Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[Pushka]

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 .

You mean it’s not about the seat after all?

 

[JohnM]

1A, 1K - as long as I have my back to everyone else and look out the window, all is sweet....

 

[love_the_life]

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 .

If it was LtL, and she sat on your lap, I'm afraid you would be squashed. LtL is not a slight young thing.

 

[drron]

Now now if you people behind me keep arguing I am just going to divert.Hmmm,Tahiti would be nice.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Now now if you people behind me keep arguing I am just going to divert.Hmmm,Tahiti would be nice.

Hey I could get some pearls in Tahiti ..............

 

[Jacques Vert]

Err, err, nothing against JV but I'm not that way inclined

I'm not that way inclined either...………

So why do I have this feeling of rejection

 

[drron]

I need to get back to the TR and bring you up to date with the adventures of those Very Important People in Row 2.
So to the actual food.The offerings on this sector really aren't up to F standard but the English do comfort food really well so it is acceptable.They always start with a virtually identical starter plate.

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The scallop appetiser was good.

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My salmon was just a tiny bit overcooked so not bad.Mrsdrron's looked a little drier.

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Then the apple and rhubarb crumble wasn't outstanding.

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Now when it comes to this F experience it is worth pointing out that I pay for this but the price would increase if I paid QF J on the SYD-SIN-SYD sectors.It still beats QF J.I had the Grand Siecle on the ground but switched to the English sparkling in the air.It was a bit of a shock at first but on reminding myself this wasn't champagne I did actually enjoy it.I actually didn't need the FA to tell me that now I had this wine opened and no one else would be game to try it I would need to have at least 2 more glasses.With the meal I switched to the French red.
The service on this flight was excellent.Two male FAs that were friendly,chatted to the pax but were also very efficient.

Next to the IFE.I watched "The Book Club"and had a great laugh.
Next watched Chappaquiddick.Not great though I had forgotten how lucky Ted Kennedy was.Drove his car off a bridge on Friday night.Saturday night Neil Armstrong stepped on to the moon and knocked Ted off the front page.
I then watched an English doco-"Nothing Like a Dame".Maggie Smith,Judi Dench.Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins trading memories.What wonderful,entertaining women.

Just before landing I had the snack.Again the English do finger sandwiches well.

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By the time we arrived in SIN all the time lost with the runway hole had been made up.Several of the F pax were very glad as they were transferring to BA12-the A380 service to LHR.

 

[drron]

As usual no wait at Immigration and only a slight wait for our bag.Soon in a taxi heading to the Marriott Tang Dynasty.Wanted to try it now as a LTP though through SPG.Also for us in a great position with access to good shopping,good restaurants and the Orchard MRT.However a disappointment for us.Arrived ~ 2230.No one to meet you.Schlepped the bags inside.Lobby poorly signposted.Then at checkin told we had been upgraded to a higher floor.Floor 15-but it is the 9th floor of rooms out of 26 floors.Doesn't qualify to me as a higher floor and still a basic room.
Then more disappointment.

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Only a shower no tub.This is not for us.My mobility issues are such that balance is becoming a problem so water on tiles is dangerous increasing the risk of a fall.It has to be a tub.The rest of the room-

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And the night view-

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Hardly anyone in the lounge for breakfast nor for Happy Hours.Didn't seem very full.

 

[drron]

The first thing wedo in Singapore is go shopping and usually start with Takishimaya and their Exhibiion gallery.Today it was lantern festival time with hundreds of versions of mooncakes.The dearest were with Durian

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These days it is also visiting Uniglo and Muji-where we found some good packing cubes.But not much time as there was amore important thing to do.

 

[turtlemichael]

Late arrival here but enjoying it! I know your trip is a second choice but do have a good time!

 

[drron]

So the second thing we do in Singapore is eat.We try to try a new place each visit.Today it was Alma which is in the Goodwood Park hotel so a short walk from the Marriott.It is actually under the hotel and you cant get to the restaurant from the hotel.It has a Michelin star.At lunch they offer a 3 course meal for $S39 or a 4 course menu for $S55.Mrsdrron did 3 courses,I had the 4.Plus a bottle ov Sav Blanc.With tip it came to ~ $200.
So mrsdrron started with asparagus and prawns.Great presentation and she enjoyed it.

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I started with gazpacho.The best I have ever had with such great tastes and textures.Served with a watermelon granita with a touch of chilli.

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I then had the crispy skin tofu with mushrooms and a foie gras emulsion.The mushrooms and emulsion were perfect but tofu.Well it is always going to be tofu.

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The bread is potato bread served in a box on top of heated coffee beans to keep it warm.

