Hello from Detroit!
Here’s the next video: best flight of the trip!!
My travels have been pleasant again with no delays. I even got a SHOWER in Amsterdam!!
I started the trip in the Nairobi airport. My flight wasn’t until 10:50pm. We’d had lunch at 2pm, and we didn’t want to eat a big dinner before going to the airport knowing we’d be fed on the flight. I was planning to have a LaraBar to tide me to midnight but I found a cheese platter in the lounge. I had 1 of the goudas, the roll and my banana, which was waaay overipe! I saved the other cheeses + crackers for my National Geographic friends who were flying coach.
On the plane I got another bowl of nuts. I couldn’t keep myself from eating them ALL – I was hungry! I don’t want to think about how many ounces that was, but nuts have never tasted so good.
For dinner we had a choice of a small cold supper or a hot dinner. I really wasn’t that hungry after my snack so I stuck with the supper, which was plenty.
The couscous was really good!!! I loved the combo of smoked salmon and cilantro. And that red thing is a tomato shaped like a rose! I definitely want to replicate this dish.
It came with this tart, which tasted like melted French vanilla icecream!! I ate most of it.
I turned down this yummy sounding chicken and luxury chocolates!
I managed to sleep for 5 hours on the flight, but it was SO bumpy!!!! Serious turbulence for the first 2 hours, then I slept better for the second 3. It’s funny how our Kericho flight was so much smoother.
I was awoken abruptly to breakfast at about 4am. She gave me this drink – it was called a liquid yogurt? It was like a cross between Kefir and yogurt. A sweet smoothie? Very good!
Then came the breakfast tray. We got to choose some options when we got on board to design the perfect continental breakfast. I was THRILLED to see that delicious muesli again!!
Best. granola. ever.
When they tray arrived I really wasn’t that hungry, but it had been 5 hours since dinner and I had 5 hours until my next meal, so I ate.
The hot component was a Apple Cinnamon Crepe. KLM sure knows how to do meals!
It was good, but I didn’t finish it.
When we landed I went to the KLM lounge again. It was so nice to know where I was going and what to expect this time.
The first thing I did was request the key to a shower closet. Man that hot water felt so good! It’s a little room with a shower and sink, towel and shampoo/soap. Very modern and clean too.
I certainly feel much cleaner then I did on the way here after this nice cleanse session.
The yogurt + fruit + granola + milk + wine + cookies + rolls + cappuccino all looked grand, but I decided I was not hungry and should not have anything. I got some good work done as the sun rose!
2/3 of the way through my 3 hour layover I did get a little hungry and had a cappuccino (from a cool machine) and two Euro cookies. I decided to let hunger build for the flight breakfast even though the other foods looked really good.
On the plane, it felt like lunchtime! So I settled for one last complimentary chardonnay. As much as I’ve taken advantage of the gratis refreshments, I really feel quite gluttonous coming home from this trip. I can’t wait to have raw veggies again!
I am now on Northwest Airlines and I have to say I miss the European feel of KLM. The food on this flight just isn’t as good. It’s not as fresh tasting, and it really does taste like American food. What’s the difference?! Here was the cold part of breakfast. I left a little of everything.
Except this roll. I made a ham and gouda with it!
The for the hot component I wanted the peach pancake, but since I am thinking of this as “lunch” I went for the omelet instead. It came with a tomato, hash browns and mushrooms. I ate all the veggies but left the hash browns and some omelet. I’m just not a fan of hot breakfasts! Give me yogurt and granola! (Oh wait, take that back, I forgot about oatmeal!?!?!?)
I took a 1.5 hour nap (holy drool – haha!) and woke up to get some work done. I finished my Africa Highlights Video – to come soon – and I’m up to 8 pages in my Foodservice paper (guh).
An hour before we landed, we had a “snack”
It was a make-your-own-sandwich type deal. I made prosciutto and cheese one –
And couldn’t resist the dessert – it was a marshmallowy thing. I didn’t finish it all, but I definitely ate all the ganache off the top.
Coffee
Customs was a PAIN. Although it moved swiftly. And I made the mistake of not going to the bathroom before landing so I had to go!
I was excited to find some carrots in the NWA lounge!!! Yay VEGETABLES!! I’m also having a club soda spiked with cranberry. What meal is my stomach on at this hour!? I think it’s 7pm in Kenya now?
It’s weird to be back in the USA because everything is so packaged. The cheese + crackers, the eye mask package on the flight.
If my flight is on time, I’m landing at 3:30 and then we’re going to a party tonight! Not the best timing since I”m short on sleep, but I’m excited to see our friends and we planned this long before I knew I was going to Kenya.
