Short hair Francis

Big Right Turn before Seongmodo at 4000ft



North Korea in the distance



Turning Southeast along the Han River at 7000 ft



Then turning East above Anyang vector towards Sea of Japan







15 Minutes Later, we're past the Seoul Metropolitan


Out to Sea of Japan at Gangneung


*Skies definitely less hazy away from Seoul

OZ 112 Breakfast

*Koreans like their Hot Sauce alright LOL

Sweet and Sour Chicken Karaage for Breakfast


Halfway across the Sea of Japan



I went back for another quick 15 min nap after the meal.

At 925am, OZ 112 stared the Initial Descent into Kansai


Part 7 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

*This morning's flight flew over the Inland Sea at Okayama to meet the Awaji localiser for the Runway 24R approach

Awaji Island


*Jeez, whats with all the hazy weather

Kobe International Airport


*At Mayah localiser, then hugging the Osaka Bay coast in a Circular method to final approach.

Osaka Bay



Final Approach


Landing at Osaka Kansai Runway 24R



Touchdown at Kansai



The Long Taxi from one side of the apron to the other side


Peach Aviation Airbus 320-200



Jetstar Japan Airbus 320-200


All Nippon Airways Airbus 320-200NEO


The Long Taxi down Taxiway J4




Part 7 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Felt like a Long Taxi from Runway 24R to Gate 4


Door Open at 949am, time to catch up to my friends at Kyoto...


Virus News
Jan 19, 2020 – New Coronavirus “Preventable” and “Controllable”, China Says
Reference - https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51168333

Jan 20, 2020 – WHO calls for emergency meeting on new virus in China, as cases spread to health care workers
Reference - https://www.statnews.com/2020/01/20/...-care-workers/

Reference -
Jan 20, 2020 – China confirms human-to-human transmission of new coronavirus
Reference - https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coron...uman-1.5433187
“If health-care workers were not exposed at the seafood market but from an encounter with a patient then that's a signal”
“It is important to take this seriously, and be vigilant and be prepared. But I don't think there's reason for us to panic or be overly concerned” Tam Said
*These quotes from Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer.


Asiana Airlines Boeing 767-300 Economy Class Quick Review
Check-In – No wait with Star Gold, the priority side was way calmer than the Economy Check-in or LCC sections.

Security – If you're had a smooth experience here, I would like to hear it.
Biggest factor why I'm generally not interested in KR trips.

Boarding – 2 Lines were set-up and Asiana Diamonds/Star Gold were allowed to board first once again.

Cabin Ambiance – A Boeing 767 with the Ancient 80's Bin, Enjoy it While You Can

Seat – Is 30 USD overpay for this seat? Yes and no, but I've seen KIX immigration crapshow in yesteryear.
The fact a lot of the surrounding seats were all filled and my adjacent seat was empty is a decent investment in hindsight.

Food – Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) for breakfast, my Nutritionist isn't gonna like this

Entertainment – Old School, TVs at Bulkhead or Hanging Monitors in the Aisle
It's not the Boeing 747 Pull Down projector screen

Crew – They helped lost Y passengers find their seats, and did everything what a normal FA does.

Overall Impression – Not something you'll want to fly very often, but I prefer ICN Airside Lounge over the GMP Landside Lounge set-up with a 321 flight.
That's not saying much though...


Next Part
Part 8 – Cram Time in Kansai Region

Short hair Francis

Part 8 – Cram Time in Kansai Region


Sometimes it's good to know your way around, well that and seated at the 1st Row of Economy if not Upfront.

And with no wait at the Kansai immigration which is a miracle in its own right; I was quickly landside at Kansai airport.

Quickly buying my JR Kansai Area Pass at airport information counter (not station ticketing office), I quickly rushed to the station turnstile.

With my luck, I was able to catch the Haruka 14 to Kyoto.
From on chock at 9:49 to being on the Haruka at 10:16, not too shabby

JR West Kansai-Airport Station

*From a previous trip OBVIOUSLY!

