moa999 goes RTW on a DONE4

[moa999]

Lost 2,120 Scs at the end of July and had the remainder of a RTW trip (which I bought in Oct 09 from KHI to get home from this trip - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/mistakes-advice-and-some-luck-20022.html


Had planned the trip for August but then a September bucks weekend in Macau came up so I combined it into a 20-day trip. Booked an ex-TPE Business Saver to get home and planned to throw away the final two segments (TPE-HKG-KHI) of the DONE4


Routing SYD-LHR-GIB-LHR-JFK-MIA-DFW-ANC-ORD-BOS-LAX-HKG-TPE-HKG-SYD

 

[moa999]

Sydney Qantas First Lounge
Arrived at airport about 2.5hrs early. Dom roll-on and Samsonite suitbag - no issues in carrying it all on.

First lounge relatively quiet. Had a great special bug salad with Bollinger, then the minute steak with a Clonakilla Shiraz, and finally a special pavlova with Noble One.





(unfortunately the AFF tag got ripped off somewhere from ANC-HKG and I lost half the Plat tag too. Anyhow I have a new Avatar!)

For the menu friends, current all-day dining menu as follows

Entree – Jamon Iberico with salad of green apple and baby figs; Haloumi and watermelon with olive, almond and mint sauce; Buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and pedro ximenez vinegar; Ceviche of ocean trout with avocado, lime and chille; Salt and pepper squid with nuoc cham

Main – King prawn and pork stir fried with chilli jam; Grilled fish of the day with peperonata and saffron aioli; Red curry of duck with pineapple, grape tomatoes and fragrant basil; Sous vide lamb with spring vegetables, pumpkin puree and 20 year old balsamic; Ranger valley 300 day grain fed tenderloin with anchovy butter and chips
Signature sandwiches – Club with organic chicken, slow roasted tomatoes, schulz bacon and aioli; Beef burger with schulz bacon, gruyere, zuni pickle and tomato chilli relish

Sides – Bowl of chips; Our signature mixed leaf salad; Wild rocket and parmesan salad; Seasonal greens with colonna lemon oil

Cheese and dessert – Seasonal fruit plate; Strawberries and cream; crème renversee with orange salad; Grundoring ice cream selection; Cheese (hand selevted by Will Studd) mauri taleggioo, midnight melon and stilton

Champagne – Veuve A Devaux Blanc de Noir; Tattinger Brut Reserve; Veuve Clique Ponsardin; Bollinger Special Cuvee

White – Carlei Green Pinot Gris 2010 Cardinia Rangers Vic; Heemskerk Coal River Riesling 2008 Coal River Tas; coughfighters Ghost Semillion 2009 Hunter NSW; Yerring Station Chardonnay 2007 Yarra VIC; Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Hawkes Bay NZ; Rockford Alicante Bouchet 2010 Barossa SA

Red – Carlei Green Pinot Noir 2008 Yarra VIC; Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Merlot 2005 Coonawarra SA; Clonakilla Hilltop Shiraz 2009 Young NSW; Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2007 Barossa SA; Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Coonawarra SA; Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 McLaren Vale SA; Penfolds Seventy Six Shiraz Cabernet 2009 Koonunga Hill SA

Dessert – De Bertoli Noble One 2007 Riverina NSW; Stella Bella Pink Muscat 2010 Margaret River WA

 

[moa999]

QF031 SYD-LHR
SYD 1615 - LHR 0635+1. Fligh time 23.20. Seat 13A
A380-800 VH-OQD.

Had picked a Wed flight on an A380 about 3 months earlier on the basis of a high A-class number, 2 days out was still showing A4 but then dropped to A0. Was not looking good for the upgrade and it ultimately didn't come through.

Australian crew on SYD-SIN were professional, although diappeared somewhat during the flight. Did not stock the front bar near the lounge unlike previous SIN legs.

