Heading towards the light

[Justinf]

Love the Clonakilla Shiraz. Very nice.

 

[drron]

Hopefully that is now fixed. Not sure why they didn't load; might have been the DB wifi slowing things down.


I was expecting to prefer the Krug as there is quite the positive press about it. However I preferred the Dom as being slightly more suited to my palate. On the next flight I repeated the experiment over breakfast and while the difference was not as pronounced the second time, the result was the same.

I find by about the sixth test there is no difference.:shock::shock:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

SQ242 SYD-SIN B777-300 F .................... I figured I would be able to find my way to 1F.

773 at least has O/H bins - I like it better than 77W with no bins - and the bigger cabin has a much more spacious feel about it - even from your 1F seat JT you are not staring at a bulkhead - the gap in front your F seat make it fell much bigger.

I do love having my back to everyone else .

Amazing how we are all different - I would never sit in front row of SQ F - row 2C allows perfect view of entire cabin and perfectly suited to RHD as is specific reason JT chose 1F.

It seems I did not take a photo of the menu

No photos required - just take the menu out of the leather cover - crew are more than happy for you to do so. One CSM actually gave us 2 leather folders as souvenirs on one trip.

Interesting that the RWT has been appearing on menus on Oz routes for last couple months but I have yet to see a report of it actually loaded. Best I contact MEL station prior to my next flt early Dec and get that rectified.

JT I am loving the fact you are loving this SQ exp - we can feel it in your writing - pls enjoy to the max for all of us won't you?

 

[JessicaTam]

773 at least has O/H bins - I like it better than 77W with no bins - and the bigger cabin has a much more spacious feel about it - even from your 1F seat JT you are not staring at a bulkhead - the gap in front your F seat make it fell much bigger.Amazing how we are all different - I would never sit in front row of SQ F - row 2C allows perfect view of entire cabin and perfectly suited to RHD as is specific reason JT chose 1F.
No photos required - just take the menu out of the leather cover - crew are more than happy for you to do so. One CSM actually gave us 2 leather folders as souvenirs on one trip.

There was an amazing amount of room in front of row 1. I could not discern its purpose other than "because it's there".

I debated taking the menu, but my luggage space is limited. Photos (when I remember to take them) take up much less space. Don't worry, I took menu pics on the second flight.

Interesting that the RWT has been appearing on menus on Oz routes for last couple months but I have yet to see a report of it actually loaded. Best I contact MEL station prior to my next flt early Dec and get that rectified.

JT I am loving the fact you are loving this SQ exp - we can feel it in your writing - pls enjoy to the max for all of us won't you?

 

[JessicaTam]

TPR (The Private Room) - 1

I visited the Private Room three times whilst in SIN. The first visit was on arrival, at about 0030 for a little over half an hour. My booking at the transit hotel was for 0200, so I didn't want to be too early. The staff were very attentive and escorted me through the rabble of the SKLounge and the plebs in the F lounge.

Understandably the lounge was pretty empty at that time of night. I had an orange juice followed by a champagne nightcap and headed for my bed.

Aerotel transit hotel

The Aerotel I stayed in is in Terminal 1, so I had a bit of a walk combined with the train. Checkin was very quick and I was soon in my room. I had booked a single room for and it was about twice the width of the bed and a metre or so longer. The bed itself was super comfortable with nice linen. There was a little bench and stool, kettle/tea/coffee and a couple bottles of water. The bathrooms were at the end of the hall.

I set my alarm for 6 hours and went to sleep. The minimum booking is 6 hours, and I had added an extra hour to the tariff. The rooms are internal so there is no natural light. A nice feature is a motion sensor in the room so that if you stir, a light comes on that is just enough to orient oneself, but not so bright to wake someone moving in their sleep.

I would happily stay here again.

TPR (The Private Room) - 2

I headed to the lounge for breakfast and decided another champagne was in order. I also had eggs florentine in the dining room - I guess it is not a dish they make too often, as the end result was a little, let us say, unusual.

The dining room:


After breakfast I headed through immigration and into SIN to meet my friends.

