Across the Globe in 5 Continents Again

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Nagoya (SIN-NGO) Raffles (Business) Class on SQ 777

After pps04 left I grabbed a shower, and also grabbed a couple of boiled sweets - yes they are back tonight. Eventually it is time to head to the gate - this time at the end of E pier, gate E8.

Boarding has started by the time I clear gate security and so straight onboard. I had noticed previously that this flight was full in both economy and business, but not in first. So I had some slight hopes of an op-up, but it was not to be. SQ yield management once again won out - totally full except in first which was almost empty.

I must admit I am puzzled by the fact Nagoya has a daily 3 class flight, whilst Osaka has 17 weekly 2 class flights.

This is another redeye so I again try to sleep as much as possible. Flight is very much the same as the previous night, except that in the past 24 hours it seems extensive cloud cover has arrived over southern Japan, so not as much view. The other difference was that breakfast was only started 1 hour 40 minutes prior to arrival - a much more reasonable time.

Just before arrival a video showing the new product on the 777-300ER is shown. These are posted on the SQ forum.

On arrival at Nagoya I am met on the airbridge with an agent who gives me my onward boarding pass thus saving the hassle of going through immigration twice (albeit there doesnt seem to be queues at this hour).

The apron has as many aircraft parked at remote stands as there are parked at gates - seems to be a very busy time of day for this small airport.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SIN-NGO Raffles Menu

MENU

To allow you a longer period of undisturbed rest, please let us know your preference for the following meal service options:

- To be served your meal soon after take-off
OR
- To be served your meal about 2 hours before arrival

To Start With

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

The Main Event

Chicken basil mayonnaise in croissant served with potato chips

Dim sum
Steamed rice sheet cake with char siew, pork siew mai and prawn har kow

American Breakfast
Fruit yoghurt
Spinach omelette with chicken sausage, roasted roma tomato, hash brown potatoes
Bread selection with preserves

Continental Breakfast
Assorted bread with preserves

Your meal will be served with a selection of sliced fresh fruits

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


HANAGOYOMI MENU

"Finding the change of the four seasons in a flower and translating it into cuisine."

An array of nine appetisers and entrees together with miso soup, served in Japanese style.

Sakizuke
Spinach with chyrsanthemum flower and matsutake mushroom salad, hijiki seaweed salad

Aemono
Jelly fish and mountain vegetables in sesame dressing, salmon roe

Yakimono
Grilled miso soya flavoured salmon trout, pickled turnip

Takiawase
Scallop with beancurd skin dumpling, spinach sauce

Kuchitori
Omelette, cod roes, prawn, kelp

Owan
Miso soup

Gohan
Mushroom flavoured steamed rice
Steamed rice with white bait

Kounomono
Assorted pickles

Mizumono
Assorted fresh fruit

Ocha
Green tea


BEVERAGES MENU

Special coughtail

Golden Spice

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

Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
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
Premium Ginjo Sake Tamanohikari

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International Selection

Stout

Guinness Stout

Champagne

Piper Heidsieck 1999

White Wines

Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 2004 Weinhas Ress
Montagny 1er Cru 2004

Red Wines

Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
Serrata Belguardo 2003 Igt Maremma Toscana

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Tea selection

Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
Oolong

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

Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

A range of regular or low-calorie drinks is available

Cold Japanese Oolong Tea

Iced Drinks

Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

NGO-SIN Raffles Menu

LUNCH MENU

To Nibble On

Satay
With onion, cucumber and spicy peanut sauce

A Savoury Note

Anti pasto
Italian style assorted appetiser of marinated prawns, proscuito ham, grilled zucchini and mozzarella with tomato

The Main Event

Pan roasted wild king salmon, potato, bacon and watercress, shaved apple and fennel salad

Stir fried beef fillet with ginger and spring onion served with braised beancurd and vegetables, steamed rice

Spaghetti pasta with assorted mushroom bolognese, shaved parmesan cheese

A Sweet Note

Brown sugar vanilla ice cream with muscat grapes and yuzu

The Cheese Board

Gourmet cheese with garnishes

Fruit

A selection of fresh fruit

A Connoisseur`s Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea
and pralines


HANAGOYOMI MENU

"Finding the change of the four seasons in a flower and translating it into cuisine."