Ate the Corn chowder entree and Fish mulloway main. Fish was particularly good. Only recorded one wine - the Seppelet Drumborg 2008 Pinot Gris

Dinner

Entree – Sweercorn Chowder with Garlic Croutons; Salad of Fresh Goats Cheese, Toasted Walnuts and Beetrot Relish

Main – Seared Suzuki Mulloway with Black Olive Butter, Steamed Potatoes and Asparagus*; Chinese Braised Duck in Lu Shui Saunce with Fragrant Rice and Gai Lan; Lamb Fillet with Mint jus and Roast Vegetable; All with Green Leaf Salad with Herb Vinaigrette

Dessert – Seasonal cheese hand-selected by Calendar Cheese Company served with accompaniments; New Cream Pineapple and Coconut Ice Cream with Mango Sauce; Sliced Fresh Fruit

Chocolates – A selection of Kennedy and Wilson chocolates

Refreshments – Toasted Flat Bread with Char Grilled Eggplants, Red Capsicum, Marinated Artichokes and Hummus; Toasted Baguette with Poached Chicken, Greuyere, Caramelised Onions and Aioli; Kingfish, Caper and Dill or Pie with Tomato Relish or Create your own

At Singapore

First lounge empty. No problem getting a shower. Did a walk round the Business lounge - looks much more modern than First with some of the new age lounge treatment, particularly the back bar (although it was empty). Business lounge actually had greater food choice (inc a pasta) and the First lounge unlike last time I went through did not have food being brought out.

Predominately British based crew on the SIN-LHR leg were much more bubbly and friendly. Very visible in the cabin, particularly for what is effectively a predominately sleeping flight for most. Absolutely no problem to hold my meal for a couple of hours to approximately 7pm UK time.

Supper

Main -Toasted Foccacia with Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Olive Tapenade, Emmental and Rocket; Sicilian Style Sea Bass with Pine Nuts and Currants, Couscous and Sugar Snaps*; Hainanese Chicken with Jasmine Rice, Asian Greens and Young Ginger; Red Wine Braised Lamb and Rosemary Pot Pie; All with Green Leaf Salad with Red Capsicum and Cucumber

Dessert – Selection of Seasonal Cheese and Dried Fruit; Banana and Hazelnut Syrup Cake with Double Cream; Sliced Fresh Fruit
Chocolates – Chocolate Dusted Triffles

Refreshments – Toasted Focaccia with Slow Roasted Tomatoes, Emmental, Tapenade and Rocket; Toasted Baguette with Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, Dill Pickles and Spinach; or Create Your Own

Breakfast – Via pre-order card

Had the Salad and hainan chicken which was quiet tasty.

Only downside to both flights was the looped news service. After ten minutes of ads to watch the news - got a morning edition from 6 Sep - two days old - pre election. Very pissed off after the ten minutes that you can't fast forward.

Long walk to customs, 2 min wait and I was clear by about 650.

At Heathrow decided to use T5 arrivals so went down to basement, took HEX to T5 then up to Arrivals (note you can only access from one of the lifts closest to the coffee shop (the other goes to BA offices). After walking to station, then waiting for train it was now 715. BA dragon wasn't sure if I could gain entry so checked the bible which listed QF31. Then struggled to put in the details - eventually just let me in.

Got a shower booth easily and had a quick shower. Got a call at 730 that my driver was downstairs so just time for a quick breakfast then out. The BA T5 arrivals breakfast was so so, eggs pretty limp so if doing ever again would just use the AA T3 arrivals. Nice juice and a decent auto machine cappuccino.

 

[djfuzz]

First lounge relatively quiet. Had a great special bug salad with Bollinger, then the minute steak with a Clonakilla Shiraz, and finally a special pavlova with Noble One.

You must be joking - I had exactly the same the last time I was there!

What did you think of the Clonakilla?

 

[moa999]

London


Good time in London catching up with friends. Included my first visit to Bricklane and the crazy restautant spruikers and a visit to the Tate Modern and Richard Branson's nightclub Kensington Roof Garden.

BA490 LHR-GIB
LHR T3 0800 - GIB 1155. Flight time 2.55. Seat 2A
A319-131 G- EUPT

Arrived at T3 at 610 via car service. Only took about 35min from Tower Bridge at that hour and far simpler than public transport.

New Terminal 3 exterior fitout looks good - bathed in a purple light at dawn and an efficient drop-off zone.

Massive Virgin Atlantic logo in their part of the building. AA has its own exterior premium check-in. BA / Qantas behind at F with a nice First check-in area that was unused.

Whilst I had time to explore the other oneworld lounges (although presumed Cathay unlikely to be open so early) I settled for Galleries First. Fast Track was not so fast with only one dedicated scanner. The Blue Door was working. Impressed with the Galleries First lounge, much better than the old. Limited selection of hot breakfast items on the waiter menu - bacon & egg sambo was the popular choice and reasonable (although no bbq sauce!). About ten items on the lunch menu but most were easy cook options (eg burgers and pasta).
Some Lanson in the champagne bar, so I partook.