 

[JessicaTam]

We got back to the airport at about 1630 and we had to wait a while for VN checkin to open for Sharon. She was traveling with luggage :shock: so there was no way to convince the check in agent to make an exception. We put the time to good use as there were a few stores landside that we spent some time browsing. Soon enough, she was checked in and we headed to the SQ check in lounge. This was a complete contrast to my earlier check in in SYD. As soon as I sat down and gave my booking details the agent called for a TPR invite to be prepared. She also questioned my choice of seat selection (3D) as there 3F was free if I wanted a window seat. I told her I was happy with 3D (knowing 3C was still free) so she then proceeded to block 3C for me. The agent told me the loadings were 7/12 so the block was likely to stick.

I headed through the priority immigration and was soon out the other side - being the only person to be processed kinda helped - and then went to wait for my friend to come through with the hoi polloi.

As Sharon was travelling J with VN she had access to the SATS lounge, so I left her there and made my third visit to TPR.

TPR (The Private Room) - 3

Once again I was escorted through to the lounge. I knew my way by now, but who was I to argue with tradition? As I entered the lounge one of the attendants asked if I would like an OJ. He was working the night before and that is what he had served me. Now that is impressive, considering I had not been there long. I declined and chose to sample the 1995 Charles Heidsieck for a third time. In the interests of confirming consistency, of course.

I had a look at the menu, but there was nothing there that either appealed, or suited my diet. No matter, that is what the F lounge dining area was for, with plenty to choose from.

The TPR menu:




I headed back to the SATS lounge to say farewell to Sharon as she headed to her gate. She was also heading to CDG but had a stopover in SGN. Then it was back to the lounge. This time I tried the 2002 Piper Heidsieck in the F lounge. I think I preferred the TPR offering.

I spent a little while in the 'telephone room' in the lounge. This was offered to me as a quiet place to rest. Quiet it was, just not very comfortable. One failing of the lounge is that there really isn't anywhere to stretch out for 40 winks. Not that I could see at any rate.

The private room in The Private Room:


Soon enough it was time to board my flight to CDG...

 

[JessicaTam]

SQ336 SIN-CDG A380 R

I moseyed down to the gate to find that boarding had nearly finished. No matter, as I figured they weren’t going to leave without me I was shown to my seat and I settled in. My shadow in 3C had held, and 3F was also empty. There was an occupant in 3A, but his door was closed for much of the flight. I really did feel as though I was the only passenger on board. I went for a walk to do a lap of the plane during the flight, and after F, even J looked cramped. That does not bode well.

My space:


And the best shadow in the sky:


In the interests of science, I asked to try both the Dom and Krug, and the staff were most obliging - if a little bemused.

Whilst the difference was not as pronounced as my flight to SIN, I still preferred the Dom. This is convenient as it is the champagne served in TG F as well - one of my LM redemption favourites.

I received the same amenity kit and pyjamas as my earlier flight, so I haven't worried about pictures.

 

[JessicaTam]

SQ336 SIN-CDG A380 R cont.

I was offered dinner when I would like, so I chose to have it sooner rather than later. I had booked the cook, so my main was set. I had the menu to choose from for my entree, and I did not have dessert.

 

[JessicaTam]

SQ336 SIN-CDG A380 R cont.

I chose the double boiled silky hen soup:


Followed by roast free range chicken breast with vegetables:


Now you know why I chose not to have desert!

Once again I asked to try wines side-by-side as I dined, which I was provided with.

The wine list:



Except the pinot, of course, because that doesn't count as a wine.

During the course of the flight I had a good chat to the flight attendant who was awake at the time. She asked if I was a sommelier as I had wanted to try wines side-by-side. This was something all the staff had discussed as being unusual. So I set the record straight that I was just someone who enjoyed wine, and this was an opportunity to sample some great ones that I otherwise would not.

 

[ellen10]

I am checking in very late for these flights. But will grab a boarding pass to read tonight.

 

[JessicaTam]

I am checking in very late for these flights. But will grab a boarding pass to read tonight.

There's plenty of room!

 

[deepblerg]

Awesome TR! Looks like you're having a great time!

 

[JohnM]

There's plenty of room!

But EF is showing no availability left in F or J :mrgreen:.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

......................................

 

[Kangol]

SQ336 SIN-CDG A380 R
I went for a walk to do a lap of the plane during the flight, and after F, even J looked cramped. That does not bode well.

Don't try EY A380 F, because any other F product will make you sad.

 

[NZflygirl]

SQ336 SIN-CDG A380 R cont.



