A trip through Middle Earth (AKL, WLG, ZQN, CHC on NZ and SQ)

[ycp81]

Flying on the ATR72, we were treated to gorgeous mountain views due to the lower flying altitude of only 17,000ft and slower airspeed.












The 2 cabin crew on the flight first came around offering water.






More gorgeous views enroute.






The crew then pass through again, offering cookies and coffee/tea. They were kind enough to give me 2 cookies, washed down with a cup of tea.

[ycp81]

View of the cabin.




The ATR lavatory, which was clean but tiny.




After cabin service, the senior crew, knowing that we were visiting New Zealand for a holiday, dropped by our seats and passed us a coffee cup, filled with fudge! 'A small treat', she said. What an angel!!




We were soon descending into the Canterbury plains.






Approach and landing into Christchurch Rwy20.












Video of landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZeP78A8XoQ


Taxi to props parking stand.

[ycp81]

Disembarking.




Spotted an All-Black with white nose ATR72.




Waiting for luggage to be delivered.




It was a very pleasant flight on the Air NZ ATR72 flying from Queenstown to Christchurch. Cabin was comfortable, crew were excellent, and the view enroute was marvellous!


From Christchurch, we took the public bus to the city center. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Christchurch, which is a rather new hotel built over a previously office building damaged during the devastating quake. I believe the hotel is also one of the tallest, if not the tallest, building in Christchurch currently. The room is very modern, clean and comfortable.








Dinner was a delicious bowl of ramen at a popular Japanese eatery.




View from the hotel room the next morning. It was a rather cloudy morning.




Our room included a daily hearty buffet breakfast.






Being a Saturday morning, we visited the Christchurch Farmers' Market at Riccarton House. There are 2 major markets in Christchurch on Saturday and Sunday, and the Farmer's Markey is held every Saturday.

[ycp81]

The market was rather busy, with various stalls selling products ranging from fresh produce, bakery items, food products, beverages and more.








Beautiful stream beside the market.




From the market, we walked to Westfield Riccarton, a major and busy mall in Christchurch.




We also hopped onto a bus toward Brighton beach. As it was winter, the beach, expectedly, was rather quiet.












The tourist tram in Christchurch city.

[ycp81]

New Regent Street, though shops and restaurants. operational, was still under repairs with structural supports in place.






The damaged Christchurch Cathedral, which is yet to be repaired or restored.




Cathedral Square






Newly rebuilt Colombo Street and Cashel Street shopping district.








Bridge of Remembrance war memorial.




Dinner at a very cool food court-like eatery.




The pizzas from BASE Pizza were amazing!




On Sunday morning, we had clear and beautiful skies! Snow-capped mountain ranges could be seen in the distance.

[ycp81]

Visit to another market, The Riccarton Market, which is the biggest market in Christchurch and held on every Sunday.














Victoria Square, just across the road from the hotel.




The Commons, a shared recreational area.




Newly built-up area of town and the Casino.




A historic still-standing clock tower and a fenced-up apartment due for demolition.




And for a taste of authentic and affordable Thai food in Christchurch, I totally recommend this pop-up eatery, Thai Container. The dishes tasted just like what I would have in Bangkok!

[ycp81]

On the morning of departure back to Singapore, we encountered a rare weather condition as very think fog rolled into Christchurch. Visibility was down to only barely a couple of hundred meters. We arrived at Christchurch Airport safely via the airport shuttle.




Due to the thick morning fog, many domestic morning arrivals were cancelled as flights got diverted to other airports. Our SQ flight was still running on schedule, though the aircraft had not arrived.




Checking in at the SQ counters and boarding passes issued. The ground staff were also anxiously checking on the aircraft status via FR24 app, hoping that the aircraft would not be diverted. During check-in, the aircraft was nearing CHC and preparing to go into a holding pattern.






After check-in, we proceeded up to the departure level on the second storey. There were a number of shops at the departure level which leads to the domestic departure gates.






International departures hall was via a separate immigration and security check.




Needed to go through a small duty-free area after immigration.




International departure lounge, which was pretty quiet as we were the only international departure at the time of the morning.






The fog outside was still rather bad.




Our arrival aircraft had begun flying in a holding pattern near CHC, awaiting for the conditions to improve.

[ycp81]

In Christchurch, SQ uses the Air New Zealand Lounge, which I guess most other international airlines also do. With only a handful of international flights to serve, the lounge was not too big, but was comfortable and has all the necessary amenities.










Work area with PCs.




The buffet area, which was serving breakfast at this time. Selection was basic and choices limited.






Beverages area.






There are well-equipped and clean shower rooms, stocked with Antipodes products.

[ycp81]

My breakfast selection from the buffet.




We were continuously kept updated on the status of our flight by a SQ representative at the lounge. The flight held in the air for an hour and started the approach into CHC for a landing almost an hour behind schedule. Luckily the arrival flight had fuel to spare! Our new STD was pushed back by an hour as well. The aircraft finally landed an hour behind schedule, and was the first arrival after the fog partially lifted.

The breakfast buffet selection was cleared for lunch, and some cheeses, sandwiches and dessert were brought out.




