Across the Globe in 4 Continents

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Lahore (SIN-LHE) on SQ 777-200ER
(config 2 class non-spacebed with avod)

While I wait in the lounge for boarding a loud mouth is wandering around speaking loudly into his phone. "Nah I can't make Venice, I'm on my way to Karachi." Said repeatedly Oh great, this means he is on the same flight as me, for this Singapore Airlines flight operates a triangle route between Singapore, Lahore, Karachi and Singapore (in different directions on different days).

You guessed it, when I boarded I was dismayed to find the same loudmouth seated right behind me, still yabbering on the phone to tell the whole world he was headed for Karachi. I drowned him out with the headphones.

While the flight left on time we battled strong headwinds almost the entire way and so arrived very late. Over Bay of Bengal we dodged lots of thunderstorms and had no view to speak of. Once over India the dusty lands and great rivers were visible through a thick haze. The angle of the sun giving a soft glow to sky and earth below.

I while away the flight mainly looking at the scenes below, listening to some music and wondering just what I'll do in Pakistan.

Despite being one of the first passengers off, immigration is painfully slow. Seems like the officers have to enter a lot of information in manually and do lots of searching. There is a holdup while they recheck my info. I later find out (on departure) that there is a record of entry to Pakistan of someone with a very similar name.

With no checked bags I'm quickly through customs, and into the hordes on the landside edge of arrivals. I apologised to my ride for the late arrival and was soon on my way into the city.

Passengers continuing on the triangle route had to remain onboard during the transit.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Lahore menu

DINNER

To Nibble On

Satay
with onion, cucumber and spicy peanut sauce

A Savoury Note

Smoked salmon with potato and walnut salad

The Main Event

Seared tournedos of beef in green peppercorn jus, sauteed mushroom, baby carrot and gratin potatoes

Kestaneli yahni
Turkish style lamb stew with chestnut, seasonal vegetables and rice

Pan fried salmon with bouillabaisse sauce, buttered mangetout, roasted tomato and olive potatoes

Mushrooms and baby corns in spicy gravy lemon flavoured rice with chilli and split mung dhal, curd and pickles

A Sweet Note

Tiramisu
Italian mascarpone cheese with coffee-flavoured sponge fingers

The Cheese Board

Gourmet cheese with garnishes

Fruit

A selection of fresh fruit

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea
and pralines


BEVERAGES

Mix of the Month

Citrus Royale

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-Alcoholic coughtails

Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Stout

Guinness stout

Champagnes

Piper Heidsieck 1999
Charles Heidsieck Mise en Cave 2003

White Wines

Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2004 Balthasar Ress Rheingau
Moondah Brook Chardonnay 2005 Western Australia

Red Wines

Chateau Beau-Site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Rive Barbera D'asti 'il Cascinone 2003 Araidica Pietmonte

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal

Tea Selection

Pure Ceylon tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated tea
Japanese Green tea
Chinese Jasmine tea
Chinese Oolong tea

Gourmet Coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees

Brewed coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages

Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water

Sparkling
Still

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light
Ginger Ale
Seven Up

Milk

Full Cream
Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Summary to date

• map
• 24,994 flown miles
• 15 flights
• 7 a/c types
  • 737-300
  • 767-300
  • 777-200ER
  • Embraer 170
  • Embraer 175
  • ATR 42-500
  • 737-500
• 5 airlines
  • NZ
  • QF
  • LH
  • LO (plus EuroLOT)
  • SQ
• 10 countries
  • New Zealand
  • Tonga
  • Western Samoa
  • United States of America
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Singapore
  • Pakistan
• 12 airports
  • AKL
  • TBU
  • APW
  • LAX
  • LHR
  • HAM
  • WAW
  • LED
  • TXL
  • FRA
  • SIN
  • LHE
• personal firsts
  • 2 new routes on Air NZ TBU-APW and APW-LAX
  • 1 new destination on Singapore Airlines LHE
  • 2 new countries - Russia and Pakistan
  • 4 new airports - HAM, LED, TXL and LHE

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Lahore

I'm struggling to write something that will do justice to this fine city. Given the very low number of posts on FT about Pakistan or Lahore I feel especially responsible for writing something decent instead of my usual rambles I make up as I post.