All the oneworld lounges in T3 are very close. Cathay upstairs at C pier, BA galleries at F and AA at G.

A319 plane to Gibraltar left from Gate 24C (a bus gate) so down to the holding pen area which includes 24A thru E. Promptly scanned in as the three buses arrived, then onto the plane.
A319 with Club Europe convert seats. Interestingly J was 10 rows which is quite a lot in an A319 and totally full. Seats showing their age and a pretty average hot breakfast.

Young guy on the plane dressed in sharp suit, vest and striped shirt listening to his ipod and carrying a clearly marked cream cotton diplomatic mail bag with a security tag. I would have thought in the days of encrypted emails this was superfluous but obviously not!

Cloudy day so not much to see as we tracked over Bay of Biscae then over Spain.

Unfortunately was cloudy on arrival and I was on the left so didn't see the Rock, however we were no more than 1m above the water before the runway appeared and we touched down. Saw the rock once we turned around before being towed to the gate.

Gibraltar terminal is old and small - a new two story much larger terminal is under construction along with a tunnel under the runway (at the moment the border is effectively the runway and cars and pedestrians cross it when the planes aren't taking off or landing). The Gib locals remain cautious about the new terminal - one of the local airlines tried GIB-MAD and GIB-BCN without success, and relations between Gib and the La Linea govt remain strained. Threats of border tolls and go slows on the car border.



Gib itself is a cool little town with a cobbled pedestrian only Main St (watch, electronic, alcohol and perfume shops abound due to the lack of UK VAT). The old wall is still there although land reclamation has substantially increased the foreshore which now includes a nice port area and casino.

Did the cable car to the top of the rock which was a great view and saw plenty of tourists being attacked by the monkeys (if you have a plastic bag in view you will be jumped on very quickly)



Was staying with family in Sotogrande - a large development that includes the Valderrama golf course (prior host of the Ryder cup) and Club de Golf. Is the centre of polo in Spain and James Packer's boat has been in the Sotogrande port for much of the last month.

Also went up to Ronda in the hills which is a historic town split by a massive gorge. Took the train up which is a great little journey through a number of very picturesque valleys and towns.

 

[moa999]

You must be joking - I had exactly the same the last time I was there!

What did you think of the Clonakilla?

Clonakilla was good. I am on the wineries mailing list and have a few bottles of the Shiraz Viogner (which is to die for)

 

[moa999]

BA491 GIB-LHR
GIB 1245 LHR T3 1435. Flight time 2h55m. Seat 2A
A319-131 G- EUPT

Check-in at the cramped Gib terminal only opened about 90 min before the plane. A Monarch flight to Europe was leaving about an hour before. There is a public landside lounge upstairs and outdoors with a great view of the rock. Club Europe check-in relatively painless (although stuck behind a man in a wheelchair whose wife was arguing vehmanently that they wanted Row 1 not Row 6). Longish queue at security as well.

Gib airport nothing to write home about. Airside is a double gate area with a few small shops. Small door to the lounge that had 1960s decor. One waiter providing bar service and a couple of muffins and nuts but no hot food.

Aircraft flying back was the same A319 as I cam over and I sat in the same tired seat! BA crew was amazing and very bubbly - helping the aforementioned passenger swap to row 1 and also helping a family and nanny sit together. Plane had arrived about 35min late and after a quick turnaround we left about 25min late.

Hot lunch with two seafood choices (due to accidental loading) and a cold spanish meats salad. I had the cold meal.

White wine choice of an Argento Chardonnay and an 09 Nobilo Sav Blanc (Kiwi!). Champagne was Pommeroy.




Transfer at LHR
Transfer very painless. Off the plane at T3, walk to flight connections. 30 second later a bus arrives and the 3 of us get on!

In Galleries First within 15min thanks to quick bus and fast track. Tunnel under the runways between T3 and T5 is massive.

Connections brings you to the North end of the Terminal but I headed to the South to get into Galleries First.
Galleries First (first visit) impressive. Dining menu was the same as T3 so I had some pasta (had run out of spaghetti so penne instead). Only about 25min in the lounge then over to T5B. Another quick visit to the lounge whilst I sat near the window above my gate and waited for the queue to clear.
Waited at the gate for 15 min whilst two bags were offloaded for no-show transit pax.

