Drron's Do Disney.

[drron]

When we originally booked this flight the onward flight to SIN was also a 773 and so had F.it was changed to a 789 so no F.Even though leaving in J we were admitted to the Flounge without asking.A nice place to plane spot.The food selections didn't look too appetising though there was a noodle station.

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The first thing that let down this experience was that we were bussed to a remote stand.They call J pax first and then stuff as many on the bus as possible and naturally first on,last off which destroys priority boarding-RJ get it right.To add to the frustration when the bus arrived at the plane there was a several minute wait on the bus as the plane was not ready.

NH 801. NRT-SIN. ETD-1805. push back-1803. Take off-1826. Seats-10H,11G. B789.
ETA-0040. landed-0027. At gate-0035.
The seat-

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It really was narrow and uncomfortable.Very hard to sleep.The difference between ANA F and J is enormous.We both will avoid this plane in the future.

 

[drron]

The wine list.A big step down from F.

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Mrsdrron tasted both of the whites and decided neither was to her taste.The Bordeaux though was very drinkable.

 

[drron]

Now to the food.

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The nibblies you get with your beverage-

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We both had the appetiser,waygu beef and fruit.

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The appetiser was nice,the beef very ordinary.
We both tried to sleep but neither of us could.very uncomfortable.

 

[drron]

As we were arriving after midnight with a flight the next day we stayed at the CP Changi.As usual quickly through Immigration and our bags were waiting for us.
However a long walk from T2 to the CP and then back again the next morning as we were flying CX out of T4 and you need to come back to T2 to get the T4 shuttle.
A bit annoyed at checkin as I put in the request part that I would like a runway view.Told at checkin that it would be an extra $55 for a runway view.I said don't bother i'll just take whatever my Ambassador upgrade will be-so got a runway view.How many fall for thar scam?
The room-

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Yes the trolley stayed in the room all night.
The view the next morning-

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After brekkie the long walk back to T2 and the shuttle ready for our CX flight to BKK.

 

[drron]

CX 712 SIN-BKK ETD-1400. push back-1404. Takeoff-1419. A359 Seats14D,G.
ETA-1515. Landed-1522. at gate-1525.
The seat-

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This was in stark contrast to the ANA 789.The seat was comfortable.The set up a lot better especially for couples.Service and food also better.
So the wines and Menu-

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Mrsdrron was happy with the Allan Scott SB-we have eaten at the vineyard.I began with the champagne and switched to the Killikanoon.I enjoyed both.We both started with the fruit then mrsdrron had the beef cheek which she enjoyed.

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I had the fish which was very tasty.

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I then discovered the cameras-

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More of that next.

 

[drron]

During the flight I read my kindle whilst listening to The Doors and quaffing the Sauterne.Life doesn't get any better.I read the memoirs of US Grant,Civil War General and President.Though he was President ~ 150 years ago things are not all that different.One of his thoughts-"I still think native born citizens of the US should have as much protection,as many privileges in their native country as those that voluntarily seek it for a home."
But back to the camera I love it.When I had to put screen away it just needed mrsdrron to bring it up on hers.

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Then touchdown.

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Then taxi to the gate.

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As I said I really enjoyed the CX version of the A350.Does it for me.

 

[drron]

The day after our arrival it was down to River City to see the jeweler.Nice to have a little cruise on the river.

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The construction next to the Hilton is going to dwarf it.

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Then views downriver past the Peninsula.

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And upriver to Chinatown-

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Whilst a huge launch has just discharged it's hordes of Chinese lunch guests.

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And near the Taksin bridge.

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And just to annoy rooflyer I got into the selfie crowd-

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[drron]

We really took it easy for our 6 nights in Bangkok.Recovering from the trip.We do enjoy the SGS and especially spending Happy Hour in the Living Room listening to the pianist,drinking and having a few bites.This night the steak tartare and foie gras with pumpkin foam.Both really nice.

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We also like breakfast in Rossinis.Mrsdrron's first day is usually poavhed eggs on toast and I take it a little further with eggs benedict.

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Terminal 21 is easy to access by a walkway that is under cover.We often eat there.Always at least once at their food court but now we also like
Singapore's Michelin starred chicken rice hawker Chan.

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[drron]

We did things a little differently.In order to make sure I get to LTP with SPG.We did a mattress run and spent the middle 2 nights at the Westin Sukhumvit.The room-

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And the views-

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[drron]

Bangkok was really bad with smog on this trip.But it made for an unusual sunset.

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The view from the room is certainly different at night-

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Now quite a few people prefer the WGS to the SGS because it has a lounge.The food options there aren't too bad and the first night they had pizza.But the place is small and fills up quickly.It takes a while to replace food that has run out and towards the end the replacements stop.Al so the wine selection isn't great with 1 white-chardy and 1 red-

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However there is a much greater drawback which means we wont be staying here again.On the saturday night there was a pool party.Loud-but that is only the last saturday of the month.The problem both nights was the noise that starts at 2am with hoons racing their cars up and down Sukhumvit.Presumably this occurs because the Government doesn't allow drinking and dancing after 2am.If you cant sleep then it really doesn't matter what other facilities you have.

 

[drron]

We got a late check out and went to the Kisso Japanese restaurant all you can eat A la carte Sunday lunch.It was well worth it.
Chicken Karage and salmon,octopus and foie gras sushi-

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Fried oysters and waygu beef-

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Teriyaki salmon and chicken with foie gras.

