From Noosa to Vegas and a bit of a Gamble.

[amaroo]

Looking good - thanks for the TR.

 

[TonyHancock]

So it will be Chef drron now? The apron is a big improvement on the golf shorts!

As usual a brilliant trip report.

 

[drron]

Actually Tony I was thinking of offering my services to AJ.Now that news leaking out should send QF shares higher.
But back to the TR.saturday was a quiet day.It was off to Central World for some more of mrsdrron's retail therapy.Now this Mall is half way between BTS stations so it definitely tested my sciatica.But I survived.The Zen Dept store is still being repaired after the Red Shirt fire last year.The rest of the complex is back to normal.A good food court on the upper floor.We had our lunch there.But walking back we went past a new(to us) restaurant-Shabushi-a shabu shabu restaurant where the ingredients are circulated as in those sushi restaurants.You just select what ingredients you use.We will give it a try next time we are in town.
After that back to the SGS for a nanny nap,happy hour and being overwhelmed getting back to the room with another large fruit selection plus a selection of fruit juices.
Sunday and we decided to go down to the river and see what the Chao Praya was doing.Have already posted some pics in this thread-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/bkk-floods-oct-2011-a-34006.html
Posts 33,34,35.
After that we came back to Asoke,went to the basement of Robinsons and had another hours massage each.A bit of a giggle as the young lass giving mrsdrron her massage is quite taken by my looks.She first rubs my bead saying I look like Santa Claus and then rubs my stomach saying it looks like the Happy Buddha-and rubbing his stomach brings good luck.In fact in Cambodia and Laos this happened to me a lot.No complaints from me.
After that it was back for happy hour and then our anniversary dinner in Basil-once again really good food.
Next-an early start and off to NRT.

 

[TonyHancock]

Actually Tony I was thinking of offering my services to AJ.Now that news leaking out should send QF shares higher.

drron's Thai Party Pies! I might even switch my domestic travel back to QF for those!

 

[docjames]

Enjoying the TR chefron - keep going!

 

[drron]

Despite the threat of floods the Thais were continuing with life.Probably a good sign at the Mall over the road from the SGS that they began erecting their Christmas Tree at street level-

Monday and we were in to Brekkie very early.Then the limo to the Airport.Not too much traffic and there fairly quickly.Got our VAT refund voucher stamped and then checked in with CX.Our bags still only weigh 13.4 and 21.4Kg.Used the premium security and Immigration lines and there was no one else so through very quickly.Mrsdrron does a little shopping on our way to the CX lounge at the E/G intersection-we find this the quietest OW lounge.
As usual we start to the gate a bit before boarding is meant to start and as we get there the board goes to final call and the premium pax begin boarding.It is an A330 with regional seating.We are in 12H,K-the first row on CX.As I get to the seat my jacket is taken and a minute later a glass of Billecart is in my hand.very efficient.Unlike QF I am offered and given a second glass before takeoff.Only 14 in the 42 J seats.An American comes up to the Flight service manager saying he is flying on to JFK and is in J on the next sector so can he sit there now-he is politely shown the way to the Y cabin.

The FSM comes up to mrsdrron and has a long chat with her-presumably she is the only OWE on this flight.
CX708.BKK-HKG. ETD-0925.Push back-0916.Takeoff-0935. ETA-1255.Land-1245.At gate-1250.
At the runway we are behind a colourful Bangkok Air ATR,half of Druk Airs fleet and behind are JQ,a colourfulNok air and a lime green S7.

Next-the days flights.

 

[drron]

After takeoff we were very soon into low level cloud so we could not get a sense of the Thai flooding.What we did see was certainly more water than usual.However in or out of BKK you do see a lot of water anyway.We certainly now know that the International media were beating up the story.Certainly it was an immense and tragic event with hundreds of Thais dying but the International medias presentation compounded the damage by encouraging many tourists to stay away when a lot of Thailand was not flooded and still functioning normally.The dramatic pictures of planes being caught at Don Mueang failed to point out that these were mothballed oplanes awaiting sale or taking apart.
Anyway enough of the real world and back to our flight.Soon after takeoff we are offered another drink.Now working on the principle that somewhere in the world the sun is over the yardarm we opt for wine.A waimea Estates SB is produced.Then lunch is served.The appetiser is a pomelo and prawn salad.Very nice too-

Mrsdrron has the Thai chicken.It had a hint of chilli but mrsdrron didn't feel it a problem-

I had the black cod with Yushung sauce.Again slightly spicy but really nice.

