Trip Reports - Picture Report: SQ C, NH C, TG C, St. Regis & IC SIN, Hilton, Hyatt and IC BKK + more

Because I'm still working on my trip report from last year (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=665575) (well I still have my notes and I plan to finish it when I have time) and because I'm not any less busy I decided to post this trip report as a simple picture trip report. It won't be as informative as my other big report and it will take a long time to load, but it should still be fun.

After you finish this report, you may want to check out my 2nd picture trip report (its got lots of pics like this one, so wait to load it until you are ready to look at it and consider opening it in another window or tab): Picture Report: AZ (Alitalia) J, Luxor, Cairo, Cyprus, Florence, Rome, and more!
(http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=804023)

The trip was: PHX-(US F)LAX-(SQ C)-TPE-(SQ C)-SIN-(stopover, TG C)-BKK-(NH C)-NRT-(SQ C)-LAX-(UA Y)-PHX

Mrs. Alliance joined me (our first "real" vacaton together for over a year). We met up with brahms77 in BKK and the three of us took a day trip to Ayutthaya.

We started at PHX, where we had a couple hours to wait for our flight so we got some mexican food...:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/PHX/c0874434.jpg


... before heading to the US lounge:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/PHX/US%20Lounge/706b14a2.jpg


We flew US air in F to LAX, checked in at SQ, and went to the Star Alliance Lounge at the TBIT:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/LAX%20Star%20Allance%20Lounge/da4b3068.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/LAX%20Star%20Allance%20Lounge/0baa1bfa.jpg

We also took showers in the lounge:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/LAX%20Star%20Allance%20Lounge/e0eec89d.jpg

We flew LAX-TPE-SIN on SQ in C. First LAX-TPE:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/25c1b739.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/73a8cf8a.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/ccc23205.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/699d8b4c.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/1d713624.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/1fb655bf.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/169c718c.jpg

My video kept switching between color and black and white and the audio sometimes made a popping noise and stuttered. SQ compensated me well:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/c26f34a1.jpg

At TPE, we had time for a quick stop at the SQ lounge:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TPE%20SQ%20Lounge/047dc897.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TPE%20SQ%20Lounge/4e3a293b.jpg

Back to the same plane an hour later, we flew SQ C TPE-SIN:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/8c65f3b0.jpg

Choice of Eggs:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/71373f5b.jpg

or Salmon:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/LAX-TPE-SIN%20-%20March%202008/fc3437c0.jpg


Our first night in SIN was at the new St. Regis for 12k SPG points. Service was outstanding! 24/7 butler. 1hr free wine for all guests daily in their wine cellar. Great service and large comfortable room. This is a regular/standard room:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20St%20Regis/7419fe94.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20St%20Regis/6a284525.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20St%20Regis/af9fa5ae.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20St%20Regis/f54d5beb.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20St%20Regis/f90bb472.jpg

Our first day we walked around a bit:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/4b836691.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/3c9f3f01.jpg

Our second day, we moved over to the IC for 30k PC points. We got full RA bennies, and were upgraded to a premier room:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/0a0fc186.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/c24aa7ef.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/ee3231de.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/7e4a926e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/d5297f57.jpg

At first, the minibar was missing quite a bit:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/08971da5.jpg

But telling the bellmen when he delivered our bags resulted in it getting restocked quickly:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20IC/7dfe65a4.jpg

That second day, we walked around Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/c25098ca.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/5dd019f0.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/da1f1c40.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/1de098a5.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/49e587e4.jpg

Some local kids were shooting rubber bands in the air and trying to catch them... one of them landed in my hair:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/752c4d1a.jpg

No trip to SIN would be complete without some black pepper crab:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/9b7ac82b.jpg

... which I enjoyed:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore/c778d37a.jpg


We got up early and had breakfast at the IC and then went to the SIN Zoo as we had time before our 3:30pm flight to BKK:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore%20Zoo/f5d97bed.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore%20Zoo/0011fcf6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore%20Zoo/445453ab.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore%20Zoo/dd31ed3c.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore%20Zoo/71ba0679.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Singapore%20Zoo/66080f82.jpg