Being spring the weather is very dry and hot during the day (close to 100F) and mild to warm at night (in the 70s F). The city is very dusty.

The airport is not far from the city centre - about 20-30 minutes ride away.

I stayed at Holiday Inn Lahore which is located on the edge of the city centre with many attractions within walking distance (as well as the stock exchange and some businesses for those who visit for business reasons). Even though I have no priority club status I was given an upgrade to an club room. The hotel provides minivan pickup and dropoff at the airport. I found the location to be excellent, the rooms okay (although showing signs of age) and service extremely friendly if perhaps not the most efficient. The breakfast was good with both western and Pakistan/Indian food options.

The walled old city is a good 30 minutes walk away. Quite uncomfortable in the heat and noise (not to mention having to keep a constant eye out for traffic - vehicular, horse/donkey, and people). Alternatively it is a cheap ride by taxi or (polluting) rickshaw.

I found Lahore fort to be more impressive than its counterpart in Delhi, despite the changes made over the years. The mosques, palaces and gardens throughout the central city are also very nice. The city feels like it is dripping with history from the Moghal era right through Sikh and British colonisation.

Everyone I met, without exception, was extremely friendly. There were very few western tourists (I didn't meet/see any in my brief stay). I never felt unsafe although I did get out of my comfort zone wandering some back alley run down areas. As with any large city, there probably are some areas where it is unwise to go.

I am glad I went and didn't listen to those who thought I was mad. Next time I'll try to go back in winter when it is cooler. I enjoyed my stay much more than Delhi for example.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Lahore to Singapore (LHE-SIN) on SQ 777-200ER
(config 2 class non-spacebed without avod)

After a late check out (thanks Holiday Inn) I head to the airport. Again the setup is a bit unusual. There is a covered open air foyer that passengers and family/friends can use. This is crowded with people and bags everywhere. There are few spare seats. There are a couple of shops, restaurant and even some tv monitors scattered around. There are plenty of ceiling fans but they just move the hot air around rather than providing any cooling.

Only once check in is open (some 2 to 3 hours before departure time varying by flight) can you enter the terminal proper. There is a security check to enter the terminal. This doesn't seem to be concerned with liquids etc (naturally since some bags will be checked in).

Then to check in. This was pure chaos. Each airline only had a couple of counters to deal with their flight. Signs about economy vs business/elite routinely ignored. Plenty of people using the paid services running to jump queues.

Still I was checked in fairly quickly. I only wanted to check in for this flight since the following flights I will credit to another FFP to maximise their value. They checked me in for the next flight, but not the one after. Oh well, something to sort out in Singapore. Check in gives me business class tags to put on each carry-on. I'm also given an invitation to use the CIP lounge.

Then off to immigration. Signs breaking up into lines for women, children, Pakistan men, foreigners, were ignored by all. Eventually my turn. There is a delay while the officer figures out if the entry by someone with a similar name means anything before letting me proceed.

Then security. There are 2 xray machines, but only one is manned. There is a queue to deposit carry-ons here. I see why the bag tags as each is hole punched to show the bag has been checked (except this step takes place before putting on the xray. Supposedly no liquids of any kind. No mention of gels so I keep those and only throw out the liquids. In dozens of bags that go through before I have a chance to collect mine I do not see any liquids being removed from any bag. Then queue for WTMD, or rather queue for men. The few women pax have their own WTMD which has no queue.

Finally, some 20 minutes later I am through. I wander about to find a currency exchange but apparently the only one is landside. Doh. Pakistan rupees are hard to change elsewhere.

I head upstairs to the lounge. There is one lounge for PIA customers and one for everyone else. The entry part is smoking and inner part non-smoking. The literature is very old, some of it dates to 2004! There is one computer with old software (windows 98) and extremely slow dial up. There are a couple of tvs. There is a small offering of snacks, and water is on offer. No alcohol of course. An attendant wanders around offering tea or coffee.

The flight is announced from gate 22, immediately corrected to gate 24. The monitors show gate 24, but downstairs there is no one at gate 24. Yup we board from gate 22.

As with the flight over it is fairly full (totally full in business class) and most passengers are flying to/from Karachi. A reasonable proportion of those who joined in Lahore were on the same flight as me coming over. The crew is also the same, although they stopped over in Karachi.