An array of nine appetisers and entrees together with miso soup, served in Japanese style.

Ha-Sun
Chicken with chestnut, eel with burdock, cod roe, shiitake mushrooms, gingko nut

Kuchitori
Lemon flavoured sweet potato, duck, herring roe with kelp

Yakimono
Grilled miso flavoured duck, leek

Aemono
Shimheji mushroom with chrysanthemum leaves and flower salad

Sunomono
Seafood in ponzu jelly

Takiawase
Simmered rolled yoba beancurd, wheat gluten, maitake mushroom, carrot

Gohan
Sea bream sushi
Steamed rice with assorted mushrooms and beancurd
Seaweed flavoured rice

Tome-Wan
Red miso soup

Men
Cold buckwheat noodles

Mizugashi
Brown sugar ice cream with muscat grapes and yuzu

Ocha
Green tea


BEVERAGES MENU

Special coughtail

Golden Spice

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

Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
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
Premium Ginjo Sake Tamanohikari

Liqueurs

Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream

Beer

International Selection

Stout

Guinness Stout

Champagne

Piper Heidsieck 1999

White Wines

Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 2004 Weinhas Ress
Montagny 1er Cru 2004

Red Wines

Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
Serrata Belguardo 2003 Igt Maremma Toscana

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Tea selection

Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
Oolong

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

Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

A range of regular or low-calorie drinks is available

Cold Japanese Oolong Tea

Iced Drinks

Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Summary days 1-29

• map
• 100,136 flown miles
• 45 flights
• 12 a/c types
  • 747-400
  • 767-300
  • 777-200
  • 767-200
  • A319
  • MD-80
  • 757
  • Jetstream 32
  • 737-400
  • A320
  • Beech 1900D
  • 737-300
• 8 airlines
  • SQ
  • QF
  • BA
  • AA
  • LA
  • Air National
  • Jet Connect
  • NZ
• 13 countries
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Oman
  • Spain
  • United States of America
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Peru
  • Thailand
• 25 airports (number of transfers)
  • 6 AKL
  • 5 SIN
  • 3 LHR, DFW, LAX, CHC
  • 2 AUH, ORD, BOS, SCL
  • 1 NRT, SYD, MCT, BCN, ELP, SEA, EZE, IPC, LIM, WHK, WKA, WLG, KIX, BKK, NGO
• 4 seated in higher cabin than paid

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Nagoya to Singapore (NGO-SIN) Raffles (Business) Class on SQ 777

The transfer is painless and within a few minutes I have arrived at the Star Alliance lounge (down one level from departures). It is nice and airy with views over the apron. There is a modest selection of food and drink. No computers (but there is wifi) and no showers (indeed apparently none at all airside).

I grab a coffee but head for the gate early, for I had noticed they hadn't entered any FFP # (based on the boarding pass given me). I got this fixed fairly quickly at the gate. The load was light - if it hadn't been for a large party of schoolkids (plus parents/teachers) it would have been ridiculously light, with less than half a dozen in business class and a couple in first. So plenty of room to spread out and fantastic service by the crew (I don't think my glass ever got below half fill, which made keeping track of drink intake a bit tricky). The cabin crew were also much more chatty than normal with the very light load.

As with the flight up, we had a shut-down and reboot of the IFE. Unlike the overnight flight, this time I was well over 2 hours into a movie, thus requiring a very lengthy fast-forward to resume where I'd left off

I noticed the Hanagoyomi was different to the one the previous day, which surprised me. I know the menus change regularly, but I thought that it would be the same for all Japanese flights (other than differences between breakfast, lunch and dinner versions). It seems all my previous experiences had been in different calendar months, or the same city more than once within a calendar month.

We arrive back in hazy Singapore - which is still suffering the effects of the forest burnoffs.

Back in the lounge for the third time in less than 48 hours, I freshen up with a shower before having some more Doms. I see the boiled sweets have again disappeared. This is starting to be a bit of a mystery!

 

[straitman]

Kiwi Flyer

A serious amount of flying that I'm not sure many of us would be able to, or would want to emulate :!:

The airline crews don't fly that much.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

serious? nah, flying and travel is fun

I take your point though. 100k flown in one year is normally considered a lot of flying, and I've done it in just barely over 4 weeks.