A cab ride back to the hotel and then to the airport:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20Airport/a227592f.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20Airport/163c6ed7.jpg

After walking around the airport a bit to show Mrs. Alliance, we went to the T2 SQ SilverKris lounge:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/b9276ebd.jpg

and had a snack:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/865a54b2.jpg

Then we went over to T3 to check out the new SQ SilverKris lounge:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/e7e3c347.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/32b21dd5.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/7076d2f8.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/f328cdc6.jpg

and had another snack:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/5dfa04fd.jpg

and then went to the bathroom:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/db5b1df9.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/eb4abfce.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/598cb936.jpg

And then walked around some more:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/f404f2c6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/72ea9cc7.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/af6c78c5.jpg

And then took a video walk through: http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20SilverKris%20Lounge/?action=view&current=term3silverkrislounge.flv

Then we walked over to the TG lounge in T1 for 5 min:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20TG%20Lounge/a7976017.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SIN%20TG%20Lounge/4cc28027.jpg

Before we went to our gate to catch our TG plane to BKK:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/0f943b0b.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/0e841163.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/b51d2fb7.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/01a7dff3.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/e7a2fda3.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/5a6cb65c.jpg

Followed by a very odd jello-ish dessert:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/2f764279.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/TG%20Flights/SIN-BKK%20C%20-%20March%202008/2910c53c.jpg

After landing in BKK, we took a cab (250 THB on the meter ~ 1.3 hr drive in bad traffic) to the Hilton. Upon arrival, we were given cold towels and an arrival beverage and told that as an HH Gold because they were full they had upgraded us to a top floor corner suite (Paying ~$138/night for two nights):

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/ada446bc.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/defba407.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/ef9ba1d6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/7379a990.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/605b9d0e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/b978b206.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/865d79a9.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/c4710c74.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hilton/Corner%20Suite/ed8749cf.jpg

We spent a couple days enjoying being on the river:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/f512bb2f.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/9a9e6fb5.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/02336015.jpg

Took a dinner cruise:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/1f5d1c36.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/1e53ee0b.jpg

Went to the sites:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/00d0b741.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/ecff70a2.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/ba191753.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/17f059b5.jpg

We did some couples spa treatments at The Oriental Spa:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/Oriental%20Spa/4d44d71c.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/Oriental%20Spa/ab012ff9.jpg

Had dinner at Vertigo:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/fcaf395f.jpg

And then moved to the Hyatt Club Floor for one night on points:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/6d1f567e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/a97abf5d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/c1123875.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/29db3ad5.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/61536053.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/e500fdb6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/24be7f0d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/93411230.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/37aa4aab.jpg

And enjoyed the friendly staff at the club (which had a great dinner selection but lacked in hot food options for breakfast):

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20Hyatt/bdada0a6.jpg

We continued our BKK adventures, spending some time in Chinatown:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/4c12d59e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/0efa50a5.jpg

And just walking around the mall areas:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/6d1081db.jpg

We found out that the locals outside the mall pay money to have their kids put inside plastic balls to run around like hampsters:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/daba7837.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/d7fa7b71.jpg

We went to the night bazaar:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/89c85f22.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Bangkok/6efbffdf.jpg

In the morning we moved across the street to the IC, where we used a BOGO and paid ~8500 THB for a corner suite. We were upgraded to a corner suite with club access at first:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/f327df89.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/d725c912.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/d3840391.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/8306630e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/e639c6d9.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/df0ba176.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Corner%20Suite/17554af0.jpg

But in the afternoon we were further upgraded to an Ambassador Suite once it opened up (it had two minibars stocked the same, but has not been renovated yet):

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/1b8fd357.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/de4b0f96.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/58f3f555.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/8e8b1c6e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/54bac9bd.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/b1fae590.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/1b792385.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/f8a837c6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/24618810.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/6e7760bf.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/1f57c819.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/e6b35153.jpg


A video walk through is here:

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20IC/Ambassador%20Suite/?action=view&current=BKKICAmbassadorSuite1.flv


We did some more touring around BKK and then met up with brahms77 and the three of us hired a guide and took a 9hr day trip to Ayutthaya - the ancient capital city about an hours drive north of Bangkok:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/bd712ec0.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/fec73349.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/e535db23.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/9b9dae48.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/5813c833.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/067df3bd.jpg

