Trip Report: Sydney 2013 Day 1

I was fortunate.

I made a friend while standing in line in Sydney immigrations. We cleared that and customs together and everything was a breeze. Well, he looked like a serious businessman so I guess that must have helped.

He gave me a lift to my hotel, which was close to where he was staying too. I was so grateful because the shuttle or train would have been manageable but such a hassle for a newcomer.

I was staying at the Meriton in Pitt Street. Meriton is an Aussie brand, sorta like Frasers Suites, or the Oakwood or Somerset. Each apartment had its own little kitchenette, and the rooms were bigger than the average hotel room.

I chose the Meriton for its location, apparently locals believe it is the closest to Oxford Street. Also it had a lot of shopping and supermarkets around the area.  I knew I needed to get my local SIM card and so on, so that would be convenient.

I found the check in to be hassle free, but forget about expecting bell boys etc. I never expect anyone to wheel my luggage to the room for me anyway so that did not matter.  When I got to the room, I found it perfectly acceptable.

Wifi in the Meriton was free, which was incredible considering the bigger hotels were charging for this amenity. Nuts. Seriously, in this day and age, hotels still charge for what should be a basic inclusion.

I used it the moment I got into the room.  The connection was pretty good. I learned that there was a walking tour within 30 minutes upon my arrival. I scrambled. And even then I just about made it.

close to where the group met

The free walking tour was just like the ones you find all across Europe. So I was very well aware of how it worked. The guides are volunteers and work for tips, 24/7 rain or shine. Many of them are students who are doing this on the side. You have to admire their dedication, especially in Europe where the winters can be unforgiving.

When I got to the meeting point, the guide was already giving an introduction to the city. I missed some of the information. The group was massive. I read the tour was around 3 hours, which was just nutty. It basically covered the entire city on foot!

The weather was not looking great when we set off. So I was a little apprehensive and wondered if I should have just gone shopping instead. But free tours tend to be good for such things, to let you know where to shop etc. So I stuck to it.

love the architecture of the QVC

We went through the Queen Vic mall, and out to the other side to another mall. After that, everything was a blur. I guess I was tired from the flight. And I didn't see any hotties. The guide made some small talk with me. A lot of the success of these tours lie in the personalities of the guides. I had a great one in Prague, but an awful one in Paris. And I mean AWFUL. This guy was ok. Not bad, not great. Ok. He tried though.

Let's see. I remember hearing about the battle between Melbourne and Sydney: which is the best Aussie city. So Melbourne has their laneways and Sydney decided it will have theirs. It was such a beautiful thing, creativity in the streets. I love the sense of fantasy and joy that permeated the installations. Wondered why Singapore was so hung up it could not allow for these sort of street art too. Oh wait, I just answered my own question.

We walked to the Rocks. I would have loved to spend more time there. But a strong drizzle had fallen. Initially I thought ok, it's just some water. No big deal. Well that grew into full on showers.

trust me it was miserable weather

By the time we got to the Sydney Bridge the day had become MISERABLE.  We saw lines of people still climbing the bridge and I thought, What a waste of money considering they would not be able to see much in the rain!

The guide brought us to the wharf where a cruise liner full of retirees had docked. He ended the tour there. People dug their purses and pockets to give him his tips. I was shocked that some people gave loose change. Later I realized my shock may have been unnecessary because Aussie coins could be in 2 bucks denominations.

The group split from there. It was pretty apparent that the rain was just going to be a major downer. I had made a new acquaintance in a German girl who was staying in a hostel in the city. Hostel. Wow.

We decided to check out the museum nearby. It was interesting, certainly no MoMA. But it was a way to get out of the rain.

looks like the flatiron building in NYC

I had about enough of the rain, really wanted to just go back and dry off.

As soon as I got back I got a message from a friend who was living in Piermont. It was getting late and he had just gotten home. But even with the rain pelting down, he said he would come and meet me.

An hour later he was there. He had walked in the rain, which he claimed was normal for Sydneysiders. Seriously? In the rain?

We went to a nearby mall, and had the most incredible Turkish wrap I had tasted outside of Venice...yes, oddly, the best Turkish food is found outside of Turkey LOL.

the korean cafe

He didn't want the night to end so we found a little coffee place owned by Koreans. The place had incredible character and I had a great time talking to the owners. The coffee was great. The company was fun. Overall, my first night was a little better than the day.

Of course nothing ends at coffee but that is another story.

Trip Report: Singapore Airlines SQ231 All Business Class Singapore to Sydney

It has been a while since I have written for SRFlyer.  My other blog explains the lethargy and other reasons. It wasn't like I had no content. Just needed a push.