BA115 LHR-JFK
LHR T5 1700 JFK 1950 7h50min Seat 61K
747-400

Upper deck window seat. Service usual BA efficiency. Snoozed a bit but tried to shift into NY time zone.

Menu

Starters – Traditional prawn coktail; Parmesan mousse with courgette (v)

Main – Fillet of beef with horseradish sauce, yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes; Braised chicken in a sweet pepper sauce and tomato sauce; Penne pasta with porcini mushrooms and truffle sauce (v); Chilled main course salad of tandoori spiced salmon

Dessert – Lemon and amaretti gateau with lemon creche fraiche; Cropwell Bishop Stilton and St. Paulin cheese with savoury biscuits; A selection of fruit; Chocolates

Wines
Champagne – Lanson Bluck Label Brut NV; Charles Hedsieck Brut Reserve NV
White – Rully 2007 Chateau de Rully Burgundy (France); Chablis 2008 Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard Burgundy (france); Mount Riley Savignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough (NZ); Old Well House Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Western Cape (SA)
Red – Cahteau Lamothe-Cissac 2004 Haut-Medoc (France); Chateau Pey de Pont 2004 Medoc Bordeaux (France); Villa San-Juliette Merlot 2007 Paso Robles California (USA); Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2007 California (USA)

Had a few issues coming into New York due to weather. We circled over Maine for almost an hour and were within five minutes of having to divert to Boston before we finally got landing clearance.

Landed over an hour late. With APEC card walked straight down a crew line and was served immediately beating most of the locals and luggage was fourth off.

Fortunately decided that given the wild weather it would be better to take the train so took the airtrain to Jamaica. The LIRR was close so took the E train into Manhattan. As it turned out this was a very fortunate decision, Queens motorways were jam packed with trees down everywhere due to the storm / tornado. LIRR track also blocked.

 

[moa999]

New York

Good time catching up with people - lunches and dinners all about. Highlights were walking the new highline path (from meatpackers to 20th) and soon to be extended up to 30th and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum (recently covered by another report). Also Grays Papaya hot dogs and a visits to a mates place with a rooftop with brilliant central park views. Did a walk around the WTC site – the Freedom Tower is beginning to take shape






Also went to 230 Fifth which is an awesome rooftop bar at about 27th with 360 degree views of the city.

Stayed at Affina Dumont on East 34th on a Priceline deal. Whilst ranked as a 4* hotel it is barely. Fairly tired and small foyer.

Stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn JFK on a Priceline deal on the final night. Decent enough hotel with free wifi, free shuttles in the morning (direct to terminal) and a 24hr gym.

AA1165 JFK-MIA
JFK T8 0710 – MIA D 1020 3h15m
Boeing 767-200, Seat 3J

Arrived at JFK around 545 for my 710 flight. Took 15min to check-in as the agent had to see a supervisor to get baggage checked to ANC (JFK-DFW-ANC).

Flight departed from Gate 36 (Satellite) but stayed main terminal to access the flagship lounge. Decent food choices including eggs, bagon, sausages, mixed veges as well as plenty of fruit and cereal. Only 3 ppl in the lounge at that time.





On boarding greeted by a Boeing 767-200 3-class but operating in 2-class format. I had selected 3J in the front 2-1-2 cabin so a true American F seat. Acres of leg room and an in seat massager (not as good as the qantas skybed mk1 but probably on par with mk 2 which I find too weak).

Given the early start I quickly reclined and dozed through breakfast service. Flight was gogo equipped. Easy to login and super-cheap for relatively frequent flyers - $9.95 for single flight or $30.95 by the month. As I had slept half the flight I didn't partake and just read the free articles. Flew down the Jersey Coastline which was great viewing on a near cloudless sky.

Looking at the magazine showed only two admirals club lounges in MIA and as arriving and departing from Concourse D went there. Tired looking blue and green lounge - similar to what I remember from 03. Had to ask for a drink chit - disappointing. About an hour before flight with a gate change to D33 (close to E Terminal) I went for a walk and saw a airport map showing concourse E that showed a flagship lounge.

 

[moa999]

Tucked at the start of E concourse up some stairs behind a bathroom is a lovely little Flagship Lounge. Will apparently close at end of September with a new Flagship opening in D concourse in a revamped section of the AC. Better food than what I ever saw at LAX FL with four salads, soup, spannacota and a good drink selection. Volunteered a t-mobile card which I gladly accepted.



