Japan TR (include JL & CX F review)

[mrs.dr.ron]

Any chance you can bump the window with the plates in it........they stuck in position?

Maybe that's how they got like that in the first place ....... :shock:

 

[boomy]

The Bridge

This is CX newest J lounge in HKG, opened late 2013. Despite the large use of marble they tried to make this lounge more "homey" by using timber flooring, carpets and brown leather.

 

[boomy]

Qantas lounge
It was still early for all the QF flights so not many people in the lounge.




The caramel cheesecake was delicious.
I found it interesting that when I visited earlier this year as P1 flying QF I was treated like VIP but this time I was completely ignored. Although I didn't have my QF status written on the BP, we were still flying OW F and the lounge was almost empty. It's not a whinge, just wanted to point out an interesting observation.

 

[boomy]

The Wing
Off course I saved the best for last
Every visit to the Wing F lounge starts at the champagne bar.

Moët Rose for the missus and VC for myself.
The lounge was quite busy and no cabana available. Oh well, next time. Moving on to the dining room.

The menu.

Felt like something light so had the prawns.

Many CX flights (including ours) were delayed for at least an hour but no specific reason was provided. We stayed in the lounge enjoying some more champagne. When we reached the gate we saw similar plane to the one that brought us to HKG.

It was the only colourful CX plane outside and clearly B777. We were supposed to be on B747. Later they told us the reason for delay was last minute aircraft change.

 

[boomy]

CX542 HKG-HND B777 F class
After more then one hour delay we finally boarded. Same cabin as on our inbound flight. This time we selected 1D/1K so we can talk easier during the flight.
View attachment 44759
CX F seats are built in a way that provides excellent privacy for all seats, while D & K can still see each other and talk by bending over a bit.
The menu - Western.

The menu - Japanese.

Same wine list as inbound flight.
A glass of Deutz 2005 before takeoff.

 

[boomy]

I selected the western menu.
First starter - Smoked salmon and seared scallop.

Second starter - leek and potato soup.

Main - Braised pork 'lion head'.

Dessert - Apple strudel pie.

Once again CX pulled off an excellent meal. I can't fault any dish, they were all high quality.
Finished the meal with a glass (or three) of Macallan 17 yr fine oak single malt.

 

[jetlagger]

Really enjoying your comprehensive TR boomy.
Thanks for the fine efforts & sharing the journey.

 

[PLANT]

Post 222 2ND pic...lady telling you DYKWIA!!!
Post 226 Should have gone the truffles?????

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

This is a great TR Boomy!

 

[boomy]

Landed in HND almost 90 minutes late and found a very busy airport, so different from the one we left. I think 2-3 flights landed at the same time and the queue to passport control was very long. I was looking for the express lane but saw only visitors and residents lanes. There was also a dedicated lane for airline crew but nothing for F/J pax.
After spending more then 45 minutes in the queue we finally got out, picked our luggage that was already off the carrousel and took a taxi to the hotel.
Hilton Tokyo (second stay)
Felt a bit strange to be back in Tokyo and at the same hotel too. This time we got an upgrade to King Junior Suite Executive.


The return to Tokyo after two weeks was special because we will finally get see the Sakura. But there was a more important reason to why I was so happy to be back today. When I told my parents about my Japan trip apparently I also gave them an idea where to go during Easter. So they ended up booking a 17 days organised tour to Japan, landing in Tokyo one day before we're leaving. Further more, out of all the hotels in this huge city, the tour company put them at Hyatt Regency, located just across the road from Hilton! Spending a few hours with my parents who came all the way from Europe was the icing on the cake of this trip.

 

[PLANT]

Can we have some pics and info on luggage used on this trip including backpack and has it survived?
Specs/model/price paid and from whom?

 

[boomy]

Can we have some pics and info on luggage used on this trip including backpack and has it survived?
Specs/model/price paid and from whom?

No idea which brand is the luggage my gf use, she bought it somewhere in Asia I think. All I can say it's hard shell spinner large size with cough wheels. Will have to get her something better for our next trip.
I'm using Antler fabric spinner large size (80cm) and Tumi backpack.
They all survived the trip in perfect condition. Flying with F tags and using Japanese trains helped a bit

 

[PLANT]

Antler Fabric spinner: http://www.antler.co.uk/suitcases/soft-suitcases/where/baggage-size-class/large-suitcase ???
Tumi backpack model: http://intl.tumi.com/c/bag-backpacks-and-slings?q=&pageSize=12&page=0&sort=relevance ?????

 

[boomy]

Tumi backpack model: http://intl.tumi.com/c/bag-backpacks-and-slings?q=&pageSize=12&page=0&sort=relevance

Alpha Bravo Lejeune.
Can't see my Antler model in the UK site.

 

[PLANT]

Hey boomy you might want to ring em and get them to update their spelling of Qantas?
http://intl.tumi.com/store-finder/position?latitude=-37.811947&longitude=144.963604

How much did you pay and from where?

 

[boomy]

Hey boomy you might want to ring em and get them to update their spelling of Qantas?
http://intl.tumi.com/store-finder/position?latitude=-37.811947&longitude=144.963604

How much did you pay and from where?

I got the Antler from QF after they damaged my previous (older model) Antler. The price tag on it was $399.
The Tumi was gift from my gf, no idea how much it cost but they have shops in Australia if you are interested.

 

[drron]

Boomy I note from the photos of the hotel room that you or your gf have impeccable taste in the colour of your suitcase.

 

[boomy]

Day 16
Tokyo
We spent our last day in Japan strolling around Shinjuku. Starting with breakfast before checking out. The hotel is fully booked today and the main dining room was too busy so they opened the English bar for extra seating.


It was a beautiful sunny day and we decided to walk from our hotel towards Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the biggest parks in Tokyo.
Admiring Nishishinjuku high rise buildings.

The new hybrid BMW looks good!

Still early, most shops open 11am on Sunday.

 

[boomy]

Shinjuku Gyuen.
The first park in Tokyo that was rebuilt after WWII. It's very popular with the locals, especially on weekends. It's also a good place to enjoy the Sakura. When we arrived there was a queue to enter (ticket cost ¥50). The weather was perfect, sunny and warm, good day to be outside. The park itself is quite big so it didn't feel crowded once getting inside.



There is also a greenhouse inside.

 

[snabbu]

Spectacular trip report boomy, loving every post.