For dessert it was a Haagens-Daaz icecream and of course choccies.After lunch the senior purser came and talked to us(she was impressed I knew what mrsdrron would like in the choccies-mrsdrron was otherwise engaged at the time).She was Japanese but studied at UQ.So she reminced with us of her visits to the Sunny coast.Very soon We had arrived at HKG.The transfer point was a shambles-luckily we had a long transit.Our flight had originated from Mumbai so the back of the plane had many pax from the subcontinent who would come up to look at the transfer board and then try to jump the queue.Now the Chinese are not great at queuing but obviously took a dislike to others queue jumping so most were forced to the back of the line.
Once more we suffered at the hands of HKG security.Mrsdrron was taken aside-she had 3 small purses of coins for this trip-I believe every coin was individually inspected.Then they wanted to take a look at her nonmetal nail files.Finally underway.The board said our flight was from gate 19 so we headed for the Flounge at the Wing.A long walk and my sciatica was really complaining.Started with a meal in the dining room-what else!However we were both disappointed in the offerings this time-eg beef stew with mashed potato=Shepherd's pie.Relaxed with a glass or 2 of SB when the gate was changed to 61!Back where we started.At least going back there was the train so a lot less walking.So settled into the Pier Flounge.
Next-off to HND(for the first time).

 

[drron]

Whilst in the pier lounge I used my little computer.Checking our FF accounts saw that QFF have posted our SYD-BKK sector as a classic award so no miles or SCs for mrsdrron-yet all the other sectors are posting normally.Have contacted QFF and as yet unresolved.This is another area where QFF lags Aadvantage.After our debacle with Yupps on our last trip AA answered our complaint in 3 days(praise only takes 1)and by day 5 extra miles were posted as compensation.
But enough of the coughing it is now off for HND.The flight had been delayed to 1635 so we left for the gate at 1600.There was already a long queue at the priority lane but as with AA a gate agent came down the line removing those that didn't qualify.Boarding began soon after we arrived at the gate.Another A320 with regional seats but we are in 19H,K-the last row of J.It was completely full so it took a while to have my jacket taken and a Deutz to be placed in my hand.
CX542. HKG-HND. ETD-1615.Push back-1633.TO-1646.
ETA-2120.Landed-2118.At gate-2125.
On this sector the Inflight Service Manager introduced herself to nearly half of the J cabin.No talk to mrsdrron and we also missed out on the hot towels-ran out on the last 2 rows.SAtill true with Asian airlines that once they are put under pressure the service begins to crack.At least on QF you know it will be the same whether the flight is full or empty-you just dont know if today is your lucky day.The good QF FAs though dont miss a beat if the cabin is full.
The Senior purser comes around and talks to the OWEs.See her list and in fact not many Es on board.Mrsdrron was listed as QFE and myself AAS.She also gets the Emeralds(and consorts)a drink before ewveryone else.This time it was a French 2009 Sancerre.
Dinner was then served.The appetisers were fine-duck breast with asparagus,mugwort soba noodles and what was described as a wild herb salad with pickled quail.All were very nice.

I had the very uninspired chicken curry with unrecognisable greens.

Mrsdrron had the US beef medallion with green peppercorn sauce.She felt the beast had died of old age.

When we arrived at HND we of course were the last J pax off.Boy are some of those front row Y pax aggressive.I was literally shoved out of the way by a tiny chinese woman.She must have used some mystical eastern martial art as I have no idea how she did it.There was no reason to rush as the Immigration hall was empty and a lot of the J pax went through the Japanese passport lanes.So mrsdrron and I had no wait.Until of copurse I had to have my picture taken.The camera wouldn't work-the whole system had to be rebooted.We still got to the carousel before the bags came out.I couldn't help giving the little Chinese woman a big grin when our bags came out numbers 1 and 5.So the HKG baggage handlers are also better than their Aussie mates.

Next-off to the Westin.