Then I realized for this blog that as much as I like to share, I also have not had a record of my past trips other than loads of pictures. And unlike the old days when you can write behind the kodak prints, typing in metadata in huge volumes of jpegs can be tedious.

So this blog, as much as it is for others, is also for me.

So here goes. First trip report EVER. Please be kind.

Trip: Australia / New Zealand 2013 (OZNZ 2013)

Reason:   Miles Burn from BMI sale to BA (ick)
Itinerary:  SIN - SYD - MEL - AKL - SYD - SIN
Dates:      28 Feb - 13 Mar 2013

Business Class

First Sector: SIN - SYD
Carrier: Singapore Airlines
Flight: SQ231
Equipment: A388 (All Business Class Configuration)
Departure: 0045
Arrival: 1150
Seat: 12K
Book the Cook: Chargrilled Soya Beef Steak (Culinary Panel selection)

Like many others who had to burn their miles, this was booked like a year before. I had timed the trip to coincide with Mardi Gras 2013 (might as well), without even knowing the cost implications of that decision. It became something that I ended up regretting a bit, more on that later.

The good thing of such an advanced booking was that I was able to get my fave seat 12K and lock that down.  Also, I learned to use the system to be able to retrieve SQ's own PNR code for my booking, which was separate for BMI's booking reference. That helped out A LOT when it came to making changes to my BTC later. I also managed to get the Air New Zealand code, which helped initially to get my seats, but once BMI closed operations, I was locked out of making any amendments. This should have hinted something about what would happen during my first Air NZ flight. Oh well. More on that later too.

When the day rolled along to go for the trip, I made sure I got reminders that I had to check in the night before for the early morning flight.

It had been a while since I flew on SQ's A388, so I was psyched.

Started out with the cab ride. Like many Singaporean cab drivers, they would switch on the meter even before you got into the cab and told them the destination. It is a small annoyance, and it is crazy to me that they would think doing something which is forbidden by their rules, would earn them that much more!

By the time I got to the airport however, I made peace with that and had a good time talking to the driver about his camouflage driving gloves. Quite rad!

Got to check in. I had already done OLCI a few hours before. Wanted to get fragile tags on my new Lufthansa Rimowa luggage. I love love love my Rimowa and really prayed that baggage handlers would respect it!

There were quite a few people checking in. I noticed this Caucasian guy standing behind me taking pictures of the process, and I figured, that's a great idea and followed suit.

When it was my turn, as usual, I had a fun time bantering with the agent. She found it humorous that I loved my Rimowa so much but she said she understood. It ain't cheap for one. And I was not the first! Soon I was on my way.

I made sure I arrived slightly earlier because I wanted to do the full airport shopping, lounge and boarding experience.

Trust me to gauge the time wrong.

Wanted to check for Longchamp bags but was told that the stores were in the other terminals. So off I went scrambling from terminal to terminal. Then back to T3 for about an hour's worth in the Silver Kris Lounge.

The lounge dragons welcomed me in without much fuss. Going in, it was like revisiting Old Faithful.

SQ's lounge is dependable. And yes it is sorta glamorous I suppose. Except that there were a lot of flights taking off that night and finding a pocket of solitude meant moving to a far corner.

Looking around it never fails to amaze me why some people think think that business class travelers are somehow more privileged and well off.

Class and Class of Travel are not mutually exclusive.

I saw people who were wearing flip flops, raggedy t-shirts, unshaven. Gone are the days of Pan Am and dressing decent for a flight.

I headed towards the food bar.

It might have been late but SQ did not disappoint. There was a whole range of dishes from local, to Asian, to Western. Soups, Noodles, Cakes, you name it.

Knowing that I would be fed on board, I decided to do taste tests of the dishes instead of going for entree portions.

Let's just say for the variety, the end conclusion in terms of quality and taste was: Meh.

I was however grateful that the spread was as generous as it was. If you were in the lounge on a Gold Frequent Flier card and flying cattle class later, the food would be great as a pre-flight meal. Then again, SQ's Silver Kris Lounge policy denies entry to Gold cardholders. And you would have to be flying SQ Business Class to gain access. Or at least have a very high leveled Krisflyer membership.

My Club Chair

I got back to my seat. Could not be bothered to use their wifi and sent messages on my phone's network instead. Ate, drank, took pictures.

Then I spotted the same Caucasian man from check in. He came from the back and planted his behind on a seat in front of me. Let's just say he was making himself conspicuous. Mardi Gras was starting early.

Bathroom amenities same as premium inflight amenities

Time to board. No announcements. Went to the bathroom and yes, everything was as it was before. Same amenities.

Went to the gate. Got through security easy. I made sure NOTHING metallic was on me.

The boarding had begun. I bypassed the lines to the priority line. And then something interesting happened. Security was checking all the business passengers' hand luggage. Unusual for sure.