Except the pinot, of course, because that doesn't count as a wine.

During the course of the flight I had a good chat to the flight attendant who was awake at the time. She asked if I was a sommelier as I had wanted to try wines side-by-side. This was something all the staff had discussed as being unusual. So I set the record straight that I was just someone who enjoyed wine, and this was an opportunity to sample some great ones that I otherwise would not.

Pinot Gris maybe

 

[Danger UXB]

SQueezing in for the ride

 

[JessicaTam]

This flight has been in the air long enough so I guess I had better head us to our destination ...

SQ336 SIN-CDG A380 R cont.

I enjoyed a movie and then asked for my bed to be made up. This was done in the suite next to me so I could sit in comfort and observe the process. First, the seat is folded forward to get it out of the way. Then the shelf side of the suite is lowered to increase the width available. The bed itself folds out from where the seat-back was resting. It is folded in two, and when unfolded has locking brackets to keep it in place. It then rests on the lowered shelf unit and the linen is tidied up from its time in storage, pillows and bear added, and voila!



I slept very well for about 6 hours. I then stirred and went and had the aforementioned chat with the FA. Time for another movie before breakfast!

I started with some fruit:


and finished off with eggs florentine:


This is hands down the best breakfast I have had in the sky - and rivals quite a few I have had on the ground. The eggs were runny, the potato cakes were almost crisp and the hollandaise was just right.

And for the astute amongst you, you will notice that in the interests of science I felt it necessary to compare the Dom and Krug once more. The final verdict falls in favour of the Dom.

For landing I was offered the window seat to my right, with a glass of the winning champagne of course.

So why fly one suite when you can fly three of them?!

My final verdict of SQ's F and R product from check in to arrival (with express pass) ...

... as they say in the classics - "I'll be back"!

 

[JessicaTam]

Considering I was in R and Sharon was in J (with VN) and would both sleep well before arriving in Paris, we planned to spend the day at the Louvre. And this is exactly what we did.

We took the free airport shuttle train (CDGVAL) from our respective terminals to the Terminal 3 stop. From there it was a short walk to the HH CDG. I was expecting to drop our bags and check-in when we got back from the city, but at 8am they had a room ready. We were even able to access the lounge for breakfast (not that I needed much).

I have given a brief rundown of the hotel here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....o-hilton-treat-you-18502-163.html#post1546008

We caught the train into the city, and used the timings to set our agenda for our departure tomorrow.

Paris as usual was delightful. We spent the day in the Louvre with an overpriced lunch at one of the cafes. A relaxing return to the hotel and then a couple of wines in the lounge rounded out the day for us. The lounge also served a variety of hot food, but this was rotated through as the evening went on. So a bit like Melbourne weather, "If you don't like what you see, just wait ten minutes".

 

[JessicaTam]

Now, you recall those timings from the day before? Well for an 1155 train from Gare de Nord, we though getting to the CDG train station for a 40 minute train at 1030 would work out well. Trouble is as I queued (in the very long queue) for tickets I learned that the trains were not operating on that line that morning due to "an incident". Our alternative was the bus that should take "oh, about an hour". We queued for the bus for a few minutes and it turned up and people started boarding. Them as we got to the front of the queue people were being turned away with plenty of room left. :shock: It turns out that the driver had run out of tickets in his machine and we had to go to the ticket office to buy a ticket.

Time was ticking away, so Uber was brought to the rescue. It took about 8 minutes for the driver to arrive, and by then time was very tight. In halting french, I impressed upon him the urgency of our quest. The message was well received as his trusty (Audi Quattro) steed was pressed into service. We arrived at Gare de Nord at 1149 and I was happy to provide a €10 tip. I am not sure if this is the done thing with Uber - but what the hey.

We had to get from one end of the station to the other with narry a moment to spare. So it was full steam ahead to be suddenly stopped at the security checkpoint on the platform. But it is 1152!

Once through security we headed along looking for our carriage - the front one of course. Before we could get that far were herded onto the train with a few carriages to go. But only a few seconds to spare. The train started moving before we had even negotiated the first of four carriages to find our seats. The inconvenience of lugging luggage along a moving train would have paled against the disappointment of watching that same moving carriage from the platform.

We found our seats, stowed our bags, caught our breath and watched the world go by at 240km/h. Phew.