JR West Limited Express “Haruka” 14


Hello Kitty Haruka Train






Ordinary Car


There's something about Train Travel, convenient and enjoyable


70 Minutes ride later, I was at Kyoto

Funny how the last time I visited Kyoto, I got an unplanned stop here due to Typhoon Kaima striking Shanwei, Guangdong Province in 2016.
https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/asia/...ima/index.html

And while in Kyoto for an extra 10 hrs (more time in Japan is Never Bad Time), an 6.6 Magnitude earthquake struck 200km away in Tottori Prefecture
https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/2016_To...arthquake.html

2016 Typhoon Reference, 10:55am delayed to 6:50pm

*Yet ANA was apologizing for a Typhoon delay and handing out Food Voucher.
Here I am laughing my brains out, its typhoon season but thank you for the money
God I love going to Japan LOL

Kyoto Stations




For the 1 night in Kyoto, my friends were staying at a hostel for couple nights and an AirBNB for some of the other nights.
So I lean towards staying at the hostel (private room) for operational reasons.
The other night, I would be moving back to Osaka since the departing flight back to HKG was at 10am.

To get from Len Kyoto, it took around 20 mins, 1 Stop on the Kyoto Subway then 15 mins walking

Len Kyoto Kawaramachi



Lobby Level Bar & Restaurant


Common Room


Hostel Hallway


Private Room



Part 8 Continue Below

Short hair Francis

After dropping my bags at the hostel and getting a daypack ready, we made our way back down to Kyoto Station for the quick ride to Fushimi Inari



After navigating to Platform 9 for the Nara Line


Quick Ride later and we were at JR Inari Station



We were at Inari Station by 145pm, and ready for some exercise.

Fushimi Inari - Mt. Inari
Temperature - +12C/54F, Cloudy, Winds WSW 14km/h

Elevation Climb – 188m/618ft
Distance Total – 2.43 Miles/3.91 km

Starting Point – JR Inari Station (34m/113ft)
Final Destination – Mt. Inari (233m/764ft)

Fushimi Inari Taisha




Lots of People on the Lower Levels


Still Way too many people


Getting Better


This is a Lot Better, barely anyone



With a bunch of photo stop, it took us 1 Hr to get up to the top.

Mt. Inari (233m/764ft)


Shocked there wasn't more Hanji on the map


On the way back down we had a quick drink at Yotsuji and I grabbed this pic

*Weather can be better sadly

After the hike, we were a bit sored and went to Nishiki Market using the Keihan Railway.


Nishiki Market


*We had some late sushi lunch which I conveniently forgot to take photos of...

Of course the buddy had to go for Takoyaki



Unfortunately with my early start with the Asiana flight, I was a bit worn out and we ended up buying some drinks/snacks at Aeon to bring back to Common Room for the evening.

The next morning, we headed back down to Kyoto station for the 15 min ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station.

Arashiuama Bamboo Forest


Part 8 Continue Below

Short hair Francis

After the Bamboo forest, we walked to Keifuku Arashiyama Station for a different way back to city.

Keifuku Electric Railroad
Randen


With the weather increasingly showery, we had to find some indoor activity and that turned out to be Daiso near JR Kyoto Station.


Kyoto Tower


With my friends moving from the hostel to their AirBNB near Nijodori, I tagged along before heading back to Kawaramachi for a 930pm train back to Osaka.

Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station


Hankyu Train


930pm Rapid Express Train to Umeda Station


1 Change of Train across the platform at Awaji Station for a Sakaisuji Train and I was at Sakaisuji Hommachi Station by 1020pm.

From Sakaisuji Hommachi station to the Moxy was a 5 min walk.

Moxy Osaka Honmachi



Hotel Lobby






Going up to the Room


Elevator Lobby



Hallway


Part 8 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Queen Room






Bathroom




Features



Gym


Platinum Coupon



The Hotel Bar




With virus becoming increasingly worse in Wuhan, I decided to go out and hunt for mask!
And some night photoshooting at Shinsaibashi
I had an idea it might be awhile I'll be back

Shinsaibashi





Part 8 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Pikachu!


Sadly Was only able to pick up a couple mask

*In Retrospect, I should've bought them by the Paper Boxes when I saw the Mainlanders Squatting drill.
Anyone that knows the CN-HK Milk Powder issue would be well educated on this point.

And that's how you blow past time in Kansai.
Time to head back the Ever-Horrifying Disaster that is HKG


Virus News
Jan 21, 2020 – First Travel-Related Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus detected in the United States
Reference - https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2...avel-case.html

Jan 21, 2020 – Snohomish County Man has the United States' First known case of the new coronavirus
Reference - https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle...united-states/


Next Part
Part 9 – Time to Head Home, Cathay Pacific Airbus 330-300 Economy KIX-HKG

Short hair Francis

Part 9 – Time to Head Home, Cathay Pacific Airbus 330-300 Economy KIX-HKG


All trip must end and this one ends in Osaka.
Can a gaijan disappear in Japan? 🤔🤔 Hmm, probably not 😭
For this portion due to the last minute booking and elasticity of the trip, Mama SHF fronted the CX miles for this trip.
10K CX for KIX – HKG – BKK, as of writing the HKG – BKK is still an open segment due to the Virus.


