Short hair Francis

Regency Club







Finally woke up at 10am for diamond breakfast and headed out for some light touring around 10:45am.

Why is it 30 degrees in London? Isn’t it supposed to rain and be cold.
I’ve been trying to get away from hot places and I can’t seem to get away.
I’m not supposed to be wearing flip-flops and shorts outside in Central London.

Marble Arch


Back down to the tube, taking on its NYC characteristics, bloody hot to ride in the summer


Improvements? Please install air conditioning/heating system or Escalators

*Yes, I’m spoiled by the HKG MTR

Time to see Big Ben



*Personally next time I’ll come back when the tourist numbers are lower, way too many tourists in summer time

The Union Jack still flying strong


For the Treasury, why not try taxing water bottles vs. Air Passenger Duty
Talk about being wasteful



Thames River


Downing Street is protected well




Part 43 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

For this trip I decided to visit Churchill’s War Room



What’s with all the US dollar in the donation box, not legal tender in UK




Prime Minister’s Office







How would have the world change if he was still around


The War Room also had a traditional typewriter for “Young-Uns” to try like me


Rise of the Iron Curtain


“Twenty to Twenty-Five! Those are the Years”

*If this TR has proven anything, this will be it ^

The Munich Agreement



Rest of the Rooms




Part 43 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

No more rationing? That’s some serious inflation from 1940s





Asbestos Fire Blanket, run!


Bomb List


Flyable Aircraft during the Battle of Britain


Good Old Burma






The Churchill War Room took about 90 Minutes to tour through.

Walking through St. James Park toward Buckingham Palace




Buckingham Palace



Part 43 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Trafaglar Square


Piccadilly Circus




Finally at the Tower Bridge at 2:30pm



After a quick 3.5 hours of going around London, I went back to the Hyatt for some cleaning up, showers, cold drinks and much-needed air-conditioning.
I think I’ve gotten sick of 30 Degree weather everywhere this trip

And around 4:30pm, I left the Hyatt and back towards London Heathrow flight.
Been saving myself (with no Lunch) for tonight’s All Nippon Airways First Class Flight, Uh Oh


Next Part
Part 44 – All Nippon Airways First Class Square Suite, LHR – NRT

ffI

You do a trip like Rapid Travel Chai.
It would take me days to see what you do in 1 day!
Can't wait to see the ANA flight pics.

AA_EXP09

I also noticed the CAD 30 (2x5 + 20) and RMB100 in the box.

Short hair Francis

Interesting question AA_EXP09, had to think hard on this one
I think this is my easiest answer and it's an OMNI/PR answer, it is the "Canadian of Convenience" factor, it really falls back to whom do you want to go to save you in those ugly times.

And to whom do you swear your loyalty to?
The Queen or to the Bauhania
or the 5 Stars
Being true to my roots, the 1st Two makes some sense.
I have no connections to Mainland China, so what loyalty can they expect from me?
All the prices in HKG have exploded because of them, and for what, so they can bring back milk powders back to Shenzhen, take kindergarten spots from HKG kids, have their offsprings take a #2 in our shopping malls?
Obviously not everyone agree with the Locust ads on Apple Daily

For other FTers reference
http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/02/0...n-apple-daily/

I'm not saying that is always the case but when those visitors in general don't respect our cultures when they travel here, what do they expect?

I am thanking my lucky stars I will never have to raise a family in HKG, like some of my older friends are already lamenting

I guess in some ways you can say I'm a "Hong Kongie of Convenience"

Nah, I have multiple identities hence almost never needing a visa or stamping even, and I have one of those 48 pg 5 years passports that won't fill up before it expires .


Thanks ffi, had to google Rapid Travel Chai, I think I'll agree with that although I haven't been to 41% of countries, my number is a meager 17-18% I think.
1 day are kinda different, for some places I admit it isn't enough time, but for London, I've been there twice prior for a total duration of 4-5 day so slightly different, had friends to visit there then.
ANA pics I promise will be good, I'll most likely have them up sun night/mon morning east coast time.


Where's the pic for this? Sorry too many pics in this TR
I'm not surprised though, I always have multiple currency on me since I usually take off at a whim's notice

themapelligroup

Thanks Short Hair Francis for the beautiful report! London is my second home, my favourite place on earth and I go there every time I can. I was there in mid July too, agreed they should install air conditioning on the escalators.

