Hong Kong-San Francisco
Singapore Airlines SQ 2 First Class
747-400
10:45P-8:15P
(I love arriving before we depart!)
After a wonderful 4 hour private car tour with our excellent Pen-arranged driver Sam (PM me and I'll share his contact info) and a late afternoon nap, we board our comfy Rolls for the 30 minute ride to the airport.
By now 5 days of travel are beginning to take their toll on the big guy as we need more frequent rests in between walking. We rest for 5 minutes near the F aisle of T1 and proceed to check in. Another rest between check-in and passport control and security, all virtually empty at 7PM today. The good news is that the SKL is the first lounge we encounter, conveniently located near the bottom of the escalator from the departure level to the gate level, and only 1 gate from our departure gate 16. The bad news is that the VS Clubhouse is located near Gate 40. I decided that its not a trek we're making today.
The other bad news is that, as other FTers have commented, the lounge is a dump. The bar/food selections are serve yourself and pretty lame. And this is in the First Class side. For an airline whose in flight service is so incredibly good to have all the subpar ground facilities we encountered is surprising.
After a drink and some peanuts in this depressing lounge with the even more depressing anti-American CNN International on the lone TV (which channel you can't change, "we like to have it on CNN", OK, can I change the volume? "certainly, what would you like?" how about mute?, "no problem sir"), I get antsy and long for the Clubhouse.
Bring dad another drink, tell him not to worry if I'm gone for half an hour, and I set out in search of Gate 40 and the promised land.
After a stop for some Beijing 2008 souvenirs (only US$39 for two caps and a T-shirt!! Apparently these Games will not be making any money) I try to find the train to the outer gates.
After three long down escalators (actually it was 5 but the first two were an error as I stupidly assumed that nearly side by side down escalators go to the same place), I reach the train level. A quick ride in a utilitarian interior with only two seats in an entire car. Yup, wise decision to leave Dad behind.
Three more up escalators and I'm at the Gate Level. The lounges are another level up and, even without any signage, I can spot the outside terrace of the Clubhouse and I know its going to be great! Another escalator and a long and winding trek to the entrance and I'm home. I present my SQ First BP and the friendly Clubhouse dragon invites me to enjoy my stay. I soak it all in and tour the entire lounge, where in 30 seconds, three friendly Clubhousers ask if I would like something to drink. I snap a few pics and settle down to enjoy a G&T and order the Seared Ahi. Is there anything that Branson doesn't get right?
Time to go back to the depressing SKL. Wound up walking (at least they have periodic people movers) the nearly two miles as, unless they were in Chinese, I couldn't see any signs for the train. The signs for Gate 1-39 pointed to a long walk.
Back at the SKL, Dad had made himself another drink and was only slightly worried at my 45 minutes absence. There are now 12 people in the lounge included 2 rug-rats... not sure what's up here considering there are only 8 F pax on our flight and I thought we were the last flight out... OK, maybe *A.
We decide to leave early so as to get out of the SKL and on to the plane ASAP. Short walk and a mover and we're at the gate, where a helpful agent spots our FBPs and shepherds us through the J gate lice to board us before the general call.
On board, the wonderful SQ experience begins again. Unfortunately its not a 77W, and I am now so spoiled. But the inflight service is consistently exceptional including the personal attention from another lovely Singapore Girl.
While at the gate and during boarding, the cabin was frigid as the AC was cranked max and visibly seeping out of every orifice in the cabin. It was pretty cool to see but not something I'd ever want to see in the air.
I also have a 13 second clip that really captures the odd sensation... if anyone knows a better way to post this, please PM me...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28148203@N08/2675066625/
Again opted for the eastern menu tonight featuring a medley of small cold and hot dishes, most of which were very good (except for the pork and dry duck gizzard clear soup, which just sounded wrong to me, but which our SG insisted was excellent... I am so gullible at times), especially when washed down with Krug.
Cold Xiao Chi
Abalone with "kong choi" salad
Chicken with roasted sesame salad
Black Berkshire pork in garlic sauce
Fried Beancurd with crabmeat
Cuisine From the Wok
Stir Fried Lobster XO sauce
Chicken with pine nuts and vegetable
Stir fried beef with garlic and chili
Kal lan with Black mushroom
Chilled red bean pudding with coconut ice cream and raspberry sauce... the coconut ice cream was amazing, red bean pudding not to my liking, but I wasn't really hungry at that point. But those three KitKat bars later on were just what the doctor ordered.
Only about three hours of sleep tonight. After the wonderful bed on the 77W, I'm spoiled and just can get comfortable on the narrow 744 lie flat. Also didn't help that 1B began chatting with an FA outside the galley about her baby (yep, babe in arms) and woke me. Mercifully, we were in 4CD so we only heard the occasion cries, as the kid slept or was quiet most of the way.
Worked the last five hours of the flight organizing some 400 pics for my iWeb trip album... what great apple software! About two hours prior to landing had OJ and a delicious breakfast including the fresh fruit plate...
... and yummy waffles with blueberry compote, beef sausage and scrambled eggs
A beautifully smooth touchdown on 28L at 8:25P and I'm home after a great 5 day odyssey that my dad and I will remember forever. Thanks to all the wonderful people of Singapore Airlines for making this a memorable trip!