Planes, boats, buses, cars, and a train - Burma Revealed
Oct 19, 2014, 3:54 pm
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Moomba - fabulous photos.
I was fortunate enough to visit Burma in 2010. Back then, it was still a closed society: citizens could face severe penalties for speaking freely, visiting Aung Sung Su Ki's postal resulted in the threat of severe imprisonment and there were no English signs representing the date of birth at the Shewedagon Paya.
Having said that, your photos of Bagan and Mandalay were terrific. It recognized how rich this country is in temples - even compared to the greats such as Siem Reap and Indonesia. A solid effort. ^
I was fortunate enough to visit Burma in 2010. Back then, it was still a closed society: citizens could face severe penalties for speaking freely, visiting Aung Sung Su Ki's postal resulted in the threat of severe imprisonment and there were no English signs representing the date of birth at the Shewedagon Paya.
Having said that, your photos of Bagan and Mandalay were terrific. It recognized how rich this country is in temples - even compared to the greats such as Siem Reap and Indonesia. A solid effort. ^
Oct 19, 2014, 4:00 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Part 10 - Day 9 Inle Lake
After a great breakfast this morning with the best coffee all trip we all piled into our long tail boats for a ride across the lake and up a river to In Dien.
Along the way we saw many of the leg oar boatmen fishing and some more collecting soil and weed matter from the bottom of the lake (more on that later).
It was a beautiful sunny day and some of the lake views were awe-inspiring.
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
A moving market that changes location each day was due to be at In Dien today. The market saw a gathering of many local tribes people who came to stock up with essentials. There were stalls selling all sorts of items from fresh and packet foods to items you would normally source at a pharmacy or hardware store.
The market at In Dien
The market at In Dien
The market at In Dien
The market at In Dien
After wandering the stalls for a while we walked over the river to a small group of pagodas. The Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas were slowly being consumed by vegetation.
River at In Dien
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
After a brief toilet stop we headed back down to our boats to head off to our second destination.
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Around Inle Lake the different villages specialise in a particular skill. Our next stop was to a village at the mouth of the river where we were able to see the silversmiths in action.
Silversmith
Silversmith
After this we went to have a lovely lunch at Mr Toe’s restaurant. Just across the canal from Mr Toe’s was the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda that housed five Buddha that had so much gold leaf applied to them that they had lost all their shape. There was a local festival on at the time we were there and only one of the five was at the Pagoda. The other four were on a processional route around the villages that surrounded Inle Lake.
Following this stop we went to the weaving village where we were able to see how the fibre from the stem of the lotus flower was removed to make a thread. When woven into material this is a great insulator that keeps you warm in winter and cool in the heat. The material was also woven with silk to make a softer yet still insulated material.
Spinning lotus fibre
Extracting lotus fibre
Extracting lotus fibre
Weavers at work
Weavers at work
Weavers at work
Weavers at work
The tourists are here again Mum
Next stop was an area that made the local cigars call cheroots. The leaf of the cheroot was wrapped around a mixture of tobacco and anise or mint to create small cigar like cheroots.
Around the tobacco village
Around the tobacco village
Around the tobacco village
Around the tobacco village
Making cheroots
Making cheroots
Making cheroots
Our last stop of the day was the floating gardens in the middle of the lake. The lake has natural floating islands of water lily and the like that the locals add soil and other mulch material to in order to make floating garden beds. They grow mostly tomatoes on these floating gardens.
Floating gardens
Floating gardens
Floating gardens
Locals out for row
During our scooting about the lake on the boats we were able to see the local fishermen going about their business using a unique rowing method involving their leg. The row the boat along with their leg so that both hands are free to handle their nets.
Leg rowing fisherman
Leg rowing fisherman
Leg rowing fisherman
Finally we made our way back to the resort to relax a bit before a light dinner.
Home again
Tomorrow a hike into the hills and another village visit.
More Photos
Along the way we saw many of the leg oar boatmen fishing and some more collecting soil and weed matter from the bottom of the lake (more on that later).
It was a beautiful sunny day and some of the lake views were awe-inspiring.
