Trip Reports - Rgn-sin-cdg-jfk

Day 1:
TPE-SIN-BKK:

I only had a copy of the Visa on arrival paper which was sent from the
travel agency. The CI agent was a little concerned, none of us
could read the words on the document. But she made a copy and issued
me boarding passes without any problem. Although I needed to overnight
at BKK, the person who worked at the SQ check in desk at TPE was able
to check my bags all the way to RGN.

There was another flight via China with a better schedule, but I didn't
take it because you never knew what could happen in China.

Everything sent smoothly, and I stayed overnight at BKK.
I had already checked in for my flight from RGN to SIN, but I couldn't
check in for the RGN-CDG-JFK flights online. I was a little bit worried but
we would see how it goes .....

Day 2:
BKK-RGN
Ok, I made a mistake. I slept on a bench at BKK for 4 hours. Then, I figured
out there were some comfortable chairs between C gates and TG lounge. If
you need to stay overnight at BKK and you don't want to spend any money,
look find those chairs.

Upon arrival, I got my VISA at the ‘Visa on arrival’ counter on the first floor.
It took about 10 minutes to get the Visa done. The travel agency was great.
They helped me to find place to storage my luggage and I also booked a 4
hour local tour with them.

The best part of this tour was going to the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Quiz 1:
Please tell me what is the strange thing in this picture?
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/A7BW9022.jpg

The Shwedagon Pagoda and the monk
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/A7BW9058.jpg

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/A7BW9115.jpg


RGN-SIN
Finally, It was time for me to use the RGN ticket. I was able to check my
baggage to JFK, but I couldn't get my boarding passes for SIN-CDG-JFK.
When I waited at the lounge, I didn't realized that there was half-hour
time difference. I thought I was arriving at the gate late, but I didn’t realize
that there was a half-hour time difference, so I was ok.

The service was great and everything went smoothly on Silkair. The business
class seat is like the US domestic first class seat but with leg rest. I chose
the chicken dish but the other one looked better.

The Royal Jade Lounge at RGN
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/A7BW9236.jpg

The meal on the Silkair flight
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/318211_10151803536615227_1124924864_n.jpg

SIN-CDG
Upon arrival, I went to the transit desk but I realized that I could just check
in at the Sky View lounge. The lounge was nice but the shower room was not
great. It was tiny and there was no toilet in it. I didn't really eat anything
there because I ate too much on the silkair flight.

I have to say that I love Air France. Their service and food is great, especially
compared to COdbaUA. Many people like to say it's just airline food and they only
need to take you from point A to point B. I have to say that those people have
very low expectation. On Silkair and Air France, it's not like that. It is great
travel experience. The seat on AF does not lie-flat but it doen't matter at all.
I loved the expresso and it tasted much better than I expected. Before landing,
the FA came and let me know about the transit in CDG. She was really nice and
I was very grateful.

BTW, there was a family next to us. The parents traveled with their 3 kids. It was
amazing to see how those kids acted just like REAL FREQUENT FLYERs and business man.
Two of them were more than 2 years old so they had their own seats. They were really
quiet and just enjoyed their iPads. It was funny to see those cute kids.

The Sky View Lounge at SIN
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/A7BW9301.jpg

The "business kids" and future frequent flyers. (I asked for permission from their parents)
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/A7BW9321.jpg

Gourmet appetizer and seasonal salad
Duck foie gras, marinated pear roasted with hazelnut oil, salmon trio

Main course:
Roasted fillet of lamb served au jus, cabbage puree,
grilled cherry tomatoes, sunburst squash with curry

Special secection of cheese:

Desserts:
Dessert trio: lemon meringue tartlet, cookies, chocolate-kumquat cake

Sorbet

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/RGN-JFK/images/601293_10151794049055227_898963652_n.jpg

Fruit juice, coffee/Expresso, tea, hot chocolate
Fresh fruit salad, fresh cheese
Fresh bakery selection, breakfast pastries, butter and preserves

Choice of entree:
Egg flan, mushrooms and spinach
Assortment of cheese and cold cuts
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575299_10151795018315227_2085211933_n.jpg


CDG-JFK
I thought I needed to pass immigration and then go to the other
terminal to transfer, and I found out I didn't. There was a path and
train which connected the different terminals.
I love the shower room and amenity kit at AF lounge but the food was......
Another enjoyable flight on AF and I felt so glad that I can try different airlines now.
Before, I was very loyal to United. After CO took over and it became COdbaUA,
I was able to enjoy the freedom to choose different airlines. The AF food and service
was much superior than COdbaUA and it's not just airline food. I loved the illy expresso
machine and I was able to make my own ice latte on board. It was really cool.
Although I enjoyed AF food a lot, it was too much for me to have 2 breakfast in 3 hours.

