On Top of the World

It must have felt like private travel. The passenger list was handed out before take-off. A well-known banker in seat 3A. The Prime Minister and his wife row 5. Greta Garbo all the way in the back, incognito… Gracious conversation was an art. Aged clarets and Krug champagne. Real silver on starched linen. Refueling in Athens, Amman or Aden, enjoying a Corona or Chesterfield with the local station chief. Lobster cocktail, foie-gras, cheese and coffee with petit-fours. Travel the world in style…