AFFs tags on their first trip-Shanghai,Macau and KL.

[auriga]

Enjoying your report so far! Looking forward to more....

 

[drron]

Time to leave Shanghai.We decided to take a taxi to the airport.Well we weren't counting on Juan Fangio's Chinese grandson being the driver.He took us the long way we presume(fare 198Y against 168Y coming in)but he did it quicker.As it was also raining it became quite hairy at times.missed several trucks by less than an inch.I have no idea of the speed as the speedo was stuck between 25-30 whatevers.However after passing the airport 13.5km sign it was the merest tick over 6 minutes until we pulled up at departures.I'm not sure the Maglev would have been quicker.:shock:
No queues at checkin,security or immigration so we were soon ensconced in the CX lounge.Fortunately the bar was open at 0930 so I could settle down from our ride.Looking forward to this sector as the first on Dragonair(though we are on the CX codeshare).
PVG-HKG.CX6833.ETD-1130.ETA-1405.
Pushback delayed by ATC according to captain.Actual takeoff-1158.Arrival-1423.
An A330.2 rows of F.We were in seats 14A,C-the first row of J.2 mini cabins of J-3 rows each.F and J virtually full.Glad we boarded early as the KA set up has no overheads over the middle seats in F or J so overhead space was at a premium.Offered juices or water before takeoff-their special guava/coconut juice was very refreshing.
Service was reasonable,meals Ok without being outstanding-i had the BBQ pork and rice.Wines both white and red were a choice of an Aussie or french wine.Dropped off to sleep after the meal and awoke just a few minutes before touchdown-visibility awful due to the pollution.Obviously the Chinese solution to global warming-not letting any warming rays reach the earth!
Arriving at HKG we turned right just before Immigration to get our ferry tickets to Macau.We handed over our luggage tags and our bags were taken on to Macau without our involvement.Decided to pay the extra $HK100 to go Superclass.Not worth it.Upstairs,bigger seat and they give you a meal-if you could call it that.Because of the pollution you see nothing on the trip anyway.
Less than an hour after boarding we disembark in Macau.Through Immigration,reunited with our bags,Get some pacatas,meet the Westin rep and virtually immediately are on the shuttle heading to the Westin.Review here-
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/hotel-experiences-and-reviews/the-westin-macau-23577.html
Also a review of the Sheraton Pudong-
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...eraton-pudong-hotel-and-residences-23487.html
Next-a few thoughts on Macau.

 

[samh004]

Always good to put a face to a username

Which one are you?

 

[drron]

Always good to put a face to a username

Which one are you?

So you liked my hat?

 

[drron]

This was our first trip to Macau.We had 4 days so took it easy the first day just lounging around.on Sunday we had read about the Sunday Taipa markets so took the Westin shuttle getting off in Taipa.The markets are not worth a visit.Taipa however definitely is and as it turned out Sunday is a good day to visit-the museums have free entrance on Sundays.Picturesque little streets,temples and a lot of food places-just grazed including of course Portugese egg tarts.

And a view from Taipa to the cotai strip with a new casino and Mr Packer's City Of Dreams.

Next we walked to the Venetian.

 

[drron]

Well the Cotai strip is unbelievable.If everything that is planned to be built is built this place will out-Vegas Vegas.The Venetian is modelled on its Vegas parent but bigger,in fact huge.In this photo from Taipa most of the foreground are the Venetian shops and casino-we could not fit the hotel towers and rear of the property into the photo.In the background are 3 new hotel developements nearing completion-

The interior shopping mall-

Half of the front view from across the street-

The rest-

Unlike Las Vegas things are dearer inside the Casinos.Even Maccas.In Taipa the Maccas coffees were 12 pacatas,in the Venetian Maccas they were 22 pacatas.At the same bakery chain where we got 2 egg tarts for 10 pacatas in Taipa they were 10P each.
The place however was jumping unlike acroos the road at James Packers city of dreams-hardly a soul in the shops,there were already closures in the food court with few eating.As well as the city there is a Crown towers,Grand Hyatt and Hard rock hotel here-

but for us the crowds and hype do nothing.So glad we decided to stay at the Westin-originally were going to stay at one of the casinos.
Next Macau itself.

 

[drron]

For our last 2 days in Macau we caught the westin shuttle into the ferry pier.The first day we walked along the waterfront.Saw the maps and brochures advertising a variety of restaurants and shops at Macau's fisherman's Wharf.Forget about it the place is dead and a lot of places closed.Lots of fake buildings including the Colesseum and a volcano-just no people.

The ferry(and chopper) terminal.

The dormant volcano.

The colosseum-without the crowds.