Gotta go!
life coach jen says
Wow, I can really see the different in even the layout of the US food vs the European food – I never thought about that! I flew with Quantas when I went to New Zealand a couple of years ago, and their food was also SUPERB compared to what you’d get served here.
I’m so glad you’re back in the states safely!
Moran says
OMG Kath I cannot believe you don’t know Danone’s Actimel!!! Its like one of the most popular breakfast “drinks” here in Europe!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Impressive travel eats! They all look so yummy. Glad you are back in the US safely!
Nicole says
I love the videos! They were very entertaining. Have a safe rest of the trip!
Julie says
Airline food never looked so good! Maybe you can ask KLM what brand of granola they use.
VeggieGirl says
THAT DESSERT!!!!
**swoons**
K says
Oh my goodness – after many overseas trips sitting in coach I am in AWE of your plane food! Looks amazing!!
Sorry Detroit is so dreary and cold today 🙁 Hope you have a safe trip home!!
One Meal Serenity says
Your trip looked amazing!
I loved seeing the food change as you traveled different locations.. what a bummer that the American food was the most generic!
thanks for sharing,
Em
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
I loved these videos… makes me want to travel!! I can’t believe the difference between the European foods and American foods!
Sharon says
Wow, so much fun!
WEEKLY BITE says
What a great video!!
All the food on your trip has looked delicious, new, and different… which is awesome!
Greta says
All of this gourmand-approved inflight food is making me rethink my airplane phobia. I was excited when my last flight’s “picnic lunch” came with Stacey’s pita chips. Omelets? Chocolate ganache? Uhhh yum!
seelee live (for the love of peanut butter) says
wow—-i have never been on an airplane with such glorious foods!!!!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
It’s rather sad when I am drooling over your AIRPLANE FOOD!
What are you looking forward to about being home most? (besides reuniting with your hubby, of course)
Hannah says
Mmmmm I love Danone Actimel! I was just in Paris over my college spring break and drank two of them every morning – they are delightful. Wish Dannon made them here in the states!
Have a swift flight home and a great night (if you can stay awake!)
emmy says
This trip was just so fabulous, even your flights were such experiences! Hope you have an easy final trip.
WendyF says
Those showers at Schipol in between long flights give me life for my flight home. Did you try the Knorr fruit shots. They dont’ have them in the US yet but they have them on KLM business.
Jen says
Wow, what an incredible experience you’ve had! I can just picture your first class when spring break is over…
Teacher: “so, how was everyone’s spring break? what did you all do?”
Student #1: “I picked up extra shifts at work and caught up on assignments.”
Student #2: “Nothing special…went to party, caught a movie…”
Kath: “Um, Lipton flew me to Africa, where I met some incredible people, learned all about tea, flew over a huge crack in the earth, and ate some amazing African cuisine!”
Nope, no jealousy from your classmates at all, lol! Welcome back to this side of the pond!
Cole says
That food looks amazing for airplane food!
Welcome back to the US 🙂
haya (living and learning) says
super video! flying in little planes is fun! especially when you have such a beautiful vista to fly over.
how come you got to fly business and national geographic had to go coach? lucky you!
Caitlin says
so fun!
Mimi says
Kath why’d Liption make the Natl Geopgraphic reporters fly in coach?!
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
Glad your back in the USA!! Your trip looked fantastic!
Victoria says
Actimel is meant to be like Yakult- do you have that? It claims to be good for your digestion and your immune system! All those probiotic drinks are really popular in the UK.
I find it quite reassuring when I start craving vegetables and fruit, I feel that it’s my body reminding me that if I listen to it, it will try to tell me what I should eat!
Heather says
Glad to hear you made it back safe and sound in the US!! What an amazing flight… I’m used to business class, so this just looks so superior haha! Can’t wait to hear more of the adventures! Have a great time at your party tonight!
Marisa (trim the fat) says
Welcome back to reality, Kath:(
Have fun at your party!!!
Michelle Hisae says
Wow, I’ve never seen such good airplane food! And they give you such great portions! Darn that American Airlines that charges $10 for a measly sandwich..hehe.
Barbara says
You had Actimel! It’s so fun to see food that is so every day to my life on your blog.
Oh and Actimel is a pro biotic yogurt. Lots of yogurts are in liquid form over here (Europe), which is why they’re very popular to have during lunch.
Bec says
Best air plane food EVER!
Susan says
Still the best airplane food I’ve ever seen!!! I get what you mean about the raw vegetables though. It’s probably the food I miss the most when I travel, why is it so hard to find on planes/in airports?