We also stopped at the Summer Palace, and found ourselves joining in dancing and celebrating with a family whose son was just completing the ceremony to become a monk:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/b03bd072.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/fbf6589b.jpg

We took a unique form of river crossing transportation:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/49246952.jpg

And enjoyed walking around the Summer Palace:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/5514bce7.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Ayutthaya/f4e2e6a0.jpg

After a long day we got some sleep, ate breakfast in the IC lounge, and took a cab to the airport (155 THB). We hung out at the TG C lounge before catching our NH flight in C to NRT:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20TG%20C%20Lounge/53159e15.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20TG%20C%20Lounge/5612e58d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/BKK%20TG%20C%20Lounge/7d0c56f0.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/faa13c13.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/0a8daf61.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/134bfc1a.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/fd729083.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/1cc31e9f.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/374f634d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/09cf34d2.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/02ca500c.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/c9f8905d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/dadabdd6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/73af3fd0.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/f9bb9e42.jpg

The kids in C were given the choice of a toy plastic camera, a small model NH plane, or an inflatable NH 747. I asked the FA if I could have one of the planes and she brought me back 2 of the models, 2 inflatables, and 2 decks of cards. Then she came running back and gave me a duty free bag to put them all in:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NH%20Flights/BKK-NRT%20C%20-%20March%202008/ca688835.jpg

At NRT we went to the NH C lounge first:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NRT%20Lounges/NRT%20ANA%20C%20Lounge/605c5f95.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NRT%20Lounges/NRT%20ANA%20C%20Lounge/cc3742f5.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NRT%20Lounges/NRT%20ANA%20C%20Lounge/bd1d15c8.jpg

Then we went to the UA RCC to take showers and get our shower kits. They didn't have shower kits, which was disappointing. However, they gave us plastic baskets and allowed us to take a big handful of whatever products we wanted:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/NRT%20Lounges/NRT%20RCC%20C%20Lounge/fc962dea.jpg

We took SQ 12 on the upper deck to LAX:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/1a5fc3c2.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/05e77c54.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/8628bd7d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/077a7c2d.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/0d369619.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/0dc33571.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/700b7dd3.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/066c0ecd.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/SQ%20Flights/NRT-LAX%20-%20March%202008/b7bbb3ed.jpg

I slept through breakfast, so don't have any pictures of that.

We got to LAX - F bags came out first, followed by C bags (at that point I left, but I assume regular priority tags were after that), transferred the Blue Label into our checked luggage, re-checked our bags. With 5 hours before our flight, we walked to terminal 6, checked-in, and then decided we didn't want to lounge hop for that long.

So I got online and made a reservation with Avis online for 20 mins later ($16++ for 3hrs) and went down to catch the bus. The bus driver freaked out that a person with high status on Avis wasn't in the computer, but I gave her my name and she starting yelling at the radio. By the time we got to the lot they were just finishing hand washing the DTS and we were quickly escorted to it and on our way to the Santa Monica Pier:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Santa%20Monica/42ad2f9e.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Santa%20Monica/9fb21401.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Santa%20Monica/887c3515.jpg

It was a beautiful day and the weather was windy and cool, a pleasant change from Southeast Asia:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Santa%20Monica/b3178f67.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/Santa%20Monica/0bc372fd.jpg

We had lunch on the pier and walked around a bit and then made our way back to LAX to catch our flight.

At the last minute, the flight got a weight restriction and they had to reduce the load by 2 passengers. We quickly volunteered and snagged $300 in TCs each.

With another 4 hours to wait before our next flight, we joked about renting a car again... but decided to just hang out at the RCC. At the RCC we chatted and gave some drink chits to an Australian boat captain who had got stuck in a 4 hour immigration line at LAX behind several 747s and as a result missed his connection (and the wedding in SYD he was to be the best man at), had to overnight in LAX and wait until the late night UA flight to SYD.

At the bar, we were shocked to see the bartender refilling the snack bowl with AA snacks:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/alliance_ft/UA/asiamarch2008.jpg

While we were hoping for a double bump, as our new flight was also oversold, it ended up going out with 2 empty seats. Our bags were being held by the baggage office as they had come in on our original flight.