AA 602 MIA-DFW
MIA 1240 D - DFW C 1445 2h55m
Boeing 757 N637NA Seat 2A

Main was a Chicken Parmigana or Salmon Salad. Had the parma (best described as crumbed chicken with cheese!). Red Wine a 2008 Arniston Cab Sav (Sth Africa)
Adequate service - drinks quickly offered then the meal with a few refills.
Plane was an old style 757 with deteriorating brown seats.



Arrived into DFW about 20min early (as usual with us scheduling) and got a quick gate. So my 40min turnaround turned into about 1hr20 as the inbound for Anchorage was late.

Both arrival and departure were from Terminal C so the C Admirals it was. Probably my favorite internal design with all the stone and was given both a drink chit and a wifi card (a first for a non Flagship Lounge for me). Quick Mexican beer and back to the gate for my late running (but listed as on-time) plane.

 

[moa999]

AA 278 DFW-ANC
DFW-ANC 1525-1910 6h45m
Boeing 757 N181NA Seat 3F

Again another old-style 757 although seats looked like they had been recently covered and felt like they had a bit more cushioning.

Wines - Tunupa Chardonnay 2009 (Chile); The Crusher Merlot 2007

Main - Ginger Chicken with Rice; Tortellini with Mushroom cream sauce

Had the tortellini which was quite nice. Flight was over middle America. Farmland as far as the eye could see. Then some great views as we came over the mountains.



This was my first luggage check and everything had come through without a problem, so a quick recheck and back into the airport. No AA lounge in ANC so just hung around the terminal (my PriorityPass courtesy of my new Amex Plat Charge card had not yet arrived) and looked at some of the displays. Inbound flight from ORD was about 70 min late and we took off 45 min late only catching up 10min on the flight.

(Until HK reports are short as I lost the email with the notes I had made so done via memory three wks later)

AA290 ANC-ORD
ANC-ORD 2205 0655 5h55min
Boeing 757 Seat 2A

Relatively short flight that I snoozed through.

Main meal was a club sandwich which was a heart attack waiting to happen – three massive slices of beef, three of ham and absolutely covered in cheese. After disposing of most of the meat wasn't a bad meal.



Chicago Flagship
Given the late arrival was only in the lounge for about 20 minutes. Quick freshen up, some fruit and another WiFi card received.

AA1698 ORD-BOS
ORD – BOS 0845 1150 2h5min
Boeing 738 Seat 3A

Relatively quick flight (at least versus the rest). Quite like the new AA business seats and the slot for the laptop under the armrest is a good thought. Pull out tray tables excellent and very sturdy.

 

[moa999]

Boston

Had picked a long layover in Boston so I could go into the City. Having read some reports I decided to take the ferry into Boston. SO off the plane outside and wait for the 66 bus which arrived after a 15min wait. Getting to the ferry terminal was told the public ferries had stopped about 2 yrs ago but could get a private water taxi. Anyhow was well worth the US$15 and a great view of the city as we came into the main wharf. Followed the Freedom Trail from the Wharf to Boston Common then a quick visit to Filene's Basement (Syms in other places in US) which is a discount store. Picked up a very nice Marc Jacobs leather jacket and a few other smaller items. Took the train (or should I say underground tram) line back to the Airport.



Boston AA Admirals Club

Got back about 75 minutes before flight time for a quick shower (only two showers in Boston – both were empty but in one one of the lights was out) and received one drink chit. Used the drink chit and went to the gate. As I arrived at the gate – mechanical issue, have called an engineer, should only be a short delay. Back to the club, another chit then the waiting game commenced. Our delay crept up 20min, 30, 50, 59, 60, 80. Finally walked back to the gate where they announced a substitution for a 757. So I lost a 767-300 with a sloping bed for a 757. Boo.

Massive queues at the gate, new gate and terminals as all seats had been wiped so needed to be reseated. I went back to the Admirals Club where the queue was 10-deep out the door, and picked up two more chits for the half hour wait (I needed to find a way to sleep on the 757!). Boarding pass reissued for a 7pm boarding and 7.30pm takeoff.

AA 145 BOS-LAX
BOS 1705 LAX 2015 6h0min
Boeing 767-300 Seat 4J replaced by Boeing 757 Seat 6F

And a domestic 757 as well, looking dilapidated. Everyone was boarded by about 7.15pm but we waited another 20min for all the luggage to be transferred from the 763 so ended up taking off almost 3hrs late. At least we go the full transcon dining service.