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
On the way to In Dien
A moving market that changes location each day was due to be at In Dien today. The market saw a gathering of many local tribes people who came to stock up with essentials. There were stalls selling all sorts of items from fresh and packet foods to items you would normally source at a pharmacy or hardware store.
The market at In Dien
The market at In Dien
The market at In Dien
The market at In Dien
After wandering the stalls for a while we walked over the river to a small group of pagodas. The Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas were slowly being consumed by vegetation.
River at In Dien
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein Paya pagodas
After a brief toilet stop we headed back down to our boats to head off to our second destination.
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Back down river to the Silversmith village
Around Inle Lake the different villages specialise in a particular skill. Our next stop was to a village at the mouth of the river where we were able to see the silversmiths in action.
Silversmith
Silversmith
After this we went to have a lovely lunch at Mr Toe’s restaurant. Just across the canal from Mr Toe’s was the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda that housed five Buddha that had so much gold leaf applied to them that they had lost all their shape. There was a local festival on at the time we were there and only one of the five was at the Pagoda. The other four were on a processional route around the villages that surrounded Inle Lake.
Following this stop we went to the weaving village where we were able to see how the fibre from the stem of the lotus flower was removed to make a thread. When woven into material this is a great insulator that keeps you warm in winter and cool in the heat. The material was also woven with silk to make a softer yet still insulated material.
Spinning lotus fibre
Extracting lotus fibre
Extracting lotus fibre
Weavers at work
Weavers at work
Weavers at work
Weavers at work
The tourists are here again Mum
Next stop was an area that made the local cigars call cheroots. The leaf of the cheroot was wrapped around a mixture of tobacco and anise or mint to create small cigar like cheroots.
Around the tobacco village
Around the tobacco village
Around the tobacco village
Around the tobacco village
Making cheroots
Making cheroots
Making cheroots
Our last stop of the day was the floating gardens in the middle of the lake. The lake has natural floating islands of water lily and the like that the locals add soil and other mulch material to in order to make floating garden beds. They grow mostly tomatoes on these floating gardens.
Floating gardens
Floating gardens
Floating gardens
Locals out for row
During our scooting about the lake on the boats we were able to see the local fishermen going about their business using a unique rowing method involving their leg. The row the boat along with their leg so that both hands are free to handle their nets.
Leg rowing fisherman
Leg rowing fisherman
Leg rowing fisherman
Finally we made our way back to the resort to relax a bit before a light dinner.
Home again
Tomorrow a hike into the hills and another village visit.
More Photos
Oct 20, 2014, 1:14 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Part 11 - Day 10 Hill Tribe Trek Inle Lake
An earlier start this morning with only seven of the twelve strong group deciding to partake in a hike. Firstly we jumped into our long tail boats for the short journey to our starting point a little ways down the lake. Here we met up with two local porters who carried water and our lunch for us and led the way up into the hills.
Once we got outside the town the going got a little steep and was a bit muddy as we climbed up towards a pagoda on the hillside.
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
After around 100 minutes we made it to the pagoda where we were able to see panoramic views down over the lake.
View from pagoda on the hillside
After a break we headed off again and followed the path that offered some more great views over the valley and lake. The path then narrowed into a one-person wide track with dense vegetation along each side.
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
There were many different types of vegetation and insect life around the walk. The weather was being kind to us in that it was a little overcast and made for a tough but pleasant walk. After crossing a precarious bamboo bridge we started to see signs of live as the village monastery came into view.
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
A bit further along we entered the village and walked around a few of the houses before entering the house of our host for lunch. We were warmly welcomed and invited to sit around the table. The porters prepared our lunch in the woman’s kitchen as we sat and drank tea and through our guide interpreting were able to have an interesting chat with the owner about her life and family and she was able to ask us about our homes and life back home.
Our lunch venue
After our lunch we thanked our host and headed off for the 90 minute walk back down to our resort. On the way we encountered fabulous looking flowers and butterflies and insects galore. It was quite an interesting day out.
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
After a bit of rest at the resort our guide and my friend and I hired a tuk tuk to take us to the Red Mountain Estate winery. The winery was up in the foothills and had some great views back down over the valley and lake.
View from Red Mountain Estate winery
We did a wine tasting and then a quick tour of the facilities before settling down to watch the sunset and have a bite to eat from their restaurant.
