Paris Silmo fair trip in J on SQ, with extended travel after.

[Tassieoptom]

I took Mrs Tassieoptom on her first trip in J with SQ MEL-SIN-CDG leaving Wed 26th September. It is coming close to the end of odour trip and I realised that I had not made a start on a trip report, so will do this bit by bit. I hope you enjoy the tale of a wandering optometrist. The trip from MEL was in a 777-300er and the J seat pods were fabulous. The A380 from SIN was the old seating, which was roomy in the bulkhead row, but not the same lux feel as the previous flight, it was a red eye so sleep was more important anyway. We booked the cook for both legs, and the Chief steward on the MEL flight made a special effort to make my wife’s trip memorable( after I mentioned this was her first time in J). Oh we also flew J HBA-MEL, which was an upgrade voucher redemption due to expire. Breakfast and coffee were actually very good.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Virgin J breakfast was just lovely.
Singapore J lounge MEL had reduced offerings from prior visits. Lots of deep fried food, tasty but not ideal before a flight. No extra bottle of bubbles either.
The 777 outside and welcome drink.
Will have to do this in small selections due random WiFi.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Loved the seats, so much food, so much champagne. Seared tuna, Lamb shank curry BTC ex MEL was lovely, certainly tender and not too spicy. White French burgundy, and a red rich red to follow. Even got a nana nap of about 90 mins.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Was spoilt with more deserts to try as there were spare plates, . Lots of cheese too.

So ends the HBA-MEL-SIN section of the trip.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Not many pictures from the red eye A380 to CDG. BTC lobster thermidor, and waffles with strawberry coulis, fresh fruit, and an idea of the leg room. Service was not as attentive at MEL-SIN, could be the red eye norm. But I got 6 hours sleep, and the Singapore girls were very attentive after I woke, with coffee, nuts, muffins etc regularly offered. I must admit I almost felt hungover boarding so drank significantly less wine this leg. Transit time in MEL was an unfortunate 7 hours, and SIN transit just under 4 hours. So a very long trip all in all.

 

[Major]

I love the BTC choices on SQ.

 

[Tassieoptom]

SILMO fair is the largest optical fair in France. About 8-10 times larger and gan our Australian equivalent. Big differences, Champagne or coffee offered on all stands. This can be paper or plastic cups, or crystal flutes depending on the stand. Some offer coughtails or waffles or frittes. So it is a very social fair. We import about 25% of our stock so travel to international fairs is very important. These pictures show how plastic frames are made, from cotton to sheets to finished frames.

 

[Flying_man]

Optometrist always seem to wear glasses. Coincidence?

 

[Tassieoptom]

Was 60/70% of my graduation year from memory.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Some more pictures from SILMO fair, some pictures from brands we carry, some outrageous, some amazing displays.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Paris we love this city. The food, the buildings and skyline

 

[Tassieoptom]

More Paris, mostly from the Arc de Triomphe.

 

[Tassieoptom]

We travelled to the spa/water city of Vittel to visit one of our suppliers. Most of the time there was talking, touring, eating and drinking, with an extremely high level of hospitality. These are some pictures we took afterward as we looked for a florist to send thank you flowers.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Next was Cologne also to visit a supplier, had a high floor room with a view of the cathedral. There were amazing buildings rebuild mostly after the war with occasional ruins left to remember.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Second day in Cologne with amazing sunrise and sunset. And a trip to the top floor coughtail lab. There was amazing artwork in the Pullman Cologne. Well worth considering if travelling to Cologne, just ask for a room on a high floor.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Next place Antwerpen in Belgium, otherwise known as Antwerp. A city to enjoy wandering on foot, even more so than Paris. Beer is the drink of choice, and the attitude is perhaps as Australian as you can get in Europe. Have you read the story of the little boy and his dog on the steps of the cathedral? Heartbreaking.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Antwerp day 2, more beer, food and walking. We were taken around the city by a supplier of a new brand we have committed to import. Amazing hospitality. Amazing food, did I mention it was like Australia?

 

[Tassieoptom]

Antwerp, we admired the shoes Gino was wearing, so he took us past the shop Floris Von Bommel, a Dutch master shoe maker. Amazing quality and attention to detail, make and female, some outrageous some more traditional, we went home with a pair each.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Antwerp markets and lunch at a hotdog restaurant. Takes hotdogs to a whole other level. We even found Australian rosella parrots for sale????

 

[Tassieoptom]

Antwerp Zoo and walk to railway station.