Appetiser – Cajun style roasted chicken brisket offered on a fresh corn salad; combination salad; Assorted gourmet breads

Main – Grilled marinated fillet of beef with sauce served over truffled wild mushroom ragout, accompanied by roasted potato wedges and baby squash; Tender lasagna pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, topped with a creamy tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella

Desert – Ice Cream Sundae, Fruit and Cheese

Los Angeles Airport

Dropped into the T4 Flagship Lounge. One of three people in there at that hour and all the hot food had been put away. Had a couple of waters and waited about an hour so I could get a sense as to whether my bags had made it.
I had planned on an In'n'out run but it was getting late due to the delay and I was pretty full in any event.

For the first time walked out the exit, 200m round the road and into TBIT (had always previously caught the bus with Qantas). At Cathay check-in they informed me they had retagged my bag (it made it!) and gave me a new collection sticker.

The oneworld TBIT lounge was half full with not many flights left and a few bits of decent food including singapore noodles and sandwiches.

CX881 LAX-HKG
LAX 0140 HKG 0715 14h35min
Boeing 777 (A) Seat 12K

Had picked this flight so I could sleep for most of it and arrive in HKG roughly in the right time zone (rather than the flight two hours earlier). Lost the menu unfortunately.

 

[moa999]

Hotel LKF, Hong Kong

Great boutique hotel in the LKF area. Itself has a cool Level 29 skybar as well as another lower floor bar with a hidden cigar bar that is done up as an old storage room.

Crown Towers, Macau

All I can say is awesome hotel. City of Dreams complex is on the Cotai Strip, across the road from The Venetian. Complex made up of three hotels - the Hyatt, Crown Towers and Hard Rock. Each has separate pools in the central area above the main casino which is a single area although partially separately branded. Walkways connect the hotels on two levels through a boulevarde filled with high end retail (although no-one shopping and price much higher than hong kong).
Stayed at Crown Towers. Great rooms. Similar but improved design to Crown Melbourne. Big bedroom overlooking The Venetian. Bathroom with separate circular bath and monsoon shower. Apparently full occupancy although hardly saw a soul around the foyer or pool - although the gaming floor was very busy.



Saw the brand new House of Dancing Water show at City of Dreams (in its first week). Most amazing show I have ever seen - think acrobatics mixed with diving and water. Done by a former Cirque de Solois producer - Francois Dragon. An amazing set and some big surprises in the show.

Talk Turbojet there and regular ferry back. Frankly not much difference. Interestingly the echannel both to and from Macau will not accept APEC/HKIA Frequent enrolled echannel access.

Got to the airport pretty early so managed to switch to an earlier flight to Hong kong. Unfortunately the quick flight back on a separate ticket was already under Taipei control so message sent to Taipei airport.

 

[moa999]

CX400 HKG-TPE
1h45min
Boeing 777-200, Seat 12C

Dinner Menu

Starter – Fresh seasonal fruit

Main – Onion stewed pork rib with jasmine rice and Chinese mised vegetables* ; Spinach and ricotta cheese cannelloni with spinach cream sauce and semi-sundried tomato

Desert – Chocolate dome with white chocolate and raspberry sauce

Tea and Coffee

Champagne – Billecart-Salmon Brut (France)

White – P.Ferraud & Fils Vire-Clesse 2008 (France); Waimea Estates Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (NZ)

Red – Rockbar McLaren Vale Shirax 2008 (Australia); Lionel Osmin Haut Capitole Fronton 2007 (France)

Port – Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005

Had the onion stewed pork which was very tasty then watched a bit of tv. Shifted on boarding from 12D to 12C to let a young mother fly with her two little kids. Old style business class chairs with manual recline.



Taipei Airport

Presently undergoing renovations and expansion but T1 is a dump. Was met at the gate and told something about standby and lounge by someone who hardly spoke English. Decided to head out through immigration so I could bag check the bottle of Hendricks Gin that I had purchased in HK. Heading out not a problem, turn left and back into departures. Checked the bag and told I was on standby for next three flights. Outgoing immigration a zoo with queues 20+ deep. Pulled out the APEC card and sent to the far left with another 20 deep queue. Guy standing there sees me beckons me to follow, walks me to the front and opens a new counter just for me, then promptly closes it again ( the wonders of the APEC card).

