Trip Report: 2018 Hong Kong, Nepal & Tibet

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A few more photos from The Dining Room

 

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Cathay Dragon flight KA104 Hong Kong to Kathmandu

After a half day hopping around Cathay and Qantas Lounges it was time for my first Cathay Dragon flight. I had booked this using points for business which was made nicer by very low co-payment (which will soon be increase following more to remove regulations about surcharges).

The flight left from Gate 522 meaning a bus to the plane and stair boarding. Cathay priority worked well but it doesn’t mean a lot when economy pax get on the same bus as you and get off before you (but I guess I was on the first bus and not bus five!).

Business pax were offered juice or water (I don’t recall alcohol being offered). Business class section is in a 2 – 2- 2 formation. The seat is a shell seat design which means when you recline the chair slides forwards rather than backwards into the passenger behind. The added leg rest swings up into a “lazy Z” position and you have a comfortable product for the journey but no lie flat seating. The seat pitch was 45 inches and width 20 inches.

I selected a window seat (12A) and not long after boarding my seat buddy (12C aisle) asked if he could move .... to sit next to his friend so both a window and aisle making it easy to get up when required plus using 12C as my staging area for devices and paperwork, nice!

The meal service started quickly after takeoff. For a main you had two choices. The starter was Gravlax salmon with sweet potatoes and a mixed salad and bread. I selected the Murgh Badami, dill pulao and Masala bindi (chicken curry with basmati rice) which I paired with Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2017. The meal finished with an ice cream.

We hit air turbulence multiple times during the flight, nothing serious but lead to suspensions of services six times.

At Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu Airport) you use the stairs and bus to get to the Terminal. If you are getting a Visa on Arrival you use a self service kiosk (some staff were there to help people struggling) and then line up to pay the fee (25 USD for 15 day multiple entry visa). And once you have this you line up at Immigration. This stage took just under an hour but if you pick the wrong line at any of this three points it would take a lot longer. From here you go though a metal detection screening just to get to baggage so add on another 15 minutes. Than you wait for your bag which after 30 minutes with bags still coming up from my flight it was mentioned that some bags had been paced on the ground near the carousel and mine was one of them! To think I could have been out of the airport maybe 30 minutes earlier

In summary great regional product from Cathay Dragon, Tribhuvan prepare yourself for delays.

Full review is located here.

 

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Sichuan Airlines 3U8720 Kathmandu (Nepal) to Lhasa (Tibet).

Sorry for the delay in posting I needed to use a VPN in Tibet to access AFF which I found hard to believe is blocked.

The tour I’m undertaking included return flights Kathmandu to Lhasa which saw me flying with Sichuan Airlines on A319 for the first time.

The tour company G Adventure organised a group Tibet Visa. For this flight, and for the multiple ground transport inspections in this region, for passport checks we had to present ourselves in order listed on the visa.

Tribhwan International Airport (Kathmandu) has food and shop section located between Customs and security scanning. This is were the lounges are also located (I didn’t have access for this flight).

There are no air bridges at Kathmandu airport.

The flight
I was allocated a middle seat in economy which still provided for good views of the Himalayas. There is no entertainment system on this flight. We were provide a light lunch which was better than I expected.

We did hit some air turbulence during the flight and those mountains look damn close to the place at times.

The Lhasa Gonggar Airport is at high altitude (3,570 metres) and is also used by Chinese military. This airport uses air bridges. Security is very tight at this airport, you get fingerprinted for both hands and your bags rescanned and passport checked at multiple points before being allowed to leave the airport.

Full flight review is located here.

 

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Enjoying this.
In the past few years I’ve only ever been to the Pier F lounge, so nice to see some of the alternatives. Personally I’ll stick with the Pier, though all look pretty good.

 

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Enjoying this.
In the past few years I’ve only ever been to the Pier F lounge, so nice to see some of the alternatives. Personally I’ll stick with the Pier, though all look pretty good.

I’ll probably leaning towards The Wing as I loved the Canbana room but I’ll be testing them out again in a few days time to confirm on my way back and trying out the business class “The Bridge”. Choices, so many good choices

 

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Sichuan Airlines - 3U8719 Lhasa to Kathmandu
This was the return flight booked by G Adentures as part of their High Road to Tibet tour.

First up four members of our group were given operational upgrades to business class including me! Only opups that I previously had were as a QF WP on short domestic flights and last one was at least 5 years ago so nice way to start.

The Lhasa Gonggar Airport security is extremely tight, one of the tightest I’ve experience which BTW goes with having to show my passport at least 14 times in 9 days while in Tibet. Make sure you allow a lot of time to go through security at this airport and don’t pack batteries or touches in checkin bagagge. Surprisely you can take whatever sized liquids you want as you carry on without question.

