São Paulo, Brazil
KE 61 LAX-GRU (Los Angeles->São Paulo/Guarulhos)
DEP LAX 17:30 22 DEC 2014
ARR GRU 11:40 23 DEC 2014
Flight Duration: 11:50
Aircraft: B777-200ER
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| Courtesy of www.flightware.com |
I had a great opportunity to take time to visit my brothers and sisters in Sao Paulo, Brazil. There is a significant Korean population living in Sao Paulo, estimated at about 50,000. Most of them are concentrated in Bom Retiro, Bras, or Liberdade. I have always known that Korean Air operates 5th freedom right flight from LAX to GRU, so I jumped on the chance to take the flight down to Brazil. It did indeed feel weird that I was taking a Korean Air (which I usually take to go back to Korea) to a country that is in opposite direction from US to Korea.
Also,
Walking toward TBIT on Monday afternoon to check into my flight today.
The new TBIT's been opened for close to an year, but the entrance to the terminal remains the same.
You can still see construction activities going on for the Bradley West Project.
Korean Air check-in counter. There were like zero Koreans checking into today's flight.
A Brazil-bound dog with Christmas spirit on.
After obtaining the boarding pass, it was time to check out the new TBIT for the first time! I believe there used to be some kind of shops and restaurants here long time ago. Perhaps they are renovating them right now?
Still an old part of the terminal here.
These escalators are where the new terminal concourse begins.
I arrived at the new terminal's food court area.
The proximity of the planes to the windows is really astounding. You can almost feel like you can touch the planes in front of you. This is the Frankfurt-bound Lufthansa B747-8i.
The central portion of the new TBIT concourse, looking toward north side.
I saw my plane landing from Korea. KE 61 is a two-flight segment originating in Seoul/Incheon and terminating in São Paulo/Guarulhos with about 2-hour stopover in Los Angeles Airport. Today's flight would be B777-200ER.
The north part of the terminal still had old parts of the terminal still in operation. I assume that they will bring these old parts down soon. That's one of the new gates in the north part of the TBIT which will probably be used once all of the remaining old parts are demolished.
I walked back toward Gate 159 (at the southern portion), where my flight would be waiting for me.
The beautiful Korean Air B777-200ER, bound for São Paulo
A lot better looking terminal than the old TBIT for sure.
Money exchanged, and ready to go!
The terminal was very quiet. I was impressed with the architecture of the structure. When the drawings first came out I wasn't quite sure if I liked it. But now I'm in love with this terminal.
The flight attendants being briefed.
And it was time for boarding.
The passengers were separated into lines according to their seat row numbers.
Flight attendants greeting at the door.
The divider between economy and business class.
Business class, when will I ever ride these seats?
Tonight's flight would be a full one. Everyone of these seats will eventually have been taken.
My window seat, 51A
Looking toward front of the plane from my seat.
The sun was setting fast by this time.
AVOD system on each of the new economy seats.
Push back was slightly behind scheduled, at 17:40.
I think I was watching "Taken 3"
And the plane took off toward the Pacific.
Looking over the Palos Verdes.
Not too long after the take-off the snack/beverages services began.
I took the red wine and honey roasted peanuts.
And the dinner services began not too long after.
The choices were Korean style Bibimbap, beef, or fish. None of the flight attendants unfortunately spoke Portuguese.
I chose the beef dish.
The beef dish was actually some ground beef with Brazilian style rice. Had I known about the details of this dish, I would have chosen another one. I didn't look appetizing at first.
But when I took a bite, it wasn't actually bad. The meat was pretty well seasoned. Still, I would've gone for another dish.
After 7 hours of flight, the sun was rising above Brazil. I am only assuming that we are above Brazil since the route map portion of the AVOD system wasn't working for this flight.
That is perhaps the Amazon River..
The cabin lights turned on gradually for the lunch services.
I was watching "Get on Up"
For lunch, the choices were Fish or Chicken.
I chose the chicken.
The flight attendant, knowing that I was a Korean, gave me a Gochujang, a Korean hot pepper paste, perfect for mixing with rice. Chicken was very nicely done. The portion was perfect since I wasn't too hungry.
Photo of the cabin interior from the back of the plane.
My rowmates were Brazilians going back home for holidays. One of them was a UCLA student.
It was a very cloudy day in Brazil.
And there it is! Some glimpse of São Paulo suburbs. First time in about two years.
If not for the clouds, I could've probably been able to spot my friend's house.
Flying over BR-610, a roadway that connects Rodavia Pres. Dutra to Guarulhos Airport terminals.
Not only cloudy day, but it was a very rainy day!
First time arriving into the new terminal T3 of GRU. Last year I arrived into T2, an outdated facility.
At the end of walkway in T3, there's an escalator toward immigrations and customs.
Immigrations, where you gotta show your Brazil Visa or they will kick you back to where you from.
Baggage claim was right after the immigrations.
The uniquely shaped T3 building.
Following my friend toward his car.
Welcome to São Paulo! This is the point where you know you're about to enter the city.
A kid painted in metallic silver was throwing some fire bottles around.
Bom Retiro, where many Korean Brazilians are residing.
Brazilian food side dish, Farofa.
Feijoada, only served Wednesdays and Saturdays
And there are pork meat and cabbages to accompany the dish.
Brazilian churrasco party in my friend's house
One of the tallest buildings in São Paulo, Circolo Italiano
Brazil's common snack, Coxinha
At the top of Circolo Italiano (the observation deck is free to public access)
Futsal in one of the friends' apartment
The best part of the Brazil are the açaí bowls in local fruit stores.
Grillin' some farinheira, carnes, corações de frango (chicken hearts), and queijo (cheese)
Brazil's beer, Brahma and Bohemia.
The Luz Station near Bom Retiro, where Museum of Portuguese Language is located in.
The Korean produce store in Bom Retiro.
Dare Korean Restaurant in Bom Retiro.
Guaraná Antartica is Brazil's national soda
All I did in Brazil was to eat!