Wine tasting
Red Mountain Estate winery
Red Mountain Estate winery
Red Mountain Estate winery
Red Mountain Estate winery
Tomorrow we leave Inle Lake to head back to Yangon for our final evening. But we had a nice surprise in store.
More Photos
Once we got outside the town the going got a little steep and was a bit muddy as we climbed up towards a pagoda on the hillside.
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
After around 100 minutes we made it to the pagoda where we were able to see panoramic views down over the lake.
View from pagoda on the hillside
After a break we headed off again and followed the path that offered some more great views over the valley and lake. The path then narrowed into a one-person wide track with dense vegetation along each side.
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
There were many different types of vegetation and insect life around the walk. The weather was being kind to us in that it was a little overcast and made for a tough but pleasant walk. After crossing a precarious bamboo bridge we started to see signs of live as the village monastery came into view.
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
The trek up the hill at Inle Lake
A bit further along we entered the village and walked around a few of the houses before entering the house of our host for lunch. We were warmly welcomed and invited to sit around the table. The porters prepared our lunch in the woman’s kitchen as we sat and drank tea and through our guide interpreting were able to have an interesting chat with the owner about her life and family and she was able to ask us about our homes and life back home.
Our lunch venue
After our lunch we thanked our host and headed off for the 90 minute walk back down to our resort. On the way we encountered fabulous looking flowers and butterflies and insects galore. It was quite an interesting day out.
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
The trek down after lunch
After a bit of rest at the resort our guide and my friend and I hired a tuk tuk to take us to the Red Mountain Estate winery. The winery was up in the foothills and had some great views back down over the valley and lake.
View from Red Mountain Estate winery
We did a wine tasting and then a quick tour of the facilities before settling down to watch the sunset and have a bite to eat from their restaurant.
Wine tasting
Red Mountain Estate winery
Red Mountain Estate winery
Red Mountain Estate winery
Red Mountain Estate winery
Tomorrow we leave Inle Lake to head back to Yangon for our final evening. But we had a nice surprise in store.
More Photos
Oct 21, 2014, 12:32 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Part 12 - Day Eleven Inle Lake back to Yangon
Due to the expected added traffic on the canal due to the festival our guides opted for an earlier start than normal to allow for any delays encountered. As such we had a 05:00 wake up call this morning.
The hotel breakfast started at 05:30 so we were able to grab some grub before heading off on out long tail boats back to our bus at 06:00.
Breakfast sunrise
The feared traffic on the canal was not that bad and we made good time getting to Nyaung Shwe where we were to meet with our bus again.
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
We had the good fortune of seeing the Royal Barge leave the dock before it was to collect the four Buddha and make the procession down the canal.
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
After this we made the winding drive up the to a plain in the mountains where Heho airport is located at an elevation of 3858 feet above sea level. Due to our early start we arrived well before our flight. We were checked into our Air Bagan flight and went through security to wait. Airside at Heho is a coffee shop and a small food store.
Our flight was eventually announced by using a pole with a sign showing our flight number.
Air Bagan
Flight W6 0201 HEH-RGN No assigned seating
Aircraft: ATR72-200
Departure time: 09:30
We walked out to the ATR-72 and on board for the hour long flight to Yangon. As per the norm it seems we were greeted at the top of the rear stairs by the lead flight attendant and handed a wet towel in a packet.
We found some seats and settled in. The safety demonstration was made and then we pushed back at 09:45. Once in the air there was a similar service to our RGN-NYU flight where a small meal tray was handed out containing water, a small sandwich and a sweet pastry. After this a round of drinks was made and a further before collecting the trays. We landed in Yangon at 10:47.
Air Bagan ATR-72
Legroom Air Bagan
As usual for these ATR-72 flights it was a bus journey to the RGN domestic terminal where we awaited our bags. Once these were delivered we made our way out and on to the bus back to our Yangon hotel for one final night.
It was a free afternoon but our guide had organised a farewell dinner at a restaurant about 5 minutes from the hotel in a cab. Before that we met in the hotel bar to sing a song we had put together for our guide as a thank you for her wonderful leadership on the tour.