The flight back is quicker than on the way over, but the tailwinds are much more moderate and so we arrive on time instead of early. For a couple of hours over the Bay of Bengal there was a spectacular light show out the left hand side of the aircraft. At any given moment multiple lightning flashes lit the sky.

Watching this I didn't get as much sleep as I needed and so was tired arriving back in Singapore. We have a long taxi around 3/4 of the terminal complex yet again.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Lahore to Singapore menu

SUPPER

A Savoury Note

Marinated prawns and smoked fish salad

The Main Event

Awadhi goshi, soya muttar saunfla, dal moong mughlai and jeera pulao
Braised lamb with rose essence, spiced pea-soya, tempered green lentil and coughin pilaf

Roasted chicken with spaghetti with tomato sauce

Pan fried fish in creamy mustard sauce served with pasta and white beans

A Sweet Note

Green tea creme brulee with strawberry

The Cheese Board

Gourmet cheese with garnishes

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES

Mix of the Month

Citrus Royale

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-Alcoholic coughtails

Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Stout

Guinness stout

Champagnes

Piper Heidsieck 1999
Charles Heidsieck Mise en Cave 2003

White Wines

Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2004 Balthasar Ress Rheingau
Moondah Brook Chardonnay 2005 Western Australia

Red Wines

Chateau Beau-Site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Rive Barbera D'asti 'il Cascinone 2003 Araidica Pietmonte

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal

Tea Selection

Pure Ceylon tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated tea
Japanese Green tea
Chinese Jasmine tea
Chinese Oolong tea

Gourmet Coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees

Brewed coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages

Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water

Sparkling
Still

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light
Ginger Ale
Seven Up

Milk

Full Cream
Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SINGAPORE to HO CHI MINH CITY (SIN-SGN) on SQ 777-200ER
(config 2 class with spacebeds)

I have a moderate connection, so head to the lounge. First I get the FFP number changed. Then I ask to check in for the return flight but am told this is one of the handful of SQ destinations unable to provide same day return check in Then a good shower and change to freshen up.

There is just enough time to check emails before heading off to the gate for the flight. Load is reasonably high.

The short flight is not long enough to play any of the movies, at least not without losing the ending. I was surprised that the meal service on this short flight is more substantial than the similar length flight to Jakarta.

Most of the flight is over water. The last bit is descending over the delta and crossing the city which is built up around the sinuous rivers. The airport is right in the city. We arrive slightly early but then wait several minutes on the taxiway for an aircraft to leave our gate and so end up a little late.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City menu

BRUNCH

To Start With

A choice of apple, tomato, freshly squeezed orange juice or soya bean milk

Fresh fruit

The Main Event

Fried beef kway teow
Fried rice noodles with sliced beef and leafy greens

Pan fried seabass fillet with cilantro sauce, ratatouille and new potatoes

Crepe with parsley-scrambled egg, roasted tomato, sauteed button mushrooms and gratin potato

A Sweet Note

Strawberry shortcake with white chocolate mousse

From the Bakery

Choice of bread rolls
Butter - fruit preserve

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES

Mix of the Month

Citrus Royale

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-Alcoholic coughtails

Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Stout

Guinness stout

Champagnes

Piper Heidsieck 1999
Charles Heidsieck Mise en Cave 2003

White Wines

Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2004 Balthasar Ress Rheingau
Moondah Brook Chardonnay 2005 Western Australia

Red Wines

Chateau Beau-Site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Rive Barbera D'asti 'il Cascinone 2003 Araidica Pietmonte

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal

Tea Selection

Pure Ceylon tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated tea
Japanese Green tea
Chinese Jasmine tea
Chinese Oolong tea

Gourmet Coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees

Brewed coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages

Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water

Sparkling
Still

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light
Ginger Ale
Seven Up

Milk

Full Cream
Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

HO CHI MINH CITY to SINGAPORE (SGN-SIN) on SQ 777-200ER
(config 2 class with spacebeds)

I follow the signs for immigration and head to the transit desk just before the immigration queues. They are also unable to check me in here but one of the agents takes my ticket and passport landside while I wait, wondering if I will make the imminent check in deadline or be stuck here until the next flight. About 15 minutes later I have my boarding pass and a lounge invitation and I take a few steps to the transit immigration (actually I'm not sure what to call it?) where they stamp my passport. No need to pay the departure tax. Then off to find the lounge, which is in the far corner of the departures area.

