A lot of One and not much of Star

[sr81]

I start this TR from the beginning as it seems the most appropriate place. A beginning is a wonderful thing as it offers promise, hope and undiscovered experiences. The one part of a beginning that you hear very little about is the end, or in this case, a pause preceding it. My pause is with My Girl, after one and a bit years together taking time apart and travelling for four weeks can be very trying. So I offer only an excuse that at some points I may be a little emotional.

This TR is based around my travels to a conference in Halifax then on to visit friends in North Carolina and finishing with a 10 day tour from St. Petersburg to Moscow with my Father and Sister. My 30 odd days of travel is based around a DONE3 starting from DPS and finishing with my first ride aboard an SQ jet (in J, of course) home. Whilst the DONE3 departs DPS I will first recount my travel to DPS from MEL then onwards to fun and frivolity dodging a likely Foreign Affairs warning about travel to Bali.


So the route:
MEL-ADL-DRW-DPS-NRT-HKG-JFK-YHZ-JFK-SEA-ORD-RDU-MIA-LHR-HEL//SVO-HEL-LHR-DXB-LHR-HKG-NRT-DPS-SIN-MEL.
While this is not the most maximised route nor does it have any new legs on RJ it does serve its purpose admirably by shifting me, my laptop and a stubby holder from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria to various locations around the globe.

I intend on this trip to enjoy myself, catch up with old friends and enjoy a trip of life time with my sister and father. Accommodation will be provided by Starwood in North America with my father responsible for Europe. Saying we have different tastes is a understating it a touch but I will soldier on regardless of which tourista hotel we stay in. In all I will view it as part of the rich tapestry of life.

Now that I have waxed lyrical for a touch let’s get down to the bones of this TR.By the way I flying these legs today so this is pretty live.

 

[sr81]

LEG 1
MEL – ADL
QF651 (economy)
737-800
7.11.08
Dept: 0710 - all times are local and actual times (not from the booking ref)
Arr: 0820

After a less than full nights sleep I piled out of bed for a quick shower then off to the airport. The freeway was a breeze at 5:30am and soon I had checked in but the QF agent was not sure if my Air North flight later that day could be interlined. The flight was sold by QF, has a QF flight number so I was a little surprised that I couldn’t get my bags tagged the whole way. After a few phone calls the excellent Anglea arranged my bags and it was off to the QP Business section.

This lounge has been discussed at length so my only comment is about the odd layout in MEL. Why the newspapers are buried in the back corner I don’t know. Food was ok and it did have plenty of space. Was not the scrum that can be the QP at times.

Boarded on time and got away nicely too. Flight was the usual and I have no photos because we have all seen a QF Y seat before. Breakfast was the usual and the flight landed on time.

LEG 2
ADL – DRW
QF 754 (economy)
737-800
7.11.08
Dept: 0850
Arr: 1130

I was a little concerned that I would not be able to make my 40 minute connection at ADL but it turned out the plane I got off became my aircraft to DRW. This excellent news took me off to the QP which is quite nice given the very new state of ADL. For an airport that size I think ADL is just grand and very usable. Kudos to the designers and planners.

We boarded about 10 minutes late and took off for the tropical north. Breakfast was again served but this time I passed, settling only for a rather tepid tea. Interestingly on both flights only three seats in the J cabin were taken. This could either be because of the financial crisis or that these flights are not terribly popular for business travellers. I could have upgraded as I was on a suitable fare but decided not to as 4 hours to DRW is not worth the points from discount economy.

The movie being shown is Brideshead Revisited. UTTER TRIPE! I cannot understand why anyone would bring this travesty of a film into the world. Good cellulite was used that could have been better employed to make some midget cough film in outer LA.

Arrival into DRW was very easy and it was a quick cab ride to the centre of town. It was wonderfully hot and sticky – remember I am from Melbourne – though after three hours of wondering I was very grateful to stumble across Parliament House that offered marble coolness. The state library was also a top place for a 30 minute nap whilst pretending to read Business Traveller.

NEXT:
DRW-DPS
Air North (TL) 528
Fokker 100

 

[sr81]

Just a note that the QP in DRW is closed from 14:30 to 21:45 each day. This sucks BUT if you sit in the area closest to the QP you can still get free wireless!

