Hong Kong Long Weekend – Savy’s excellent adventure.

"I make a habit of downing the remaining champagne, as I don’t really want the fresh bubbles fizzing out when they mix with the warmer flatter remnants of the previous glass "

I found that they would always take away my old, stale glass and bring me a fresh one

Will have to try that myself, of course they don't get too stale anyway

WOW! That meal looks amazing. I am partial to lobster thermador so that got my attention quickly Fantastic photos.
Also, secretsea, love the new icon/avatar or whatever its called. Those are some sassy shoes! Nice.

Perhaps there were not enough glasses stocked on the plane ?

always best to test these things

I landed in Singapore and was now in transit in Terminal 3. I found a duty free shop and purchase 2 bottles of Absolut Vodka for S$48 (AUD$36) and I got a small bottle as a free bonus. For those worried about getting your spirits into Australia, let me explain, you pick up your purchase at the gate as you board the plane. It packed in a sealed sturdy plastic bag which has been signed off. I have never been asked about it at Australian Customs and it will save you money compared to Australian prices. If you are moving on to domestic flights it is no problem.

After making my purchase I headed up to the lounge and politely asked for entry to the private room. This was granted and I was offered more champagne. A first for this trip report, I declined the kind offer and instead had an orange juice. I was feeling a little tired and emotional after the HK leg of the journey I headed to the quietest corner of the private room that I could find, the whole place is quite, but this was very quiet. After my juice I nodded off, and woke up about 3 hours later

As soon as I moved, I was offered champagne but instead requested a coffee to kick start my system again. The coffee here is served with sugar cubes both raw and refined.



After the coffee I was feeling pretty good again and did take the champagne when it was offered this time. I watched a bit of soccer on the big screen and hooked up my iPod touch to MP. I had a lot of fun chatting with the online members, and it really was a shame you all couldn’t be there to join in the party.



I decided that it was time for dinner and headed into the dining area. This is a full menu affair. They do have some bain maries for self service, but I have never bothered to go and have a look at what is in there. They might be more nibbles than anything else. Anyway the staff look forward to serving you so why not let them.





The meal menu



I started with the Carrot and Ginger soup as I love ginger



Next, since I had lobster on the plane I decided to go with the baked cod.



To finish I had the coffee ice cream with almond slivers and strawberry



I enjoyed more champagne with my meal, not sure what type it was but quite nice. The food was great and really hit the spot. I posted my way through the meal on MP and even took a little picture to record that you guys were there in a way



After some more chatting and more drinking, it was time to hit the showers and change for my flight back to Melbourne. I couldn't get back onto MP to say farewell so I left everyone hanging. I did board my flight without a problem.

I headed down to the gate and for the first time this trip something beeped as I went through the scanner. Quite humorous to me having to raise my arms and stand perfectly still while I was wanded. It was similar to a police sobriety test, which I would have failed no doubt

My own little walkway to first class and surprise I would be the only passenger in F tonight. I only have four cabin crew to take care of me. I had requested the nose seat and I am told I can sit anywhere. I set up at the front anyway and my FA tells me that she will make my bed in the seat behind, so I can just climb into bed when I feel tired. I settle back and my first glass of Dom arrives.



Half way through that glass one of the crew delivers my 2 bottles of vodka which I did not claim going through boarding

The 747 makes short work of the trip to Melbourne, I think it was going to be 6 hours and 45 minutes. Don’t quote me on that though, your mileage may vary The crew took turns at coming down and chatting to me and also to let me know that even though I have booked the cook, I can have anything I want off the menu, at any time that I want it.

I change into my F pyjamas and the FA takes my shirt and pants and hangs them in a locker until morning. This is an old plane and the in-flight entertainment system is a bit dated. I fire up a movie but they have already started without me and you can’t go back. Not a big issue for me but I thought I better mention it.

About an hour after takeoff I decided to have my book the cook meal. This time it was the 8ozUS rib eye. I am sure you can guess why the picture is a little blurry



From Singapore Airlines

" Tender rib eye is pan-seared to perfection and served with garlic-mashed potatoes. Accompanying it is a creamy sauce of red wine, steak jus, shallots and cream finished with a dash of green peppercorns. Roasted capsicums, red onions and eggplant complete this hearty and satisfying meal. "

The senior cabin manager came down with a basket containing 3 bottles of red wine. At first I thought, now here is a challenge I soon realized he wanted me to choose a bottle to go with my steak. I am no expert but I went with the one in the picture below.



It was French and tasted very good. As I had eaten in the private room I was not hungry enough to go through all the courses again. I just had the steak and the bottle of red. I finished the steak and finished the red and set about finishing the second bottle of Dom. I think it was about 3 hours into the flight when I pulled up stumps and went to bed.

So comfortable, I stretched out and having 2 pillows on a plane flight seemed so luxurious. I had told the cabin staff not to wake me for breakfast and that if I woke up I would have some. I did not wake up though. We were close to Melbourne and I only had time to freshen up and change before the decent started.

I had some orange juice but no coffee. I wanted a picture of my bed but it magically was changed back to a seat while I was changing myself. I took a few pictures of the cabin just to remember the great flight.







Back on the ground and back to reality. I had booked a virgin blue flight to Sydney and arranged a day pass to the Virgin lounge. Just before I headed off I received an email advising that the Melbourne lounge would be closed having work done, so I instead had to sit out in the airport proper and wait for my connection and the hops back home to Queensland. I did get a refund of the $30 that I had paid so can't fault the service, just bad luck.

I will not bore you with my domestic travel, it was pretty uneventful and slightly cramped after my overseas adventures. I had a great time on this trip and I hope you all had fun reading along.

Very nice report and pics SD!

A fine finish, domestic travel aside. Thanks for sharing!

Looks like a very nice ending to "Savy's Excellent Adventure". Well done, Savy!

Too bad these sorts of trips have to end and then soon enough we are back at the grind... slaving away til the next adventure!

If I had drunk that much the FAs would have had to carry me off the plane.

And certainly not be able to take such excellent quality (in focus) photos!

That is what VR (vibration reduction) lenses are for.... I most certainly could take a non-blurry image. But would probably forget in that wine daze....

Even VR won't help you if you point at the wrong object

Ye of little faith...

AMAZING trip report and great photos. I am green with envy at the SQ F treatment. Wonderful stuff, meals looked fabulous.

I've had mixed experiences with this in SQ FC. I don't think they change the glass in business class unless you ask.

It might depend on how full the FC cabin is or how many other passengers are using the champagne glasses.

Wonderful TR, but I'm disappointed that there won't be another installment. You must take a similar trip soon.

FYI, on the SQ 747s, the IFE can start the movies whenever you want. The trick is to select interactive mode on your handset as you fire up the system. It works beautifully.

Based upon Savy dog's profile... it appears we may be in luck...

he is going to Vietnam and Cambodia later this month, I think.

Good, I'll be waiting for that TR. In fact, since this one was so good, I'm sure we'll all be bugging him about it before he even gets home.

After that list of bevy's I sort of expected these photo's to be a bit blurry. Nice work!

Great report Savydog! Looking forward to vicariously traveling through your adventures.

Welcome to MP. A few more posts or likes and you'll be an Original. However, be careful to achieve this before the cutoff, which IIRC has been announced as May 15, not sure the time. Unless the requirements have changed recently, you need 25 total status points by then, of which you currently have 20.

Thanks a ton MSPeconomist! I'm work'in at it

You're welcome. I just gave you another like to help out. Watch your account in about 20-25 minutes and then again about 80 minutes from now; you might be there with like #10. Points update at 40 after the hour and the new status arrives an additional hour after then.