 

[drron]

It was just before 2200 when we walked out through Customs.The next limo bus to the Westin was at 2300 and took an hour to get their.So we took a taxi.Expensive at 9000 Yen but turned out to be well worth it.We got a Japanese ex F1 driver.120Ks in an 80 zone,100 in a 60 zone,90 in a 40 zone but a sedate 70 in a 30 zone.So we ended up checking in at the Westin at 2220.By the time we got to the room,unpacked and abluted we were in bed before the limo bus left Haneda.
No upgrade-but had the grace to apologise that we could not be upgraded as the next 2 nights the hotel was full.Checked on line and it was.Certainly we found out the next couple of days with many people walking around with their Deloittes name badges.We still got lounge access and free internet plus breakfast in the main restaurant.Was still very good value as we had booked at the time of the tsunami.When I checked about 6 weeks ago the rate was twice what we paid.
Slept like a log and for the first time in months slept for 8 hours.Had a late brekkie,went back to the room and promptly went back to sleep for another 2 hours.After that just crossed the railway line and explored the back streets.On this occasion rather than the strange English names some businesses have we came across a restaurant called "Greenwich meal Time".Naturally ended up at the 100 yen shop where Mrsdrron found a plethora of little things she didn't know she couldn't live without.
At the Westin everything is done up for Christmas and Christmas songs playing all the time.Felt strange in Japan.A few pics-

But what does a penguin have to do with Christmas-

We bought some sushi and fruit from Mitzuokoshi and had a very late lunch and just topped up in the lounge that evening.The lounge was quiet.A good view of the Tokyo Tower though-

Next-some of Tokyo's lesser known places.

 

[drron]

Wednesday and we were still feeling tired.Mrsdrron felt as this was our second visit since the tsunami that we had been nuked.Had a late breakfast and then got the subway just 1 station to Hiroo.A short walk to the Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park.A typical Japanese garden park-clean,interesting contrasts and great design.So a few pictures which are worth more than words-

 

[drron]

In the park were several groups of preschool kids having lunch.Also lots of mothers bringing their children out to play.Their transport certainly eco friendly-

But more pictures of the park-

And I did take note-

We then wandered around the back streets even finding another 100 Yen shop.

But I wondered if this sign was meant for me-

We then got the subway back to Ebisu and experienced something for the first time-the train was 3 minutes late!When we got back we went to the Sushi Go Round near Ebisu station.Pretty good sushi and good value-11 plates including salmon,tuna,salmon roe and crab cost 1540Y-just under $20.Stopped at Starbucks for a Christmas caramel toffee nut frappucino before going back to the Westin for our nanny nap.Dinner again in the lounge-nice pumpkin soup.
Next-some of Tokyo's history.

 

[drron]

Thursday and once again a late breakfast.Got the subway to Yushima and walk to Kyu-Iwasaki-tei gardens.This is the house and part of the grounds of a home built for the second CEO of Mitsubishi group-Mr Iwasaki.Designed by a British architect.A little fact that tickled my fancy was that the light globes were made by Mr Mazda.After the war it was used by the Allied General Command.It costs 400Y($5) to go in but well worth it.The house-

The Billiard room-

The porch-

The ceiling of the entry foyer-

The gardens outside the Japanese wing-

Next-more pictures of the gardens.

 

[drron]

Finally,Mr Iwasaki's garden-

And some lovely persimmons-

Just a hop,skip and a jump away was the Yashima Temmangu shrine.Originally built in 458 and parts of the original are said to still exist.

Next a typical Japanese shopping street.

 

[drron]

After visiting the temple we walked towards the Okahimachi JR station.I had to stop and basically sit on a roadside railing to let my sciatic pain ease.It was no time before a fellow came up and asked if he could help.this is one of the things I love about japan.they really are very helpful though at times reserved vas they do not want to look silly if they get their English wrong.
We first went to the Matsukaya Dept store.It was having it's 400th Anniversary sale.Then we wandered around a collection of shopping streets between Okahimachi and Ueno stations.The main one was Ameyoko street.They always have the name above shopping streets-

the place was jumping-

amongst all of this were areas selling food.this was the fish section-

Including very tiny ones-

And of course seaweed-

But just have a look at the price of these prized mushrooms-

Yes the little packets down the front are nearly $40.
We ended up having lunch in a little hole in the wall restaurant under the railway line.Mrsdrron had the Tonkatsu and I had a selection known as "the special Japan food set".Sashimi,tempura,miso,pickles etc.all up with a large bottle of beeer and a coke it was just under $40.We then caught the Yamanote JR line back to Ebisu-my favourite station as they play the Harry lime theme every time a train is in the station.So back to the hotel and dinner in the lounge again.
Next some pictures around Yebisu Gardens-the commercial complex over the road from the Westin.

 

[`X']

Ameyoko Street is the best place for Wierd Asian lollies and chocolates. It is apparently known as Candy Street!

