Quick trip to sweaty Singapore

[moa999]

Short trip report booked for a long weekend in Singapore to help a friend celebrate their birthday. Good price thanks to some BRilliant advice from this site.

Not a huge number of photos as most is this trip and type, and the QF First a lounge has been well covered but how it helps some

Arrived at the airport about two hours before my flight and was quickly checked in by the First Counter. Given 23A which I had preselected and was given a shadow which held.

Immigration and baggage screening queues were relatively short and I worked my way around to the TRS reclaim for the first time in ages (normally take the shortcut instead). 15 mins in queue then up to the ever solid First Lounge where a glass of champagne, the corn fritters and a salmon eggs Benedict made for a good start to the day.

Sydney to Singapore
QF81 Airbus A330-300
Seat 23A. Friday in Nov-2013
Y about 60% full with lots of spare middle seats at the front and some getting full middle rows at the back

Boarding commenced on time but we were held up waiting for 2 J pax who were connecting domestically, and ended up departing about 40 min late

Given my private welcome by the CSM who apologised for the delay. One of the other cabin staff was also diligent in fetching me drinks from the front cabin as well.

Lunch meal was served about 90 mins in and the snack about 120 mins from landing, with the seatbelts on for last 30 mins due to turbulence that didn't eventuate.

MENU (Lunch)
Mesculin Lettuce, Shredded Red Cabbage and Carrot Salad

Choice of
Chicken with Hoisin and Star Anise with Steamed Jasmine Rice
or
Braised Lamb with Eggplant, Mint and Almond Cous Cous

Fig and Honey Panna Cotta Dessert Pot
Cheese and Crackers
Grinders Coffee Dilmah Tea

RELAX AND UNWIND
Cadbury Hot Chocolate or Peppermint Tea
Ice Cream
Fresh fruit will be served throughout your flight

REFRESHMENT
Ranchero Bean and Cheddar Roll
Chocolate (Crunchie)
Grinders Coffee Dilmah Tea



Singapore Transport
Went down to the train station and bought a card
Then off to the Conrad Centennial which is above Promenade with two change of trains required where the Airport branch line joins the main line and Playa Lebah. Journey just over 30mins and under $2. Note that it is cash only at the airport station and no ATM's at that level.

 

[JessicaTam]

Have a great weekend. I do like quick hops over to SIN.

 

[markis10]

They still have the cough veggie pizza on QF51, would take that bean roll anyday as the refreshment.

 

[get me outta here]

That roll thingy looks like a chip butty - brings back memories.

What did you think if the Conrad Centennial?

 

[moa999]

Conrad is very nice. Exceptional service. Hotel very much in Conrad style but rooms beginning to show their age. Well located if you're wanting to do a variety of things in Singapore, less good if all your interested in is Orchard Rd.

As part of my touring went out to Sentosa one morning. The view from the Tiger Sky Tower is much better than the Flyer and the luge is quite good. Not much said for the beaches and didn't bother with Universal studios

 

[moa999]

And when it rains in Singapore it really rains. From the Conrad pool deck. You can just see the flyer in the background.

 

[lovestotravel]

I was on your same flight on Friday's in Nov

I am 99% sure I was sitting opposite you at the pool under the cabana, the one visible in your photo

As for your report I would do one, but it's a mirror image of yours!

Oh and in October QF has the pizzas as a snack but in Nov changed to the disgusting warm roll

 

[serfty]

soggy pizza in a box for mel-sin nov 2.

 

[moa999]

I will actually finish this report... much easier when you are on the road and have time to kill.

Conrad Centennial
Was booked on the Expedia rate which was <$200 a night. Had emailled the hotel beforehand and got my Hilton Gold number added.
Was told I had received an upgrade to Business Floor which came with free breakfast on level 4 pool deck, $20 dryclean voucher, daily fruit and chocolates (big box of 12).
Did ask if I could upgrade to Club but was $60/night.

Hotel is very nice - the little Conrad touches of the bear and the rubber ducky, and the radio being turned on to a jazz music station.
Quite a nice pool and gym, although everytime I went down to the pool the heavens turned.

