24 plus 4 into 32 does go

[TomVexille]

Ok, that one neither!

I meant the one in Boomy's TR

 

[Katie]

Shame you'll be missing the Halloween TBIT get together, JessicaTam. Looking forward to the TR!

 

[JessicaTam]

Shame you'll be missing the Halloween TBIT get together, JessicaTam. Looking forward to the TR!

I have missed that thread. One day out! Oh well, I will just have to settle for the burger and animal fries.

 

[Katie]

I have missed that thread. One day out! Oh well, I will just have to settle for the burger and animal fries.

Am contemplating that during my 8hr layover between SYD-LAX and LAX-...-YVR!! Which will be on the 28th.

 

[Alanslegal]

I'm 99% sure without looking that BKK-MXP is operated by a 340-600*

* And I checked afterwards and I think I am wrong

Bring on the TR

 

[blackcat20]

I have missed that thread. One day out! Oh well, I will just have to settle for the burger and animal fries.

I don't think they do any non-meat burgers.....

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm 99% sure without looking that BKK-MXP is operated by a 340-600*

* And I checked afterwards and I think I am wrong

Bring on the TR

Yikes, don't do that to me. :shock:

I don't think they do any non-meat burgers.....

Fries it is then.

So I can then say that I went to LAX to not have a burger.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well gentle reader, the adventures have begun.

I arrived at MEL at about 0745, as my neighbour spotted me waiting for the bus on his way past and gave me a lift. No sign of life at the JQi checkin counter, so it was off to the J lounge to see if they could check me in. No dice - so I settled for some scrambled egg (not too much as I didn't want to spoil my appetite) and one of my 'special' coffees.

While I was in the lounge I asked at both the J desk and the regular service desk for an express pass. They both declined as "JQ have their own" and "immigration are checking they match"! :shock: What a crock. They have never been reluctant in the past, so maybe they have been asked to limit how many they give out and told a bull%%%% excuse. I asked at the F checkin on the way past and was given one with no hesitation. Hmmm.

I sauntered over to the JQ checkin desk at about 0850 and explained that I had tried to check in online and it had failed. Could they print me a new BP please. No dice, but I was directed to the really short web-check in queue to wait till 0900. By 0910 I had cleared security and immigration and was making a bee line for the elevators.

In the F lounge I asked for a glass of Delamotte and eggs before looking at the menu. When I did I noticed the Delamotte was not listed - no trouble though, as they still had some. Two glasses later and it was all gone. So apologies to those who like it - I have drunk the bar dry.

2nd Breakfast:


I was offered a spa but at 1100 so I declined. With boarding to happen at 1130 I didn't want to be thinking of missing overhead locker space whilst trying to relax.

All too soon it was time to board. I made sure I was close to the front of the queue as the flight was chockers. I managed to fit my bag in over my head, and was soon watching others wandering further back to find room for their bags. The flight itself was full as I mentioned, so I settled into my window seat and watched the last few episodes of House of Cards on my iPad.

I had prepaid for a meal, which was pleasant enough. Chicken and rice with veggies. I can post a picture if there is demand for it, however I would rather respect the sensitivities of readers. (Sorry Anna, there will be italian gelato pics!)

{Back soon, the exec lounge at HH KUL has just opened}

 

[blackcat20]

Good to hear MEL has Bolly back on the menu too

 

[TomVexille]

{Back soon, the exec lounge at HH KUL has just opened}

Drinking that dry as well? :mrgreen:

 

[JessicaTam]

And so gentle reader, with pinot-gris in hand I shall continue my tale.

I arrived in SIN and had a couple of hours to spare before my 3K flight. I made my way to the QF lounge and surveyed the scene. It was quite quiet as the crowds had yet to descend. Unfortunately for me the food offerings did not suit my diet. And the one thing that came close contained cashews. Oh well, I decided to drown my sorrows and eat coleslaw and bread*.

For the first time I spotted the creme brûlée. I had a responsibility to markis10 to try it, and try it I did. Or should I say, them. I had to in fact limit myself - although on reflection I wonder what reasoning possessed me to do so.



As I was boarding my flight to KUL from gate C25, I gave myself plenty of time to get there. And I am glad I did as there was a queue and only one screening point open. I had only just got through when boarding was announced and the scrum began. Again I was close to the front of the queue, so managed to find a spot for my bag above my row 6 seat. The poor person in row 4 who boarded late had his bag taken waaaayyy back as it was again a very full flight.

I chose a cup of noodles with my $5 voucher, and it had been served for all of a minute before the call to prepare for descent. A very quick bite indeed - which I did not quite finish. As the cabin was being prepared for landing, the usual announcement was made for electronic devices - or so I thought...

"Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure electronic devices are completely switched off. This includes iPhones, iPads, iTouch, uTouch, weTouch and anything else you might touch. Also please ensure Blackberries and Blueberries are turned off."

Oh well, it got your correspondent paying attention for the other announcements. Sadly, that was the only injection of humour.