The shops-the people you see are 2 security guards-this was~1300.

And across to the Macau tower where the mad were bungy jumping.

And their mini glass opera house.
From there we went to the Sands and got a free shuttle back to the Venetian before picking up the Westin shuttle back to the hotel.There is no need to pay for transport in Macau-just pick the nearest casino to where you want to go and catch their shuttle.Several also have shuttles to the Border Gate if you want to cross into China itself.

 

[drron]

That night we went to Fernando's-a restaurant fairly close to the Westin and reccomended by many.

Unfortunately our experience wasnt so good.Mrsdrron is a wine drinker,beer here would have been much safer.Our wine was corked.The waitress obviously had no idea what we were talking about and rather than cause a scene we plugged on.At the end of the night although we did not finish the bottle she used her practised line-would you like another bottle-no the first one was awful.The owner overheard this remark and asked us why.It was corked.Why didnt you say so.We did-and he just walked away.The offending wine-

The food was good but I didn't think great and was not cheap.

BBqed prawns.

And sardines.

And some pork ribs.
And just to show I didn't think it all bad-

Next back into old Macau.

 

[drron]

The next day it was back on the shuttle to the pier.We shifted to the Lisboa casino bus which is close to the central square.

But also next to the Grand Lisboa Casino-

Just a short walk to Largo De Senado.The centre of the Portugese town with some magnificent buildings and interesting people watching.

 

[drron]

We then waked around the surrounding area with churches,a fort and interesting laneways.It was another day for grazing and washing things down with coconut juice or sugar cane juice.Of course there were egg tarts-

And they still have their bamboo scaffolding-

There were some foods we didn't try-

Many small shops and unfortunately mrsdrron found another NaRaYa shop and dropped a few more pacatas-

And crowded living quarters-

Before we found ourselves at the Wynn casino-

And caught their free shuttle back to the ferry pier and back to the Westin.
Next Bus,Ferry,Train,Plane and Train to KL.

 

[drron]

Wednesday and check out from the Westin.Catch their 0805 shuttle to the ferry pier.As the bus takes off the rain starts to come down.Thunderstorms had been predicted for the 5 days we were here but this is the first.Driver stops at the public bus stop-this is under cover.Straight into the ferry terminal and buy our ticket-decide on economy this time.Fare 235-either pacatas or HKD-so we get rid of our pacatas.
Immigration is no problem and off to boarding gate.Unfortunately there is a sign up-"this vessel is delayed due to delay of vessel" Even worse though there is an extended Chinese family with one very spoilt(and large)young boy.keeps throwing tantrums and insists on throwing himself on the floor and screaming right in front of me.Mum buys him a packet of 25 Ferreiro Rocher-consumes them all and next tantrum-goes through some chinese delicacies,biscuits and an icecream whilst we wait for the delayed vessel.
Finally we get to board.We had been allocated seats but only 25% of seats taken so we spread out.Before we know it we are at HKG.Off the boat and to the CX checkin counters-groups at all counters.We walk into the J queue and a CX lady who is doing the Thai counter calls us over.We had been preallocated 14A,C.Mrsdrron is still in 14A but i am in 15K.So we get put together in 17A,C.Our bags had been checked through to KUL at the ferry terminal in Macau.
Downstairs and we catch the train to the departure terminal.At security I am pulled up.Mrsdrron had put a bottle of water in my carryon(first thing she does in any hotel in case we dont get waters renewed).this time she has forgotten about it.The lady security officer has a sense of humour-"now who's the silly boy who has forgotten his water bottle?"Then when it is produced asks if i want to drink it.Then tells me i really should have taken my bag of liquids out-"but it is a silly rule so we wont worry about it".
Off to the CX Flounge at the wing.Get served a cappucino,read the paper and then decide it is time for an early lunch.A great Chinese buffet with some beautiful pork dishes.One of the Waitresses though has an attitude that some could take offence to-"You WILL sit here".Pity she didn't have a german accent.
No walk from the lounge as our KUL flight is from Gate 2-a regional B777.
CX725.HKG-KUL.ETD-1300.ETA-1640.
Takeoff-1300.Arrival-1635.
The fellow in 14C is obviously a CX regular.All the staff stop and talk to him for several minutes.Once again CX is in no doubt who has the status with us.Mrsdrron always spoken to first.The meal was pretty ordinary-veggies very much overdone-glad we ate in the lounge.
Get priority passes for Immigration.Unfortunately the priority lines seem a lot slower than the ordinary lines and we have arrived just after an Air Egypt flight.Finally get through.Bags are about the middle of the bunch.Straight through,buy our tickets for the KLIA express and arrive on the platform as a train opens its doors.Soon off and 30 minutes later arrive at Sentral and off to the LM.
KL is next.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I just want to say that all the good photos are mine