BRUNCH
Fruit juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate
Fresh fruit, cereal yogurt
Croissant, butter and preserves
Smoke-dried chicken, cured ham, comte cheese, dried apricots, lamb's lettuce

main course:
Rolled egg with gruyere cheese, rolled egg with spinach, tomato sauce

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/RGN-JFK/images/575299_10151795018315227_2085211933_n.jpg


LIGHT MEAL
Chicken and apricot brochette, breast of duck
Camembert cheese, Sainte-Maure cheese
Opera cake

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/RGN-JFK/images/579476_10151795148830227_496763322_n.jpg

I have to say thanks to AF for such a great experience and I would like to
fly them again.

Great report. Am taking this exact route in Oct. AF even let me UG to First using miles. Did you get your visa on arrival in Yangon or was that in BKK?

Great report. Am taking this exact route in Oct. AF even let me UG to First using miles. Did you get your visa on arrival in Yangon or was that in BKK?

Thank you and I believe you will enjoy it a lot.
I applied Visa on arrival online.

Please tell me what is the strange thing in this picture?


Strange that they have some cars right hand drive and some left hand drive. Being formerly colonized by the English i thought they would follow the rest of Asia like Singapore/HK etc.

Thanks for the lovely report! It would be great if you can up your resolution by 1 level for the food pics~

Thanks for the lovely report! It would be great if you can up your resolution by 1 level for the food pics~


Do you mean something like this (http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/201205_RGN-SIN-CDG-JFK/)?

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/report/05RGN/201205_RGN-SIN-CDG-JFK/images/025.jpg

Your pics are always amazing. Thanks for sharing this interesting report. One feature that I like about AF J catering is the ability to sample different desserts and not choose between a cheese plate or a boring ice cream/pastry as in the case of the airline that you used to patronize.

Nice report. Thanks for sharing.

Amazing pictures--love the people shots--the old man and the little kids.

^

was your flight on the A380 or the B773? I went on the same SIN-CDG leg (report to be out soon), but at the back in Voyageur on the A380. interesting menus I must say, and even the Voyageur ppl on the A380 do have their fair share of envy once they stumble upon what is available on all 3 classes for food in the menu pages of the AVOD system

I typed something wrong so I deleted it.
Now I add some pics.

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_054.jpg

When waiting for the traffic lights, many people would come by to sell this kind of flower.
Many women liked that and it smelled good too.
If you want to visit any temple here, you need to be barefoot.

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_068.jpg

Nice Report. It seems like people are having success with the RGN fare.

Great TR

I can see what is strange in the first pic. However as you can tell from my location, its entirely normal for me ;)

On the street

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_108.jpg
Quiz 2:
Guess what kind of sauce do they add into the mango?

Quiz 3:
The white thing on her face is "thanakha".
What is the function of the thanakha on women's face in Myanmar?
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_109.jpg


http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_111.jpg

Making the noodles. Yes, they use their hand to mix the sauces with noodles.
I didn't try it.
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_113.jpg

iPhone...many people can't afford it....
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_114.jpg

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_115.jpg


http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_117.jpg

There was nothing to see here but I was glad we came.
It was so hot and humid until I enjoyed the breeze here.
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_119.jpg

I assumed that they were trying to find Pediculosis capitis.....
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_123.jpg

Reclining Buddha
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_128.jpg

Where the monks live
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_136.jpg

I thought I met a good guy....
This guy could speak some English and he showed me around.
I thought he was very kind until we said goodbye and he asked for "It's time to give me my working money"
http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_137.jpg

http://pigx5.com/1KHOMEWORK/12/temp/rgn/images2/20120526_RGN_139.jpg

Thanks for posting, and great pics! I spent lots of time in Myanmar in the early 2000s, and it's great to see how things are changing. Can't wait to use my tickets!

