Albatross710 discovers a new continent (Africa)

[albatross710]

The Albatross is spreading his wings and heading to a new continent for him. This trip will take me from BNE to CPT and return via SIN on a KF redemption ticket all in J.

BNE-SIN SQ236 seat 11K withthe operatring aircraft being A330 9V-STE.

Airport checkin was quick and efficient. I had tried to do the checkin online but was unsuccessful. The agent explained this could be because of the requirement to check that my passport physically had a spare page for the SA visa or that my final out bound sector is on SAA and not available for online. In any case, the agent was able to uncheck me and then check me in again using my original seat preferences.

The Krisflyer lounge was quiet considering that the J cabin was full BNE-SIN.

On board the aircraft in the front row of J I was reminded why that row is my preference. Although seatguru.com correctly states that there is no underseat storage for take or landing, there is an extra 20-30 cms of space in front of the fully reclined seat which I appreciate.

Once in the seat, the regular supply of magazines and newspapers were offered. I am a glutton for these and picked up The Australia for the Krispy Kreme failure analysis, The Strait Times for Singapore news and a copy of Newsweek.

Next was the obligatory glass of champagne – Bollinger according to the wine guide.

It has been 6 months since I was last on the A330. I notice that this aircraft had a new version of the safety briefing. Unlike Air New Zealand the SIA staff are wearing clothes in their safety video.

There need not have been any great rush to complete the formalities. By the time we were ready to go, the wind had swung around and we had a long taxi from the International terminal to the far end of the airport to line up on 19. I guess that taxi distance would be close to 3 kms. When I arrived at the airport the operating runway was 01.

Once in flight I hit the entertainment system. I was impressed to see the latest series of The IT Crowd including episodes that had not yet screened in Australia.

One of my ongoing observations of the J seat is that it does take a while for the body and the seat adjustments to come to a balance and hit that sweetspot where everything feels just right.

This is also my first trip with the compression socks. I must say they felt incredibly comfortable given that they are a little inconvenient to put on. I don’t have any history of DVT and my only risk factor is having passed 40.

Lunch is served on this sector. My choices were as follows:

Entre: Cucumber-teka cheese salad with marinated salmon and garden salad.

Main: Indian lamb shank with biryani rice, papadum and pickled vegetables..

Dessert: Mango and cream ice cream.

Things got pretty quiet in the J cabin after lunch. Most people had settled into a movie with the remainder having an afternoon nap.

I did a tour of the WC. I notice that SIA has a new taste of mouth wash (compared to April 10). Also, both WCs no longer had combs. Given that I no longer have much hair that wasn’t a major issue. Good supply of toothbrushes and razors.

The refreshment towards the end of the flight was a very tasty warm smoked chicken, brie cheese and avocado on rustic (crusty?) bread served with rucola.

After arrival in SIN I spent some time in the Terminal 3 Krisflyer lounge. The lounge had patchy wifi. I have since relocated to T2 in preparation for boarding the flight to JNB in a couple of hours. Now that the LH flight to MUN has departed, the lounge is pretty emply, perhaps 20 people. Wifi performance is good.

I’ll update with more chapters of this journey. This lazy 6 hours at Changi has been a test.

 

[samh004]

Sounds (and looks) brilliant so far!

 

[drron]

Great start.Really interested in this TR as Africa is definitely on our bucket list.Knee replacement will coime first though.
loved the artistic lamb shank shot-get any funny looks as you shot that one-doesn't look like it was done under a blanket!

 

[albatross710]

SIN-JNB on SQ.

SQ478 Seat 11A Operating aircraft 777-200 9V-SVO

5.5 hours at Changi is a lot longer than it looked when I booked the itinerary.

This flight departs at 2am (4am body clock BNE time) Gven that I woul dbe well past bed time on boarding my strategy for the next sector was to eat a full meal at the Krisflyer lounge and to skip the first onboard meal service. I also took a shower in the lounge, did my teeth, all of those pre-sleeping rituals before boarding.

I had plenty of pre-boarding exercise from the lounge to the boarding gate at the end of the T2 at gate E28

They dimmed the cabin lights while taxing and by the time we took off I was already asleep. I awoke shortly after takeoff when they brightened the cabin lights, reclined my seat and sleep for the next 6 hours. AT some time during the night I did wake and request ear plugs which were politely supplied by the FA.

General impression from myself and the other PAX was the age of the fitout and lower standard of the J seat compared to other SQ J products. Still much better than sitting upright.

After waking I started watching the Sherlock Holmes series.

This catering on this flight is for a refreshment shortly after takeoff but I had decided to skip. According to the menu it was a warm croissant or fried noodles.

The breakfast menu consisted of the following:

Sliced fresh fruit. The same selection of fruit and prepared slices as were available in the lounge prior to departure.

Birchermuseli. One of my favourite breakfast dishes. I enjoyed this one as it had just the right amount of 'takeup' into the museli. Well done to SQ for this given that it was probably prepared almost 24 hours before I consumed it.

I chose Baked Eggs with creamed spinach, pork sausage, roasted tomato, mushrooms and potatoes. The other choices were Dim Sum or Choc chip pancakes.