{I have now switched to sauvignon blanc}

I arrived in KUL and made my way smartly to the KLIA Ekspres. When I tried my card at the gate it was rejected and I was soon to discover (much to my chagrin) that it had a life of three months and had recently expired - another RM35 please! Please take that as a caution, dear reader, should you choose to visit and keep an unused card for future use.

On checking in at the DoubleTree by Hilton I was pleased to received a room with a view. However I must confess I chose not to indulge myself with it, and instead retired for the evening and was quickly asleep.

{The chicken roulade with polenta is delicious}.

On wakening I eased myself into the day gently by checking some emails and finally allowing myself to enjoy the view that had so generously been offered. Breakfast was to be had in the executive lounge and I chose to enjoy it to its full. After asking for a cup of tea, I was asked if I would like soy. WTF?~ I have visited this hotel twice in the past and asked for soy on only one occasion. It is a tribute to their staff and the hotel's processes that records such minutiae.

I will pause now to allow you to reflect on the journey so far, and the day that is to come, whilst I refresh my glass.

*Note the use of the word 'and' and not 'with'.

~I apologise most sincerely for such vulgarity, and hope that you will not turn from these pages as I merely expressed the surprise I felt in the most succinct way that occurred to me at the time.

 

[JessicaTam]

{Carlsberg in hand, I shall continue my writings}

I checked out of the hotel and headed to the Hilton by way of the KLRapid train. My room was not quite to the standard that Hilton would like, so I left them with my bag whilst I toured nu Sentral - a rather large shopping centre in the vicinity. The Kuala Lumpur monorail terminated here so who was I to miss an opportunity to see the countryside. I tapped on as I entered the station, and as I did a round trip without leaving the station at the other end, tapped off an hour later at the same place. The total price was RM1.20 - about 40 cents*, which is the minimum trip cost.



Upon my return I spent some time wandering the floors of the shopping mall, only to find that the uppermost was denied to me. It appears in the final stage of construction that a rooftop garden will be available to visit. Alas I was too early to enjoy it myself. I hope to be able to see the results when next I visit in a month's time.

I returned to the hotel to find that I had been afforded a room on the top floor, and in fact the end room of the floor. So room numbers do not get any higher than this. It is a delightful room with glorious views.



It is a shame that the rain and low clouds have obscured it for now. I will enjoy waking to such lofty heights in the morning. For in the morning, do I not only wake in such splendour, but it is also the day I head to BKK to avail myself of Thai Airline's F service. May I add (without too much emotion as I may have overdone it in the previous post, and would be devastated if that were to be my undoing) that I am a little bit excited.

Gentle reader, if you have persevered with me for this long, then I earnestly hope that you will be rewarded with all the restraint that I can muster as I regale you with all that is to come.

*I hope you can conscience such blatant disregard for supporting the infrastructure that transported me in such comfort for the duration that it did.

 

[jetlagger]

{Carlsberg in hand, I shall continue my writings}

I checked out of the hotel and headed to the Hilton by way of the KLRapid train. My room was not quite to the standard that Hilton would like, so I left them with my bag whilst I toured nu Sentral - a rather large shopping centre in the vicinity. The Kuala Lumpur monorail terminated here so who was I to miss an opportunity to see the countryside. I tapped on as I entered the station, and as I did a round trip without leaving the station at the other end, tapped off an hour later at the same place. The total price was RM1.20 - about 40 cents*., which is the minimum trip cost.

Upon my return I spent some time wandering the floors of the shopping mall, only to find that the uppermost was denied to me. It appears in the final stage of construction that a rooftop garden will be available to visit. Alas I was too early to enjoy it myself. I hope to be able to see the results when next I visit in a month's time.

I returned to the hotel to find that I had been afforded a room on the top floor, and in fact the end room of the floor. So room numbers do not get any higher than this. It is a delightful room with glorious views. It is a shame that the rain and low clouds have obscured it for now. I will enjoy waking to such lofty heights in the morning. For in the morning, do I not only wake in such splendour, but it is also the day I head to BKK to avail myself of Thai Airline's F service. May I add (without too much emotion as I may have overdone it in the previous post, and would be devastated if that were to be my undoing) that I am a little bit excited.

Gentle reader, if you have persevered with me for this long, then I earnestly hope that you will be rewarded with all the restraint that I can muster as I regale you with all that is to come.

*I hope you can conscience such blatant disregard for supporting the infrastructure that transported me in such comfort for the duration that it did.

Enjoying the subscribed AFF journey along with you.. & your humourously descriptive & ever so talented narratives, just please also bless us with the usual lovely pictures & looking forward to the adventure.

 

[JessicaTam]

Enjoying the subscribed AFF journey along with you.. & your humourously descriptive & ever so talented narratives, just please also bless us with the usual lovely pictures & looking forward to the adventure.

Dear jetlagger,

Whilst you may think it remiss of me not to share the pictures I had so earnestly taken, it was not my intent. For my time in the executive lounge was not to be as productive as I would have hoped. The wifi, dear friend, was of limited capability, and I have, in fact, returned to my room earlier than I had hoped, in order to redress this ill.

