For the third time in under 24 hours I dash to the lounge, grab some boarding passes and dash out to the gate. I wonder what they must think of me, let alone security?
Well I make it and finally sigh of relief for the rushed connections are over (for the next few days at least). This is again a turnaround trip to Jakarta. Food is the same as yesterday despite the different flight time - hmmm.
I didnt think I had much to drink but somehow the bottle was emptied on the short flight just by me!?
The flight was a little bumpier today and I had a few problems with the game resetting every now and then, but other than that the same as yesterday. Great service of course.
Back in Singapore a few hours later I meet up with
ph-ndr who'd I'd briefly spoken to before heading out to the flight (while waiting for the boarding pass to be issued). He gladly moved across to the first side to join me in having some Doms.
We talked a lot and after he left for his flight I caught up on emails and some urgent work.
I dont end up getting any sleep, as by the time that is done it is time for a shower and get some nice breakfast (much better in the lounge than in the air).
Well it is another day and time for another flight. This time back to Auckland on the 777. For a nice change the gate is not at the end, although the usual long queue out the gate and along the corridor due to not enough screeners has happened again. Honestly I dont know why they keep short-staffing the gates when they are pushing everyone to arrive early and you end up spending time waiting to be screened. The flight is full, as expected for this time of year. What is unexpected is the contingent of male tennis players (not quite top flight but still high ranking) who are in the tournament starting soon. They all have large carry-ons for their rackets which they refuse to check in. This means overhead bin space is at a premium.
I hadnt planned on sleeping so as to adjust for the arrival time around midnight, however I found my self dozing a bit as the past few days frentic pace caught up with me.
I didnt eat or drink much - and the FAs seemed confused by my turning down all their offers (of food and drink - get your mind out of the gutter!).
BREAKFAST menu
A Fresh Start
A choice of apple, tomato or freshly squeezed orange
Fresh fruit
A Healthy Note
Choice of cereals or yoghurt
The Main Event
Portobello mushroom quiche with chicken sausag, roasted roma tomato and hash brown potatoes
Dim sum
Crepe with parsley-scrambled egg, roasted tomato, sauteed button mushrooms and gratin potato
From the Bakery
Assorted breakfast rolls
Butter - Fruit preserve
A Connoisseur's Choice
Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea
BEFORE TOUCH-DOWN menu
To Nibble On
Satay
A Savoury Note
Mesclun with spicy Thai prawn-pomelo salad
The Main Event
Seabass fillet with steamed mussel in moroccan spice sauce, baby leek, peas, carrot and fettuccine
Braised lamb shank in soya with brocolli, carrot, mushrooms and fried rice
Panfried chicken in basil-tomato sauce with roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes
Indonesian style beef randang with spiced vegetables and steamed rice
The Cheese Board
Gourmet cheese with garnishes
A Sweet Note
A selection of fresh fruit
Ben & Jerry ice cream
A Connoisseur's Choice
Gourmet coffee
Selection of tea
and pralines
BEVERAGES
special cocktail
Orange Cooler
cocktails
Singapore Sling
Silver Kris Sling
Gin Fizz
Cloud Nine
Screwdriver
Bloody Mary
Daiquiri
Red or White Wine Cooler
aperitifs
Campari
Dry Vermouth
non-alcoholic cocktails
Citrus Royale
Tropical Sparkle
Golden Spice
Fruit Spritzer
Sunrise Surprise
spirits
Cognac XO Otard
Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Gordon's Dry Gin
Absolut Vodka
Bacardi Carta Blanca
liqueurs
Cointreau
Tia Maria
Baileys Original Irish Cream
beer
International Selection
stout
Guinness Stout
champagne
Charles Heidsieck 1995
Piper Heidsieck 1999
white wines
Kloster Eberbach Riesling Kabinett 2003 Rheingau
Montagny 1er Cru 2002
red wines
Chateau Cissac 1998 Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc
Nipozzano Riserva 2001 Chianti Rufina Docg Frescobaldi
port
Taylor 2000 Late Bottled Vintage Port
tea selection
Pure Ceylon Tea
Earl Grey
Darjeeling
Camomile
Decaffeinated Tea
Japanese Green Tea
chinese tea selection
Oolong
gourmet coffees
Brazil Santos Bourbon
Colombian Supremo
Kenyan AA Kilimanjaro
specialty coffees
Brewed Coffee
Cafe Royal
Espresso
Cappuccino
Decaffeinated Coffee
Mocha
other beverages
Chocolate
Milo
mineral water
Carbonated mineral water
Non-carbonated mineral water
fruit juices
Apple
Orange
Pineapple
Tomato
Cranberry
soft drinks
A range of regular or low-calorie drinks is available
iced drinks
Iced Tea
Iced Coffee
Iced Mocha
Iced Chocolate
Iced Milo
We arrived back to a sultry evening and quickly through immigration and agriculture. I could see a large queue of those who weren't so fortunate and was glad it wasnt me.
Next up - a do run run.