As we approached the coast of South Africa I was hoping for some good shots. Unfortunately it was 100% cloud cover. I caught a shadowy picture of the 777 as we descended through the cloud cover at about 3,000 feet.

 

[albatross710]

On the ground in South Africa.

I had an expected 2 hour layover. When I had made timing adjustments to my initial redemption booking I was no longer able to complete the last sector to CPT on the SQ aircraft. The pax that were continuing on with SQ were required to stay onboard the aircraft for 1:10 while the aircraft was refueled and serviced.

My next flight is operated domestically by SAA so I needed to clear customs here and go to the domestic side of thee terminal.

I had been first off the aircraft and arrived at immigration. Long queue for the returning SA passport holders, medium length queue for the Other-African passports and just 1 other person heading to the 'Other Passports'. I was quickly through with the immigration officer telling me "We are always happy in South Africa".

When I had checked in in BNE the agent said he had checked the bags through to CPT. I was skeptical as I couldn't understand how I would clear it through Customs coming off a domestic flight. I checked with SAA ground staff who assured me it would come off for collection in JNB.

Well I stood as bags rolled off the carousel for 30 minutes. Nothing left. I checked with the other 3 people still standing there and we were all waiting for bags which had been tagged through to our domestic locations. Enquiries with ground staff indicated that there was one more container to be unloaded. 48 minutes after landing, the final transhipment bags appeared.

I made my way to the Domestic side of the terminal. Quite chaotic and not particularly well signed. Eventually found an SAA J checkin and was done. Next is the carry on screening, another 10 minute queue. My relaxing layover was shortening!

The SAA lounge is located on the 4th floor above the concourse. Lifts are just to the right after security. It is quite a sanctuary. I like lounges which have generous views of the apron and tarmac. I used my time in the lounge for a shower and a small bit for a snack. Quite a relaxing environment. I did get a little too relaxed and managed to be the last pax to board by the time I made it to gate D8. Once again I had a gate at the end of the concourse.

Here are some views of the SAA lounge in JNB.

The first view as I entered the lounge. Not too many people at 8:15 on a Sunday morning.

Serving area and coffee bar.

My morning espresso and view.

 

[totalk]

Brilliant and lovely.

 

[albatross710]

get any funny looks as you shot that one-doesn't look like it was done under a blanket!

I just shoot the photos when the meal is brought out. These days I don't think anyone notices, most people eat with their headset on watching IFE. Creates tunnel vision and nobody notices the guy in seat 11K taking photos of the food.

 

[thewinchester]

Great TR & pics. Look forward to reading the forthcoming instalments.

 

[albatross710]

Well, while I was busy being a smartalec, uploading my trip report live as I passed through JNB, the clock was ticking down before I realised how far I had to run to catch my SSA flight to CPT.

I was the last pax to board and fortunately had 1F a domestic J seat in a row of two seats tucked up into the front right of the aircraft. Across the aisle was a hanging space.

J on SAA is low thrills. Nice seats but certainly created a cramped sensation after SQ J.

The flight was close to full and then just before the doors closed, we were joined by another 6 crew whom were repositioning.

The meal in flight was this tasty turkey and cranberry sandwich.

By this stage of the journey, tucked up to the front of the aircraft and my adjacent pax deep in his Sunday morning broadsheet some of the cranberry made it to my mouth, the other landed on my rather crumpled shirt.

The black coffee was brewed swill.

Descent and approach into Cape Town was from the north onto rwy 19. I was starting to get views of the townships, the nuclear power plant, the mountains and the beautiful clear skies.

Baggage pickup and location of my awaiting taxi all went to plan. At this stage thoughts of my trip report were becoming a low priority. Over the next 7 days I was to have a series of wonderful unique south african experiences. As they locals say, Once you've been bitten by Africa, you can never be the same again.

My guesthouse was located on the hillside above Green Point. This was a ZAR230 (AUD30) ride from the airport. Pretty soon I was inside and greeted by views like this.

My activities included game park visit, cape tour, local tour, business meetings, conference, beach parties, township visits, working in an orphanage and generally gaining a wonderful exposure to much that Cape Town has to offer.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Africa is the most fascinating continent. Once bitten never forgotten!!!

I wont boar you with stories, you will have plenty yourself!!!

Go well.

 

[samh004]

What a wonderful view of the football stadium you had

 

[albatross710]

The trip from CPT - SIN - BNE started with an easy check-in at Cape Town International airport.

At checkin they advised that I had a choice of either the SAA lounge or the BA lounge. As I had used the SAA lounge on my way through JNB I opted for the BA lounge.

Fairly stock standard lounge offer. Staff were just going through the motions as the lounge closed as soon as the token 3 people in the BA lounge left for the SQ flight. A paid wireless internet was available. Both of the lounge's PC terminals were out of action. Poor form on the technology front. For me it was Sunday so I wasn't too bothered. Amenities were clean. The BA lounge was also the closest to the SQ boarding gate.

Boarding call was made on time. Aircraft 9V-SVK and my preferred seat 11K which was to be my home all the way back to BNE. For the CPT-JNB sector just 6 people in J of which 3 were from the same conference as I had attended.

