Filling in some gaps in Spain, a Greenland cruise and I'm getting a tattoo!

[RooFlyer]

SQ238 dep MELm9:15 arr SIN 15:15, 12A. B777-300ER

This was a points redemption, mainly using VFF points transferred, to get a much cheaper cost of the flights through to Europe on QR. I've fallen out of love with SQ business product, and with my usual apologies to those who would simply love to fly any business class, SQ has been left behind. I might be imagining it, but I think even the cabin crew have lost a bit of edge.

Anyway, the bird



Boarding was quick and orderly, and usual offer of PDB. As this was a day flight, the weird bent-leg foot cubby didn't really matter, but the legroom isn't what it might be. I tried to get the bulkhead seat by calling a few days beforehand, but no dice.



I got changed into BYO PJs, but with their slippers, and found that even before departure, the toilet floor was sticky. Must have been cleaning fluid residue ...

I had booked the cook - barramundi and fried rice, but here are the menus





The tuna appetiser



And the main. I guess I should have taken more notice of the black bean sauce part - completely spoiled the barra. The rice and the fish were gluggy; I left most of it, even after trying to scape off the brown sauce.



Fruit afterwards. Nice after the main.



Free wi-fi, but at a very poor speed. This was typical through the flight.



As usual with SQ now, the seat belt sign came on a few times at the merest hint of turbulence but funnily enough didn't come on during one pronounced set.

 

[RooFlyer]

Arrival at Changi was straightforward, as usual. e-gates deserted when I arrived and through to the baggage carousel. Something must have happened behind the scene, as the first dozen bags (not priority) arrived after about 10 minutes and then nothing for another 10-15 mins.

Onto the MRT and through to Town Hall station, and a short walk to the Hill Street Pullman.

This place is great, Upgraded to a suite (not actually 2 rooms, but much larger than others on the floor).







View over the pool.



Only thing a bit weird was the Accor welcome amenity. Six small apples and three small bottles of honey.



Good wi-fi



Coffee maker with milk steamer and a water dispenser, where you could vary the temp delivered.



I found a flaw in this later - you see the heart shaped thing at the top - that tells you what you have selected and is a bright LED - joining all the other bright LEDs when you turn the lights off.

 

[drron]

Agree with you re SQ. Has been slowly going down hill in J with food, service and wifi speeds. Was quite bad on the BKK - SIN flight we did a week ago.
But the easiest to get a J award on in my situation so still have a few booked.

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree with you re SQ. Has been slowly going down hill in J with food, service and wifi speeds. Was quite bad on the BKK - SIN flight we did a week ago.
But the easiest to get a J award on in my situation so still have a few booked.

I have one at the end of this trip and then another pair mid next year. But then my point redemption is to Jakarta on Qantas.

Unfortunate happening on my flight. Lady in adjacent business seat to me got a whole glass of champagne spilled over her, table and book. Could happen on any airline.

Mortified crew instantly in attendance. Cabin manager came by shortly afterwards with a note and was taking details so I guess she'll be looked after in one way or another.

 

[RooFlyer]

Executive lounge pretty good. Food was sushi, veg salads or beef tacos outside.





Afterwards, to the rooftop bar to use my free drink (these get unused half the time - so I was determined this time!). Lovely warm evening.







My QR flight is at 18:45, so I have a late check-out at 1pm - granted when I asked for it in my confirmation e-mail. Should have tried for more!

Nice leisurely morning - no brekkie - then a walk around the usual spots along the river.





I honestly don't think so ...







Back to the hotel, snack and coffee in the lounge, ready for action.

 

[bPeteb]

No Hooters RF?

 

[RooFlyer]

No Hooters RF?

i’m a semi-respectable guy! I didn’t venture in but also I didn’t think it would be a normal type of Hooters

 

[VPS]

i’m a semi-respectable guy! I didn’t venture in but also I didn’t think it would be a normal type of Hooters

I like the semi respectable bit

 

[RooFlyer]

Checked out at 1 pm. When I sent my pre-arrival email, I asked what was the best way to get from the City Hall MRT station to the hotel entrance. Basically, they said walk around the block which is the thing you see online. It wasn’t too far but it was in the Singapore humidity.

I asked the same question about returning to the station when I checked out and they showed me a much more straightforward and shorter route. That was
a bit annoying, but other than that the stay was great. Very happy to come back again..

MRT and then walk to the jewel which is quite long actually, about 400 m. Really annoying checkin machines with no human alternative. First one broken, second one broke down halfway through;.third one got me there. I hate these things. At Hobart we still have human check-in, so I very rarely have to use them fortunately.

Gotta love the Jewel



into the terminal. The QR lounge not open for about an hour so first checked out the Qantas lounge which I haven’t been into for probably a decade also. Deserted but quite a few staff hovering about.









I was tempted to try the laksa, but I had plenty of dining in front of me.

Onto the adjacent British Airways lounge.

Equally deserted and a much more limited dining spread available.












Oops. 3:40pm, time for the QR lounge.

 

[RooFlyer]

QR lounge amazing, of course. Many very attentive stewards, lots of quiet and open areas and importantly lovely à la carte dining.












it was about 4 pm, three hours before the flight departs and I didn’t want to spoil the meal on board (how many Airlines can you say that about?)?. so I just had two appetisers. First tempura prawns.



And then satay chicken



Washed down with a lovely chenin blanc and three glasses of amazing fresh squeezed orange juice

 

[RooFlyer]

I was able to store my carry on so I went for a walk around looking for an extra battery for my camera. Found the most likely shop and showed him a picture of the Battery I want. Ok, what kind of camera is it he asks? I said don’t know but this is what I’m after. He then says we don’t have any camera batteries. .

i’m going to start a thread on the actually useful things that you can’t buy at major International airports.

My gate is at the extreme far end of the terminal. So I head off early, as I usually do and noticed the Qantas first class lounge. Must admit I didn’t realise there was one. It’s been so long since I’ve been at liberty at Changi (didn’t they used to have a first class area in the main lounge?) so I went up and had a quick look.

Lounge was pretty full so I couldn’t take many photographs but it’s quite large, plenty of attendants and large à la carte dining area. You could spend a few hours here quite happily.









Onward to the gate picking up some choccies for the crew on my flight. I know the QR crews don’t always have a wonderful selection of passengers so I’m happy to say thank you for me.

Did I say the gate was right at the end of the terminal wing?






At the end there was a very nice waiting area – nicer than most of the Changi gates. Plenty of seats, plenty of room and plenty of charging points.



Good orderly boarding, on time and then settled into 3A QSuite on the A350-900



Same Diptyque amenities like my last couple of flights – my sister is getting a nice collection.