Chasing the perfect Fuji shot

[drron]

One day we went to one of our favourite Thai restaurants Nara. They are a chain and a new branch had opened in the Erawan mall which is attached to the Hyatt. The food is consistent and reasonably priced. I forgot and just said yes to water and of course you get a bottle which costs. At least it is a pretty bottle.



Our drinks was a coconut slushie each.


The food. A soft shell crab curry, mixed seafood and our favourite pomelo salad with prawns.






Then back to the hotel and the view from our room.

 

[drron]

So some random shots. As I have said I really liked their soups - Mushroom and Tom Yum.




Just one other new dish on the buffet.


For breakfast I did have the Pad Thai omelet. Doesn't look nice but great tastes.


Some more of sunset.




One day I walked around a newish mall that just hasn't taken off -the Market. But they have now opened a Moxy hotel there so a few more food outlets have opened now. The building next door had a special exhibit.

 

[drron]

Another day I did my Mall walking over the road at the new Gaysorn mall. Not totally finished yet but a really good food court.








Some unusual things in the food court. Now I love my eggplant but eggplant ice cream or a slushie?


And this name caught my eye.

That wasn't a nice thing to call someone when I was a lad. But it was different. here are their doobs.


And finally the Thai gin I quite liked.

 

[drron]

All good things come to an end especially on Monday mornings. an early commute to BKK. no problems checking in. there was a J line but a roving agent kindly directed us to the empty F line. No problems through security and soon in the Jal lounge. It is quiet but not a really impressive lounge. you have to order hot dishes by their number. But as long as we have decent wifi and power at our seats we are happy.
We had the 789 with 2-2-2 in the J cabin. I like it because I can get a window seat. Unfortunately no real views until near the end of the flight.

So to the menus.












This time I took a picture of the white wine from Japan that mrsdrron was happy with.

 

[drron]

Once again excellent presentation plus enjoyable.






Dessert was the same with both menus.


Mrsdrron had the chicken which was moist and tasty.
Later I tried the Chanpon De Sky. noodles in a cup made by the Nissan company.





It was surprisingly good.
Getting close to HND naturally I saw this.


With a 6 pm arrival didn't have to wait to use one of the check in kiosks at the villa Fontaine. The night view from our room.

 

[drron]

Neither of us was hungry so a bit of time on the computer then to bed. again didn't have to rise early as JL71 to SIN was at 1125.
So the Sakura lounge the next day to welcome in way. This time photos of the offerings.

 

[drron]

The last of the lounge.




Once again not a great day at HND.












And as we left.

 

[drron]

So to the Menu.

 

[drron]

Seat 2A this time. And it was a 767 as well. have had this a few times on SIN services. nice leg room.


We departed about 30 minutes late so meal served fairly quickly. Mrsdrron again had the western meal. The Scallop and squid salad she enjoyed as a starer. Once again the beef but without wasabi butter.


Once again i enjoyed the Japanese selection.




I even had the matcha tiramisu and it wasn't bad.


Clouds all the way. Close to SIN put into a holding pattern. We did about 8 loops so lost nearly another hour. So instead of having an hour in the CP loumge we arrived after they cleared the buffet. But for the first time got a cookie each on check in.


And a fruit bowl in the room.


And seeing tomorrow's flight was in the evening we could sleep in.

 

[drron]

Breakfast at 1000 in the CP lounge. not to bad at all.














And also some extras to order. I went with my usual eggs Benedict.


We checked out in the lounge and stayed there until about 1500 before heading for Terminal 1 and BA early check in. No waiting and soon in the BA lounge.

 

[drron]

Now we were flying in F so were given the code for the Concorde bar. However both of us feel it is too dark, no windows and although you get your food served on a plate it actually comes from the buffet. There is absolutely no difference in quality. besides Mrsdrron gets her food served to her at her seat anyway. So the buffet.

 

[drron]

S to the wines. One thing I like about this lounge is that they post a description of the wines supplied. First the general lounge.



And the Concorde bar.


And seeing i had the code and we spent nearly 5 hours in the lounge I made several trips in there. You should have seen the looks I got coming in and taking a glass of wine out. but on the other hand there were only 5 F pax when we boarded and I recognised 2 of the other 3 had been in the general lounge as well. Can't remember the third one in either part.

So to the wines. I probably no pretty definitely have them mixed up a bit having such a long stay and sampling all the reds. But definitely a step up in quality in the Concorde bar.




Those obviously the general lounge as much more sophisticated in the Concorde bar.

 

[drron]

The general lounge with other beverages and snacks.














And some decorative pieces.

 

[drron]

Finally on board. The F seat is certanly dated but quite comfortable so able to sleep. It also has plenty of storage.












And soon we had champagne in hand.

 

[drron]

Menu.
















The food was not good. I had the fish dish and ate one mouthful. didn't take photos but I thought the sides were worth a photo. This was how they were served and how they went back to the galley.


As to service one FA was absolutely wonderful. The other useless. However Andy ended up serving all 7 of us and sent the other back to the galley.
Wasn't worried by the meal as I had a fair helping in the lounge.
The wines were good - I had both of the Italian reds.
And I slept well even waking after the breakfast service so I just had the Bircher muesli. And that is what is most important on an overnight flight.

Arrival in SYD was a bit chaotic as we arrived after a QF 380 and another wasn't far behind. so a little wait for a kiosk but from there fine. Bags started coming out soon after we reached the carousel and our bag was in the first few out. So we were a little early to pick up our car so had a cappucino after exiting.

 

[drron]

After picking up our car we drove to Centennial Park as usual to snooze before checking in to the IC Sydney. Told could check in from 1pm so arrived there just after 1pm. As I was walking in disaster struck. I got the sudden onset of right sided scitica. Previously had it on the left side but controlled for over 10 years with Amitriptyline. I couldn't walk very far.
wasn't helped by an agent who said your assigned room isn't ready yet so I will look for another. Just standing was painful so I said we will wait for the assigned room but she took no notice so ended up with an entry level king room on a low floor. No welcome or amenity showed up for our 3 night stay. We are staying again towards the end of June so they better do a lot better or that will be our last stay there. The only thing going for the hotel in our view is the views from the lounges.
The view for the evening lounge.

 

[drron]

And the view from the breakfast lounge one floor above.








Due to the sciatica I wasn't walking around taking photos. But I needer a shower as no way could I get in and out of a bath. A nice shower but why marble floors. They get extremely slippery and my balance isn't the best.


The view from our room though wasn't as good.

 

[drron]

They had all the menus on the table the first evening so here they are.
















Breakfast.


In the evening the first 4 items are brought around by a waitperson. Unfortunately only 1 tray reached me before it was emty. i felt a real prawn.

 

[drron]

The breakfast buffet. They saw me limping in so gave us the nearest table to the buffet. I didn't have to get out of my seat to take the first photo.


But I managed seeing most of it.








From the menu Mrsdrron ordered the bircher muesli.


I had the eggs Benedict.


The second morning poached eggs on avocado toast.

 

[drron]

The reason for stopping over was to see our family. it was an absolutey miserable wet and cold weekend so we didn't go and watch the various sports. So on the Saturday night we took the Grandchidren to their favourite Pizza place - Christos at the fiveways Paddington. On the weekend booking is essential especially if there is a Swans home game on which there was that weekend. Excuse the shaky photos. I presume it was because it was before I had any alcohol that day.