 

[Will]

Enjoying the TR!
DRW is a good place to spend a while - did you go for a swim?
And I think the ADL QP is my favourite domestic lounge...

For your future flights can you put the times down? It would make it easier for me to know how long you are in each place!

 

[Keith009]

The movie being shown is Brideshead Revisited. UTTER TRIPE! I cannot understand why anyone would bring this travesty of a film into the world. Good cellulite was used that could have been better employed to make some midget cough film in outer LA.

:mrgreen:

An sr81 classic!

Great start to what's shaping up to be a fab TR. I look forward to the updates!

 

[sr81]

editing now....

see all these little things.

 

[Alanslegal]

Nice start sr81 - Am waiting for the parties to begin

 

[sr81]

DRW-DPS
Air North (TL) 528
Fokker 100
7.11.08
Dept: 1915
Arr: 2020

This is about the most interesting flight I have as it involves a carrier, Air North, and aircraft, Fokker 100 that I know little about. According to The Australian, Air North accounts for 0.5% of all international traffic departing Australia. They seem to have a large presence up north (well done to those more astute that figured it out by North in the name) and serve East Timor, Indonesia and various mining locations around Australia.

As we boarded I noted that Kuwait was on the departure board. This was an Air Services Australia service departing at 2300 (ASY 153). Unfortunately didn’t see which aircraft was operating this service but one would assume it is a military charter.

Boarding was done on time though the QP being closed frustrated me some what, the free internet and a Coopers brought some semblance of normality. Now I WAS supposed to be in seat 3B but with the front ½ of the cabin filled and the back ½ empty I made the executive decision to move myself back a few rows. And low, as I progressed further back into the cabin what did I find? An exit row, with more bloody leg room than the front passenger seat in my Peugeot 405! Fan-bloody-tastic!

It gets better. I thought that no meal would be served and that alcohol was purchased. WRONG! Whilst no champers here I thought that whilst in Rome........ – Bundy and Coke please!

FA - “Now sir, we don’t like missing refills whilst we do dinner service so how about you have two?”
Me - “Ohh, OK.”

Another thing that struck me is the quietness of this Fokker 100. Not hugely better than the 737-800 but certainly noticeable.

We arrived into DPS and the usual scrum ensued at the visa counter. I wouldn’t be too keen on Aussie tourists if this is how we behave. Chatted to a young fella (25 y/o) from Newcastle up for two weeks with his chippy mates, needless to say they were already three sheets to the wind and looking for trouble. The visa was easy and the hotel had arranged a car so it was out into the heat and off to Le Meridian.

Next:
Le Meridian Bali and I try to post some photos.

Edit: Has anyone used flickr before to post photos? I go to embed but the link always fails. Trying to load the images at a*.IMG doesn't seem to work either.

 

[sr81]

Le Meridian

Tanah Lot, Bali

The arrival at Le Meridian was quite an experience. About 40 min from the airport via a less than stellar road my driver proceeded to sit about 10 inches from the back of anything in front then scoot past on the wrong side of the road. After a day of travel this pushed my frayed nerves along a bit but I held my tongue and made it in one piece. Note to everybody. Get a cab in Bali, do NOT be tempted to hire a scooter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3011715275/

I have never stayed in resort style accommodation before and this hotel is stunning. I got a deal by booking early and only paid USD90 a night. Before I go on and describe the room I will entice you with tales of the spooky kind……

The driveway to this hotel is long, about 1km. The drive way to this hotel is not very well lit with barely functioning lamps dotted along the way. You pause only to have some chap with a gun and mirror check your car. The lobby is dim, the corridor is dim and with me pretty tied a little Balinese man with a chainsaw manic grin jumping out of the shadows scared the be-jusus out of me. Luckily he held a glass of champagne and mango juice. This is the sort of scare I could get to like.

The greeting was very nice and the service prompt.

