the engines are a surprise as well, large and powerful but not obtrusive.
Mary, they certainly are large. Here's a 777 GE engine with a 737 nose for scale:
http://myaviation.net/?pid=00130585
SD,
I agree - the A340 looks wonderful, particularly if you are sitting in one, over an inhospitable stretch of ocean. The last one I saw was an Aerolineas Argentina A340 at Auckland. Buenos Aires to Auckland is a SERIOUS over-water trip. 5800 nm with the great-circle route getting down to 58 S.