Once passed all the security checks there is a small food and shopping area with free airport internet (noting the huge Chinese Firewall stopping you from using a lot of Western services). Watching the ground staff very slowly unpack, pack and perform maintenance on the late incoming aircraft made me think these staff get paid by the hour!

Military flights get perferenced at this airport. We pushed back very late and then waited nearly another hour to get airborne with military crafts getting preference.

The Flight
There are eight business class seats (2 x 2 in 2 rows). Comfortable seats similar to Qantas 737 domestic but maybe a little better materials. We were offered mint tea, water and honey roasted nuts before takeoff and selected out drink choices for after takeoff.

The meal which flight attendant referred to as ‘refreshment meal’ included a fruit selection, checkin salad, and roast beef pieces. There was a drop down entertainment screen for business section (noting nothing for economy on flight to Lhasa) which played a documentary / promotion video for Tokyo.

The flight attendants spoke many languages switching between at least 4 languages I could detect the surprising one being German!

Full flight review is located here.

 

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While I still have a few flights and lounges to review plus a summary on each country’s highlights I thought I’d post information on the hotels I stayed at during this trip for information if you are looking to visit the same places, especially as from this point forward I’m just returning to Australia via the same route. The standard of accommodation varied enormously especially as I got close to Everest in Tibet.

Hong Kong - Regal Airport Hotel
Very close the terminal 1, you walk to this hotel via an enclosed walkway. Very nice hotel. Fast wifi available in rooms. Multiple restaurants on site which while high cost are excellent, however you can walk back to the airport to find other options. Very comfortable bed. Late checkout offered both times I visited. The second stay I booked “The Gift of Time” which meant I could check in as early as 9 am for a 24 hour stay (9 am to 9 am) but they extend check out to 2 pm (so 9 am day 1 and check out 2 pm day 2) this option cost extra $50 AUD for total $440 AUD per night stay but totally worth it when you arrive at 5.30 am in the morning.

Kathmandu, Nepal – Hotel Fuji
Our G Adventures tour starting and finishing hotel. Free Wifi available in room. TV and shower with hot water. Breakfast while not included is available at the hotel with enough options it not overwhelming. Extending your stay by 4 hours costs 50% of rate, anymore and full rate for extra day.

Panauti, Nepal - Homestay
Very basic but secure homestay. Dinner and breakfast with family included. Hard bed, shower was cold and difficult to use (which I decided not to use). Squat toilet.

Lhasa, Tibet - Yak Hotel
The starting and finishing hotel in Tibet we stayed here four nights. Free Wifi available in room. TV and shower with hot water. Restaurant attached to hotel with good offering of food. Very central to number of attractions including Barkhor Square, and amazing Polata Palace. Lots of nearby shops and restaurants.

Gyantse, Tibet - Hotel Jianjang
Just above basic hotel. Free Wifi available in room. TV and shower with semi warm water (after a while). Extra blankets for warmth (no air conditioning / heating). No attached restaurant.

Shegar, Tibet - Hotel Roof of the World
Basic hotel. Free Wifi available in room. TV and shower with cold water only. Extra blankets for warmth (no air conditioning / heating). No attached restaurant.

Rombuk, Tibet - Rombuk Monastery Guesthouse
Very basic dormitory style room (5 to a room). Wifi in common area / restaurant area. Restauranthas basic food options (which can run out) but reasonable prices. Electric blankets in dorm rooms (but some didn't work). Shared squat toilets (terrible smell).

Shigatse, Tibet - Tibet Zang Ba Hotel
Good quality hotel relatively central (everything within walking distance). Free Wifi available in room. TV and shower with hot water (very appreciated). Air conditioning and heating in room. Restaurant attached to hotel with very good offering of food.

 

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Kathmandu Radisson Executive Lounge Review
So with the Nepal and Tibet tour over it was time to head home an experience some more lounges and flights on this occasion Kathmandu independent lounge.

This lounge is located between immigration and security. Passengers of most of the airlines using this airport flying in business class and access it (you will be handed an entry pass at checkin) or people with a Priority Pass or Lounge Key membership. Note there is also a Thai Silk Lounge at this airport.

The lounge overlooks the tarmac and has comfortable chairs, reading material (papers covering Western, Nepal and Indian audiences). Wifi was fast enough to stream a TV show from Australia. Power outlets are few and difficult to use. No shower but their is a smokers room if you need it.

Food options are buffet (grilled fish, streamed pumpkin, plain rice and sautée vegetables) or counter food (cakes, sandwiches, fruits). Drinks are served from the counter.

There was a barely working flight display screen however a staff member walks around and informs you when you need to head for security for your flight so little chance or no knowing when you need to leave.

A good lounge which is far better than the overall airport experience which can be crowded and chaotic at times. Definitely use it if you have access but note you will have limited time due to still needing to get though security to get to your gate in time.

 

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Kathmandu Executive Lounge Photos.

