原文来自FlyerTalk论坛上的一篇文章
8 bottles of Dom from LAX-BKK on SQ in F
http://goo.gl/3HvYGA
I didn't plan on drinking 8 bottles of Dom Pérignon on a trip last year from
LAX-BKK on SQ in F.
我并没有计画在去年(原文时间2010年)搭乘新航头等舱 从LAX到BKK时 喝光八瓶香槟王
In fact, my liver is just now starting to forgive me.
事实上 我的肝脏才正要开始原谅我(?)
I blame it on spontaneous combustion. Or pent-up angst. Or maybe the 240 knot
headwind that made that trip take forever.
这都要怪人体自燃(?) 或性压抑(??) 或是让飞行时间大增的240节逆风
It was mid-December and I was sitting in the Star Alliance F lounge at LAX
waiting for SQ11 to NRT and then NRT-SIN-BKK in F.
12月中 我正在LAX星空联盟头等贵宾室等SQ11到NRT再接NRT-SIN-BKK
The lounge Champagne was swill, so I sipped gently and counted down the time
until boarding.
贵宾室的香槟不怎么好喝 所以我只是慢慢的边喝边等登机
BOTTLE #1 OF DOM:
I boarded early and avoided the hubbub. After a dozen trips in the nose of a
SQ 747, the excitement has yet to wear off.
我提早登机以避开门前的壅塞 虽然搭过很多次新航的头等舱 但兴奋感仍未减
A Singaporean smile beams at me. "Mr. Macabus, would you like a glass of
Champagne?"
空服员微笑的问我说"Macabus先生 要来杯香槟嘛?"
I see the bottle of Dom she's carrying is the 1999 vintage.
我看到她手中的香槟王是1999年的上选
"Absolutely," I say demurely. "I've had this vintage many times and really
like it."
"当然"我故做端庄的回答 "我喝过这个年份的很多次了 还满喜欢的"
Her smile lights up to about 2,000 watts as she pours the pale gold liquid
into a full-size champagne flute.
当她将淡金色的液体倒入杯中时 她的笑容好像有两千瓦的能量(??)
"Ahhh, back in the saddle again," I think to myself. "Life is good."
"疴~~~ 就好像牛仔又回到了马鞍上"我对自己说"人生真是美好"
The cabin is booked 4 of 12. A positive sign.
头等舱12个位子只有4人订位 是个好的开始
Canapés, nuts, another glass of Champagne. I look around and see a pregnant
Japanese woman traveling alone and two other Asian women in their 60's. All
good signs that the cabin will be mine. Hah!
小菜 坚果 再一杯香槟. 我环顾四周 与我同行的只有一位怀孕的日本女性
及两位年介60的亚裔女性 我更加确定头等舱是由我独享了
I had just worked three solid months of 80-100 hour weeks and was ready to
let my hair down - what's left of it anyways...
我刚结束三个月辛苦的工作 准备要好好放松一下了
Another glass of champagne. Damn this 1999 Dom is ridiculously good.
再来一杯! 1999年的香槟王真是不可思议的好喝
"Mr. Macabus," the FA says with a look of utter concern. "We have to offload
baggage for passengers who have not boarded."
"Macabus先生, 我们必须没登机的旅客行李卸下" 空服员担心的说
I couldn't care less.
我才不管这么多
"It may be an hour delay." she says dripping with sorrow.
"起飞时间可能会延迟一小时" 她甚至有点忧虑了
I spot the bottle of Dom in her hand.
接着我看到她手中捧的香槟王
"I understand." I say, trying my best to keep a straight face.
"我能理解" 我一边说一边忍着不笑出来
An hour passes in the blink of an eye. Bottle #1 is gone. I'm the only
passenger drinking.
一小时眨眼间就过了 第一瓶香槟王已经见底 头等舱中只有我在喝
The F purser appears before me.
座舱长接着出现在我面前
"Mr. Macabus," he says with grave consternation. "It seems there are very
strong headwinds to Narita."
他带点惊愕的说"Macabus先生 往成田的路上逆风还满强的"
I envision a tropical waterfall filled with with Champagne. He does not
disappoint.
我脑中浮现香槟瀑布的画面 而他也没辜负我的期待
"We must load extra fuel," he says and presents a new bottle from behind his
back. "Here's some more Champagne while we wait."
"我们必须多加一些燃油"他拿出一瓶新的香槟王
"在我们等待的同时再来一些香槟吧"
BOTTLE #2 of DOM.
My iPod is amped. Menu perused and ready to explore. Glass of Dom fully
charged.
