Return to Europe (in style)

[Mr H]

It is special. Almost worth taking the train to T1 just for that.

Definitely worth it. I will be doing it at least a couple of times on Friday morning when I have an overnight transit in SIN. I will prioritise it over seeing the new TPR, but will do both of time allows.

 

[RooFlyer]

The Skytrains are awesome. There’s one that goes through The Jewel. TBH they are probably more fun than lounges.

Well, I have plenty of time between 4pm check-out and 11pm departure (say, 8pm check-in) so it'll probably get a go!

 

[Mr H]

Well, I have plenty of time between 4pm check-out and 11pm departure (say, 8pm check-in) so it'll probably get a go!

Be aware that some Skytrains run landside and some run airside - so if you want to try them all you'll need to do some before passport control.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I am late noticing this thread. Hope you are having a fabulous trip.
Some fabulous places on the itinerary - Colmar is delightful.
Disappointed to see you skirting both Dijon and Lyon - unless of course you have already been there, done that.

I noticed you were planning to drive through both Mâcon and Chalons sur Saone.
If I might be so bold I would recommend a stop for a meal in one or both.
In each, the best restaurants are opposite the main city, on the eastern side of the river.
Each can give a wonderful view back over the water to the city.
In Chalons sur Saône there is a little island which is almost entirely taken up by restaurants.
It's a real treat.
Both places are well worth getting off the motorway for a meal.
The French motorways are wonderfully fast and efficient but you can miss a lot if you stay on them.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Sorry, I forgot to share my condolences on the loss of your brother.

 

[RooFlyer]

Disappointed to see you skirting both Dijon and Lyon - unless of course you have already been there, done that.

I'm afraid you are going to be horrified at what I do in France . The scope of the trip expanded greatly after booking, and France is a big country...

Both places are well worth getting off the motorway for a meal.
The French motorways are wonderfully fast and efficient but you can miss a lot if you stay on them.

This is why these TRs are great. Never know when an insider gem or two will emerge. Sounds like lunch, right there ( or one of them ).

Sorry, I forgot to share my condolences on the loss of your brother.

Thank you.

 

[RooFlyer]

Be aware that some Skytrains run landside and some run airside - so if you want to try them all you'll need to do some before passport control.

Had lots of time to kill today, so I did wear the sky trains out of fair bit. Basically Airside and landside side are alternating carriages on the same route the same time. One side opens airside the other, opens landside. I remember now!

Free breakfast at the CP then I wandered into town via the MRT. I was thinking of going to the zoo, but it was too hot. today’s experience reminded me of how I like visiting new places and am bored with places i’ve been to before. I’ve been to Singapore lots of times but I thought I could spend half a day just wandering around, but with the heat it just got quite tedious, not seeing anything new, so I got back on the MRT and back at the hotel.







Had a swim in the CP pool which was set up really nicely.



Got kicked out at 4pm so stored my bags and went exploring the Jewel.

 

[rbjhan]

Arrived Changi T3 20 mins late due to waiting at SYD for other traffic. Smooth deplaning. New passport got rejected twice at the electronic gates, told to go to manual processing. OK on the second bank of eGates with manual guy to one side.

I had done the electronic arrival card thing, so not sure what was up there. By the way, are you definitely can do the arrival card on arrival - there are signs and forms on a bench and helpers to help you to fill out on the spot.

Bags took a while but then off to Crowne Plaza which was a bit of a hike, but on same level. Check in took a while, but was given 4pm late check out! Reaffirmed my standing request for a quiet room, and given a 'corner room'.



You be the judge!
View attachment 324879

View attachment 324883


Not so much as a parked car in sight; but it was completely quiet, which was the main thing for me. They didn't mention upgrade on check-in, but I got an e-mail that I had been upgraded and it looks like I was !

View attachment 324881

View attachment 324882

View attachment 324880

Expensive, but good value to me.

This looks quite different from my room in the Jewel wing...

 

[Mr H]

today’s experience reminded me of how I like visiting new places and am bored with places i’ve been to before. I’ve been to Singapore lots of times but I thought I could spend half a day just wandering around, but with the heat it just got quite tedious, not seeing anything new, so I got back on the MRT and back at the hotel.

The trick is to create a purpose - whether it is visiting something specific or trying a certain food at a hawker market.

 

[Quickstatus]

This looks quite different from my room in the Jewel wing...

