Drrons off to Asia with Lifemiles.

[drron]

Up early on Saturday as we had a 0645 transfer to BKK. The plane was due to depart at 1025 but Mrsdrron likes to be early and we ceratinly were. It only took 21 minutes. Close to a record for us. Sun was about to rise when we awoke.


However flying Thai in J means accessing the premium check in so very quickly we had our BPs for TG628 to HKG. Seats 11A,D. Service was on an A320-200.
Right next to the check in is the premium security. No problems though ny bag was sent to the secondary screening. The agent looked at the images and said that's OK so no hold up. Immigration a breeze and off to the lounge. Boy is it huge. Our little corner.






Not all seats had power outlets but mine did fortunately. we just started off with a cappuccino.
Mrsdrron then went for walk I went to the first food area that you can see in the photo above. It didn't have much but I had a small serve of Pad Thai and fortunately the only juice they had was tomato juice which is my preference.

 

[drron]

I then decided to walk to the end.


There was a larger service area with some dim sum though thdt wee being topped up.







And all f these were for the western options.




And a congee station.

 

[drron]

The orchid displays are magnificent.




Then a third food area.














The last 2 photos are in the Royal Silk area. We were able to access this in 2019 when we got a J award from Chang Mai to BNE with life miles. They called it F on the Chang Mai sector so we were met at the foot of the front stairs and a minivan bought us very close and again escorted to the lounge.You are shown to a private room and order from a menu and the food/ wine brought to you. I didn't think the had frosted glass when we accessed it.

 

[drron]

Now walked back. Work cubicles

Several charging stations.




And a play room.


I picked up some bacon and sausages on the way.
Then we decided to leave a little early to go to the gate. Mrsdrron hd said there was nothing on the other side of the entrnce.






I saw a passage way and explored. A much nicer section of lounge with a sign up re chef's specials whic were various Japanes dishes. Next time we will turn right.




But it was time to leave and a fairly long walk to the C gates.

 

[Pushka]

Friday and I decided to turn Japanese at breakfast. not too bad at all.
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At lunch time we walked over to Central World as Mrsdrron wanted a new bag at Na Ra Ya. Apparently 200 bags are not enough. There was a kids festival outside.
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As we were there we decided to go to Nara for lunch. They give you a complimentary offering but way too spicy for Mrsdrron.
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We shared a pomelo salad which was excellent as usual and also a Pad Thai with river prawn. I thought I had taken a photo of that but apparently not.
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Again not really hungry at Happy hou so only the small dish of fried snapper.
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Now on Friday nights they have a Saxophone Player.
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Now it must be it is not that popular though we think he is pretty good. The drinks start at 5.30pm and most like to sit near window. This was the area at ~ 6.30pm.
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There was only 1 person sitting out there whilst normally there is no chance of getting a table there after 6pm. We have never seen that before.

One way of controlling the crowds I guess saxophones are quite loud and can be strident and with timber floors, maybe not quite the atmosphere?

 

[drron]

Virtually all the other guests ignored him. A couple of the staff obviously enjoyed us and I am an old Jazz tragic.

But back to the TR. On arrival at the C gates we got a seat in the preferred seats and as no wheelchair pax and only I with a walking stick we were called up first. Three Thai business looking fellows cut in front but were sent back. So first in the plne and the FAs,one of whom was a rather tall fellow insisted on putting our bags in the overhead bin..
No PDB as it is basically a short haul flight of under 3 hours and an A320-200. Had a champagne after seat belt sign went off. Unlike on the SYD flight this crew was proactive in refilling your glass. In fact a vey pleasant and efficient crew. J was 12 recliners in 3 rows.


Menu. no wine list.


We both went with the lamb. Mrsdrron thought it too dry but I used the gravy and OK.












The red was a Medoc.
I was expecting a fair bit of turbulence as we had heard of the typhoon heading for Hong Kong but there was none. No IFE which was not a problem as after eating I slept. Landed in pouring rain.
As usual the gate was a long way from Immigration so I got my steps up easily.
I looked at the options to get to the hotel but either bus or train it would leave us 500 metres from the hotel in the rain. Asked the taxi price and it was HKD300 cash only. And I had just over 310 from our cruise visit last year so taxi it was.