Jan 22, 2020 – Wednesday
CX 503 KIX – HKG 10:00am – 1:25pm (333/Y)

After heading down to the lobby for a 630am breakfast, I left the Moxy at 710am.
Firstly a quick subway ride on the Sakaisuji Line to Tengachaya Station then 1 change of train onto the Nankai Airport Express 2115.

Good Morning Kansai



Nankai Line to Kansai Airport this morning


Arrival time at Kansai? 816am
Slightly tighter than what I like for a 10am flight but I'll make do.

Osaka Kansai International Airport




This place was bustling this morning, not my typical time to be at Kansai airport.

Cathay Pacific Airways First Class Check-In


Anyone that's flown CX Regional flight knows equipments swap is the rule, not the exception.
For my situation, the inbound aircraft (which is RON btw) was swapped from 33J (24J/293Y) config to 33E (39J/223Y) Config
So I was booted from 43K>39G.
Hence why I ended up at 59K, this wasn't my 1st choice of seats.

After check-in, I briefly gave the landside pharmacy an extra look and picked up a few more mask for the ride home.

CX uses Lounge Asuka and Lounge Pacific (both in the North Wing) as the contract lounge.
Yes, you could technically go to the JAL Sakura Lounge in the South Wing, if you want to and had the extra time.
Extra time however wasn't something I had this morning.

On the way to the Terminal Shuttle, I noticed the CX symbol below this KIX North Lounge.
And I was like what the hell, I'm not hungry.
Only thing I want is a quiet space, refill a water bottle and grab a coffee, which this place does its job.

KIX North Lounge







At 9am, I made my way to the gate



Boy can this place get packed sometimes, and a quick 3 min ride later I was near the gates.
Sadly Gate 3 was doing some renovations so I gave up and stood at the front of the First Class boarding line.
The gate area ended up being a gongshow.

Gate 3



Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 330-300




*4th flight of the Trip, 3436 Miles Flown
Cathay Pacific Airways 503
Osaka Kansai to Hong Kong
Scheduled - 10:00am – 1:25pm, 4 Hr 25 Min flight
On-Time Departure – 9:47am
Delayed Arrival – 1:50pm
Economy Class, Seat 59K
Food – Lunch
Equipment – Airbus 330-300 (39J/223Y) 33E Configuration “B-LAN”




Part 9 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 330-300 Economy Class Cabin


Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 330-300 Economy Class Seat




Not my Usual View


Welcome Onboard


Despite the equipment change from 33K to 33E and a loss of 70 Economy Seats, we still had a few seats empty including the one next to me.
Hey I'm not complaining LOL

Flight Time of 4 Hrs 15 Mins


Door Closed at 947am and after a Long Hold due to Tarmac Congestion, finally Pushback at 1012am



Taxiing out to Runway 6R




Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner


Takeoff at 1027am




Glory 1 Departure this morning, which means takeoff towards the Northeast, then turn Counter Clockwise around Osaka Bay towards Awaji and Shokoku Island.

Big Turn to the West towards Awaji Island





Part 9 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Can Vaguely make out Osaka


Kobe coming into view




Kobe Port




Slight Left Turn to Kagawa Vector



Then turning more Southwesterdly towards Kochi and disappearing through the Clouds


Cathay Pacific Airways Entertainment System


Western Movies, January 2020 Selections










Part 9 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Comedy






Drama






Yesterday News + OW Emerald Water Bottle

*”New Pneumonia Widespreading Across the Country”, Xi Jinpeng speaks out for the First time

Definitely won't see Peanuts on a Western flight


Meals took awhile to get handed out

*1 Hr 20 min into the flight past Kagoshima and nowhere to be seen

CX 503 Lunch


This looks more like it


Appetizer, Cold Soba Noodles


This Looks more like it


Don't Quote me on it, but I believe the choices were Chicken Teriyaki or either Beef or Seafood Yakisoba.

Main Course, Chicken Teriyaki


Dessert, Ice Cream


As 503 is an RON aircraft, it means the food is catered ex-Japan right than double catered ex-HKG with the afternoon flight.
That means the quality is VASTLY better than what the HKG kitchen can produce.