The room was large, the bathroom was large and the bed was large (theme anyone?) It provided a view over the gardens with a small balcony.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3011715269/

Whilst not very interesting at night the morning view was quite something.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3011715271/

But far and away the best bit of this hotel is its pool. Massive with a 56 metre water slide! Man was I a kid in just a touch of heaven. After a brisk morning swim I headed off to the local temple which was nice and ate at a local’s café on the side of the road. For about $1.70 I had rice, chicken in a nice spicy broth. The lady looked at me quite strangely and tried to get me to go over the road to the tourist café. Not a chance, eating where the locals do is a sure-fire way of achieving two things.

• Hideous gastro which leads to vile expulsion from both ends.

OR

• A tasty feed that costs you half as much though still twice as much as the locals.

It is now four hours after and I am sitting pretty (pardon the pun).

Back to the hotel for a swim before checkout and then the heavens opened…… As a Melbourne boy I forgot that it could rain like this. Sheets and cats and small pigeons fell from the sky to cover everything. I had to run in the rain. Unfortunately there are no photos of this but it was grand.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3011715273/

Waterslides and running in a tropical downpour, quite frankly I think I should head home now as this can’t be beaten. BUT dear reader, I will take your challenge and push on! The summit I say, the summit!

NEXT
DPS-NRT
JL 720

 

[drron]

A few nice little surprises.hope the good luck keeps up.
As to photos i have just mastered the art.Finally got there when i downloaded Picasa3-free.With the export to folder function you can choose the size.works for me.

 

[sr81]

DPS-NRT
JL 720
8.11.08
Dept: 23:55
Arr: 0720

This was my first J flight of my trip and I was looking forward to it as I find JAL quite a unique carrier. Firstly they are quite subservient in their style and operate ON TIME and TO SCHEDULE. I checked in very early (after a typical nerve wracking taxi ride) about 3 hours prior to departure and had my choice of seats. It turns out that an older 747-400 operates this route and has old style first class available as only business (Seasons Executive) is sold on this route. I chose (naturally) 1A. In hindsight not the best seat but hey, a First seat is a First seat. The lounge was very nice though had the slooooooowest internet ever. The food choices were nice and the curry samosas were the pick of the bunch. No champagne, only Bintang which I don’t really have a taste for.

Boarded ON TIME and we took off at exactly 2355.

The seat was old school first class and my seat mate was a right first class w***nker. He boarded before me and had spread out over 1A and 1B including dumping his dirty old runners on my seat. He was quite aggrieved that I had taken his “space” and promptly ran off to the purser to see if I could be changed. Not likely chum! The purser requested that I move back to the regular old business class that did not have fully flat seats nor acres of leg room.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3014404654/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3014404564/

He then begrudgingly moved his smelly sneakers (which are for sneaking – if you get my drift). I settled in and for those who fly this route, ask for anything but row 1. The cabin comes in quite sharply at the nose and this affects your leg room. My father is flying this older class of F-seat with Thai to ARN and so I will be interested to compare notes with him. The meal service was good and quick with me falling asleep shortly after getting my seat fully flat. Before I nodded off the gentleman next to me decided that with his seat fully flat the only place for his book, newspaper and jacket was on the armrest falling over to my side as his belly filled the entire space on his. I calmly and politely move this detritus to the floor. He wasn’t rude per se, it was his overall attitude that I didn’t like. It was like I had severely made his day untenable and a chore. I saw his boarding pass later and he was an AA PLT, same as QF Gold. While even being of a lesser status he certainly of greater stature.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3014404716/

Breakfast was great. I chose the Japanese option and it was fab. Sushi, miso soup and some fresh fruit was exactly what I needed to kick the day off. The gentleman next to me chose the western option and it was only a soggy omelette with one boiled sausage and a piece of bacon. I know that JAL are a good carrier but honestly they can’t really do western food. If ever travelling an international carrier I always try the local option as it tends to be better than the western alternative.

Arrive was ON TIME. Speedily through my connection security and on to the JAL F Lounge. It is very nice. It doesn’t have the great views like MEL and doesn’t have waiter service but it is quite and refined. The champers was Moet and the all you can eat sushi had be going like a freight train.

The showers though are to be praised. Finally an airport shower that doesn’t get your clothes wet and the room steamy hot. BA - LHR and CX - HKG are really bad at this. How can you design a shower cubical that doesn’t have a door nor any sort of step that keeps the floor dry. As per the norm in Japan the shower was immaculate and the staff were in abundance and superb.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3013570535/

NEXT
NRT - HKG
CX 501
Dept: 1040
Arr: ???
3 days in Hong Kong! Whoop Whoop!