It is quite nice although reasonably full. There is plenty of decent food and drink on offer, plus a couple of computers. I didn't have time to look properly for it was already time to board. Security before the gate. No need to take liquid baggy out - indeed this is mostly the case in asia. It seems to be the western countries that require the liquids baggy to be screened separately from the carry on.

I try, fairly unsuccessfully, to sleep most of the short flight back to Singapore.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore menu

LUNCH

A Savoury Note

Prawn and soba salad
Soya dressing

The Main Event

Seared tournedos of beef in green peppercorn jus, sauteed forest mushroom, carrot and gratin potatoes

Braised fish fillet in garlic chilli sauce, seasonal vegetables and fried rice

Pork medallions with duxelles and gruyere cheese in mushroom cream, vegetables and potatoes

A Sweet Note

Selection of sliced fresh fruits

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES

Mix of the Month

Citrus Royale

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-Alcoholic coughtails

Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Stout

Guinness stout

Champagnes

Piper Heidsieck 1999
Charles Heidsieck Mise en Cave 2003

White Wines

Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2004 Balthasar Ress Rheingau
Moondah Brook Chardonnay 2005 Western Australia

Red Wines

Chateau Beau-Site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Rive Barbera D'asti 'il Cascinone 2003 Araidica Pietmonte

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal

Tea Selection

Pure Ceylon tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated tea
Japanese Green tea
Chinese Jasmine tea
Chinese Oolong tea

Gourmet Coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees

Brewed coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages

Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water

Sparkling
Still

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light
Ginger Ale
Seven Up

Milk

Full Cream
Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Summary to date

• map
• 29,181 flown miles
• 18 flights
• 7 a/c types
  • 737-300
  • 767-300
  • 777-200ER
  • Embraer 170
  • Embraer 175
  • ATR 42-500
  • 737-500
• 5 airlines
  • NZ
  • QF
  • LH
  • LO (plus EuroLOT)
  • SQ
• 11 countries
  • New Zealand
  • Tonga
  • Western Samoa
  • United States of America
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Singapore
  • Pakistan
  • Vietnam
• 13 airports
  • AKL
  • TBU
  • APW
  • LAX
  • LHR
  • HAM
  • WAW
  • LED
  • TXL
  • FRA
  • SIN
  • LHE
  • SGN
• personal firsts
  • 2 new routes on Air NZ TBU-APW and APW-LAX
  • 2 new destinations on Singapore Airlines LHE and SGN
  • 3 new countries - Russia, Pakistan and Vietnam
  • 5 new airports - HAM, LED, TXL, LHE and SGN

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SINGAPORE to MANILA (SIN-MNL) on SQ 777-300

After a short sleep thanks to watching a losing effort at the cricket, I was again checking in for a couple more flights. This time I got both boarding passes, although it took several attempts to get the right FFP entered. Since booking I had found I had gotten some bonus status miles on a certain FFP and thus no longer needed these flights for requalification, so I switch to another FFP to aid the requalification on that one. I have been doing this subtly all trip, crediting different bits to various FFPs in order to best maximise the value and ensure my requalification on each. It takes a bit of effort determining the optimum crediting strategy, but in my view it is worthwhile.

That sorted I grab a quick breakfast in the lounge. Mmmm laksa. Then off to the gate. The flight is full except in first class. I catch up on some sleep, waking as we descend over the bay outside Manila. We come in low over some suburbs and land on time. We do have a slow taxi however due to other aircraft ahead of us being held up waiting for their gates.

The signage for transits is terrible. There is an abandoned transit desk. At immigration I work out a couple of people off to the side are actually doing the boarding pass and security checks for transit passengers. I'm quickly through and upstairs to the SQ lounge.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Manila menu

LIGHT MEAL

A Savoury Note

Marinated scallops with jellyfish and mesclun

The Main Event

Dim sum
Parcel of glutinous rice in lotus leaf with chicken and Chinese sausage, har kow and pork siew mai

Mixed grill of beef and chicken with veal sausage in herb jus, sauteed mushrooms, tomato and hash brown potato

Oven baked eggs served with Italian turkey sausage, roasted tomato, mushroom ragout and hash brown potato