 

[drron]

OK so you can now see I am in trouble.I will just say most of the good pics are mrsdrron's.Maybe because i am only allowed to use the old camera.
So back to the TR.My comparison between the LM and hilton can be read here-
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...omparison-le-meridien-kuala-lumpur-23661.html
The first night we ate in the LM lounge.There was a selection 0f 4 pastas all of which were very good.Not there the next night so we went to their restaurant Prime and we both had the Waygu beef shank which was great.
On thursday it was over to KLCC via the light rail.We find it very easy to get around from Sentral.The return fare was 3.20R($1.20).This got the shopping fix need out of mrsdrron's system.We had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant which was cheap and the food very tasty.Washed down with a Mint Spritzer which was great.Fresh summer rolls,satays,sugar cane prawn and great cambodian fried chicken with lemongrass-left the Colonel's spices for dead.
On Friday we were checking out of the LM and walking next door to the Hilton.The SPG late checkout policy gave us ample time to walk over to the Lake Gardens and go to the Bird Park.A bit pricey but not too bad.You have to walk through the National Museum to get there.

Outside there are old forms of transport plus Malaysia's own car.

On the way to the Bird park you pass Stonehenge.

Feedin time in the park.Bottoms up.

Though some just slept.

You can get up close-but just as well i couldn't get the whole bird in the picture!

And this fellow knew i was talking australian.
More of KL next.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Welcome to AFF mrsdrron your pictures are gorgeous

 

[drron]

Welcome to AFF mrsdrron your pictures are gorgeous

Of the last 6 only Stonehenge is mrsdrrons!

 

[Keith009]

I just want to say that all the good photos are mine

Welcome to AFF mrs.dr.ron! Finally, in the 'flesh.'

 

[drron]

Time to finish this TR off.
The first day at the Hilton we went down to Sentral and caught the light rail over to the Central Market.We have enjoyed this in the past as some different and good craft stalls.It has gone downhill.The tag had to take a rest-all the clothing had made him feel very drowsy-

So we left there and walked up to petaling street(Chinatown).Worth a walk-be careful of pickpockets.We had intended to pick up some fruit but the range and quality this time wasn't great.particularly no Mangosteens which we had been eating in Shanghai.Then the heavens opened up.There was a short break so we went back to the station and caught the light rail back to Sentral.
The next day was spent by the pool in the morning and then the Sunday brunch at Iketeru.The description of that meal is in the hotel review.
Next-back to Lake Gardens for orchids and butterflies.

 

[drron]

So off to the National Orchid and hibiscus garden.Not as good as Singapore but still enjoyable.We got a taxi over this time and for the first time in KL got an honest one-fare half of what we have paid for similiar journeys.We got the taxi because when we went to the Bird Park I was just a mass of perspiration.So a couple of pics-

My AFF tag fell in love with the orchids that they had for sale at 3-12 ringgits-

We then walked down to the butterfly garden,spying some locals on the way-

Next up close to the butterflies.

 

[drron]

As you leave the Orchid garden you can see how close to Sentral you are-

But soon at the butterflies-

The butterflies seemed to be attracted to mrsdrron-

It was extremely humid.There is a cafe so we sat down and had a nice cold drink.Then a taxi back to the Hilton.It cost us 8 ringgit to the gardens but taken on the scenic route back and 17 ringgits.Fellow complained how poor business was-explained to him why tourists didnt take cabs.

 

[drron]

Tuesday comes and it is back home today.Our rate had been prepaid but we had had 3 meals.Total of bill comes to less than 300 ringgits-I decide not to check the account:shock:
Hilton drops us down at Sentral.To the MH checkin-find we can check our bags all the way through to BNE.Means we will miss the priority stickers for our QF leg but great we dont have to lug our bags between terminals at SIN.
Off to the KLIA express and before we know it we are at KUL.No lines through security.No lounge access so we take the train out to International terminal to waste a bit of time.mrsdrron manages to get rid of our last ringgits.
Back to the gate and we find MH605 is late.Boarding is 40 minutes late.It is a very basic flight-up and down but still time to serve us a snack and drink.So we could have gone Air Asia which had a zero fare when we booked.however with taxes and baggage would have come to 135R against 145R on MH.But we get fed and have checked our bags through to BNE.Well worth the extra!
Naturally on arrival at SIN we are at the farthest gate from the inter terminal train.So a little over 30 minutes before we are ensconced in the QF Flounge.
That next.