CPChangi has a weird room description
Their "standard" rooms come in 2 sizes but still called standard. 28sqm and 36 sqm. So potentially an upgrade can be from a standard small to a standard large whatever the view. @RooFlyer got the standard large. Possibly you got the standard small

 

[TomVexille]

The Skytrains are awesome. There’s one that goes through The Jewel. TBH they are probably more fun than lounges.

It is special. Almost worth taking the train to T1 just for that.

I'll have to take the kids for a ride back and forth later when we're there

 

[RooFlyer]

I'll have to take the kids for a ride back and forth later when we're there

Snagging the nose is prized

 

[kookaburra75]

Late on board, but enjoying the trip so far. I'm surprised you didn't take your RooFlyer Hiking-Matt/Mattress-Topper (Patent Pending) with you for the beds, although I suppose being "First Class" they should have been ok.

Only downside, is I showed MrsK the photos of the SQ 1st Class suite. I'm now going to have to work until 70 at least to pay for her new acquired taste.

And something to help you in the future.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Tasmania is missing you and crying!

'I've never seen so much colour': Tasmanians wake to early morning aurora visible with naked eye

Early risers in Tasmania started the work week with a spectacular view, with some seasoned aurora watchers calling it the best display they have ever seen.

www.abc.net.au

 

[rbjhan]

CPChangi has a weird room description
Their "standard" rooms come in 2 sizes but still called standard. 28sqm and 36 sqm. So potentially an upgrade can be from a standard small to a standard large whatever the view. @RooFlyer got the standard large. Possibly you got the standard small

Probably.
Mine was VERY FAR from the lobby. But the bathtub had a great view towards Jewel

 

[RooFlyer]

although I suppose being "First Class" they should have been ok.

That was my thinking!! I have packed it in my checked bag, in case the bedding the Balkans are a bit solid.

Tasmania is missing you and crying!

'I've never seen so much colour': Tasmanians wake to early morning aurora visible with naked eye

Early risers in Tasmania started the work week with a spectacular view, with some seasoned aurora watchers calling it the best display they have ever seen.

www.abc.net.au

Don't believe in that stuff. All the phots you see are long exposure, never seen by anyone. I did see a fantastic aurora borialis in Quebec though. I was driving down a country road and had to stop to see what the green flashes were. No phones then and no camera .

 

[RooFlyer]

Where were we. Got kicked out of the CP at 4pm so left bags there and had a poke around the Jewel (for the first time) - riding the AirTrain through it etc. Really, really good way to kill a few hours












I went past the LH/LX check-in area at T2 and noticed they were checking in variious flights and yes, incl mine, 5 hrs before departure, so I got my bags from CP at T3 and lugged them over to T2 via the airtrain. LX check-in counter at the opposite end of T2 from the AirTrain!

Of course this guy got in before me. 3 big bags and abt 4 bits as carry-on. No probs. The check-in agent (F and J) was pretty slow.



Got sent to SiverKris F lounge at T2. It wasn't much - like a generic J lounge at larger 3rd world airports. Down endless halls under reno







Food I learned later was much the same as SilverKris First at T3. This one sterile and not a place to spend hours in.

 

[RooFlyer]

So I wandered over to T3. Through the Jewel again



The SilverKris First lounge at T3 was marginally better than T2. Bar wasn't attended, but someone came quickly. No Riesling, (just chardy and sav blanc ) but eventually a Pikes Riesling was produced.





Food options were OK without being memorable.



I discovered the self-serve wine things. About half were inoperable (empty bottle, etc)





At least the bathroom was fully functional

 

[RooFlyer]

Boarding was scheduled for 10:35 for an 11:05 departure but I was so bored I went over and through gate security at 10:00. Boarding for First Class started at 10:40, after wheelchair pax.

The B777-300 First cabin is set out in 2 rows of 1-2-1. I was in 1K. This did suffer a bit from being close to the galley, esp as there was to be a 'full' meal service after the (eventual) 12:00 midnight departure; but not too bad once lights went out.

It's an 'old' type of suite - flat bed, and pretty wide, but no space after the bed is deployed.



Coat hung in one of the suite doors (the other is closed by an electrically driven divider)



PJs, slippers and amenity kit on the seat



Amenity kit was quite comprehensive, especially these days



I'm no expert on the facial etc products - @Princess Fiona ? anyone if its good stuff or not?



Anyway, several crew members came and introduced themselves - I never actually worked out the hierarchy!! German, French and English newspapers offered (haven't seen that for a ling time - big tick from me!).

LP Grand Siècle Champagne and a spicy chicken thing, and hot towel. All a bit retro (or at least pre-covid) and I loved it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Here is the menu and wine list



@JohnM check out the cheeses!