A Sweet Note

Jasmine caramel cream with fruit coulis and berries

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES

Mix of the Month

Citrus Royale

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-Alcoholic coughtails

Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Stout

Guinness stout

Champagnes

Piper Heidsieck 1999
Charles Heidsieck Mise en Cave 2003

White Wines

Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2004 Balthasar Ress Rheingau
Moondah Brook Chardonnay 2005 Western Australia

Red Wines

Chateau Beau-Site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Rive Barbera D'asti 'il Cascinone 2003 Araidica Pietmonte

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal

Tea Selection

Pure Ceylon tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated tea
Japanese Green tea
Chinese Jasmine tea
Chinese Oolong tea

Gourmet Coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees

Brewed coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages

Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water

Sparkling
Still

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light
Ginger Ale
Seven Up

Milk

Full Cream
Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

MANILA to SINGAPORE (MNL-SIN) on SQ 777-300

I'd booked on a later return flight which I no longer needed to take so I asked at the lounge if I could switch to the flight which will soon be departing. When I checked earlier in the day it appeared to be full but I had nothing to lose by asking and who knows how many no shows there will be.

While I wait I entered the lounge and checked some email on the one computer. There is an first class side and a business class side. The first class side was rather small and very full (every seat taken). There was a modest selection of food and drink. Probably one of the worst SQ operated lounges I have visited.

As boarding is announced I get given a new boarding pass. Yay. I head to the gate. They ask to see my arriving boarding pass to ensure I do not need to pay the departure tax.

It is a full flight, at least in business class. We are late leaving, not having made up any time in the turnaround. After we take off we turn and fly back over the airport while slowly climbing, and I notice the wheels were not retracted until we went past the airport. I presume there was some problem indicated which they wanted checked out. Anyway apparently there is nothing important wrong as shortly thereafter the wheels are retracted, we turn towards Singapore and climb more steeply.

There isnt much view thanks to the clouds, and my attempts to sleep. We arrive behind schedule. At the gate we get screened before being allowed to enter the terminal. This sometimes happens on flights from certain asian airports - a bit hit and miss though. If you are on a flight that gets arrival screening and a short connection, better hope you are one of the first off the aircraft!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Manila to Singapore menu

LIGHT MEAL

A Savoury Note

Antipasto
Marinated prawns, prosciuto ham with rock melon, mozzarella with assorted tomatoes and grilled vegetables

The Main Event

Seared beef fillet in cabernet butter, assorted vegetables, sauteed fingerling potato with onion, crispy pork and sage

Braised soya sauce duck with leafy greens and yam rice

Apritadang Maya Maya
Snapper fillet with tomato sauce, vegetables and steamed rice

A Sweet Note

Freshly prepared gourmet ice cream

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES

Mix of the Month

Citrus Royale

coughtails

Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler

Aperitifs

Campari
Dry Vermouth

Non-Alcoholic coughtails

Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise

Spirits

Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International selection

Stout

Guinness stout

Champagnes

Piper Heidsieck 1999
Charles Heidsieck Mise en Cave 2003

White Wines

Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2004 Balthasar Ress Rheingau
Moondah Brook Chardonnay 2005 Western Australia

Red Wines

Chateau Beau-Site 2000 Saint-Estephe
Rive Barbera D'asti 'il Cascinone 2003 Araidica Pietmonte

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal

Tea Selection

Pure Ceylon tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated tea
Japanese Green tea
Chinese Jasmine tea
Chinese Oolong tea

Gourmet Coffees

Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro

Specialty Coffees

Brewed coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated coffee
Mocha

Other Beverages

Chocolate
Milo

Mineral Water

Sparkling
Still

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

Bitter Lemon
Coke
Coke Light
Ginger Ale
Seven Up

Milk

Full Cream
Low Fat

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Summary to date

• map
• 32,128 flown miles
• 20 flights
• 8 a/c types
  • 737-300
  • 767-300
  • 777-200ER
  • Embraer 170
  • Embraer 175
  • ATR 42-500
  • 737-500
  • 777-300
• 5 airlines
  • NZ
  • QF
  • LH
  • LO (plus EuroLOT)
  • SQ
• 12 countries
  • New Zealand
  • Tonga
  • Western Samoa
  • United States of America
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Singapore
  • Pakistan
  • Vietnam
  • Philippines
• 14 airports
  • AKL
  • TBU
  • APW
  • LAX
  • LHR
  • HAM
  • WAW
  • LED
  • TXL
  • FRA
  • SIN
  • LHE
  • SGN
  • MNL
• personal firsts
  • 2 new routes on Air NZ TBU-APW and APW-LAX
  • 3 new destinations on Singapore Airlines LHE, SGN and MNL
  • 4 new countries - Russia, Pakistan, Vietnam and Philippines
  • 6 new airports - HAM, LED, TXL, LHE, SGN and MNL

