Maiden DONE4

[Stoopidsteve]

Captain Paul Garland, CSM Katy.Pushed back at 2139, took off 2148 (scheduled departure 2130).

First time in QF A380 J. Seat 11K, window seat at front of Emerald City.

Does anyone actually use the inbuilt massager in the seat? Ah, but it has a directable personal air vent, a fave feature cos I always seem to run hot on planes.

Feeling better from migraine so indulged in some dinner. Wild Boar stew. Looked good, but was a little disappointing. Thought it would be really robust flavours but wasn't.



Never mind, dessert was good , choc orange mousse thing.




I got some sleep, woke up and drifted off again. Didn't think I'd slept much, but must have deep, cos I missed breakfast service, and all places cleared away by the time I awoke. I did get some b/f. In fact the best scrambled eggs I've had on a plane.

I did get a farewell from CSM (looking at iPad manifest).

Touched down at 1744, at gate C23 at 1755.

After immigration and collecting checked luggage (3rd bag out...the priority tag worked this time), I was getting in a taxi by 1809. I guess not many get off QF2 in Sing, with most Pax heading to Sidoneee, so not many bags to unload.

As ever, struck by the beautiful bouganvillea lining the road to the airport...are there any prettier drives to airport in a developed nation?

All hotels here seem to have beautiful orchids in the lobbies...



Met up with some mates in the evening, and quick pork ribs in hawker centre for dinner.

 

[get me outta here]

Just discovered the whole 15 pages and loved flying vicariously with you and the hat(s).

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Just discovered the whole 15 pages and loved flying vicariously with you and the hat(s).

Thanks GMOH. I'm having fun too. More to come...final couple of legs to close out the DONE4 (interrupted by BNE-LHR J return on CX)

 

[Stoopidsteve]

So I went up to a morning meeting, near Singapore National Hospital. A couple of sculptures caught my eye...
First was metal morphing into birds.



The second was called "caring" and I felt was very touching, so the hat didn't get his way and appear in the pic.



You probably can't see what it says on the wall to the right, but my sense of innate irony noticed there's a fountain, beautiful soothing sound of gushing water...on the wall of the Urology Centre (and was intrigued to note that in addition to driving on the left, they also use English spelling of Centre).

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Back to the hotel (I was very happy with Fairmont...cheap rate from WOTIF, and complimentary upgrade to suite on 24th Floor...)



Then off to do some shopping.
Obligatory stop at THAT hotel



before taxi back to the airport (less than 24 hrs in Sing).

Did I mention the bouganvillea? it's like this for several kilometres.




Took a few minutes to check in at CX desk, not a queue, just apparently some hitch with the system.

Skyview lounge over by Pier D was visited for the first time.

Two very different sections: very airy and light "outside" area, and a much more closed indoor area. Not sure if it ever gets busy, but the indoor are was almost empty. Some idiot had left a fluoro vest lying around: how DO they let people like that into these places?

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Didn't have time to check out the QF lounges, so can't update on state of the "enhancements".

But if Skyview not too busy, def recommend . Pleasant enough lounge. Several hot dishes, incl curry, "western" dish (lamb stew today), as well as dim sum, mini pies/pasties, and coconut prawns. Had to resist demolishing all of the latter.. I can resist everything except temptation.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

And so to the penultimate flight...

CX 734 SIN-HKG in A330, seat 12k.
CaptainJohn Flanagan, Purser "Michelle".

Pushed back at 1600 (a couple minutes early) and took off 1618.

Coffin class again. I think it's a common theme with these, but the foot rests look distinctly tatty, as did arm rest on my seat.
Not sure if it was because it's a day flight, or because it's only 3.5 hours, but thin blanket offered instead, and no amenity kit.



As ever, food very good, with nice appetizer of parma ham, flavoursome savoury rich sea bass with asian greens and wood fungi, and tasty blueberry cheesecake.

Landed at 1945, and at gate 25 by 1954 vs 2005 schedule....woohoo, an on time for a change!

I did wonder why no CSM greeting until just before landing and I was checking my lounge invitation and onward boarding pass...
CALAMITY!!!! Don't they know who I am??????

Whatever the prob in SIN, my FF number had been erased from booking. Of course no drama, just wandered down to Pier First with WP card in hand, and got number re-linked. Will have to claim the SIN-HKG leg (required to take me over 2400SC).

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Feeling very weary now, and glad to be heading home. Not feeling hungry, in fact feeling like a glutton. So no pics of fantastic dinner in the Haven restaurant in the Pier first class.

But they have Haagen-Dazs...strawberry and vanilla of course, to go with the espresso.