Kara says
That airplane food is super impressive! I want in on that the next time I fly!
Saima says
wow!! its been a week already and am glad ur back home safely!! 😀
laci says
SUCH a beautiful flight back- glad you enjoyed your trip! 😀
Lindsay says
Quite Simply the reason that american food is all packaged and bland is because of the FDA which requires that everything has to be packaged and labeled with nutritional information. While if you noticed while you were in Kenya, there were few nutritional labels and such because quite simply they do not think about it. They eat what they want and do not stuff themselves with food if they dont need it!!
I hope that you had a great trip and I can wait to see you try out some new recipes you might have learned in Africa!!
jennifer says
That chocolate ganache thing looked divine!
grammie2maddie says
The video was unavailble – can you repost?? I’ved loved your travels!!
theoddbod says
that’s unreal plane food!
Hallie says
Welcome back! Glad you made it home safely. That shower in the airport looks so cool…well, about as cool as a shower can look, I suppose 🙂
Kate says
Glad you are home safe and sound! Your observations about the airline food made me wonder — if that’s what you think of American flight meals after only a week away, just imagine what international travelers must think about it! How embarrassing.
I’m also curious about Nat’l Geographic in coach… does their company perhaps have a policy about paying for the airfare of their own reporters?
Jessica says
Kath thanks for so much for sharing all your experiences and eats from this trip!!! It has been so fun to follow your week!!
Krista says
I think the yogurt is like the African version of Danactive. Dannon makes drinkable yogurts and I bet they are pretty similar to what you had.
thepinkpeppercorn says
oooooooooooooh! VIDEO! Yay! AND more fun enjoying your airline eats too.
Caroline says
All those breads look so seedy and delicious!
Emma says
Krista,
The yoghurt (Danone Actimel) is the same yoghurt as Danactive. The company – which is French – is called Danone in Europe, but is known as Dannon in the United States. 😉 I guess they simply chose to use a more “English-sounding” name in the US for marketing purposes. The yoghurt is actually a smart choice of the airline, since it is probiotic and is supposed to boost your immune system (not that one yoghurt will do much; but when you travel between countries that have somewhat different bacteria culture, many doctors – at least here in Scandinavia – recommend you to take a probiotic supplement a couple of days prior to and throughout your trip, to prevent stomach problems).
Kath – I assume by now you’re safely home and soundly asleep. 😉 I’m sure your family and friends can’t wait to hear everything about your adventures!! Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us, too. I really appreciate the fact that you took the time to blog – and not only short posts – during your trip, when I’m sure you would have had so many other things to do as well (talking to your new friends, SLEEPING…).
By the way, I’m also a little curious to know why the National Geographic people were flying coach, when some of you got to fly business?? 😉
Lindsey says
Thanks once again Kath for taking the time to share your pictures, videos and thoughts on this amazing experience! And I hope more wonderful opportunities like this come your way. 🙂
By the way, mmmm that airplane food looks tasty, especially that roll. And those European cookies look quite yummy!
Even though it was a fantastic trip for you, I bet you are happy to be home!
Lindsey
Kath says
Hey Guys,
I think Nat. Geo was there on their own dime. Company policy? Last minute trip? I’m not really sure.
K
lainb says
I think Danone’s Actimel is similar to our Activia. Which, by the way, I’ve been trying for the past 2 weeks and haven’t seen much difference in my digestion so I don’t know if all that probiotics hype is for real or what. 😉
Welcome back to the US of A Kath! Thanks for bringing us along with you…it was fun!
Meaghen says
I still can’t get over how amazing all the food has been on your flights! Airplane food is notoriously bad!!
You probably will never be able to go back now that you’ve flown first class!!!!
Glad you’re on home soil safe and sound!!!
Have fun at the party tonight and enjoy sleeping in your own bed!!!!
Kelly Rossiter says
Hi Kath:
Glad to see you made it home alright. My flight out of Nairobi was delayed for 2 hours because they had to remove someone from the plane. Otherwise great flight. Check out Bitten – there’s an oatmeal recipe, and of course, I thought of you. Cheers, Kelly
Sonia says
what a great trip!!
thanks for sharing your adventures, and all the foods you ate!
(KLM rocks!)
I love your African bowl , looks great with the oats!
if you are getting interested in environmentalism you can check out my blog! (ecotoad.org)
cheers!!
😀
Chelsea says
Girl…I went to kenya on KLM a year ago, and you have got to be first class, because I would pretend to be sleeping during the flight so I didn’t have to eat the disgusting food that they would put in front of me! That looks like the best airplane food I have ever seen! Glad you had fun in the beautiful land of Kenya!!