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For mains we both had the Boston lobster with pasta.A little chilli in the pasta with extra chilli in the topping but omitted for mrsdrron

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The topping was excellent.
Dessert was jackfruit custard topped with a coconut creme brittle and a passionfruit granita.It was scrumptious.

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We thought it great value.Service was excellent,efficient yet friendly.Definitely recommended.

 

[stm1sydney]

DrRon, love your work, but can you please put a space after each punctuation mark? Thanks!

 

[boomy]

Lovely TR as usual Dr.

How did you book your BA F flights that came to be cheaper than QF J?

 

[drron]

All about it here.
BA J Sale PER-BKK with many options

 

[drron]

So up early the next morning to catch our JAL flight to NRT. Arrived at the airport a little after 0600.Just beaten by a large group.Several of them using the J checkin line.Fortunately 3 agents processing the J line so not a long wait. They use the Dnata lounge at this hour. However it is in the opposite direction to the gate so we wandered off to Starbucks for brekkie.
To the gate at 0700 when it opens.Quite a few there but they have a priority line for the at gate security. I liked that.A perfunctory pat down when I set off the alarm.

Then it was boarding time.They call their top elites first but there is also a small OWE sign.There must have been 30+ JMB OWEs. J pax and every other OW member with any status next. Get to my seat and a fellow in it. And he was twice my size. He was supposed to be in row 2 not row 3. So to the seat.

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Not much of a gap to access the seat.

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And really not a lot of leg room.

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So you can see in the upright position my left leg is as far into the recess as it can go. On the right the recess is angled so in the lie flat position I could extend my right leg fully. However the space got narrower and once my right leg was fully extended it was impossible to turn my foot.
This is on a regional 772. OK for a day flight but I would hate it overnight.
No pre take off beverage.

 

[drron]

To the menus. Japanese.

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Western.

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Wine lists.

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[drron]

So to the meal.We both had the Western meal and went for the beef. The starter was a real winner.

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I couldn't help thinking if I was on QF this would be a selection of green leaves with balsamic dressing.
The beef was also good. Medium rare, tender and tasty.

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And dessert.

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I had the German pinot noir. Very good.
The service was efficient but typically Japanese. The CSM though was impressed by the number of times we have visited Japan and the places we have been.

For the IFE there was not much on offer. I watched Queen live at Milton Keynes. Love the end to their concerts.

Then watched a Japanese film with English subtitles - On Retirement. I enjoyed it. Then did up a playlist with classics from Queen, Bob Marley and the Carpenters. Lasted until arrival.
Mrsdrron captured some moments on approach.

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[drron]

First off the plane but at the furthest gate from Immigration and got there after 2 other planeloads. One obviously from the USA with what was probably an Ancient Punk Rock band. Big guys covered in tattoos carrying guitars. Or maybe it was Mr. Denali and his mates?
As often the case trouble with my fingerprints and photo but fortunately through relatively quickly. Our case may have been first out but unfortunately we arrived at the carousel as it was disappearing out the back.
Then tried to talk to JAL baggage services about getting our bag to KIX or to Okinawa.Fellow obviously didn't want to deal with us so off we went to get the shuttle to the Crowne Plaza.Had to talk to a group of Aussies who pushed into the line. They didn't care.All had QFF SG tags on their bags so obviously very important.

At the CP I was able to be served first and we were soon on our way to the room.First checked on the Availability of a takubin service to Okinawa. No problems.Bag will be delivered to the DT in Naha the day before we arrive.
At least they did give us a higher floor and the side with a view to NRT.

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Bathroom not refurbed but a nice deep tub for a soak.

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And the view.

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[JohnM]

To the menus. Japanese.

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Western.

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Wine lists.

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Interesting way they present the wine menu - a 'primary' wine and a 'secondary' wine in each selection. What's the statement they are trying to make, I wonder?

Of course, I would sample both - purely for comparative purposes...

I'm looking at JL SIN-NRT as a sector of my 2019 DONEx currently in planning.

 

[drron]

We are getting old so dinner was in the hotel. Their restaurant has had a makeover plus the charges were not exorbitant. A club sandwich for me and a Margherita pizza for mrsdrron.

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In the morning I was going to take a few shots of planes departing. Unfortunately unlike last night they were taking off in the other direction so all was quiet.

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The other direction a place that several of you know well- the Hilton.

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So we now dropped our large bag off to start it's journey to Okinawa. Then caught the 0900 shuttle to the airport.Another Starbuck's brekkie and then to the JR East office to get our rail passes. Got an agent who was excellent and had good English. So had our passes and the tickets for our first 2 days of travel very quickly so we were able to get an earlier train.