 

[straitman]

serious? nah, flying and travel is fun

Agreed, however this is bordering on masochism :!:

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

that implies it is painful

not sure about you but - a bottle or more of champagne and sake, plus fantastic food (I love the Hanagoyomi), good conversation with the FAs and comfortable seat - is a nice way to spend an afternoon IMHO

 

[straitman]

A powerful and indisputable argument :!:

 

[kpc]

Kiwi Flyer,
I know you are Solitaire PPS but how far off life Solitaire are you?
1/2 way??

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

not yet but getting close to half way - not bad since only started collecting PPS sectors in 2004

I reckon I'll hit lifetime gold on QFF (still a long way from that too) earlier than lifetime PPS (it requires much less mileage and much less restrictive)

 

[kpc]

I reckon I'll hit lifetime gold on QFF (still a long way from that too) earlier than lifetime PPS (it requires much less mileage and much less restrictive)

Lifetime QF gold would also be cheaper by a long way cf to lifetime SQ PPS! I may be able to achieve lifetime QF Gold if I direct all my flights to QF but I much prefer to fly SQ:mrgreen:. I cannot ever see myself getting anywhere near lifetime PPS, however!! I might though get to Solitaire level when I'm wheelchair dependent

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Lifetime QF gold would also be cheaper by a long way cf to lifetime SQ PPS!

Yes probably cheaper too, although in my case QFF earning includes a lot of short hops (10 SCs at a time), whereas SQ is mostly longhaul. So while QFF lifetime gold may require say 700,000 flown miles vs SQs 1,875,000 miles the gap is a lot narrower on costs I think.

 

[infoworks]

I am close to QF life gold - about 1100 SCs, so if you're desperate for a run companion, I'm up for being a willing student.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SIN-AKL Raffles Menu


DINNER MENU

A Savoury Note

Mesclun with seared tandoori prawns and salad of pineapple and cucumber
Balsamic and extra virgin olive oil dressing
Yoghurt dressing

The Main Event

Panroasted Muscovy duck with black cherry-jus, broccolini and celeriac puree

Scallops in dill and saffron sauce with roasted vegetables and new potatoes

Kaeng kaew wan noeu
Thai style beef in green curry with vegetables and steamed rice

Braised lamb shank in port wine with roasted vegetables, shallots and sundried tomatoes

A Sweet Note

Ben & Jerry ice cream
Choice of Cherry Garcia or Chocolate chip cookie dough

The Cheese Board

Gourmet cheese with garnishes

Fruit

A selection of fresh fruit

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea
and pralines


SNACK MENU

Fancy a snack?
Simply take your pick from our range of delectable snacks and make your selection known to our cabin crew.

Noodles

Fish ball broth with kway teow or bee hoon noodles

Vegetarian and non-vegetarian instant noodles

Sandwiches

Chicken satay in plain ciabatta

Beef pastrami with gherkins in focaccia bun

Mozzarella with roast capsicum in onion ciabatta

Snacks

Roasted mixed nuts

Toblerone

Famous Amos chocolate chip

Real McCoy potato chips "Smokey BBQ"

Kjeldsens cookies

Bananas


BEFORE TOUCH-DOWN MENU

Your Breakfast Choice

This convenient breakfast option lets you enjoy all the sleep you want, uninterrupted. Please inform our crew of your choice before lights out - if they do not receive your selection, you will be awakened in time for The Complete Breakfast.

The Complete Breakfast

Take your pick of the Main Event from our scrumptious selections.
Served earliest 2.5 hours prior to arrival

Continental Breakfast

Delight in this simple yet wholesome meal.
Served earliest 1.5 hours prior to arrival

A Fresh Start

A choice of apple, tomato or freshly squeezed orange juice

Fresh fruit

A Healthy Note

Choice of cereals or yoghurt
Cornflakes with milk or Birchermuesli
Plain or fruit yoghurt

The Main Event

Braised egg noodles with shredded pork in spicy sauce and leafy vegetables

Panfried beef fillet and veal sausage with jus, roma tomato, button mushrooms and roesti potatoes