We all enjoyed our last meal together and the piled back into taxis back to the hotel bar for one more snifter before saying farewell. There was a band playing music in the bar and we all sang and danced away our last night until the band pulled the plugs at around 00:30.
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
It was handshakes, hugs and kisses all round as we parted ways with people departing at various points during the next day depending on their flights.
Tomorrow farewell to Mayanmar and a loco flight for Moomba.
More Photos
The hotel breakfast started at 05:30 so we were able to grab some grub before heading off on out long tail boats back to our bus at 06:00.
Breakfast sunrise
The feared traffic on the canal was not that bad and we made good time getting to Nyaung Shwe where we were to meet with our bus again.
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
The boat ride back to Nyaung Shwe
We had the good fortune of seeing the Royal Barge leave the dock before it was to collect the four Buddha and make the procession down the canal.
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
The Royal Barge
After this we made the winding drive up the to a plain in the mountains where Heho airport is located at an elevation of 3858 feet above sea level. Due to our early start we arrived well before our flight. We were checked into our Air Bagan flight and went through security to wait. Airside at Heho is a coffee shop and a small food store.
Our flight was eventually announced by using a pole with a sign showing our flight number.
Air Bagan
Flight W6 0201 HEH-RGN No assigned seating
Aircraft: ATR72-200
Departure time: 09:30
We walked out to the ATR-72 and on board for the hour long flight to Yangon. As per the norm it seems we were greeted at the top of the rear stairs by the lead flight attendant and handed a wet towel in a packet.
We found some seats and settled in. The safety demonstration was made and then we pushed back at 09:45. Once in the air there was a similar service to our RGN-NYU flight where a small meal tray was handed out containing water, a small sandwich and a sweet pastry. After this a round of drinks was made and a further before collecting the trays. We landed in Yangon at 10:47.
Air Bagan ATR-72
Legroom Air Bagan
As usual for these ATR-72 flights it was a bus journey to the RGN domestic terminal where we awaited our bags. Once these were delivered we made our way out and on to the bus back to our Yangon hotel for one final night.
It was a free afternoon but our guide had organised a farewell dinner at a restaurant about 5 minutes from the hotel in a cab. Before that we met in the hotel bar to sing a song we had put together for our guide as a thank you for her wonderful leadership on the tour.
We all enjoyed our last meal together and the piled back into taxis back to the hotel bar for one more snifter before saying farewell. There was a band playing music in the bar and we all sang and danced away our last night until the band pulled the plugs at around 00:30.
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
The Final Dinner
It was handshakes, hugs and kisses all round as we parted ways with people departing at various points during the next day depending on their flights.
Tomorrow farewell to Mayanmar and a loco flight for Moomba.
More Photos
Oct 21, 2014, 12:47 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Part 13 - Farewell Myanmar Hello LoCo
Well my friends I am going to shock you somewhat in this instalment as Moomba travels on a lo co. Yes the only sensible option for a one way from RGN to SIN was with JetStar Asia. We did stump up for extra legroom seats and a meal on board though to make it a little easier to take.
The tour company had arranged for a collection at 08:45 but our driver arrived earlier. We asked him to wait as we didn’t want to get to the airport too early for our 11:20 flight. The drive was not too bad despite the early morning Yangon traffic. We arrived just on 2 hours before our flight departure time and went in to the check in area first stopping to have our bags sent through an x-ray and the WMD for us.
Check in was relatively swift and we were given departure cards to fill out before heading upstairs to emigrations. The queues were stupidly slow and it is probably the longest I have ever waited to leave a country.
Once past the emigration checks there were a handful of duty free and tourist trinket stores and a couple of airline lounges. Unfortunately priority pass don’t have an agreement with any lounge so we had to make do with the general areas.
We had to go through another security scan in order to go down to the gate area where we noticed our gate was indeed a bus gate. Eventually at around 10:55 they started to load the busses up and ship us out to the plane.
Flight 3K 0582 RGN-SIN Seat 1F (Economy)
Aircraft: A321
Departure time: 11:20
Once at the plane I was directed to my seat and I stashed my bag in the overhead bin. The plane continued to fill until there was one passenger left to board. The crew and dispatcher were discussing if they should attempt to offload his bag when the dispatcher received the message he had been located and was on his way.