2 Hours 5 Minutes Left to the flight


Part 9 Continues Below

Short hair Francis

Arrival Gate Information was available 1 Hr prior to landing
OUCH!! Gate 70



At least I'm not in trouble like these guys


*CX 503 was timed for ASEAN and Oceania Passengers, not HKG based

30 Minutes to Landing


Today's Approach (DOTMI) was your typical approach from the East south of HK and Lantau Island, before turning Northeast upwards the Pearl River Delta and Runway 7L.

Mostly Cloudy day in HKG today





Flying over the Not-HK Wanshan Archipelago



Hmm wonder what this can be, looks military



White Elephant on the Pearl River Delta



If you are curious about the bridge, try this BBC article.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-45937924

Landing at HKG at 147pm


Spare HKG Based Planes



*Don't Forget this was Pre-Pandemic, so this would've been from the decreasing passenger loads resulting from 2019 Protest.

With the Gate 70 Assignment, it took only 3 mins or 150pm to taxi to the Gate.
Welcome back to Hong Kong, where the creekshow is just about to start.


Virus News
Jan 22, 2020 - North Korea bans Foreign Tourists over China Virus
Reference - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/...us-tour-agency

Jan 22, 2020 - Man Quarantined after HK's first preliminary positive test for Wuhan Virus
Reference - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-c...-idINKBN1ZL10A

Jan 22, 2020 - Wuhan Virus: Japanese shop's “No Chinese allowed” sign
Reference - https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/ea...ns-to-call-for

Jan 23, 2020 - Wuhan Lockdown: China takes extreme measure to stop virus spreading
Reference - https://www.dw.com/en/wuhan-lockdown...ead/a-52120126

Jan 23, 2020 - WHO declines to declare China Virus outbreak a global health emergency
Reference - https://www.statnews.com/2020/01/23/...lth-emergency/

Jan 23, 2020 - Wuhan Virus does not appear to be as deadly as SARS, Singapore PM says
Reference - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-c...-idUSKBN1ZN096

Jan 23, 2020 – Chinese women eats bat in restaurant despite coronavirus link
Reference - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...us-animal.html


Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 330-300 Economy Class Quick Review
Check In – Cathay typically runs a good ship on this one, no First Class doesn't mean no First Class boarding/check-in lines for CX Diamonds and OW Emeralds

Security – Feels a bit hectic with the volume of people going through at the hour, but still well functioning

Lounge – I chose the most basic of lounge (KIX North Lounge) selection for this run but I had limited time.
If you had the time, I likely would've went to the JAL Sakura Lounge.
Still, none of these hold a candle to the lounge selections available at HND/NRT.

Boarding – 3 Lines, Business/Premium Economy/Economy, sadly the gate area was going through renovations which diminish overall floor space and creating issues.

Cabin Ambiance – Same as what I say for the Asiana 333 blurb.

Seat – Exit Row with no Seat Neighbor as a OW Emerald, what more other than an Op-Up would you want?

Food – This normally would be in the Ugh category 😒
However since it's an ex-Japan catered flight, the pandelum swings complete the other way, I'm ok with this 👍

Entertainment – StudioCX isn't going to offer the content of what EK/QR/SQ offered, but you probably won't get bored on CX unless you do say 4 long-haul flights a month.
And no way will you be limited on English option say, when flying JL/NH.

Crew – If there's a saving grace to CX, let it be the crew. 👍
Get recognized as an OW Emerald. Extra pillow? Water Bottle? First pick of Economy Mains?
A copy of Apple Daily? 😜😜😜
No problem! 👍

Overall Impression – When traveling in Economy is like this, it's not THAT... painful LOL 😂


Next Part
Part 9.5 – Virus News Intermission

wakesetter93

Now the real fun begins!

Short hair Francis

FINALLY!!! Mazel Tov! Mashallah
A Reply! 🙌🙌

I was starting to wonder if there was anybody even reading the thing

wakesetter93, 🤦🤦🤦
I hope the 1st Nine Parts weren't that bad, the photo quality should still be there granted the content is dull/too common for here. 🙁

How many folks have the joy of posting SFO777 inspirational stuff?
Unless someone wants to lobby for a Last Air Force 1 TR from the "Twitter-In-Chief" himself? 🤣🤣🤣
Rephrase from the Thought Police, "Former Twitter-In-Chief" 😝

I'll try to post 1 more part up over the weekend, but its' not quite ready yet.
Slacked too much the last 2 week with winter hiking in the Pacific Northwest