I checked and was happy to find my Blue Label had made it.


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Now that you finished this report, you may want to check out my 2nd picture trip report (its got lots of pics like this one, so wait to load it until you are ready to look at it and consider opening it in another window or tab): Picture Report: AZ (Alitalia) J, Luxor, Cairo, Cyprus, Florence, Rome, and more!
(http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=804023)

I had a great pleasure of hanging out with alliance and mrs. alliance. Hope to see them again soon!

What a fabulous trip report. I actually felt as if I was with you on the flights...especially SQ 12... THANK YOU....

Awesome report with great pictures alliance!^

Fantastic trip report - thanks for sharing!!

Do I understand it correctly that your RA status entitles you to both a suite upgrade and free items from the minibar?

Wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing.

That was great! I often skip much of the text anyway :o
Thanks for sharing :)

Do I understand it correctly that your RA status entitles you to both a suite upgrade and free items from the minibar?

Correct. (at most properties, drinks only - no snacks)

very impressive.

other than the minibar, st. regis seems to be a step up from the IC. "premier" room doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade, at least. correct?

other than the minibar, st. regis seems to be a step up from the IC. "premier" room doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade, at least. correct?

Indeed. The St. Regis was outstanding - both the quality of the room and more importantly the service levels blew the IC away. Here is my quick review of the St. Regis posted to the SPG master thread: http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9426505&postcount=17

The IC room was tired, but it was in a better location for touring and was a little bigger and comfortable enough.

If there was no price difference, I would choose a St. Regis regular room over an IC suite with minibar every time. But the St. Regis is about $450/night compared to the IC's $250/night (although on our night, the St. Regis was $550/night and the IC was $400/night - so we used points).

The IC Singapore follows a 2 level upgrade rule for RAs. I was on an award stay, so two category upgrade went like this: King Deluxe -> King Shophouse -> Premier. The premier room is like a junior suite and is 560 sqft. If you book a higher category room, you get upgraded to higher category suites.

Fabulous report and pictures really liked it ! ^

Can you tell me how far is Santa Monica from LAX ?
I have a 6 hour layover later this year arriving on LH before transferring onto US to LAS. Arriving approx 1400hrs & departing around 2000hrs.

Is it easy enough to make this trip in a cab or will traffic be a hazard at this time ? I will no doubt have had some alcohol on the flight accross so renting a car is not an option ;)

Thanks

Can you tell me how far is Santa Monica from LAX ?

Is it easy enough to make this trip in a cab or will traffic be a hazard at this time ? I will no doubt have had some alcohol on the flight accross so renting a car is not an option ;)


Santa Monica is probably about 8-9 miles by surface streets and about 15 miles by freeway. Venice beach is even closer at about 6 miles and is another classic Southern California beach destination. Without traffic you are looking at probably 10-20 minutes and with traffic it could be as bad as 25-35 min (just stay off the freeways). If you start heading back to LAX with 1.5hr before your US flight you should be fine even with some traffic IMO.

great TR, loved the pics. made me want to visit asia more than ever now.

Santa Monica is probably about 8-9 miles by surface streets and about 15 miles by freeway. Venice beach is even closer at about 6 miles and is another classic Southern California beach destination. Without traffic you are looking at probably 10-20 minutes and with traffic it could be as bad as 25-35 min (just stay off the freeways). If you start heading back to LAX with 1.5hr before your US flight you should be fine even with some traffic IMO.

Thanks I will certainly look at one of these options now during my layover.

Great report I loved the photos!

It was so much fun to get to see the interior of premium cabins, the food served, the interior of several hotel rooms, and some great sightseeing. Excellent report!

Great picture report

absolutely fabulous trip report! I enjoyed every bit of it and all the pictures thoroughly! ^

Thanks very much for this excellent trip report Alliance ^^

Jeff

Great report, really good photos. Top stuff.

I just love picture trip reports... in some ways even more than the ultra-detailed ones that I'm also so fond of. I guess neither is better, just different! Thanks so much for posting... also for making the pictures the right size to fit on my laptop screen (I've ranted about this before :D)!