We finally closed up at 11:28 and pushed back a minute later for an 11:31 take off.
We were on the DEF side of row 1 where there was a wall in front of us before the galley whereas the ABC side had unlimited leg room so if you do stump up the extra on 3K make sure you chose the left side seats in row 1.
Bulkhead legroom
Seating
Once the belt signs were off a crew member identified my friend and I and gave us each a bottle of water and a small kit kat. She later came back with a choice of chicken and rice or chicken masala for our meal. The meals were handed to us in paper towel and no tray was used. The meal was as expected for an economy meal but was tasty.
Meal
Chicken Masala
There is no IFE on these birds and I spent most of the time listening to tracks on my phone and watching out the window. Despite having the extra leg room I was getting a bit ansi by the time the flight was approaching Singapore 2.5 hours later.
We touched down at 15:54 and taxied up to a gate at Terminal 1. We made the long walk to immigration where the queues were not too bad but still had to wait around 5 minutes. Our bags were already circling the carousel when we got there and we quickly grabbed them before exiting out to landside.
After brief stop at the ATM machines and we were in our cab headed for the Conrad Centennial Hotel.
After a shower and some relaxation in the lounge we did the ultimate tourist activity in Singapore and enjoyed a Singapore Sling at Raffles Long Bar.
Singapore Sling Raffles
Next up, the journey back to London
The tour company had arranged for a collection at 08:45 but our driver arrived earlier. We asked him to wait as we didn’t want to get to the airport too early for our 11:20 flight. The drive was not too bad despite the early morning Yangon traffic. We arrived just on 2 hours before our flight departure time and went in to the check in area first stopping to have our bags sent through an x-ray and the WMD for us.
Check in was relatively swift and we were given departure cards to fill out before heading upstairs to emigrations. The queues were stupidly slow and it is probably the longest I have ever waited to leave a country.
Once past the emigration checks there were a handful of duty free and tourist trinket stores and a couple of airline lounges. Unfortunately priority pass don’t have an agreement with any lounge so we had to make do with the general areas.
We had to go through another security scan in order to go down to the gate area where we noticed our gate was indeed a bus gate. Eventually at around 10:55 they started to load the busses up and ship us out to the plane.
Flight 3K 0582 RGN-SIN Seat 1F (Economy)
Aircraft: A321
Departure time: 11:20
Once at the plane I was directed to my seat and I stashed my bag in the overhead bin. The plane continued to fill until there was one passenger left to board. The crew and dispatcher were discussing if they should attempt to offload his bag when the dispatcher received the message he had been located and was on his way.
We finally closed up at 11:28 and pushed back a minute later for an 11:31 take off.
We were on the DEF side of row 1 where there was a wall in front of us before the galley whereas the ABC side had unlimited leg room so if you do stump up the extra on 3K make sure you chose the left side seats in row 1.
Bulkhead legroom
Seating
Once the belt signs were off a crew member identified my friend and I and gave us each a bottle of water and a small kit kat. She later came back with a choice of chicken and rice or chicken masala for our meal. The meals were handed to us in paper towel and no tray was used. The meal was as expected for an economy meal but was tasty.
Meal
Chicken Masala
There is no IFE on these birds and I spent most of the time listening to tracks on my phone and watching out the window. Despite having the extra leg room I was getting a bit ansi by the time the flight was approaching Singapore 2.5 hours later.
We touched down at 15:54 and taxied up to a gate at Terminal 1. We made the long walk to immigration where the queues were not too bad but still had to wait around 5 minutes. Our bags were already circling the carousel when we got there and we quickly grabbed them before exiting out to landside.
After brief stop at the ATM machines and we were in our cab headed for the Conrad Centennial Hotel.
After a shower and some relaxation in the lounge we did the ultimate tourist activity in Singapore and enjoyed a Singapore Sling at Raffles Long Bar.
Singapore Sling Raffles
Next up, the journey back to London
Oct 21, 2014, 1:30 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Part 14 - Going Home
We pottered about Singapore for the day and courtesy of my Diamond status with Hilton Honors we were able to delay check-out until 18:00. The staff suggested we stay in the lounge and enjoy a few drinks before leaving for the late flight.