Had a tea and red velvet cake during the wait.




Left the lounge when it was near boarding and spotted a SQ B772 aircraft parked ahead. Or issit?? Haha, it was the titleless NZ-leased ex-SQ B772ER aircraft which had just arrived from AKL after the fog lifted.




Our aircraft was parked right at the far end of the terminal. So we have 2 SQ aircraft (including the NZ-leased plane) on the ground in CHC. A rare sight. The skies were now clear blue, a start contrast from just 2 hours earlier. There was a separate waiting area for priority passengers.












27 August 2018
Singapore Airlines
SQ 298
Christchurch (CHC) - Singapore (SIN)
B777-200ER
9V-SVC
Business Class
Flight Time: 10H23M


After a short wait, boarding was called and we were invited to board. The ground staff were so relieved that the aircraft landed, albeit a bit delayed, as it averted the need to handle a flight diversion and lengthy delay. One of the staff said they even thanked the captain of the incoming flight for landing the aircraft! 9V-SVC, a retrofitted B772ER with the 2006 products and updated IFE, would be operating the flight.






With only one aerobridge at the gate, we boarded from Door 2 and turned left into the Business cabin.

[ycp81]

The Business Class seat on the B772ER needs no introduction as they are the classic 2006 Long-haul J seats, also still found on most A380s and a couple of B77Ws. The B772ER Business cabin is fitted with 26 seats.




Home for the next 10.5hrs.




Clear sunny skies outside. Where has the fog disappeared to?




Slippers, socks and eyeshades were already placed on the seat.




Noise-cancellation headphones.






Inflight magazines and IFE guide. The September issues and IFE selections were newly loaded even though it was still the month of August. SQ normally updates its entertainment selection ahead of the start of the month.




IFE controller and seat controls. IFE controller was still the old-styled ones and there were no USB ports, only the traditional empower electrical outlets. This was even though economy was re-retrofitted with the hand-me-down old B77W seats with newer IFE controllers and USB ports.




No complains about the leg room.




Welcome beverages were offered along with hot towels, and I went for the champagne.




Boarding completed and we pushed back. The US Air Force Antarctic base is at CHC.

[ycp81]

Safety video played.




Taxied to the runway.




We departed from Christchurch Rwy02 about an hour behind schedule.
















Video of the taxi and takeoff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsvmq93d47E


Final scenic views of the NZ mountains.

[ycp81]

Climbing through the clouds where some turbulence were encountered.




Firing up he Krisworld entertainment system, I started the flight with Deadpool 2.






When the seatbelt signed were switched off, I made a beeline to the lavatory at the rear of the cabin. Business Class on the B772ER has 2 lavatories for the 26 passengers. The lavs were well-stocked with amenities, including the new Penhaligon amenities.








View of the Business Class cabin. The flight was about 2/3 full in Business, with 4 crew serving us. Post takeoff drinks and satay was being served.




I had my delicious satay with a NZ-crafted beer, Hapi Daze, which is only available on flights originating from NZ.








Time to peruse the menu.




Menu for lunch, which would be served about an hour after takeoff.

[ycp81]

Mid-flight snacks and dinner before arrival.




Selections of the SIN-CHC sector for those interested.






The vast beverage selection.














Lunch service commenced.




The meal trolley rolled down the aisle and my table was set. Starter and selection of breads were offered. I went with garlic bread and lavosh.

[ycp81]

Peppered Gravadlax salad to start. It was nothing fanciful, but tasted fresh. I am generally not a huge fan of fish-type starters.




For main, I selected the Seared Fillet of Beef with Garlic Mustard Butter. It was skilfully prepared still with pink in the middle, as good as how inflight steaks could be.






My friend chose the Grilled Pork Fillet with Chorizo Crumbs and Apple Jus. According to him, it was way to salty for his liking.




For dessert, I had the Affogato ice-cream with Granola. It was pretty good.






On the other hand, the Pavlova with Passion Fruit and Mango Compote way too sweet! And I have a sweet tooth....






Cheeses and fruit served, where I had a selection of cheeses and a melon.






Ending with an Earl Grey tea and some pralines. A bottle of water was also distributed to each of us.




Flipped the seat over and converted it into a bed after the meal.

[ycp81]

Time for movie in bed.




After finishing the movie, we were somewhere above the Australian desert.






And starting on the second movie.




Feeling peckish mid-flight, we had Oriental noodles, chocolates, muffin and chips.






Third movie.




About 2hrs prior to landing, dinner was served. Again, the table was set up and starter delivered, along with breads. The Barbequed Prawns starter was pretty good.






For the main, there was a hiccup as my originally ordered Salmon ran out due to, as the crew very apologetically explained, inaccurate numbers uplifted versus as stated in their catering list. I then went for the Wokfried Chicken in Dried Red Chilli and Kuay Teow. It was flavourful, but too spicy, even for my Asian tongue. Surprising, since the dish was catered from Christchurch, where normally spices would be toned down from non-Asian countries.






My friend had the Mongolian-style Lamb Loin with steamed rice. This was a rather good dish.