Breakfast on Level 4 was decent with a good selection of Western, Asian and Indian, although not the same as the paid restaurant version.

Well located near Promenade station, but I actually made better uses of the Singapore Bus Network.
Bus 36 stop is just outside and goes pretty much direct to Orchard Rd, or a few more if you walk to infront of the Ritz.
Coming back 36 or 111.
The PublicTransport App is pretty good at telling you when bus is arriving. Uses GPS to help you select stop number, then you press refresh to see each route.

 

[moa999]

Qantas Lounge Singapore

No photos, but as per the lounge thread I took lots of photos of the menus.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tas-singapore-lounge-50286-17.html#post934713

I also had a go at the PressReader and Zinio services and managed to start downloading 6 magazines and 2 papers
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tas-singapore-lounge-50286-17.html#post934714

Although due to the horribly slow speed of the Lounge Internet I got one paper and one magazine - the rest completed when I got home in Sydney (which is ok)

I had planned to try out the Emirates lounge as well but the slow speed stopped me.

After some salads, a couple of the chinese buns with pork belly (very tasty), a Singapore Sling and a Glass of Red it was time to board the return flight home...

---

I had originally booked QF6 over QF82 as it was a 747 and thus some better seat choices for WPs in Y.

As fate would have it, it was replaced to an A330 about three weeks out, so I shifted my seat selection.

Despite being a cheap Y fare I had taken availability of the short window to request an upgrade.
Before travelling on the outbound QF82 was J1, whereas QF6 was J9 so I still had a decent shot at the upgrade.

Landing in SIN on the way over (at about T-46) I got the SMS I wanted so was happy. Checked into the hotel and moved from 2J to 3K.

 

[moa999]

QF6 SIN - SYD, Airbus A330.

My first J trip on QF with the new mattresses, and they are certainly a good addition.
Had the Pulled Pork Ciabatta and then went to sleep.

I think I woke up just as breakfast was being served, but was awake for a good 25min during which time I stripped the bed, got changed and started watching a movie and wasn;t asked about breakfast.
When I finally asked was told service had finished and I was asleep, and all they could get me was a Tea... (so not overly happy with that part, although at most I would have had the sandwich anyway)

Menu (J6_36_52_82_SIN-AUS_SEP113v1)

Supper Plates
Big Bowl of Pumpkin Soup
Roasted Vegetable and Barley salad with Almonds and Tahini Dressing
Sea Bass and Fennel Pot Pie with Capsicum Relish
Toasted Ciabatta with Pulled Pork, Gruyere and Barbeque Sauce
Selection of Seasonal Cheese served with Accompaniements

Snacks
Fresh Whole Fruit
Gingerbread Biscuit
Jewels Chocolate Lollipop
Ice Cream Tubs

Cafe Breakfast
Orange Juice
Apple Juice
Papaya Energiser
--
Roast Tomato and Aged Cheddar Toasted Sandwich
Raspberry Muffin
Citrus Fruit Salad with Yogurt

And an extra Menu with Supper Plates

Supper Plates J_SIN-AUD_CARD_OCT13
Red Wine Braised Beef Cheeks with Potata Puree, Baby Carrots and Sauteed Spinach
Seared Sea Bass with Sichuan Sauce, Stir Fried Vegetables and Jasmine Rice

 

[MH_fan]

Thanks for the trip report. I really should do one one of these days...
Anyway, will be experiencing the same flights next week. QF81 and QF6. Haven't put in for an upgrade on QF6 as I just blew another lot of points last week, so I no longer have enough for an upgrade. I might enquire about a paid upgrade but I'm hoping to keep a row of 4 between myself and my travel companion if I don't upgrade.

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the trip report. I really should do one one of these days...
Anyway, will be experiencing the same flights next week. QF81 and QF6. Haven't put in for an upgrade on QF6 as I just blew another lot of points last week, so I no longer have enough for an upgrade. I might enquire about a paid upgrade but I'm hoping to keep a row of 4 between myself and my travel companion if I don't upgrade.

Last week I had a row of 4 to myself on QF6, until the flight got cancelled.