At around 20:00 we collected out cases and caught a taxi back out to Changi airport.
Once there we were able to use the SATS premium check-in area where we were promptly dealt with and soon on our way through to emigrations. This process was swift and painless and we were browsing the shops at Changi in a few minutes.
After some retail therapy we headed up to the Qantas lounge first. Inside we were able to order one more Singapore Sling for the road from the manned bar.
Qantas Lounge Singapore
Qantas Lounge Singapore
We then decamped over to the BA lounge that was extremely busy in comparison.
I noted that BA hadn’t really done anything to the lounge since they took it over from Qantas a while back.
BA Lounge Singapore
BA Lounge Singapore
We left the lounge and went down to our gate that was quite close to the lounge complex. There was no real queue at the security check point and we were through in the gate area a few minutes prior to an announcement for F and J to board.
Flight BA 0016 SIN-LHR Seat 3K (First)
Aircraft: B777-300
Departure time: 23:05
Once on board I was welcomed but not escorted to my seat as per the previous flight. A crew member quickly dropped by and asked if I would like a drink. A glass of bubbly was then offered.
The captain announced a long flight time of 13 hours and 20 minutes. PJs, amenity kit with Refinery products and socks were handed out by the crew.
We pushed back on time at 23:05 and taxied out for a take off time of 23:20.
After take off the senior crew member dropped by for a chat and menus were handed out for the flight.
A pre-dinner drink arrived and yes it was a scotch and dry.
Post take off scotch and nuts
I was offered another drink and some more nuts before the dinner service began.
The table was set and an Amuse Bouche of a seared scallop with sweet corn puree and cucumber roll was delivered to my seat.
Amuse Bouche
The starter course was next and I opted for the soufflé which was very nice indeed.
Starter
For the main course I chose the beef and prawn combination meal. As you can see the beef was not over done at all.
Steak & Prawn Main
I was tempted with the chocolate dessert and it went down very easily I must say.
Chocolate Dessert
After the meal I watched a movie trying to kill time until a sensible ‘UK time’ for me to try and get some sleep. I asked the crew to make up my bed and settled in for the night with a bottle of water.
I woke around 04:00 UK time and the crew asked if I would like some breakfast. As I was intending to go straight into work that morning I decided to eat on the plane rather than waste time in the arrivals lounge.
I started with some Bircher muesli and followed this up with the full English breakfast option.
Bircher Muesli
English Breakfast
As is the norm for the BA breakfast it was extremely salty and I had to ask the crew for another bottle of water before the flight ended.
After breakfast I opened my blinds and watched the channel go by beneath me before flying in over London and touching down at LHR at 05:38.
We pulled up to a B gate and decided to walk over to the A building and then up to immigrations. The queues were not bad and I was able to use the UK line thanks to my regular traveller enrolment. My friend used the bio lanes and was trough in a jiffy. I still made it down to the carousel before it even started moving though.
Our bags eventually came out and we were landside by around 06:20.
My friend and I said our goodbyes. He went off the arrivals lounge as he had sensibly booked that day off work.
I went down to the HEX and then a taxi home for a quick shower before heading off to work. Our wonderful holiday in Myanmar was soon to be distant memory.
At around 20:00 we collected out cases and caught a taxi back out to Changi airport.
Once there we were able to use the SATS premium check-in area where we were promptly dealt with and soon on our way through to emigrations. This process was swift and painless and we were browsing the shops at Changi in a few minutes.
After some retail therapy we headed up to the Qantas lounge first. Inside we were able to order one more Singapore Sling for the road from the manned bar.
Qantas Lounge Singapore
Qantas Lounge Singapore
We then decamped over to the BA lounge that was extremely busy in comparison.
I noted that BA hadn’t really done anything to the lounge since they took it over from Qantas a while back.
BA Lounge Singapore
BA Lounge Singapore
We left the lounge and went down to our gate that was quite close to the lounge complex. There was no real queue at the security check point and we were through in the gate area a few minutes prior to an announcement for F and J to board.