我的iPod已经准备好 菜单也仔细看过 杯中的香槟王也已经加满
We finally leave over two hours late. The flight crew filled up my glass with
Dom and INSISTED that I keep it during takeoff. I obliged.
两个小时后终于后推 空服员将杯子倒满后坚持起飞时拿着也无妨
恭敬不如从命
We taxi past a LONG line of waiting commuter aircraft and small jets. –
I imagine them watching our Jumbo with awe.
我们滑行经过一长串区域型小飞机 我想他们看到我们的巨无罢一定很惊讶吧
My favorite seat on SQ11 is 3F. The "A" side usually gets a little warm from
the sun, but on this flight there is SNOW falling on my head from the vents
overhead. It started about 15 minutes after takeoff from LAX, and continued
for about an hour.
我最喜欢的位置是3F 这边通常因日晒而比较热 但我头上的空调出口简直在下雪!
这自起飞后持续了近45分钟
The FA bundled me up in a down duvet and gave me a fresh glass of Dom.
空服员用羽绒被将我包起来 并再给我一杯新的香槟王
I'm happy as a clam snuggled in my cocoon, watching the West coast float past
outside the windows.
我就像蛹中的幼虫一样舒适 看着西岸在窗外飘过
Appetizers were served. My glass of Dom was replenished, and I settled in for
the long haul. Little did I know how long it would actually take.
开胃菜上桌 杯中的香槟王也补过了 我也准备好长途飞行
但只有天知道到底有多长途...
I had the filet mignon with all the trimmings. Then I asked the FA what's
left. "You're still hungry?" she asked incredulously, looking at my trim
frame.
主菜我点了菲力跟所有的配菜 接着我再问空服员还有剩什么
看着我纤细的身材 "你还很饿!?" 她难以至信的问道
"I'm always hungry" I said proudly. And accepted her gracious offer of the
full Japanese meal.
"我一直都很饿" 我骄傲的说... 一边接受再来整套日式餐的提议
BOTTLE #3 of DOM.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a FA poke her head out of the galley and
assess my fuel supply. Thirty seconds later I heard the musical sound of Dom
bottle #3 popping open. "Yes!" I thought a bit guiltily as I saw the other
passengers drinking diet soda.
眼角余光中我瞄到一个空服员从厨房中探出头来检查我香槟的存量
30秒后我听到第三瓶香槟王开瓶的美妙声音
我看到其他乘客喝的是健怡可乐后 "太好了!" 我带点罪恶感的想着
She poured the Dom and I noticed it was the 2000 vintage. She looked
concerned when she saw my wide-eyed expression.
当我注意到是2000年的香槟王时 她看起来有点担心
"Is it okay?" she said almost apologetically.
"2000年的可以嘛?" 她用带着道歉的语气问到
"I'm sure it's fine," I said. "It's just the last few flights you've had the
1999, and now this is the 2000."
"我觉得也不错" "这大概是你们最后几班用1999年的班机 该换2000年了"
SQ FAs are absolutely the best. "Well," she said conspiratorially. "I've got
plenty of both, so don't worry about a thing."
新航的空服是最棒的 "这个嘛 两个年份的存货我们都还很多 请不用担心"
I took a sip and my lips started quivering. Honey. Butterscotch. Toasted
marshmallow. Mineral. Straw. Caramel.
我喝了一口后我的嘴唇开始颤抖 这尝起来像蜂蜜 奶油 烤棉花糖
矿泉水 稻草 焦糖
"It's extraordinary." I said with a swoon. "Much better than the 1999."
"这太厉害了" 我有点晕眩的说 "比1999年的还要更好"
She seemed excited and rushed away to tell the crew.
她听了之后很兴奋的跟其他组员讲
It's now 7 hours into the flight to NRT and the pilot comes on the PA with an
unusual announcement. There's a massive winter storm in the region and our
744 was experiencing an unprecedented 240 knot headwind. We would be quite
late getting into NRT. I couldn't care less.
起飞后已经7个小时 机长广播说因为冬季风暴的影响 我们的飞机正经历史无前例的
240节逆风 抵达成田的时间将会延迟很多
我才不管这么多勒
The purser came over and wanted to talk about Champagne. News travels fast.
座舱长又来了 他想跟我讨论香槟的事 消息传的真快
"Don't you like Krug?" he asked.
"你觉得Krug怎么样"
"It's a little too sweet for me," I said, but he had already disappeared.
"我觉得太甜了" 才说完他就已经消失了
The FA and purser came to my seat carrying three bottles of Champagne and
three fresh glasses.
空服跟座舱长带着三瓶香跟三个新杯子回来
"We never get to taste the Champagne," the purser says wistfully. "So can you
taste them all and tell us what you think?"