Strange that they have some cars right hand drive and some left hand drive. Being formerly colonized by the English i thought they would follow the rest of Asia like Singapore/HK etc.

Yes, that was the funny part.
The driver's seat can be at the left side or at the right side.

I can see what is strange in the first pic. However as you can tell from my location, its entirely normal for me

Are you sure it's normal?;)

Yes, that was the funny part.
The driver's seat can be at the left side or at the right side.

Are you sure it's normal?;)

Quite normal for me :D

Quite normal for me :D

Are you saying that it's normal in your country that the driver's seat can be at right side and left side? :eek:

Myanmar looks like it's frozen in time. I can't wait for my trip in January. Amazing pictures, love the colors! Quiz 2, is that chilli sauce?

Are you saying that it's normal in your country that the driver's seat can be at right side and left side? :eek:

I've never seen a car that has both. But its perfectly legal to have LHD or RHD vehicles in the UK.

Nothing like a country stuck in time. Great photos too.

I did find it to be quite "implied" for donations, when talking to people there whom were your new best friend.

Thanks for posting.

The photo of the "business kids" is absolutely beautiful and contrasts so well with the rest of Myanmar and what people out there have to live with every day. It shows how lucky we all are to be able to partake in a hobby like this. Great great report! :)

they use "thanaka" to avoid sun burn.

Thanks for everyone who reads this report.

I've never seen a car that has both. But its perfectly legal to have LHD or RHD vehicles in the UK.
I totally forget that people can drive from other European countries into UK....
my bad...

Nothing like a country stuck in time. Great photos too.

I did find it to be quite "implied" for donations, when talking to people there whom were your new best friend.
Myanmar looks like it's frozen in time. I can't wait for my trip in January. Amazing pictures, love the colors! Quiz 2, is that chilli sauce?
Yes, it's like it's frozen in time.
When I went to China 23 years ago, I had the same feeling.
Now, everything changes and I believe that Myanmar will have big changes in these 10 years.

About the Quiz 2, yes, it was chilli sauce.
I can't believe when I first see it.


they use "thanaka" to avoid sun burn.

Yes, it's one of the function and they also use thanaka for other purpose.

The photo of the "business kids" is absolutely beautiful and contrasts so well with the rest of Myanmar and what people out there have to live with every day. It shows how lucky we all are to be able to partake in a hobby like this.


Before you mention about this, I didn't think that much.
But, indeed, it's a contrast between young kids sitting in Business and playing ipad while other people earn living
by selling noodles in front of the apple ad.

how much did the guy ask for his "working money"?

I totally forget that people can drive from other European countries into UK....
my bad...


Its not just foreign cars, its quite legal to own and register a LHD car in the UK.

There used to be a big trade in armed forces personnel bringing back cars from West Germany. American imports are also popular ^

Strange that they have some cars right hand drive and some left hand drive. Being formerly colonized by the English i thought they would follow the rest of Asia like Singapore/HK etc.

The full story is far stranger than that! Like most British colonies they did drive on the left, until 1970.

In 1970 the (military) leader's astrologer told him that he should "move to the right", and as a result the laws were changed and they started driving on the right!

To confuse things further, most cars in the country are imported second-hand from neighboring countries, giving an on-going mix of both left-hand drive and right-hand drive (not to mention a fairly consistent pattern that most of them are in pretty bad condition. My taxi to the airport a few years ago didn't have a drivers-side door. The taxi driver didn't seem to mind, so I couldn't really see any reason to complain!)

Most buses and trucks are right-hand driver, which means that they all have a "spotter" who sits on the left-hand side (or frequently, hangs out the door on the left-hand side) in order to decide if it's safe to overtake, which when you're on a narrow, winding mountain road is very much a life-or-death decision!

Quite normal for me :D

+1
In YVR the seat is on the left side.
In HKG the seat is on the right side.
I spend lots of time in both countries and have citizenship of both.

+1
In YVR the seat is on the left side.
In HKG the seat is on the right side.
I spend lots of time in both countries and have citizenship of both.

I just came back from Russia (far east). They have both left and right side cars thought the official should be left side. People import used right hand cars from Japan since they are much cheaper and hence a lot of mix in the cars.