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Suikiyaki.

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Also had some tempura but forgot to take pic.Ended with some Japanes sweets and fruit.

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We will probably cross the street to go back here.Very Enjoyable.

 

[drron]

So to finish off our stay in Bangkok another nights food in the living room-Hokkaido scallops and green apple plus gnocchi with truffle-

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And another morning's brekkie in Rossinis.Waffles with mango for mrsdrron and Italian sausage and mushrooms for me.

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All that's left now is to fly home.

 

[drron]

CX 619. BKK-SIN. ETD-1245. Push back-1241. Take off-1254. Seats 15D,G. A359.
ETA-1615. Landed-1602. At gate-1609.
I was ready for the camera this time so from the gate to take off in pictures-

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[drron]

Lunch.Wines were the same as SIN-BKK.

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I had the chicken,mrsdrron the pork.

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Mrsdrron was happy with the Allan Scott SB and wanted to show off her pedicure.
Once again I read my kindle until the approach to SIN.It is always interesting but raining today.

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[drron]

Always good to see the wheels come down-

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[drron]

It was a long walk from the gate to the exit of T4.Then into a holding room until the bus arrived for an airside transfer to T3.Another long walk to the train to T1.Not so long a walk to the Concorde bar.You get a password so you can go in and out.Quite frankly I was underwhelmed.Dark and cold.Sure you get a menu and food served on a plate but it is the stuff on the buffet outside in the usual BA lounge.From the temperature of our satays they were probably served from the buffet.Next time we probably wont bother and just use the normal lounge which is much lighter and has something to look at.Sorry TH.
We left as usual a little early but virtually as we got through the at gate security boarding commenced.The gate security system at SIN is something I detest as I always have to be wanded.
They made a call for F pax and OWEs to board and literally a third of the people at the gate surged forward.There were easily 20 pax who boarded before us but we were the first in the F cabin-an airline that does priority boarding worse than QF!.

When we boarded I noted that the FAs were wearing their hats.Having paid attention to Mr.Hancock's little rants on here I knew that we had a mixed fleet crew.I did think they were meant to be good.This lot weren't.A total contrast to our SYD-SIN flight.The woman on my side acted as though she really didn't want to be there.Mrsdrron got a little better service.

BA 15. ETD-2005. Push back-2007. Take off-2031 Seats-14 E,F.
ETA-0645. landed-0649. At gate-0654.
First the wine list.

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[drron]

So now to the food.

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The antipasti plate-

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Mrsdrron had the roulade and I the soup.i enjoyed it.

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We both had the beef and then the arctic roll.

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So the food was solid but not spectacular.Not what I would call F standard but very good J food.Just to remind you we are paying less for this flight than QF J so I still think good value.
Mrsdrron had the Loire Valley wine and I had the Argentinian red.It was very good so I didn't switch to the French as planned.

I was able to get a little sleep and awoke about 90 minutes out of SYD.Brekkie next.

 

[drron]

Breakfast menu.

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Yes that's all it is.But they did let you have 2 items.Mrsdrron just had the fruit.I had the bircher muesli and the breakfast sandwich.

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The bircher was fluid and one of the worst I have had.I used to make a much better one.The sandwich-very ordinary.

The morning arrival into SYD is not the best experience.huge lines even for the gates.Fortunately spotted a gate to the far right that people were ignoring so we got through quickly and for the first time in over a year the camera thought it was my picture.
Down to the baggage hall and every carousel was in use so once again long lines to exit.When we got to the agent we were just waved through so it turned out to be just over an hour until we were driving off in our rental.

 

[drron]

From the airport it was straight to our family.For the next 2 days we were looking after the grandkids as both parents were working and the children were only going back to school the next week.To make things a little more stressful 2 0f the 3 were ill.But that's what grandparents are for.When their mother got home we were absolutely exhausted so it was off to the SOTP to check in.We were allocated a renovated room.Nice.

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We went up to the lounge.Only a soft refurb there but the food offerings have continued to be really good.Once again oysters each night.On the first night oysters Kilpatrick as well.Refilled platter of large prawns plus usual lounge fare but all of higher quality than most.Also really good wines.The Tasmanian pinot I drink now is ~ $50 from the vineyard.
The second day we were able to stay a little longer with the kids but made sure we were back at the SOTP for the last 30 minutes of happy hour to have dinner.

And now just the flight back to BNE.

 

[drron]

Australia Day and time to fly back to BNE.Didn't want to wake early so we picked QF522 departing at 1130.However this was a day when there were long delays out of MEL and our plane was coming from MEL.So we ended up leaving at ~ 1300.The first flight on this trip that was late.Once again QF didn't manage PB well.There was a gap in the priority queue barrier so people were coming in there despite the long queue.
Good views of the Harbour after take off-

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So even though leaving at 1300 we were served a breakfast snack-yoghurt with either a plate of fruit or a toasted ham and cheese sandwich.Mrsdrron had the fruit,I the sandwich.

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The sandwich was overdone.The cheese had melted and soaked through the bottom slice of toast with a fatty residue on the plate-

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Then the North Coast of NSW-

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And the approach to BNE-

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Time was made up and we were only about an hour late into BNE.Again not surprised that priority baggage didn't work either.
Heavy traffic on the drive back to home and it took ~ 90 minutes.
So that is the trip.Tomorrow I may give a brief summary.