Short hair Francis

Your welcome themapelligroup and thank you for the continual reading
London is ok for me, maybe off-peak season even with the rains is better for me personally, never been a big fan for the crowds outside of a Sports game really.

It was a lucky/unlucky mid July in London considering the heat that lasts for about 10 days.

ANA First up later in the day, if I can just imaged them faster
Wouldn't be surprised if I'm going to break "The Most Photos in a TR" record

Short hair Francis

Part 44 – All Nippon Airways First Class Square Suite, LHR – NRT


Have been looking forward to this ANA Square Suites flight for months as NH doesn’t tend to release huge amount of F award space, and LHR – NRT is a reasonable length to try out the product. As I need to pick up a special parcel from Tokyo and deliver it personally to Frankfurt, then to return home to Hong Kong.
I am now flying a Zig Zag pattern of London – Tokyo – Frankfurt – Hong Kong for the next 72 hours, got to love this flying life
Hey UK Treasury, how much of the environment are you saving with your APD,
Ya right zippo


Jul 14, 2013 – Sunday
NH 202 LHR – NRT 7:35pm – 3:20pm (+1) [Jul 15] (77W/F)

Finally inside the tube system at Bond Street with a connection at Holborn back to the Piccadilly Line, I finally got to Heathrow Terminal 3 at 6:00pm

London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3


All Nippon Airways First Class Check-In



*Was hidden behind a corner and the Check-In agent had a checklist as to whom was flying F that day, apparently I was the last F pax to check-in and acknowledge as Mr. SHF prior to handing over my passport. Load tonight will be 6/8

Fast Track Security was very quick and I made my way for the lounges

ANA uses the No. 1 Lounge which was hidden on a different floor. The check-in agent also suggested the SQ F lounge as an alternate choice should I choose, only if she knew I tend to hit 3 lounges in 50 minutes.

London Heathrow No. 1 Lounge





Games Room


Business Class uses the main space and First Class is offered a separate room with a dining menu

First Class Room for NH passengers, it really was just a room


First Class Menu, NH comps First Class something off the menu


After the No 1. Lounge, I decided to head to the Admiral’s Club, yes I wrote correctly.
The Admiral’s Club, as a mainly TPAC flier, I rarely fly through Heathrow and if I’m here, why not pop in for 10 minutes and take some photos anyways.

London Heathrow American Airlines Admiral’s Club









Part 44 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Had a quick bite here, lasagna was good and soon went to the 3rd lounge available for visit.

London Heathrow Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge









As I was still hungry from the lasagna offering, I went to the menu available


I ordered some sushi, minestrone soup and a Singapore Sling. In the meanwhile as I was still famish, went to the food counter for some dim-sum and wraps

And I was so hungry… I cleared out all the siew mai


SQ Lounge Pre-Flight Dinner


Last 3 Siew Mai and it’s all mine

Agent comes back, What do you mean we’re out of sushi, forget it, I have no time left, SHF strikes again and this time cleans out a lounge of dim sum

Minestrone Soup


Singapore Sling



Running late at 6:55pm, so after going through 3 lounges in about 50 minutes and a light dinner in between, I made the short 5 min walk to gate 5 where boarding has just commenced.

All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER

*Taken at Tokyo Narita


*47th flight, 106522 Miles flown since Apr 28
All Nippon Airways 202
London Heathrow to Tokyo Narita
Scheduled – 7:35pm – 3:20pm(+1)[Jul 15], 11 hr 45 min flight
Actual Departure – 7:21pm
On Time Arrival – 2:52pm(+1)
First Class, Seat 2K
Food – Dinner, Snacks, Lunch
Equipment – Boeing 777-300ER (8F/68J/24Y+/114Y Configuration)





Part 44 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

The 1st Jetway was reserved for 1st Class passengers only with a Gate Agent actively guarding the entrance, nice

All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER New “Square Suite” First Class Cabin







All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER New “Square Suite” First Class Seat










The Dining Table, similar to SQ 77W F


Seat Control Console



*I like other FTers before me, I like the seat, but did they really have to build the suite like a rectangular box. Could’ve have been much better if the console on the window side can put flat and allow the use of more windows and natural lighting.