Fine by me. The officer opened my bag, moved a few things gently around, thanked me and off I went. Love Changi for that, they make the process respectful, discreet and painless.

Got on the plane, and there were big smiles from the crew of course. It felt like leaving home, but coming home at the same time. This flight was special. It had a purple kebaya!

Ok that's not her, but crew members came out to say hello

I was shown to my seat.

See the extra head cushion? That is for the All C Upper Deck

All the formalities of offering drinks and reading material were done efficiently. Their special mocktail was ordered. And of course my usual list: Vogue. Business Traveler Asia Pacific. Any other fashion magazines.

They came back with Business Traveler. Check. No Vogue. Sad. The crew member said she would look around for one.

A few minutes later, VOILA, Vogue! Ah SQ, you know me so well!

My Vogue under my Menu!

The door was closing. Someone came in. He sat in 11K in front of me. The crew members fussed over him. Oh no. Lifetime Solitaire member. Or worse. Politician or some guy from a local family dynasty.

He stood up from his seat, scanned the back of the plane, saw and stared at me. STARED. I thought: Oh Gawd. Phobe. How appropriate. I said hello. He went back to his seat. Hmm.

Of course later, I learned that he was an incredibly nice person. But that is another story.

There were some rain drops on the window. I love flying in rainy weather. So romantic. Now find me a partner to share it with! ;-)

While I may not go ra-ra about the comfort, I love the privacy of SQ's Business Class seat. And in a late night flight, with darkened cabins, there is something special about it, like you are on a private plane for one.

Towards Suites. One day SQ. One Day.

The seat in the all business class A388 has been modified slightly. SQ added a head cushion which honestly makes a HUGE difference. Still, you can see the age of the seats. On the regular two class upper deck, it is far worse.

Everyone was in flat bed mode fast!

A crew member came around asking for post take off drinks. Initially I wanted something naughty. I later changed that to a more appropriate tea.

SQ uses TWG teas for Business and First Class. 7 bucks I believe in town for a cup. Time to drink like there's no tomorrow. Bwahahahahahahaha! Ok not very classy I admit.

I was asked if I wanted a snack now or the Book the Cook meal. SQ serves one main meal for overnight flights like this one. I decided to eat that for 'breakfast / lunch' although timing wise, it would have been only five hours into the flight.

The crew member asked me what I would like to snack post take off. They didn't have much. Ick. The Inflight Supervisor came to my rescue. He first offered a sandwich which he would customize for me. I wanted something soupy. He then said he would get some seafood noodle soup made for me, and I don't even believe it was on the menu.

Special Noodle Soup

Ah SQ. Love. I heart your delicious local dish!

The dish hit the spot, inflating my stomach to a point that I could not eat the other nibbles like Ferraro Rocher chocolates and chips.

I made my bed, yes girls, I know how to do it. Not an SQ virgin, and grateful for it. Annoys me when passengers expect the crew to do the beds for them. GET YOUR ASS OFF AND DO IT YOURSELF!

The gentleman in front of me also made his bed and he was out like a light right after! I went to do my inflight, pre-zzzz beauty ritual, returned and tucked in with my bear Brownie. Yes Brownie was lucky this time, he got to travel with me.

Brownie was given to me by a friend when I worked in television. He is 20 years old.

There was nothing in the IFE, had seen most of the movies already. Found a HBO documentary on ex-Supermodels called About Face. If you can find this, watch it. Very interesting.

I don't usually sleep on a plane. But I must have been way tired. I got about 3 hours of sleep.

About 2 hours before landing, I got woken for my BTC meal. I half contemplated to give that up but I really wanted to taste this dish.

The Japanese dish. Not bad but a little soggy.

Got up. Got fed. Got the same reaction as in the lounge: Meh.

Before long, the cabin was prepared for landing. Lights came up, windows were opened. Passengers scrambled to the washrooms last minute, as usual.

I was ready.

The crew passed out express passes for customs and immigrations. Very useful. They had a few conditions but most of the passengers would meet them. Later I would learn that no one really checks these. So....

I didn't get to see any views below. Pity. It is like any other flight. We touched down soon enough. Pretty smooth, but it is SQ and it is the A388. We arrived slightly earlier but another plane had not vacated our gate, so we had to wait a while. No issues. Love being in a plane anyway.

I thanked the crew for yet another great flight.  Disembarkation was smooth. And so were immigrations and customs. It was quite a surprise actually as I had heard so many horror stories about how they would check everyone's bags and basically behave worse than the TSA in the US. Not so. At least not for me.

So it was a fine extension of the whole flight. I was quite relieved actually. But maybe it was because I was walking out with someone that was distinguished looking.

And that, again, is another story.

:-)