Flight BA 0016 SIN-LHR Seat 3K (First)
Aircraft: B777-300
Departure time: 23:05
Once on board I was welcomed but not escorted to my seat as per the previous flight. A crew member quickly dropped by and asked if I would like a drink. A glass of bubbly was then offered.
The captain announced a long flight time of 13 hours and 20 minutes. PJs, amenity kit with Refinery products and socks were handed out by the crew.
We pushed back on time at 23:05 and taxied out for a take off time of 23:20.
After take off the senior crew member dropped by for a chat and menus were handed out for the flight.
A pre-dinner drink arrived and yes it was a scotch and dry.
Post take off scotch and nuts
I was offered another drink and some more nuts before the dinner service began.
The table was set and an Amuse Bouche of a seared scallop with sweet corn puree and cucumber roll was delivered to my seat.
Amuse Bouche
The starter course was next and I opted for the soufflé which was very nice indeed.
Starter
For the main course I chose the beef and prawn combination meal. As you can see the beef was not over done at all.
Steak & Prawn Main
I was tempted with the chocolate dessert and it went down very easily I must say.
Chocolate Dessert
After the meal I watched a movie trying to kill time until a sensible ‘UK time’ for me to try and get some sleep. I asked the crew to make up my bed and settled in for the night with a bottle of water.
I woke around 04:00 UK time and the crew asked if I would like some breakfast. As I was intending to go straight into work that morning I decided to eat on the plane rather than waste time in the arrivals lounge.
I started with some Bircher muesli and followed this up with the full English breakfast option.
Bircher Muesli
English Breakfast
As is the norm for the BA breakfast it was extremely salty and I had to ask the crew for another bottle of water before the flight ended.
After breakfast I opened my blinds and watched the channel go by beneath me before flying in over London and touching down at LHR at 05:38.
We pulled up to a B gate and decided to walk over to the A building and then up to immigrations. The queues were not bad and I was able to use the UK line thanks to my regular traveller enrolment. My friend used the bio lanes and was trough in a jiffy. I still made it down to the carousel before it even started moving though.
Our bags eventually came out and we were landside by around 06:20.
My friend and I said our goodbyes. He went off the arrivals lounge as he had sensibly booked that day off work.
I went down to the HEX and then a taxi home for a quick shower before heading off to work. Our wonderful holiday in Myanmar was soon to be distant memory.
Oct 21, 2014, 1:59 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin
Posts: 3,060
Excellent end to an excellent report. Thoroughly enjoyed all of the photos which I am sure don't do those places half the justice they deserve. Some of the scenery was gorgeous.
Brave man going straight into work after the long flight back from SIN!
Brave man going straight into work after the long flight back from SIN!
Oct 21, 2014, 8:26 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
These trip reports are always enjoyable, as they are humbling. To see how those folks live and how simple and sometimes primitive parts of their lives are... it makes you take a moment to reflect on how our lives are because of where most of us were born, whether it be North America/Europe/Asia.
Thanks for a wonderful TR moomba!
Thanks for a wonderful TR moomba!
Oct 22, 2014, 12:18 pm
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
These trip reports are always enjoyable, as they are humbling. To see how those folks live and how simple and sometimes primitive parts of their lives are... it makes you take a moment to reflect on how our lives are because of where most of us were born, whether it be North America/Europe/Asia.
Thanks for a wonderful TR moomba!
Thanks for a wonderful TR moomba!
Last edited by Moomba; Nov 10, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Oct 25, 2014, 12:14 pm
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
Fine report Moomba.
The wife and I have decided that an organised trip like this one is the way forward for us in future should we wish to visit certain destinations. However I think I shall avoid one like yours that had so many early rises in the morning.
The wife and I have decided that an organised trip like this one is the way forward for us in future should we wish to visit certain destinations. However I think I shall avoid one like yours that had so many early rises in the morning.
Oct 26, 2014, 6:59 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Than you janehoya. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Good to see a return to F for the next flight.
Oct 27, 2014, 4:47 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Canterbury
Programs: BA Blue, IC Diamond Ambassador, Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 368
I really loved this TR, your photography is getting better and better with each one. It's hard enough trying to decide where to go next as it is, more so now you've just added another place to the list.