"我们平常不喝香槟" "所以可以请您试试这三种再告诉我们你的感想如何"
Was he kidding? This was like an episode of the Twilight Zone for Champagne
lovers.
你在开玩笑嘛!? 这简直就是香槟爱好者的阴阳魔界
They poured a glass of each of the 1999 Dom, the 2000 Dom, and the Krug
non-vintage.
他们倒了1999年 2000年的香槟王跟Krug各一杯
I had my work cut out for me. Especially since the FA handed me a sheet of
paper and pen, then knelt down on one knee and waited for me to taste each
and write down what I thought about them. A Champagne tasting at 35,000 feet
- what could be better?
我接下来的工作已经准备好了 尤其当空服帮你准备好纸笔 单膝跪下等着你对
三种香槟的感想 一场三万五千呎高的香槟品酒会 还有什么可以更好?
The FA asked if I wanted a snack. I asked which meals were left, and she
offered the Butterfish. I accepted.
空服问我要不要来个点心 我问说还剩什么正餐 她说鲳鱼
我当仁不让的接受了
BOTTLE #4+ of DOM.
The champagne tasting verdict was in. The 2000 Dom was the "one," and a new
bottle was ceremoniously opened in my favor.
品酒会最后的结果定案了 就是2000年的香槟王 新的一瓶也仪式性的为我而开
It was now 11 hours into what is normally a 12 hour flight to NRT, and we
still had over 1,500 miles to go.
现在是第11个小时 而普通航班只要12小时 我们确还有1500哩要飞
The plane was dragging into the headwind at an angle I've never experienced.
The normal angle of a 744 at cruising altitude is about 2-3 degrees nose-up.
This baby was lumbering along at about 6-7 degrees.
744在巡航时通常有2到3度的仰角 但因为强劲的逆风现在仰角有7到8度
Later, I asked for a "snack" and was served a full dinner of beautiful lamb
chops. A little Bordeaux on the side was a perfect compliment.
不久后我再点了一些点心 送来的是整套的羊排晚餐 搭配波尔多红酒更是正点
The crew filled up my glass with more 2000 Dom and insisted I keep it for the
decent into NRT. I didn't complain.
组员们再度将杯中装满2000年香槟王 并坚持在降落的过程中留着
我还有什么好抱怨的呢
A quick dash off the plane and I was in the ANA F lounge for a shower. Midway
through lathering, I was overcome by a premonition that the flight might
leave without me due to the delay. I rinsed quickly and rushed to the gate -
just in time to make the flight to SIN.
下机后我到ANA头等贵宾室冲个澡 洗到一半才发现好像快赶不上了
冲掉泡泡后手刀跑到登机门 正好赶上
BOTTLE #5 of DOM.
The F cabin was full, except for my empty Connolly-leather seat. A new FA
appeared as if suddenly rubbed from a magic lamp.
头等舱客满 一位空服像神灯精灵一样出现
Did she know I had already consumed 4-1/2 bottles of Dom?
她知道我已经干了四瓶半的香槟王嘛?
"Mr. Macabus," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Would you like a glass of
Champagne?"
"Macabus先生" 他用带着笑意的眼睛问我 "要来杯香槟嘛?"
"Are you pouring the 1999 or 2000?" I asked, then realized I probably sounded
like a wine snob.
"1999年还是2000年的?" 我一边问一边觉得自己很挑...
"The 2000," she said proudly. "Have you tried it yet?"
"2000年 你也试过嘛?" 她骄傲的说
My grin gave it away. She poured me a glass. I was in heaven.
我的笑容给了答案 她倒了一杯 我好像置身天堂
I held on to another fresh glass of Dom as the 747 staggered to the runway.
The cabin was full of jittery Asian businessmen who were only drinking coffee
or soda. YES! The Dom is mine again.
滑行时我又拿了一杯 头等舱中除了我 其他都是看起来神经过敏
只会喝咖啡跟汽水的亚洲商人
太好了! 香槟王又是我独享
The flight from NRT-SIN usually takes about 6.5 hours, but tonight it took
over 8 because of the headwinds.
NRT-SIN通常要6.5小时 但今晚因为逆风 要超过八个小时
More Dom? Why of course. A lobster dinner. More Dom. A full Japanese dinner.
More Dom. Ahhhh.
更多香槟王? 当然 龙虾 更多香槟王 整套日式晚餐 再更多香槟王 啊啊啊啊啊啊
BOTTLE #6 of DOM.
Another 2.5 hours to go.
