Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[amaroo]

-SYD-SIN.BA F.
-SIN-NRT.JL J.
-HND-BKK.JL J.
-BKK-SIN.CX J.
-SIN-SYD.BA F.
-SYD-BNE.QF J.

Another BA special

 

[drron]

So underway.We both have felt like doing nothing all week so completely disorganised.Felt that something would be forgottren.Well packed my hearing aid batteries but of course forgot to put them in when leaving.
Arranged for pick up at 1030 for the short trip to MCY.About 0900 mrsdrron got a ring from QF that the plane was now leaving at 1400 due to the storm in SYD the night before so rearranged our transport.Arrived at the airport ~ 1240 and a couple just leaving the checkin as we arrived.Surprised that after checking in the agent said because catering was not quaranteed we were each getting a $15 food voucher.Basically all the "main"meals at the outlets are $15.So I had the salt and pepper squid and mrsdrron the chicken and lemongrass spring rolls.Squid was a bit chewy but OK the spring rolls were a small amount of minced chicken and coriander in a pastry parcel.But they were better than what was served onboard.

.
Gourmet taste sensations.One bite of the squashed chicken and leek pie-insipid.One small bite of the shepherd's pie.A small area of brown stain below the potato where I presume the meat should have been.

Uneventful flight down.Cold and showeres on arrival in SYD.Was apparently 15C but the real feel was ~ 7C.On to Avis.Once again not putting in my preferred number gave me a price~40% of the preferred rate.At least I still go to the preferred counter and so bypassed the line.Only happens like this in SYD.
Drove to the new 4 Points Central Park.Open just over a month.No where to park outside-well a 4 bay 15 minute park area where the same cars were still there when we returned ~ 5 hours later.So told to park in the garage.You have to press the speak to hotel button 3 times to get to the hotel parking area.First to open the door,then the boom gate just inside and then the boom gate on level B2 for hotel parking.

No upgrade at checkin but at least they didn't give me the "you have been upgraded" key package.So the room.

.

.

.
On the site of the old kent brewery which was openned by John Tooth in 1835.A part of one of the newer brewery buildings still here.

.

.

.

Straight out to see the grandkids and look after them to give their parents a night out.After that despite the hotel being right on Broadway we had our best night's sleep in a week.

 

[PLANT]

."Once again not putting in my preferred number gave me a price~40% of the preferred rate."

You paid 40% less for not putting in your number????

 

[amaroo]

I'm thinking it has to do with membership settings I.E. insurance

 

[drron]

I only paid 40% of the preferred rate.Nothing to do with insurance as my preferred number has a free insurance number as well.
Agent also didn't believe me so I told her to put my number in for 2 days next month.She comes back-$186.Yes but now check my name and see that yesterday I booked at $125.
Only happens with SYD.My membership came through the College of Physicians so they probably think rich doctors can afford more.

 

[drron]

Tonight dinner with the family at Showchef Teppanyaki in Oxford street.A small 2 table Teppanyaki restaurant.Not fancy but great for kids.Food quite acceptable and a good show.
You start with a small plate of edamame,small seaweed salad and a cup of miso soup.We had beef first,well marbled.

.

.

.

.
Then showing the young uns we still have some coordination.

.

.
Then the fried rice.

.
And chicken with lots of cabbage.

.

.
Mrsdrron is on typhoon alert tonight!.
The leftovers.

.

 

[craven morehead]

I'm pretty sure you could run your own tours of Japan by now @drron

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I'm pretty sure you could run your own tours of Japan by now @drron

DAMN !! You have given up my ldea of the " AFF Japan Tour 2020 " with tour leaders The wonderful drrons !!!!!!

 

[RooFlyer]

DAMN !! You have given up my ldea of the " AFF Japan Tour 2020 " with tour leaders The wonderful drrons !!!!!!

Can we do it on points?

 

[craven morehead]

DAMN !! You have given up my ldea of the " AFF Japan Tour 2020 " with tour leaders The wonderful drrons !!!!!!

I'll keep an eye out for the itinerary

 

[drron]

Can we do it on points?

Not allowed on tour if you pay for an airfare.

 

[drron]

Monday arrives.A small breakfast at the 4 Points before leaving for the airport.Now on our last 2 trips on BA16 they have opened checkin 4 hours before departure.So we arrived at checkin about 10 minutes before the 4 hour mark.People being told it was only going to open 3 hours before departure.We sat nearby and it actually opened 3 hours 50 minutes before departure.
Then to Express departures.But everyone was going through the Express lanes and a large group arrived there just before us.This time the camera recognised my face.Fortunately security had an express lane.Got everything out and asked for the scanner.An agent was already there though straight into it.As I was entering I noted a fellow walk up and push my carryon back and putting hois backpack between my computers and carryon.I reached the line as my computers came through then had to wait as Mr.high and mighties backpack went back and forward being screened.I might have said something but he was younger,taller and much more muscled than I.I still thought he was a jerk.

Straight to the Flounge and it was now past 1100 so straight to a dining table.The menu.

.

.

.

.
I started with the 5 spice duck.A really nice dish.

.
Mrsdrron had a Sav blanc and I the Perrier champagne.

.
We both then had the beef brisket.Really tender but a bit bland.

.
Having read Pushka's view on the pavlova we both went with it.Yummy.

.

Our chariot arrives.

.

 

[drron]

Finally boarded.They policed priority boarding very well.Someone went through the Group 1 and groups 2&3 lines making sure everyone was in the correct lane.Then when boarding started one woman from the Group2&3 lane continually tried to push in but was sent back each time.We were in the middle seats in Row 2.

.

.
Champagne in hand.

.

.

Then came an announcement that we were going to be delayed at least 90 minutes due to a hole in the main runway.Certainly a first for us and continuing the bad run with this trip we thought.The Captain invited people up to the coughpit.After a few went up no one else appeared so up we went.Friendly Captain and FO.

.

.

.

Whilst in the cocpit they got the call that permission had been given to use the shorter runway.They had called the High commissioner when the problem occurred and we were the first International flight to be able to use the shorter runway.So a different view. and inspecting the hole.

.

.

.

 

[RooFlyer]

What was the calling the High Commissioner about?

 

[drron]

I believe he knew who to call.

 

[RooFlyer]

So the HC said something like " Look here chaps, this is BA we are talking about, not some tin out outfit like Qantas. They need to take off you know. Bugger the hole on the runway, just let them go, what?"

Airport. "BA you say? Well that changes everything. It's against procedures, but for BA we'll ignore those. They're are clear!".

 

[Denali]

........Then when boarding started one woman from the Group2&3 lane continually tried to push in but was sent back each time..

Warms my cold, dead heart to read this...

 

[Straubs]

I feel like I'm along for the ride ... enjoying this TR immensely already

 

[drron]

No dramas and we are up and away.So to the menu.

.

.

.
And the wine list.

.

.

.

.

 

[JohnM]

Or sit on your lap.

Err, err, nothing against JV but I'm not that way inclined . However, if it were LTL, that would be a different matter .

But, all that said - can't you lot see me waving cheerily from 1K .