 

[drron]

Second week of November and the Christmas decorations are all out.The Japanese really love brand names so it was no surprise to see this-

And it wouldn't be Tokyo without a faux French castle-

This actually houses a Joel Robuchon restaurant.
The red carpet and Christmas tree are in place-

The Japanese have a way with garden art-

Even an australian makes an appearance.The flannel flower-

Next-it looks so different at night.

 

[drron]

One night after the lounge visit I went out and strolled around the Yebisu gardens complex.I will let the pictures tell the story-

You get a good view of the Tokyo tower and it was a full moon(maybe that's why I just had to go out!)-

Of course nowhere is immune from the influence of LOTFAP-

Next-we are off to LOTFAP.

 

[drron]

Friday and we are up early.Got to the restaurant just as it opened for breakfast.then on the 0730 limo bus to NRT.Arrived there~0915.straight to the AA desks and relieved to see the QF ticketing problems had not interfered with our seating requests and we are still 3D,G.I do love those EVIPs.Straight through security.now I do have to thank an AFFer who related that going through security that you dont have to remove your belt but just walk quickly through the centre-works every time and saves me a few minutes.
After that we went to the JAL Flounge.Crowded as usual but we are both able to book a massage for 1000.Invigorated we then proceeded to the AC.Now unlike nearly everyone else I prefer this lounge(after you have had your massage though).It is far less crowded,well set out,power points everywhere,16 computers + free wifi.Alcohol was already out and on par with the JAL lounge.food is as usual pretty sparse but then I am not a fan of the featureless brown goo that passes as curry in the JAL Flounge.

We wandered to the gate a few minutes before boarding commenced.A little old Chinese lady(and yes they were speaking a Chinese dialect) and her 8 young fit relatives were pre boarding.Then the call was first class followed by EXP and OWE-we had disappeared before any other call was made.That great feeling of turning left as you board knowing that no one can just walk past stuffing their bags in the overheads as they walk to the back.Within moments my jacket is taken,I have my new AA PJs and a glass of Pommery brut in my hand.It is refilled before take off.This is a Dallas based crew and as usual are efficient and friendly.
Now just a little on their seat.this is the easiest seat for me to sleep on that I have experienced.the duvet supplied overcomes the joints and hard bits of the seat.Also a good design.For take off and landing it faces forward.In flight you usually swivel it 45 degrees for eating,sleeping and watching movies.You can also turn it around 90 degrees and have a large working area.
Drron stretching out-

Mrsdrrons seat in the eating/drinking position-

And in the working position so you can see what I was working on-

Next-the flight of AA176.

 

[TonyHancock]

Very impressive performance on the wine front drron! Looks like the sort of work I enjoy!

 

[drron]

Well tony that is a Lenswood sauvignon Blanc and a Grahams Vintage port.forgot to write down the year.but back to the story.
AA176.NRT-DFW. ETD-1200. Push back-1156. Take off-1214.
ETA-0830. Landed 0801. At gate 0805.
This weas a good crew.Betty,yes one of the older AA FAs was great.Chatted with everyone.always noticing if a glass was nearing empty.As we began the descent she came around and had a chat with every pax,shaking their hand and thanking them for flying AA.But then there was the important business-lunch.Started with a roasted garlic and edamame hummous with tortilla chips.it was delicious-

Then smoked salmon and tarragon shrimp-

Then a salad with herb roasted chicken breast.it came with a tasty creamy ginger dressing-

Mrsdrron then had the shrimp noodle bowl and liked it-

And i had the beef fillet with madeira sauce.Served Medium rare and definitely thye best steak I have ever had on a plane-

Then of course on AA you finish with an ice cream sundae,yummy-

Whilst eating I was listening to American jukebox-50s and early 60s music.Yes as you get older you do regress.I was singing along much to the embarrassment of Mrsdrron.I then watched Hangover and a couple of episodes of Big Bang.Unfortunately today my sciatica wouldn't allow me to lie down so i sat half upright,got out my Sudoku and promptly went to sleep.
Awoke for a reasonable hot breakfast-

we arrived early.A short wait at the gate for the air bridge,deplaned at 0808 but then absolutely no queue at Immigration so at the carousel by 0816.Our bags are out 1 and 2,we are on a roll.So through customs and had dropped the bags by 0826.Changed to C terminal by train and in the AC by 0843.Got our drink coupons and 2 T mobile passes.I definitely will try to make my international arrivals at DFW from now on.it was so easy.
Next-off to Orlando.