还剩两个半小时
When they weren't filling up my Champagne glass, the flight crew spent an
inordinate amount of time with me chatting about world politics. I took this
as a sign that I was keeping my wits about me - despite all the Dom.
他组员们没在帮我倒香槟时 他们似乎在我身上花了太多时间
我们在聊世界政治 我认为这是我仍保持清醒的像征
An hour before landing a beautiful filet mignon landed on my tray table.
降落前一小时 一块漂亮的牛排先降落在我的桌上
"I thought you might be hungry," the FA said demurely. Who was I to deny this
lovely Singaporean woman the pleasure of watching me eat another meal?
"我想你应该还有点饿" 空服员正经的说 我要是不吃的话似乎很对不起他
The seat belt sign lit up and the pilot announced we were on approach to SIN.
I looked at my empty glass of Dom and thought "perfect timing", for I really
needed a break.
安全带指示灯亮起 机长广播我们准备开始下降
我看着空杯子想说"刚刚好" 我真的需要休息了
Then I heard a loud 'POP' from the galley. Oh no!
然后我听到厨房又传出开瓶的声音... 天啊
My glass was refilled TWICE before landing.
降落前我的杯子又在被补满了两次
I've replayed that spectacular landing into SIN a thousand times in my mind
ever since. The fog refracting the harbor lights into a million points of
light. It was hauntingly ethereal.
我在脑中重播了几千次降落新加坡的景像 雾气将港中的灯光折射成千万个光点
这是让人流连忘返的美景
Changi airport at 4 in the morning is a really weird trip. The lights are on,
but nobody's home. And since the skytrain was closed, it took over 30 minutes
on empty travellators to get to the T2 F lounge - which has slumberette rooms.
走在临晨四点的漳宜机场是个奇怪的旅程 灯光开着 但没人在家
因为电车没开 要花30分钟在空无一人的电动步道上才能到T2的头等贵宾室
那边有可供睡觉的休息室
Before bed I cleaned out what was left of the dinner buffet.
上床前我顺便把自助餐剩的东西给清光了
At 7:00 am REALITY struck with a vengeance. It took a good 60 seconds to
figure out who I was, and more importantly - where I was.
早上七点 现实带着复仇的心向我袭来 我花了一分钟才想起来我是谁?
我在那里?
Shave, shower and... breakfast. Then I was ready for the 8:40 am flight to
BKK.
刮胡子 冲澡 早餐 准备好搭8点40往BKK的班机了
At the time, SQ ran a 777 with 2-2-2 in F on the 2 hour flight from SIN-BKK.
F has since been eliminated on this route...
当时新航777用2-2-2排列头等舱来飞SIN-BKK
之后这条线就取消头等舱了
The sun is up and I'm onboard at 8:15. Dom? Heck yeah!
太阳已升起 而我在8:15上机 香槟王? 当然要!
BOTTLE #7 of DOM.
I was the only passenger in F.
我是头等舱唯一的客人
Dom is truly the "breakfast of champions."
香槟王可以说是"冠军的早餐"
I had the chicken curry and it was so hot that North Korea could have used it
as nuclear fuel.
我选了鸡肉咖哩 辣到可以当北韩的核燃料
That bottle of Dom was empty in a heartbeat.
辣到我秒杀了一瓶香槟王
And yes, it was the 2000.
2000年的
Another POP from the galley.
厨房中又开了一瓶
BOTTLE #8+ of DOM.
It's been about 32 hours since LAX and I've drank more than 8 bottles of Dom P
érignon. Over a thousand dollars worth of Champagne.
自LAX出发已经32小时 我已经喝了8瓶多的香槟王 超过1000美金的香槟
It sounds like an unGodly amount, but let's work the numbers.
这样听起来很多 但我们来仔细看一下数字
I was awake for about 26 hours on that trip. A .75L bottle has 5 glasses.
Okay, let's assume 42 glasses of Dom over 26 hours. That's a little over 1.5
glasses per hour. Not drunk, just a nice steady Champagne glow... Plus I had
lots of food, a driver to pick me up in Bangkok, and nothing to do upon
arrival but spend the day at a spa.
我醒著26小时 750mL一瓶可以倒五杯
假设为26小时中喝了42杯 相当于一小时喝1.5杯
这样没喝醉
只是香槟一直没停过 再加上我吃了一大堆东西 到曼谷时有司机接我到饭店
然后花了整天在spa...
If there's a better buzz on this planet, I haven't found it yet.
If there's a worse hangover on this planet, I haven't found it yet either.
Although, I came pretty close six months ago on a LX trip from LAX-ZRH-BKK in
F.
When will I ever learn?