Newish Cathay lounge looks to be the only new thing in the whole airport at present that is completed. Looks similar to hk brethren. Main business class room with noodle bar (four regular dishes and a special) and small sandwich and drink selection. Door marked First Lounge out the back with similar cold sandwiches and drinks (notably no dragons on the door to check cards)

CX451 TPE-HKG
1h40min
Airbus A330 Seat 19K

Newish regional Cathay A330. Seats similar to the 777 in look but are motorised. Actually. Found the takeoff position quite uncomfortable - almost too far forward. Pretty much dozed through most of the flight half watching the Kardashians and skipped the meal service.

Dinner Menu

Starter – Smoked duck breast with grilled apple and salad

Main – Pork with sweet vinegar sauce, egg fried rice and Chinese mixed vegetables; Pan-fried perch and shrimp with tomato basil sauce, sweet potato gratin, broccoli and cauliflower

Desert – Blueberry meringue tart with mango sauce

Wine list
Champagne – Champagne Deutz Brut Classic

White – P.Ferraud & Fils Vire-Clesse 2008 (France); Waimea Estates Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (NZ)

Red – Rockbar McLaren Vale Shirax 2008 (Australia); Bouchard Pere & Fils Morgon 2009 (France)

Port – Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005

Landed at Gate 46 which meant quite a walk back to Wing where I was meeting a friend travelling to London. Walked past gates 21-23 and saw the new CX lounge The Cabin under construction. Lounge is being constructed below the departure level (simalar to The Pier) and signs are up but covered in red drapes. Wing attendant said latest opening date is Oct 11 (subsequently opened earlier than this according to reports on FT)

Quick dinner at The Wing (interestingly in the 5hrs since my first visit the dishes had been all changed) then off to Gate 63 (near The Pier for my flight to Sydney)

CX101 HKG-SYD
HKG 2355 SYD 1105 9h10min
Airbus 330 Seat 14K

Supper Menu

Starter – Roasted duck breast with mixed salad and sesame soy dressing

Main – Braised beef brisket with spicy sauce, steamed jasmine rice and Chinese mixed vegetable; Roasted salmon with canbert rarebit and tomto concasse, sauteed potatoes and asparagus

Cheese and Dessert – Cambozola, Double Gloucester, Chaumes; Fresh seasonal fruit, Chocolate crispy cream brulee cake with raspberry sauce

Tea and Coffee, with Green Tea Macaroon

Light Meal
Options – Tomato, orange and basil soup; Grilled chicken with Cobb salad and French dressing; Chocolate crispy cream brulee cake with raspberry sauce; Fresh berries

Snacks
Options – Assorted sandwiches (Smoked turkey breast with rocket lettuce mayonnaise, shrimp with lemon cream cheese, parma ham with sun-dried tomato and cornichon); Ice cream; Sauteed sliced pork with preserved cabbage and noodle in souo

Breakfast
Starters – Orange or apple juice; Pink guava smoothie; Fresh seasonal fruit; Fruit yoghurt; Greek yoghurt with aprict compte and granola

Main – Sun-driied tomato and feta cheese frittata with pan-fried pork sausage, back bacon oven roasted potatoes and braised bean ragout; Dim sum served with chilli sauce; Dried scallop and pomfret congee with rice roll with chicken and mushroom

Bread basket – Assorted breakfast bread served with preserves, honey and butter
Tea and Coffee

Wine Menu
Champagne – Champagne Deutz Brut Classic

White – P.Ferraud & Fils Vire-Clesse 2008 (France); Next of Kin Margaret Rever Chardonany 2008 (Australia)

Red – Rockbar McLaren Vale Shirax 2008 (Australia); Robert Skalli Cote du Thone Villages 2007 (France)

Port – Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005

However after a few massive days and nights in Macau, I pretty much slept gate to gate !!

Almost no-one at Sydney Airport for the mid-morning arrival, used smartgate over APEC. Both pieces of luggage (one from HKG and one from TPE) out quickly however no green stamps (first time in my last five flights) – no-one wandering around. Used the priority lane, sent to aisle 2, one question then through to the exit with no scans (almost as good as the green stamp)

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So 20 odd-days, 14 flights, 1600 Scs and about 80,000 QFF miles including bonuses.
Another SYD-MEL dom flight on the last day in Sep to make it 1620 Scs for the month and tip me over 11000 LT (when the last CX flights posts that is - has been claimed as a missing flight)

Till the next report.