Part 44 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Glasses Holder


Waste of 3 Windows with this design,

*Would have been 1000 times better if the controls were on the side like the side table

Small Closet


A Quick peek at the ANA Business Class Seat



Time to start First Class Service

Pre-Departure Beverage, Krug Grande Cuvee Champagne


Amenity Kit, Slippers, Pajamas and In-Flight Blanket


Yet even more Amenities, basket run


And just prior to door closing, I went to lavatory to change into my own jammies

Got to praise the Japanese, Bidet even on a plane



Still need to find a chance to fly the Qantas Airbus 380


Door were closed at 7:21pm and pushback at 7:30pm
ANA runs its AVOD for the entire flight, no turning off for take-off or landing


Flight Time of 10 Hours 45 Minutes to Tokyo Narita


Bye Bye London




Arik Air?


To Fly, To Serve

*Not a SFO777 fan lol


Part 44 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

We finally lined up ready to go at Runway 27L at 7:45pm



Rolloff Time







After take-off, I put the seat to full flat, and the armrest decided to pop out.

*Come on, be a good girl, we’ve only been in the air for 15 minutes



ANA Sky Channel AVOD



*I’ve gone back in time, as the theme of this report, Double or Nothing, Nothing is Gonna stop us now ^

Seat to Seat Massaging

*Probably not a great function if you left a gf/wife/close friend in the back while you’re up front

Service started 30 Minutes after take-off

First with the Hot Towel



All Nippon Airways First Class Dining Menu




NH 202 Dinner
Kaiseki Cuisine

Sakizuke
Marinated butterbur saikyo miso taste with dried bonito flakes

Zensai
Simmered Prawn in soy-based sauce
Japanese Omelet with various vegetables
Simmered Chicken in Arima-sansho pepper soy sauce
Grilled Squid with egg yolk
Sweet Potato Cake
Stewed Kumquat in honey sauce
Salt-Boiled Green soybeans

Nimonowan
Poached Prawn with Kudzu Starch

Otsukuri
Quick-Seared Beef with garlic flavored soy sauce

Kobachi
Deep-Fried Scallop marinated in piquant-vinegared sauce

Takiawase
Simmered Vegetables in soy-based sauce

Shusai
Sake-Steamed Sablefish

Steamed Rice
Onboard-Steamed Rice (Toyama Yumegokochi), miso soup and assorted Japanese pickles

Wagashi
Three Varieties of Amanatto – Sugar-glazed chestnuts, toroku beans and sweet potatoes


Modern European

Appetizer Plate
Caviar with Traditional Garnish

Lobster and Smoked Salmon Salad in Orange Cup

Foie Gras Terrine and Coconut toast with Espresso cream

Smoked Duck and fig salad with Sherry Vinegar dressing

Garden Salad
Served with a choice of dressings – Japanese Yuzu Citron, tomato or creamy black pepper

Main Plate
Fillet of Beef Steak with Ginger flavored Riesling Wine Sauce

Sauteed Turbot and Mussels with Saffron Sauce

Sauteed Lamb Chop persillade with ratatouille

Selection of Breads
Served with flavorful premium Charente LESCURE butter or extra-virgin olive oil

Cheese Plate
Capricorn, Fourme d’Ambert, Westcombe farmhouse Cheddar

Dessert
Assorted Ice Cream and Sherbet

Yuzu Citron-flavored tart with anglaise sauce

Warm Orange and Gateau Chocolat with Vanilla Ice Cream

Selection of Fresh Seasonal Fruit

Petits Fours



Drinks Menu



Part 44 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Drinks Menu is Super Duper Extensive
As to everyone wondering how bad can SHF strike on a flight after having no lunch?
The answer is I should learn to hold back on the Pre-Flight Meal lol
I’ll let the photos below do the explaining
One of my main requests to the FA upon boarding was please save me a Kaiseki Meal at all cost.
There is no reason to fly a Japanese airline then go to eat Western food in my opinion or at least go completely Western, I did have Western Appetizer(s) with my Kaiseki Meal

First Starter Drink, Krug Champagne



Also Accompanied with Chilled Japanese Green Tea


Amuse Borche



Second Drink, Tomato Juice with Vodka


Western Appetizer #1, Caviar with Traditional Garnish



Western Appetizer #2, Lobster and Smoked Salmon Salad in Orange Cup



Part 44 Continues Below