 

[drron]

Surely the Saphire moves before an Emerald-especially on JAL.

 

[Keith009]

I never knew the old JALways 747s have old FCL in the front. Thanks for the tip. *off to change seat assignment*

Yeah Western food on JL is pretty ****e. Alas the Western menu is my only viable option on JL now as I'd have to skip half the stuff on the Japanese menu otherwise and go hungry. I loved their Japanese menu when I could eat shellfish.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

This is about the most interesting flight I have as it involves a carrier, Air North, and aircraft, Fokker 100 that I know little about.

As we boarded I noted that Kuwait was on the departure board. This was an Air Services Australia service departing at 2300 (ASY 153). Unfortunately didn’t see which aircraft was operating this service but one would assume it is a military charter.

Was the service operated by a Skywest F100? DRW-DPS is normally operated by Air North's E70, although it must be in maintenance or being used for other duties for a F100 to be used. If it was Skywest's F100, did you notice the 34" seat pitch? If not, are you able to name the operator of the F100?

Yes, Strategic Aviation/Airlines (with the assistance of Hifly) operate services to the Middle East on behalf of the ADF. An A330-300, CS-TMT is used to operate these services.

Thanks for the enjoyable and interesting report!

Cheers

 

[Bundy Bear]

Great start to the trip report, I look forward to reading more.

 

[Evan]

Good to know about the F on the JALways 744's. Strange as the setup is if you have a free seat beside you i find it a comfortable seat.

I love the Japanese food but not that much of a fan of the shellfish either but the Sushi/Sashimi etc is great, and the Tonkotsu Ramen soup is to die for

E

 

[NM]

I saw his boarding pass later and he was an AA PLT, same as QF Gold. While even being of a lesser status he certainly of greater stature.

If your seat-mate was also transiting NRT, perhaps you could have invited him a guest into the First Class Lounge for a glass of Moet .

 

[sr81]

Was the service operated by a Skywest F100? DRW-DPS is normally operated by Air North's E70, although it must be in maintenance or being used for other duties for a F100 to be used. If it was Skywest's F100, did you notice the 34" seat pitch? If not, are you able to name the operator of the F100?

Yes, Strategic Aviation/Airlines (with the assistance of Hifly) operate services to the Middle East on behalf of the ADF. An A330-300, CS-TMT is used to operate these services.

Thanks for the enjoyable and interesting report!

Cheers

It was an Alliance F-100. The recline was untested as I had so much forward space. Didn't seem amazing and wasn't branded Skywest.

 

[sr81]

NRT - HKG
CX 501
Dept: 1040
Arr: 1240
3 days in Hong Kong! Whoop Whoop!

I am in love and her name is Hong Kong. Wow and I mean WOW, what a city. This was my first time actually leaving the airport after a number of visits so I was looking forward to really having a crack at this city. Hong Kong rose to the occasion and gave me three days of spell binding majesty. From the sound and light show to the Peak Tram I thoroughly enjoyed what really is Asia’s World City.



View from the Peak on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

My flight over with CX was another unmemorable flight with an airline I just don’t get the hype. It is so busy, FA’s running around but with so little being achieved. When you board BA or QF there is a quietness of the premium cabins even with the FA’s getting everything organised. They don’t charge along the aisles with the footfall of an elephant, this of course belying the fact that it is a 50kg Cantonese lady. This 777-300 was equipped with the regional J product that is really starting to show its age. The seat rocked around the place and was rather care worn. Poor location on this flight with a bulk head seat. I just took it and didn’t question.

Food – nothing special and I can’t profess a liking of Deutz so I had a cloud nine and went to sleep. Arrival was on time and was the first person off the plane. On through security and on to baggage claim. My bag was tagged business class in DPS and I really don’t care a great deal about bag tags but it was first out in HKG with First tags. Within transit at NRT they had retagged the bag, impressive. The airport express is really good and within no time I had checked into my first hotel.

