FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Cathay first, and the highest French temperature since records began

Dec 14, 2019 | 1:20 am

#1

jysim

Join Date: Dec 2015

Location: TPE

Programs: CX Silver

Posts: 146

Cathay First, and the highest French temperature since records began

Back in summer 2019 the S.O. and I took a 13-day trip to France. This was our first long-haul trip together and let me tell you it is quite stressful during the planning stages. He is frugal and plans to save all his income for retirement at 35, while me being the ~~happy-go-lucky~~ practical person, values sleep, quality time, and unique experiences. It took several squabbles and negotiating about where to visit and the price range of our accommodation. On top of that, work had been extremely stressful in early summer for me. The S.O. had been very busy taking his CFA, too. Hence, counting down the days to our departure and finally performing OLCI on t-48, we were more than ready to escape the heat and humidity of Taipei in June.

As mentioned, he values money while I value sleep, and I wouldn't get a winkle of sleep in Y from all the high schoolers taking their first trip abroad. So I forked out quite a sum for a J seat while he found a relatively good deal in Y, on the same flight. During Chinese New Year, a friend from FlyerTalk needed some help with concert tickets in Taipei, and finding international money transfers troublesome, we agreed to exchange a bookable upgrade from J to F for the tickets.

Itinerary
TPE-HKG in J
HKG-CDG in F
Paris for a few days
TGV from Paris to Avignon
Ouigo from Avignon to Marseilles
HOP by AirFrance from Marseilles to Rennes
Local trains from Rennes to Paris
CDG-HKG-TPE in J

Cathay Pacific CX 565
Taipei TPE to Hong Kong HKG
A350-900
19:30 - 21:30
June 26, 2019

Basically an uneventful routine flight across the straits. I was famished from not having lunch and skipping the lounge as we were cutting it close. I remembered I found the food to be quite palatable for once

Oui, time to start practicing moi Français, which is limited to please, thank you, and bonjour.

On arrival in HKG we went to the Pier F. The S.O. joined me as I can guest one in. We had a sumptuous dinner, showered, then idle our time away until boarding. I'm not sure if it is due to the start of summer vacations, but the Pier F was very packed that evening with hardly a seat available. The poor attendants were quite exhausted clearing up after guests.

Back in June there were some indications of unrest in Hong Kong regarding the extradition bill, maybe a few large scale peaceful demonstrations, but no violence or airport stress tests as seen later during the year. I would say we were quite fortunate not having to face these disruptions during our trip. The crew we met were highly professional and hardworking as well.

Cathay Pacific CX 261
Hong Kong HKG to Paris CDG
B777-300ER
00:05 - 06:55
June 27, 2019

The F cabin was completely full today, with a young Caucasian couple taking their honeymoon trip (they were quite loud) and another seemingly highly seasoned couple who ate their caviar and went straight to sleep. It seemed like a race for attention at first as the crew were slightly overwhelmed by various demands and requests for pictures. However, nobody beats an emergency department pediatrician who stays awake at ungodly hours for money, and soon everyone went to bed.
Dan, a hunky Hong Kong SP took care of me. I had a light dinner and had approximately 5 hours of sleep, waking up well before others to have my breakfast of scrambled eggs. I think Dan must be laughing inside as none of the other 5 passengers wanted breakfast.

Amuse bouche and champagne right after take off.

Caviar which everybody is having. Pardon the poor picture quality as the cabin was quite dark by then.

A Cantonese soup which I forgot what went into it. It was sublime as far as soup goes.

Supper is US pork rib with strawberry sauce. Interesting choice for supper. As I don't eat beef, this is my only option besides the vegan pasta. It was very greasy. I never had strawberry sauce as a Chinese dish before, and I don't think I will ever again.