Rest assured, that if you scroll upwards, there are a couple of photographs for you to enjoy.

 

[Buzzard]

This has to be one of the most enjoyable threads I have had the pleasure to peruse.
Were you perhaps, Ms.Tam, a travel agent or maybe a travel writer in a life past?

 

[JessicaTam]

This has to be one of the most enjoyable threads I have had the pleasure to peruse.
Were you perhaps, Ms.Tam, a travel agent or maybe a travel writer in a life past?

Such flattery, kind sir. Alas, no, I have not had such a past as you describe.

 

[vitagen]

Enjoy your super trip! Missed you by 24 hours!

 

[JessicaTam]

Enjoy your super trip! Missed you by 24 hours!

Oh dang! I mean, oh dear - what an inconvenience.

 

[JessicaTam]

Planes 3 and 4, train 1

So, expectant reader the story continues. I must apologise for the last day or two having passed with little word from me. I was struck with a malaise that rendered me incapable of putting any effort into anything that wasn't of the utmost necessity. But rest assured, I am on the mend due to the wonders of the modern apothecary.

Now, where to begin? The hour long massage? The cognac? Or perhaps Milano Centrale? But of course, I must start where we left off.

I awoke and had a leisurely shower and made my way down to the main dining area for breakfast. I waited as the couple before me were welcomed and escorted to their table. I gave my room number and the attendant (who I presume was quite senior due to the cut of his uniform) scanned the list. His eyes lit up when he found my name, and personally escorted me to a prized table by the window. He left and then returned very quickly with my soy latte. I believe I was visited twice during the breakfast service by him to ensure that everything was as it should be. The second time to bring a selection - not just one, dear reader, but a selection mind you - of english language newspapers. He was masterful in his service, and it is remiss of me that I have not taken note of his name. I shall redress that when next I pass by.

Breakfast over, I returned to my room to pack my things and to depart for the airport. I gave myself plenty of time, as the last time I was here the flight I was due to catch was moved to 3 hours earlier, and I subsequently missed it. I made the short walk across the road to the train station where I checked in and received my boarding pass. I had to prompt for the express pass, but after doing so, it was offered freely. The train ride was uneventful, and I was soon passing through immigration and heading for the MH Golden lounge in the satellite terminal.

I was offered lunch, and of course it would have been impolite not to acquiesce.

I had the caesar salad (no anchovies, thank you very much), followed by a green curry.



I asked at the desk what the cost would be to upgrade to J from my flight, and was quoted RM400. I chose to decline.

After a time, I returned to the regional terminal to await my flight to BKK. Catching the inter-terminal bus I noticed a rather odd phenomenon.

The carriage that was behind mine, although it was the first that people would come to:


Whereas the carriage I had chosen was empty apart from myself. Now of course when the train arrives at the other terminal the full carriage would be furthest from the exit. I had a lovely unimpeded walk to the regional lounge, whereas there was quite the crowd behind me.

 

[JessicaTam]

Planes 3 and 4, train 1

After a pleasant time in the regional lounge, it was time to board - or so I thought. Once through security we were informed that "due to operation reasons" there would be a delay of 30 minutes. So patiently I sat and perused the others in the lounge for the extra time that had been afforded me. We were to board 25 minutes after our original departure time, so timing was not on MH's side it would seem. Once boarding was complete we were able to push back and were soon in the air.

We were fortunate to be flying in a BSI 737-800. Perhaps the aircraft was exchanged at the last minute when MH discovered that I was to be flying with them. But on reflection I think not, for others in the cabin were offered newspapers, and alas I was passed by. However with such a full flight I was grateful for my front row shadow - which of course one has come to expect*



I was offered a roll, with the choice being 'chicken or fish' - well tuna to be precise. And all packaged in a little box. Quite the innovators it would seem.~ In the little cardboard section at the end, there was a small tub of fruit salad.



Now bless my soul, just before the meal service I required a visit to the powder room. And look what was to greet me. I must admit, I did ponder that if this was the presentation for those of us in steerage, what were those in the forward section of the plane to find!



We arrived with nary a delay or mishap to BKK in the fullness of time. I had allowed quite a long period of time in BKK before my journey to MXP, so had not been worried by the delay. Once at the transit counter I offered my credentials to the woman who was to attend me. I am not sure that too many F passengers present themselves in such a manner, as it took a moment for the woman to realise that I was flying F, and not just trying to use that queue to make me seem important. Once the appreciation of my good standing had sunk in, there was a flurry of activity. Boarding pass printed, and an excited phone call made, the attendant escorted me downstairs to await the golf cart for my journey to the Royal Silk F lounge.

I decided it would be unseemly of me to photograph the buggy ride, so I will let your imagination take the pictures for you.

I was soon deposited at the lounge, with a warm welcome from the staff. It was a quiet time for them, so it seemed that every staff member said hello and asked if I should need anything. My requests were simple - champagne and a massage, in that order. And I was afforded both in the swiftest of time.

*Disclaimer: The use of irony, sarcasm, and tongue-in-cheek comments must be expected from time to time.
~Dear reader, may I say that you were warned.