Poached eggs with macedoine of vegetables and chicken sausage

From the Bakery

Assorted breakfast rolls
Butter - Fruit preserve

A Connoisseur's Choice

Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea


BEVERAGES MENU

Special coughtail

Golden Spice

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

Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Orange Cooler
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

Champagne

Piper Heidsieck 1999

White Wines

2004 St Clair Marlborough Sauvignon
Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 2004 Weinhas Ress

Red Wines

2003 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Merlot
Churton Marlborough 2003 Pinot Noir
Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc

Port

Dow 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Tea selection

Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
Oolong

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

Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water

Fruit Juices

Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato

Soft Drinks

A range of regular or low-calorie drinks is available

Iced Drinks

Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore to Auckland (SIN-AKL) Raffles (Business) Class on SQ 747

The effect of lack of sleep and too much drink eventually caught up with me as I realised with a start that my flight leaves in 20 minutes - I better get to the gate before it closes. For the first time I can recall the flight to AKL gets a gate very close to the lounge so I easily avoid the ignomy of gate closure 10 minutes before departure and being on the wrong side of the door.

Needless to say boarding on this very full aircraft is almost complete, with noone left in the gate lounge and only a long queue up the airbridge. By now I am almost sleepwalking so I gratefully sink back into my favourite business class seat, and fall asleep even before we reach the taxiway.

I get gently woken to ask if I want to eat dinner or breakfast, but otherwise sleep soundly until about 1 hour 45 minutes before landing when they start the breakfast service.

Although our flight path is more northerly than normal, meaning we fly parallel to the Northland coast, the usual fine views across the peninsular are missing due to extensive cloud cover. We only see land as we descend through the Manukau Heads for an uncommon landing from the west.

The asian flights seem to be reasonably spaced apart this morning and so there is no queue at the upper level Australia and NZ immigration. One guy in front of me must be jetlagged or tired as he didn't realise his european passport wasn't eligible. I expected the agent would tell him this is only for Australia and NZ but still process anyway (since no queue), but he got turned away to the regular immigration downstairs.

The usual few questions to check honesty and I'm through. There is not much of a queue at customs and agriculture either, so within a couple of minutes I have arrived landside.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Summary days 1-30

• map
• 108,488 flown miles
• 47 flights
• 12 a/c types
  • 747-400
  • 767-300
  • 777-200
  • 767-200
  • A319
  • MD-80
  • 757
  • Jetstream 32
  • 737-400
  • A320
  • Beech 1900D
  • 737-300
• 8 airlines
  • SQ
  • QF
  • BA
  • AA
  • LA
  • Air National
  • Jet Connect
  • NZ
• 13 countries
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Oman
  • Spain
  • United States of America
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Peru
  • Thailand
• 25 airports (number of transfers)
  • 7 AKL
  • 6 SIN
  • 3 LHR, DFW, LAX, CHC
  • 2 AUH, ORD, BOS, SCL
  • 1 NRT, SYD, MCT, BCN, ELP, SEA, EZE, IPC, LIM, WHK, WKA, WLG, KIX, BKK, NGO
• 4 seated in higher cabin than paid

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Wrap up

It's good to be back, albeit I'm off travelling again in a couple of days' time.

This ends my busiest ever one month travel period. I have flown more in a month than is needed within a year for top status on most programs; and equivalent to 4 1/2 times around the world at an average ground speed of about 150 miles per hour!

Amazingly I ended up on all flights as booked - with no reroutes or cancellations, and only a small number of fairly minor delays.

I had a blast. Seeing old friends again and meeting new ones. Revisiting favourite haunts and exploring new places.

I earned almost enough miles to get a business award to europe (ie right around the world again) on 2 different programs. Not all my miles earned from this trip have posted yet so I may just get 2 more big trips in comfort out of this month of travel. I also earned 20% towards lifetime One World Sapphire status and 3% towards lifetime Star Alliance Gold status.

For the first time in ages I have less than 100 future flights booked.

Thanks for your patience as I prattled on. Until next time.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I am close to QF life gold - about 1100 SCs, so if you're desperate for a run companion, I'm up for being a willing student.

serfty and I are doing a run within NZ next month. While the fare we booked at is gone there is another sale at a slightly higher fare (ending tomorrow night) and still seems to be availability. Let me or serfty know if you're interested.