The fact that this sector load was quite light made me wonder about the SQ booking system. On my outward sector a week ago SQ had booked me onto a SAA flight. Now I am wondering why if their JNB-CPT sector has available seats they did themselves out of some revenue if they had to 'pay' SAA to carry me parallel to their own service.

In JNB all pax are asked to stay on board for the one hour. This time passed quickly as we chatted amongst the people we knew on board. There is a crew change, plenty of ground staff activity and opportunities for photos.

Pretty soon we were on our way to SIN. I had lunch then slept for a good part of the journey.

We arrived into SIN on a beautiful morning with a nice greased landing on 02L deplaning at gate E27. A good walk to the inter-terminal train and I made my way to Terminal 3 to join the Monday morning movers and shakers to wait for my flight to BNE.

BA Lounge at Cape Town International Airport.

BA Lounge - last taste of African decore

BA Lounge

SVK action on the ground in JNB.

Stocking the galley for the next sector.

Duckliver and prune terrine with armagnac - yum

Half way through the Seared beef, cabernet sauce, creamed spinach with Parmesan cheese, roesti potatoes - double yum.

Chocolate mint cake. a little dry, needs more sauce.

Breakfast - sliced fresh fruit.

Waffle with caramelised apple and mascarpone cream. Nice, waffles a little soggy.

 

[drron]

OK how did you get 10 pics in 1 post?Or have they changed things without me noticing?
Interested to hear about Africa itself-game parks etc.

 

[straitman]

OK how did you get 10 pics in 1 post?Or have they changed things without me noticing?

OT but some of us still can't get one pic in a post. :evil:

 

[albatross710]

OK how did you get 10 pics in 1 post?Or have they changed things without me noticing?
Interested to hear about Africa itself-game parks etc.

I didn't know about the limit. I started adding images and then when I saved the system said there was a maximum of 10 so I removed some of the others.

Straitman I host the pics on Picasa web albums and just post in the link to the pictures. I've never been able to work out how to upload images either.

As for game parks..I only got to fit in a one day trip to a local park outside cape Town, http://www.aquilasafari.com/. It was like driving around Dubbo zoo but more realistic. Many of my colleagues did overnight safaris in Kreuger or other African countries. Definitely very positive experiences from those travelers. Once bitten by Africa.....

 

[albatross710]

Once you get wrapped in the SQ J experience it is hard to believe that there are others around. My plan at T3 Silver Kris lounge was for a quick shower, cash out my ZAR, catch up on some emails at the same time my office staff were open and then relax until boarding.

Earlier I mentioned the Monday morning rush was on at the Silver Kris lounge. The showers were full, with a person waiting. Rather than queue awkwardly in the ablutions, I headed out, finalised my currencies and logged onto email. Had my shower later than planned, had some breakfast and logged back into email.

Early upon my arrival I took advantage of the fast upload speed at Silverkris and started uploading my 1,000+ pics to Picasa web albums.

By the end of the time I got thoroughly caught up in emails, Skype and uploading. Before long there was a personalised call for Mr Albatross710 to head to his gate. SQ245 departed from the furthest gate and I had my share of exercise along the way.

I was soon aboard SQ245, in my seat and sat through that nervous period until the door shuts. The nervous period when you have a spare seat next to you and nervously wonder if you'll have it spare all the way to BNE. For me, it worked out, spare seat, plenty of room to layout Straits Times, Brisbane Sunday-Mail, laptop, menus, blankets, pillows, head phones. After takeoff I set the spare monitor to Flight Map and watched the rest of Sherlock on my screen.

Taxiing to takeoff we were going parallel to this A380 also heading to 02L. And yes, it looked close. Quite a line up this morning and we left the ground after maybe a 40 minute taxi and hold.

Caution A380 may be closer than it appears.

Lunch Starter : Thai style spicy scallop and green mango on mesciun salad. delicious, very spicy.

Japanese style grilled wagyu beef steak served with steamed rice and pickled veg.

Rum and raisin ice cream with chocolate sauce and roasted almonds.

Got a little distracted and tried this picture of the napkin. Looks like nice quality.

Somewhere along the sector I took the time to order the full selection of gourmet coffees prepared with the airline's 'pod' system. Brazil Santos, Colombian Supremo & Kenyan AA. Distinctively different coffees on the palate with the Colombian being the one I found more drinkable.

35 minutes late we arrived at the BNE gate to head into the Customs' Hall. I had ticked my share of 'Yes' on the declaration so I was expecting a delay. In the end I was through in about 20 minutes. My 'banana leaf' paintings went to he quarantine bin. Everything else including some hides, drum and wooden souvenirs got the approval.

Research is important for a clear run through Customs. When I did purchase my animal items I recorded the place of purchase, the species involved and the source country. The Custom Officer compared this information against their CITES listing. (CITES - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Minor items which I was prepared to surrender but in the end I was cleared through without the banana leaf.

The end of a wonderful adventure to a new continent.

With special thanks to Westpac KF Card, the AFF Forum and my suppliers whom accept c-card. Notable mention to Michael D’Ascenzo for accepting BAS payment on Amex.