Rather a grumpy driver and first took us to the Regent. When we got to the IC he complained that one of the 20 dollar notes was out of date -it said issued in 2018. lots of yelling so I pulled out all the coins I had. Was 10 dollars in 1,2 and 5 dollar coins so with the hep of the doorman that was accepted and I was left with shrapnel only.

 

[drron]

Once inside the atmosphere was much better. A dedicated checkin for diamonds. There was a fellow checking in but quickly another agent appears and we are upgraded to a suite. Quite nice and a great view.






A bath plus a walk in shower. Plus a second toilet.







And the view.

 

[drron]

At 6pm down to th club Intercontinental in the basement. A reasonably large room and fairly crowded.



And the selection.




















And at night a selection of 3 hot canapes are delivered to your table.


The staff were flat out but their service was excellent. No wait for drinks to be filled. And this is done even though several of the guests demand to be brought the buffet items to their table as well as being quite rude about it.
Then another thing that annoys me single guests or a couple sitting at larger tables even though tables for 2 are empty. Though tonight a new extreme. A fellow by himself passed by 2 tables for 2 and sat himself down at a table for 8.

 

[RooFlyer]

And the view.

Amazingly few vessels on the water, which looked pretty calm.

 

[drron]

The calm before the storm. The ferries had already stopped running that afternoon as Typhoon Whispa was heading towards Hong Kong.

But that night when we got back to the room that wonderful view of Hong Kong Island at night was picture perfect. I just kept taking photos.

 

[newmarket]

Hong Kong is spectacular.

We lived in Discovery Bay on Lantau in the 90s and I remember a typhoon. Slowed getting to the office for a bit.

 

[drron]

Waking up the next morning Typhoon Whispa was upgraded to a Force 10. Mainly affected Lantau Island and the airport. We were advised to not leave the hotel. The harbour had no traffic and decidedly not calm. No taxis or busses seen but the occasional car still out. There were even the occasional jogger out on the harbour pathway. Can't have been pleasant.











By lunchtime things were calming down. An occasional tug on the harbour. Wind speed dropping but rain often very heavy.


That is the second Hong Kong typhoon we have been through. The first was much worse. Super Typhoon Ellen in 1983 when we were locked in the Sheraton on Nathan Road for 2 days.
Whilst writing this post the rain got so heavy I couldn't see 1 light across the harbour.

 

[drron]

Sunday and with the typhoon going to be very little happening today. Just as well I came down with the lurgi which fortunately turned out to be a 24 hour thing. Good timing. So today was just walking around the hotel and eating.
First up of course was breakfast. A reasonable selection.














Mrsdrron had an omelette. I wasn't quick enough with the photo but got another chance when someone eelses was waiting to be delivered.


I as usual had eggs benedict.


The pasties etc.






And every morning I was taken back to my childhood with a bread and custard pudding.

 

[drron]

We decided to go to afternoon tea along with nearly everyone else in the hotel. We got there about 10 minutes after it started and got one of the last tables. They had run out of the cages they serve the afternoon tea in normally so ours was just presented on a plate. Some objected to this. A quick look around would have shown why.


They got quite a few extra staff- most of the check in staff were acting as waiters and bus boys. Well no one was checking in or out. Quite frankly I don't think they could have done much better.

So then just waited until evening drinks. Some of the offerings.








When we got back to the room things were a little better.


We were just hoping for a better Monday.

 

[drron]

Monday morning and the sky was very grey but only light rain. The harbour was coming to life.






Got down o breakfast at about 10am. There are menu items as well as the buffet.




I wa going to go for a walk after breakfast but the rain got much heavier. About 1400 it started to ease So I decided to take a walk around the local area. A couple of upmarket shopping centes mainly attached to hotels and some quite down at heel centers in office blocks. No pictures as I really haven't learnt how to do so with a walking stick in one hand and an umbrella in the other. But got about 6000 steps in.

Then again the highlight of our days - evening drinks and canapes. Now on the typhoon day we gave words of encouragement to some of the staff especially if they looked a bit harassed. This evening was a lot quieter and the staff came over and chatted as well as thanked us. And they had already learnt what drinks we had. Again some pictures of the selection that night.




And the hot selection delivered to the table.


Back to the room and things looked nearly back to normal.