First trip report-Asia
Jan 26, 1999, 4:30 am
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Honolulu,HI, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3MM
Posts: 839
First trip report-Asia
Here's my first shot at a trip report.
12/26/98
Fly HNL to NRT on UA in business class (no first class on this flight). I pick a seat in the upper section of the 747. The FA was great and extremely attentive. Even though I napped on the flight, she saved my food and snacks for me. I thought of Rudi as she pushed me to have several Godiva chocolates. I arrive at 12 noon in Narita. It takes me 25 minutes to get from the gate, through customs and onto the airport limo bus. Not bad.
I arrive at the Century Hyatt after a 1 1/2 bus ride. Boy, it's far from the airport! The hotel is beautiful. The staff practically jumps all over you trying to be of service. I give the front desk my Hyatt GP certicate for my free three night stay and there's no problem. One funny thing is that the bellman wouldn't enter my room with my luggage until a female employee arrived to escort him. He also wouldn't accept my tip. I found out later that a 10% surcharge is added to the bill to cover all tips. My impression of Tokyo is that it is crowded and super expensive. When I checked out, I felt guilty since my room was free and 10% of zero is zero so no one got any tips from me after giving me great service.
12/30/98
Fly NRT to HKG in business class. Biz class is only 3/4's full and has the new biz class seats. Good flight. The new HKG airport is massive but not beautiful. The hike from the gate to the train is very long. I get from the plane, through immigration, pick up my luggage and through customs in 30 minutes. Not bad.
The highlights of my HKG portion are attending my cousin's wedding and reception (New World Rennaisance), afternoon high tea at the Pennisula, lots of great seafood including bowls and bowls of shark's fin soup and the view from Victoria Peak. The downside is that I come down with the flu during this segment of the trip.
1/6/99
HKG to Kuala Lumpur through Singapore on Singapore Airlines in coach. This is my first experience on Singapore Airlines. The individual video programming was a nice touch. The FA weren't too friendly. Maybe it was because they had to wear open toe sandals. It must hurt to have a cart run into a toe or two.
Didn't care for Malaysia but loved Singapore.
1/10/99
Singapore to HKG on Singapore Airlines in coach. I love that this airport is "wired" and has two internet venues. Nothing special on the flight. Remember to choose the Chinese meal rather than the Western one.
1/11/99
HKG to NRT to HNL on UA in business class. This was the first time I experienced the 747 with the straight stairs to the upper section. It's so much better than the winding stairway. I hate this connection since it gives me a 6 hour layover in NRT. I head to the Red Carpet Club and it is packed. They need to either double the size of the RCC or add another one. Finally, found an empty seat and try to figure out how to kill 6 hours. End up reading, people watching and drinking a lot of Coke. I could have used a large margarita. First time I had sushi in a RCC though. Finally, get on the plane to HNL and I'm happy to be headed home.
12/26/98
Fly HNL to NRT on UA in business class (no first class on this flight). I pick a seat in the upper section of the 747. The FA was great and extremely attentive. Even though I napped on the flight, she saved my food and snacks for me. I thought of Rudi as she pushed me to have several Godiva chocolates. I arrive at 12 noon in Narita. It takes me 25 minutes to get from the gate, through customs and onto the airport limo bus. Not bad.
I arrive at the Century Hyatt after a 1 1/2 bus ride. Boy, it's far from the airport! The hotel is beautiful. The staff practically jumps all over you trying to be of service. I give the front desk my Hyatt GP certicate for my free three night stay and there's no problem. One funny thing is that the bellman wouldn't enter my room with my luggage until a female employee arrived to escort him. He also wouldn't accept my tip. I found out later that a 10% surcharge is added to the bill to cover all tips. My impression of Tokyo is that it is crowded and super expensive. When I checked out, I felt guilty since my room was free and 10% of zero is zero so no one got any tips from me after giving me great service.
12/30/98
Fly NRT to HKG in business class. Biz class is only 3/4's full and has the new biz class seats. Good flight. The new HKG airport is massive but not beautiful. The hike from the gate to the train is very long. I get from the plane, through immigration, pick up my luggage and through customs in 30 minutes. Not bad.
The highlights of my HKG portion are attending my cousin's wedding and reception (New World Rennaisance), afternoon high tea at the Pennisula, lots of great seafood including bowls and bowls of shark's fin soup and the view from Victoria Peak. The downside is that I come down with the flu during this segment of the trip.
1/6/99
HKG to Kuala Lumpur through Singapore on Singapore Airlines in coach. This is my first experience on Singapore Airlines. The individual video programming was a nice touch. The FA weren't too friendly. Maybe it was because they had to wear open toe sandals. It must hurt to have a cart run into a toe or two.
Didn't care for Malaysia but loved Singapore.
1/10/99
Singapore to HKG on Singapore Airlines in coach. I love that this airport is "wired" and has two internet venues. Nothing special on the flight. Remember to choose the Chinese meal rather than the Western one.
1/11/99
HKG to NRT to HNL on UA in business class. This was the first time I experienced the 747 with the straight stairs to the upper section. It's so much better than the winding stairway. I hate this connection since it gives me a 6 hour layover in NRT. I head to the Red Carpet Club and it is packed. They need to either double the size of the RCC or add another one. Finally, found an empty seat and try to figure out how to kill 6 hours. End up reading, people watching and drinking a lot of Coke. I could have used a large margarita. First time I had sushi in a RCC though. Finally, get on the plane to HNL and I'm happy to be headed home.
Jan 27, 1999, 10:29 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
Welcome back TropicalFlyer! And you are so right about the Narita RCC being overcrowded! It's always been packed in there and now with all the Star Allicance folks as well...needs to be tripled in side. Sometimes I can't find a single seat!