 

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Cathay Dragon KA104 Kathmandu to Hong Kong

This was the return flight from KA103 undertaken 2 weeks earlier. The difference this time was instead of being a night flight this was an overnight flight taking advance of the 2 hour 15 minute time difference so that the scheduled 11.10 pm (Nepal time) flight gets into Hong Kong at 05.50 am (HKG time) despite being under 5 hour flight.

First up Cathay Dragon do a good job of providing priority services in this remote airport. A dedicated check in counter, a good third party lounge (see review above), priority boarding in a very restricted gate boarding area all worked well and a Oneworld Emerald greeting by name of the flight (I was the only Emerald onboard).

This flight was totally full in business class and I’m guessing would have been close to full in economy. The seats are regional business class. The seat is a shell seat design which means when you recline the chair slides forwards rather than backwards into the passenger behind. The added leg rest swings up into a “lazy Z” position and you have a comfortable product for the journey but no lie flat seating. The seat pitch was 45 inches and width 20 inches.

The meal service commences as seen as we were cruising. There was a minor misunderstanding with my main meal (one attendant thought I had already finished it when I hadn’t received it). The meal included season fruits (entree), and for the main I selected the stir fried fish, spring onion, Park Chou, fried vegetable noodles (lovely) and strawberry Haagen-Dazs Ice-cream.

Unlike the night flight to Kathmandu this flight provided an amenity kit - socks, mask, ear plugs, toothpaste, mouthwash and creams. Entertainment system contained a good range of Western and Chinese movies and TV shows which I used for an hour for watch and then switched to music to try and sleep.

Cathay Dragon provide a good regional business product worth considering for a more remote destination like Kathmandu.

Full review here.

 

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Cathay Pacific - The Arrival Lounge (Hong Kong)

My flight back to Hong Kong after clearing Immigration, customs and security saw me airside at 5.45 am well before my arranged early checkin at Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel. That meant a chance to try out my first ever arrivals lounge (and I understand this one is closing shortly).

While the lounge is small it covers the basics well; 1) showers, 2) baggage storage, 3) internet and printers, and 4) some (limited) food options. This was a great place to kill some free time and to relax instead of sitting out in the airport proper.

The shower was very welcome which made me like this lounge. The food and drinks included cereal, toast, scrambled eggs and orange juice so I was all set. I can definitely understand the appeal of Arrival Lounges and while I wouldn’t go out of my way to use when it’s needed this is a great addition to the frequent flyer.

Full review here.

 

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Cathay Pacific - “The Bridge” (Hong Kong)

As part of the lounge crawl in Hong Kong and despite having First Class access as a WP I decided to visit the Cathay’s business class lounge “The Bridge”. The lounge is located near Gate 35 on West Concourse, you take the escalators down one floor to access.

The Bridge is split into two sides, left has the The Bistro”, “The Showers” and the “IT Zone” the right side has “The Bakery”, The Long Bar” and the “TV Lounge”. I spent most of my time on the right side. The Lounge Gate Dragon / Angel suggested I should go to The Pier or The Wing and I stated I had been to The Pier and The Wing was next up .

The Bakery is the main point for meals and they serve mostly bread based food (pizzas, pastries, rolls etc.) along with with some dumplings and similar Asian food. The pizzas were the must have item when I was their around dinner time.

There are a lot of good areas to seat and relax and lots of natural light. The Long Bar also serves small Haagen-Dazs Ice cream . Most of the TVs had different sporting events (soccer and baseball) on. Internet was fast, magazines and newspaper were available and lots of space. Very good business lounge but after the First Class Lounge experiences I didn’t want to stay too long. Very spoilt if you have WP status in Hong Kong.

Full review is located here.

 

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Cathay Pacific - “The Deck” (Hong Kong)

The last lounge visit of this 19 day trip which saw me visiting eight lounges:
1) Qantas Melbourne First Class Lounge (review),
2) Qantas Hong Kong Business Lounge (review),
3) Cathay The Wing First Class Lounge (review),
4) Cathay The Pier First Class Lounge (review),
5) Kathmandu Executive Lounge (review),
6) Cathay Pacific The Arrival Business Class Lounge (review),
7) Cathay Pacific The Bridge Business Class Lounge (review) and finally.
8) Cathay Pacific The Deck Business Class Lounge (full review).

While it might be blasphemy on AFF I think I was over lounge visits by the time I visited The Deck

The Deck is located near Gate 16 in the North Concourse. The ‘outdoor’ sitting area overlooking the departure gates and offering panoramic views of the tarmac I’m assuming is the deck. The highlight of this lounge would be the Noodle Bar which I did end up using. The booth area also looked like a good concept but trying to get one will be hard as everyone seems to gravited to them. The lack of power charing outlets was disappointing although I managed to locate one in the Deck area due to long charging cords.

I probably can’t do this lounge justice after a long day at various lounges and in particular the amazing Wing and Pier First Class lounges which I just loved.

 

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