Le Tour D'Alberta and assorted other places.

[craven morehead]

do you want a Tallie? what a classic :mrgreen:

 

[drron]

We checked out of the Westin just after 0630.At both check in and check out they had our account out as we approached the desk.easy really we were the only westerners staying there over the weekend.at Nagoya station at 0640 and on the 0649 express to NGO.Picked up our bags from the JAL storage and walked to the CX check in which opened as we entered the line.There were no lines at security or Immigration so soon in the Sakura lounge where I had a sushi and tomato juice breakfast.We left the lounge about 10 minutes before boarding was advertised to start and arrived at gate as they called J pax.however it was a bus to the plane.We are in 15D,G the second row of J.
CX583. NGO-HKG. ETD-1015. Push back-1011. take off-1017.
ETA-1325. Landed-1254. At gate-1259.
Juice on boarding.An Australian,Captain Tom,in charge.As soon as we are airborne there is a drinks service.definitely time for a champagne now.Mrsdrron has the Spy Valley SB.With the appetiser I have the French white and switch to the French red for the main.So here is the wine list and menu-

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The appetisers were good as was the sweet and sour pork that we both had.Meal presentation was excellent-

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The J cabin was full.apart from us there were 2 other young couples and the rest were elderly Japanese who seemed to know each other.It was a fascinating people watching experience.They certainly did not seem to have travelled much.As soon as they sat down they all started trying to play with their seat without result.As soon as they were shown by the FAs they all reclined.Took a while for the FAs to get them upright for take off.However as soon as we started down the runway for take off 15A fully reclined and undid his seat belt.
For lunch they all had the beefg.CX was obviously aware of this group as they had enough of the beef to go around.The men drank sake,whiskey or beer with the meal.The women all drank port.

As we started the descent the FAs had to go to each of them to put up their leg rests and have the seat upright.16A,C just refused so the FA had to get down on her knees to push the leg rests up as they wouldn't take their hand away from the controls.They also refused to put the shades up so she then had to lean across them to do it.When the FAs had taken their seats down went the shades,up came the leg rests and off came the seat belts.Before we touched down you could hear the rest of them undoing their seat belts.As soon as we went on to the taxi way they were all up,16c being first,and getting down their carry ons.They took no notice of the female FAs but when they called up a male FA from Y they all sheepishly sat down.

Next-off to BKK.

 

[drron]

We arrived at Gate 48 in HKG.The first transfer point had very long lines so we went to the next with thankfully a short line.However just in front of us were 2 young Thai women.One was going for the carry on record-7 items all up.She obviously had been allowed on the previous flight.her partner only had 5.Our next flight was Gate 16 so we went to the QF lounge-only had time for a drink,ablutions and then to the gate where boarding was already happening.Once again we were 15D,G but this was an A330 with new J seating.I liked it.

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I thought the orchid was a nice touch.Totally different flight as this goes on to India after BKK.

CX751. HKG-BKK. ETD-1425. Push back-1446. Take off-1455.
ETA-1610. Landed-1614. At Gate-1621.
We were delayed by a couple of late boarders.Another Aussie up front,Captain Glenn.Wine list was identical apart from the champagne which was Billecart.So here is the menu-

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Mrsdrron had an easy pick as she doesn't eat curries.I had the Lamb Korma washed down with the French red.This crew was really not very efficient.I had nearly finished my second glass of wine before she got her first.later they handed out the Thai Immigration cards with a coupon for 155 of any inflight duty free.So mrsdrron handed the purser an order only to be told there wont be any time for that!
So to my meal.Certainly a big difference in presentation ex-HKG compared to ex-NGO.

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No dramas at BKK and soon we are on the way to the SGS.That next.

 

[drron]

For the first time in 11 stays no suite upgrade this time at the SGS.But this is because of the renovations.Three floors closed at a time and the xx12 suites have been turned into 2 rooms to make up the numbers.It is not a problem as you still get all the other benefits.Breakfast,although slowly being "enhanced"is still great.Still love the happy hour in the Living room-staff are just fantastic-

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Did have a little problem as a new pianist in the Living Room-a pommie,Tim.However on our second night we had a long talk with him and after that we got along well and once again enjoyed the music.Normally in the evening we just snack here whilst being plied with the complimentary wine.However usually one night in our stay we go to their Thai restaurant Basil.Service and food are really good and usually some form of discount-this stay it was 20% off.

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The beef with lemongrass and the coconut crème brulee were the standouts.
Now to some practical stuff.Mrsdrron finds it hard not to spend money in Na Ra Ya and the Jim Thompson outlet-Sukhumvit Soi 93.Once again she had some jewellery made by Bongkot jewellers in River City-great worksmanship and good value.
As for food-still love the oyster omelettes in the Terminal 21 food court-still just 50 baht.Also enjoy the Fuji Japanese restaurant there.
So now just the flight home.

 

[drron]

Tuesday and a leisurly start to the day.Over to terminal 21 for a last oyster omelette and mango and sticky rice.Checkout at 1430.At BKK in less than 30 minutes.Get VAT refund dockets stamped.No hold up at check in and through the fast track for security and Immigration.naturally another enhancement-no Flounge now.The old one is the BA lounge and not open until 2020.However the food in the J lounge does seem better than in past visits.
Off to the gate and have to get your bags checked again.One fellow going ballistic as they try and confiscate his water-Starts yelling How is my child going to drink on the flight?Well they do have water on board.Boarding is on time.
QF24. BKK-SYD. ETD-1825. push back-1819. Take off-1839.
ETA-0645. Landed-0637. At gate-0647.

Compared to our CX 330 flight this just looks so much more crowded-like the 1-2-1 rather than QFs 2-2-2.As well I have never found QFs Skybeds comfortable-they just don't suit my body.However we did get a glass of champagne on being seated and the service throughout was good.Now to the menu-

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Now mrsdrron doesn't do spicy and doesn't like gruyere so it was a choice between tofu and beef cheeks.The beef won.I had the pulled pork sanga.It was pork but not pulled just cut up into pieces.

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And the 2 white wines were Chardys so Mrsdrron had to settle for what she considers second best.She then went to order some duty fre-out of stock.
Then came the Café Breakfast.I was asked whether I wanted the Fruit salad or the toasted sandwich so as shown before here is my brekkie-

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Then to add insult to injury we were parked at the cargo terminal at SYD so had to bus it in.They tried to get the whole plane load on 2 busses-we were packed in like whitebait.

We have now rebooked next years trip back from BKK and going via KUL on MH.

Stayed at the 4 Points and used SNAs to upgrade to a maritime suite.Problems with AC-was heating and wouldn't cool plus you couldn't turn it off.much better with the balcony door open but then you couldn't sleep due to the noise.

So on the Saturday our last flight and the last of the online JASAs we had booked.Was followed through security by Nick Greiner so we had a little chat.
When we went to the gate they announced boarding as we arrived.There was no one lined up so we just kept walking and were first on.Seats 2A,C.

QF520. SYD-BNE. ETD-1105. Push back1107. Take off-1122.
ETA-1235. Landed-1229. At gate-1232.

Now this was a flight where a snack was served.We both had the smoked salmon on potato salad-much better than QFi-

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And they had a sauvignon blanc.
So here endeth the trip.
Until next time.

 

[RooFlyer]

Great TR, thanks.

And well done in voting with your feet for next year's trip.