Holiday Inn Golden Mile.
Check in was smooth and the room nice enough. Great location near the Space Museum on Nathan Rd. First night I was pretty spaced so only ended up walking around the block and finding an Irish pub, went in. After a few beers and some chips I went home a little disappointed that I wasn’t really adventurous on my first evening.



HolidayInn on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Next day was an early start and up to the Peak Tram. I walked down to the Star Ferry then took a lovely ride across the harbour. The weather was stunning. 25 degrees and heaps of visibility; perfect for some sightseeing. On the tram I met a fellow traveller who was journeying alone so we chatted and ended up spending the day together. Peak was great and then wandering around Honk Kong Island through the botanical gardens and on to SoHo. Lai Kwai Fong proved an excellent afternoon beer stop after we had done some serious rummaging along the antique street.



Hong Kong Island on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Me on the Peak on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

We then caught the MTR back to Kowloon and I took off to check in to my new hotel. Now I need you to follow the timings here cause quite frankly it is amazing.
7:05 arrive Tsim Sha Tsui station.
7:12 pick up bags and into a cab heading to the Langham Place, Mongkok.
7:31 arrive Langham Place.
7:33 check in
7:38 in room, changed
7:41 Mongkok station waiting for the train down town.
7:50 arrive Tsim Sha Tsui station
7:55 meet up outside The Pennisula
7:59 find a space to watch the sound and light show.

Now I don’t know about you but I think that this is either due to my superior skills as a worldly traveller or the public transport system but I like to think that we helped each other.

After the light show we jumped back on the ferry and went back to Lang Kwai Fong. We ate at the tourist trap there and it was terrible. Cheapish but cough. The bars were much more fun. Monday night and plenty of people were getting around. We chatted to quite a few people and had a solid conversation about white boys and dancing. I theorised that a person got better at dancing with a few drinks. Fiona, my new friend, told me that I was full of it and that white boys can’t dance, it is only the alcohol blurring the senses that makes the watcher think that it is acceptable.

About midnight we made a run for the last train and made it home only to wind up drinking in the Irish bar from the previous night. I am happy and proud to say that we were the last ones out.

Next morning I felt pretty damn ordinary and thought that a swim would be a good way to cure the hangover. At this point I started to note more about the hotel. My room was on the 25th floor and had a view right down Nathan Rd. to Hong Kong Island, later that night I watched the light show for a second time so points for the view. But the pool……….

langham2 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Langham on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3025802014/in/photostream/



42nd floor, open top roof, view to everywhere. Needless to say the swim got me feeling great and refreshed. More walking followed this day with a trip to the cable car and the big Budda. The cable car offered great views of the airport and was an enjoyable trip. Visiting Buddas in Asia is like visiting cathedrals in Europe. Seen one etc. Whist this sounds a little tough I did enjoy the excursion as I found the engineering accomplishment much more entertaining.

Once back at the hotel another swim and a dip in the onsen was due. I followed up with dinner in a small hot seat place in an alley. All the customers were male and they weren’t there for the ambience. Noddle soup was excellent and even with the weaker then an English front row AUD it was still great value.

Next morning I bounced out of bed at 6:30am for a nice long shower and trip to the airport. Airport Express and check in at Kowloon station was painless and in no time I came face to face with three days of unchecked emails. This was a major groan but breakfast and a glass of champers came first.

I boarded and was ignored. The other around me had pre-departure drinks etc. but I got nothing. Got changed into my QF F PJ’s and had to go all the way back to economy before I could get the attention of an FA. The business class ones were to busy doing elephant impressions again achieving who knows what.

This service style continued right through the meal service where I was offered one drink and that was it. The rice and BBQ pork was quite nice but with no water and certainly no red I felt my enjoyment was diminished some what. The seat is quite narrow and in all CX will have to work really hard to get me back on side service wise. They are not proactive, we have people commenting on this forum about QF but CX just doesn’t live up to the hype. My recent flight MEL-AKL was much better with multiple refills and proactive cabin staff.

The IFE is great. Huge selection including six episodes of Doctor Who so I am pretty much sorted for this flight.

14 hours till I land in NYC. From Hong Kong to New York. Yeah, I’m having a pretty good week.

 

[ejb]

No champagne, only Bintang which I don’t really have a taste for.

Great trip report....but......Bintang is the best thing in Bali!

ejb