's, Chicken and Chips, Medium Sauce

Finally my quarter chicken with chips arrived. I was all ready with my bottle of medium peri-peri sauce. I order the chicken with hot-sauce, but supplement it with the medium sauce as I like the taste of the medium sauce better. However, I like the heat from the hot 🙂

Plus, I like to dip the chips in the medium sauce.

Two Fork Chicken method, Nando's Chicken, Australia, Macquarie

I was soon tearing the chicken apart using my two fork method and had some wonderful pieces of chicken all ready to eat. It was really good as usual.

Nando's Bone Pile, Quarter Chicken, Australia, Chicken

I soon had the chicken down to just a pile of bones and had also polished off the chips. It was all washed down with a nice lemon soda, which is also something else I like to have in Australia.

I am sure that I will eat at Nando’s at least one more time while I am here. Perhaps next time I will have the Chicken Ribs.

Is there a restaurant chain that you only get to eat at when you travel?

Steven

 

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SFO to SYD

Posted on July 28, 2018 by vanbraman

Over the past couple of days I have traveled from SFO to SYD. Of course, you should already know that SFO is San Francisco and SYD is logically Sydney. The flight was only 15 hours long, but I left San Francisco on Friday night and arrived in Sydney on Sunday morning. I didn’t really have a Saturday this week.

Airplane Map, SFO, SYD, United Airlines

Here you can see the flight map and you can see that we took a pretty direct route, but not exactly straight. There were several areas of turbulence and I think this is why we made a few course changes.

Yesterday afternoon I wrote that it was going to be a Delayed Flight. Luckily I was paying attention to my app as they bumped the flight back to the original time. It was a bit past the original planned departure time from home, but traffic was light so made it to the airport with plenty of time.

Upgrade, United Business Class, 787, Frequent Flier

As I got to the airport I learned that I had received an upgrade. I had been at the top of the upgrade list since I checked in, but the flight was full. It was nice to get the good news and to be able to use an upgrade on what is probably the longest flight I will take this year. This is where the down and back flight to LA I took at the end of last year has paid off. See: There and Back

Pork Chop, Business Class Food, United, Polaris Class

It was nice to have a meal on the plane that not only tasted good, but also looked good. Then it was time to lay back and get some sleep. A long flight goes much quicker when you can get some good sleep.

Wing of 787, Flight to Australia

I don’t often sit in a window seat, so I decided to take a few pictures while I had the chance. I really like the way the wing on a 787 looks, although it is a bit more dramatic when you are sitting right over it and looking straight up the wing.

When I landed in Sydney, I was able to quickly go though immigration, but then had a long wait at the baggage claim. You have to wait somewhere.

Unfortunately the train to the airport was not running due to track maintenance and I was not going to take a bus. So, it was time to go stand in the taxi line.

I really dislike the taxi line at the Sydney airport, they seriously need to look at making it more efficient. I am not an expert, but having seen many taxi stands around the world even I could improve their efficiency with a simple reorganization of their existing loading space and a bit of training for the staff.

Serviced Apartment, Meriton, North Ryde, Sydney

After the long taxi ride I made it to my serviced apartment and got another surprise. I got another upgrade. Instead of a studio apartment I am staying in a one bedroom apartment for the next two weeks. It is a bit more space, but also nice that I don’t see my bed all the time 🙂

Taking the taxi also had another advantage. I got to the apartment a little quicker than I would have by train as traffic was light. I then had more time before I was picked up by friends to go to worship services at Macquarie Church of Christ. I have to admit, I fell asleep a few times during church this morning.

Now to stay awake until a normal bed time. Maybe just a little nap? I will think about it after I get in some shopping so I have something for breakfast tomorrow.

Steven

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