 

[Keith009]

Thanks for the well-written trip report, Kiwi Flyer.
A most interesting trip!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Thanks. There is still a bit to go.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SINGAPORE to COLOMBO (SIN-CMB) on EK 777-300ER

The switch of flights from Manila changed a short connection into a longer one, and so I had some time until check in for my next flight opened. I headed to the silver kris lounge to fill in some time, checking emails, surfing FT and sipping Dom Perignon. I also grabbed a shower and changed into fresh clothes.

I left the lounge early to talk a long walk around the terminals before checking in at the transit desk. I was unable to get checked in for the return flight. Never mind, I have plenty of time in Colombo. Last time I flew Emirates out of Singapore they used the Skyview lounge, which as far as I’m concerned only has 1 redeeming feature of a nice view of the tarmac. Since then, however, Emirates has opened their own lounge and I was interested to see how good it was.

As with other Emirates lounges I have visited there is only one lounge – no segregation of first and business class passengers. The lounge was pretty good – on par with the joint Qantas / British Airways lounge at Singapore. Several computers, showers, good selection of drinks, proper food with table service so you can eat before your flight and maximise sleep (very handy given the late departure times), newspapers, magazines, etc.

Eventually it is time to board. The assigned gate is right near the lounge, as are the assigned gates for later Emirates flights. It seems all the transit passengers (from Jakarta) had to deplane and there is a big queue at the gate screening station. The flight is full and we depart some 20 minutes late as a result.

Before take off we get a very nice amenity kit, plus menu and also pre-departure drinks and hot towel. The seats are more comfortable than I’d remembered. The overhead monitors show the nosewheel camera view until after we’ve lifted off before switching to airshow. I skip the great ICE IFE system, preferring instead to catch some sleep on this short overnight flight. We arrive in Colombo in the middle of the night.

Service was great if not as polished as on top notch airlines. For example pre departure one side got drink and nuts, the other side did not, they didn’t know what wines were loaded and had to check.

Passengers continuing on to Dubai were asked to remain on board. For those of us deplaning, we had to show our boarding pass at the top of the airbridge.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Colombo menu

BAR SERVICE

Aperitifs

A selection of fruit juices and soft drinks

Bacardi Rum
Campari
Gin
Jack Daniels
Rye
Sweet or Dry Sherry
Sweet or Dry Vermouth
Vodka
Scotch Whisky
Malt Whisky

A selection of international beers

coughtails

Black Russian
Bloody Mary
Bucks Fizz
Champagne coughtail
Fantasy Island
Jumeirah Delight (non alcoholic)
Kir Royal
Manhattan
Martini coughtail Classic
Screwdriver
Vodka Martini

Wines

A selection of fine wines from internationally renowned vineyards of the old and new world

Champagne Brut

Liqueurs

Baileys Irish Cream
Premium Cognac
Cointreau
Drambuie
Late Bottled Vintage Port
Tia Maria


LUNCH (yes that’s what the menu calls it despite being a late night departure)

Appetiser

Smoked chicken breast
Tea-marinated ocean trout

Main course

Chicken ragout
Lamb biryani
Creamy seafood linguini

Dessert

White chocolate mousse

Cheese

International cheese selection

Beverages

Tea – Ceylon, Chinese, Earl Grey and Camomile
Coffee – freshly brewed or decaffeinated, Espresso and cappuccino will be available at any time during the flight, except on Airbus A310 aircraft

Chocolate


WINE LIST

Champagne

Moet and Chandon Brut Imperial

White Wine

Chateau des Fesles Chenin Sec Vintage 2004
Scotchmans Hill Chardonnay Vintage 2005

Red Wine

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards Vintage 2004
The Ned Pinot Noir Vintage 2004

Port

Chairman’s Late Bottled Vintage 1997