 

[amaroo]

Kinda sad that this is gonna end soon

I was hoping that you would get to experience the new CX J.......one to many coffins

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Kinda sad that this is gonna end soon

I was hoping that you would get to experience the new CX J.......one to many coffins

I agree...unfortunately CX103 to BNE via CNS is also A330 coffin class.

I got wrapped up in computer stuff in the Pier, and had to dash for final boarding call.

Captain Andy Lucas welcomed us aboard, with JaJa as CSM. Pushback was 2337, and left the ground at 2351
Settled into 16K. After take off, changed into obligatory QF 1st pj's.

I do like CX J food (my belt says I like it too much). Starter of small salad with couple slices duck, main of salmon, and choc tart for dessert. Not sure what vibes I give off, but on this trip, 3 of 4 CX flights I've been given the feedback forms to complete...and little to complain about.
Uneventful flight, again not much sleep, because too warm...

Hour or so before arrival into CNS, changed back into civvies, and silly pic required. Sorry, fairly boring all these coffin class pics looking the same.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Off the plane, screen hang luggage again, and into the Reef Lounge by Gate 2. I've never been here before, and was pleasantly surprised.quite an attractive little lounge, food and drink reminiscent of QC.



Now relaxing, awaiting call to reboard CX103 for final leg.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Final leg...
dim sum yumminess



and farewell CX103

 

[Stoopidsteve]

These were first big trips long haul in business class.

I learned...
I may have to find a way to fly business again

That I prob won't use points for first upgrade unless trans-pacific day time flight

That I like CX food and service, don't particularly like CX coffin class (will have to somehow try new CX business)

That I prefer BA business seat arrangement to QF A380

That the in-seat massagers are a waste of time

That I shouldn't get migraine if I want to enjoy time in BA first lounges in LHR

I learned what all the fuss is about with the oversize loo on QF A380 loo, that's being enhanced in the new seating layout (it's enormous).

From visiting museums and iconic places, was reminded that history teaches us that in the big scheme of things, it's unlikely anything I do makes much difference and we are all forgotten in the end. So don't take myself too seriously, and looking silly brings a smile to fellow travellers and crew faces...

I will enjoy WP status until Jan 14. My wife will enjoy a holiday with some of the points with a LONE4 in January without the kids, if I can find availibility.

With that, here ends DONE4 (with LHR-HKG-BNE-HKG-LHR in the middle). The hat bids you all adieu.

 

[Mardi]

A very enjoyable trip report, thank you. Great pics and lots of personality!

 

[Paddy55]

Great TR!
Looking forward to your next one

 

[Stoopidsteve]

All up these trips earned many points, and enough to get me to 2405 SC (with what I already had):
works out at just under $1 per point....not the cheapest way to earn points!

SCs:
DONE4 1610
LHR-BNE 560

@ approx $84/SC, not the most efficient way to earn them! But there were business reasons for the destinations (er, apart from all the status run legs in June), so needed to travel anyway. The DONE4 was paid for (had to be in Washington at short notice, and arrive fresh-ish, and DONE4 was cheaper than business fare direct BNE-washington), LHR-xHKG-BNE was self funded (but a bargain(!) at only GBP3000 ($4700)), and obviously tax deductible (and no, I am not on highest rate by quite a long way). Part of the justification for the latter business fare (I always get Y fares) was to get the 50,000 bonus at 2400 SC. This allows me to book Y RTW award flight for long-suffering MrsStoopid, to get away on her own (we have 3 special kids) in January...already took advantage of the two year for price of one on QC for her earlier in the year, now let's see if we can find award flights on days I want...(cue Mission Impossible music).

 

[pagingjoan]

The very best of luck with the search - and thanks for the entertainment.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

The very best of luck with the search - and thanks for the entertainment.

Thanks PagingJoan

Success. Not sure if it was WP status, but flights out of and back to Australia were not available by searching online on QF site, but a call to WP line secured the following for Mrs:

BNE-SYD-DFW-DCA 8th Jan
IAD-LHR-MAN 10th Jan
MAN-LGW-AMS 18th Jan
AMS-LGW 20th Jan
LHR-HKG-SIN 24th Jan
SIN-BNE 26th Jan

140,000 pts plus $1367 taxes/fuel fine plus $60 booking fee.

She is happy. Now need to persuade her to do her own Beanie TR...

 

[pagingjoan]

Perhaps let her focus on the Champagne?

 

[Magpie10]

Thanks stoopidsteve it is now after midnight I could not put down my iPad once I started reading about your journey. Well done oh I wish I was so lucky.