5.181

5 (Sat) July 2014

Sliced Roast Lamb with Mashed Potato & Buttered Greens

1.5

by Fiji Airways

on Flight FJ 391

-Nadi en route to Hong Kong-

solo

Mission to Fiji + Personal Deviation (Day 7 of 8)

In transit, on my way to the Philippines via Hong Kong.  Wednesday to Thursday, I was in Fiji with a WHO team to facilitate a government workshop on strengthening laws to address noncommunicable diseases.  After an extra day on my own dime to go diving and relax, I’m heading back home.

I woke up this morning feeling like crap, probably mild food poisoning from something at dinner last night, so I slept in the whole day, crawling out of my room at 1900.  Thankfully, the hotel generously allowed for late late late late checkout (THANKS, WESTIN!).  But I was in no mood/condition to eat anything all day.

As always, I am grateful for and respectful of the opportunity to travel internationally, whether for fun or for work, whether economy or business class, especially business class, including airport lounge access.

However, the in-flight meal was crap.  I ordered the lamb simply because I’d never had lamb on an airplane before.  But the meat was somewhat gamy in flavor; even worse, somehow simultaneously fatty and tough in texture.  And the mashed potato – ugh – a lump of ick.  Illness may have been a strong factor in my perception of the experience, but probably not by much.  So much for business-class dining.

Although I didn’t get a photo, the flight attendant brought out all the available dishes on a trolley for passengers to look over and choose, which were taken back and heated in the galley.  I actually saw the lamb on the plate, and it didn’t really look good, so I can only blame myself for ordering it.

16/12/7

Over the course of 16 days, through a combination of personal and professional travels, I will be in 12 localities across 7 countries, eating and documenting at least 1 meal in each of them.

Today is Day 15 /  Locality 11.

(For additional posts, see 16/12/7.)

(See also FOODS.)

(See also PLACES.)

(See also BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGING.)

(See also BUSINESS CLASS DINING.)