City hops on Qantas/Cathay Pacific/JAL/Singapore Airlines

[jjpb3]

Yummm, Pinoy food!

Not overly spicy too, right, KeithMEL?

[KeithMEL]

Not overly spicy too, right, KeithMEL?

The ones I had weren't spicy at all actually, i think Ric took care to order all the non spicy items.

[HUGE AL]

Why is there a chunk missing from your garlic rice? Not an appropriate picture.

[KeithMEL]

Why is there a chunk missing from your garlic rice? Not an appropriate picture.

Boringly innocent reason - ate a chunk before remembering to take a pic. Am also taking a cue from Moomba's TR trademark.

[KeithMEL]

CX904 MNL-HKG, 24JUL2008, Business Class: @ 'OMG!' o'clock

Connecting to:
CX785 HKG-DPS, 24JUL2008, Business Class

Manila to Hong Kong

Back to square 1: the start of a new DONE4. Ex-MNL this time as the ex-NRT price had gone up and the yen had also appreciated significantly. Plus AA MNL was willing to issue paper tickets without me being present in MNL, and also agreed to Fedex them to Australia. That was most handy as I was trying to beat the IATA eticketing deadline which would've saw a reduction of the maximum allowable segments from 20 to 16.

A shockingly early departure of 0630. However I only had 2 days to spare for Bali and wanted to maximise my first visit there. This was the most effective routing time-wise as it gets me into Bali in the early afternoon. The other option, JL/JO via NRT would've only got me in late at night.

I'd asked the IC for a wake up call of 0330, and set my own alarm clock for 0345. I wasn't alone trying to check out at half past 4, and the lobby was a hive of activity - seems like these ungodly hour departures are more popular than I'd thought. A taxi was promptly organised for me. The ride to the airport was swift, as the roads were clear at that hour. Cost me all of approximately A$5 to get to the airport.

There was security screening at the entrance to the terminal, which I'd cleared without too much of a fuss. A massive queue for the CX check in desks, but thankfully the line for JCL and shiny cards was totally empty. Without further ado my bag and I were quickly checked in all the way to DPS. Was given a lounge invitation to the CX Flounge at MNL, not sure why given I was only oneworld sapphire at that point (a popular theory was that they'd confused my AA Platinum status with AA Executive Platinum status) but unfortunately only a J lounge invitation for the Wing/Pier in HKG. Murphy's Law struck as I got stuck behind someone who wasn't prepared for the departure tax and consequently took an age waiting. Immigration and post immigration security were cleared rather swiftly, though security this time involved the Shoe Carnival.

I wish I could say my CX Flounge experience at MNL was something to write home about but unfortunately it wasn't, as it didn't seem too different from the J lounge and was nothing like the Wing/Pier. Some juices and San Miguel beer were on offer, didn't really really notice the food. At least there was wifi and I'd spent the remaining time I had before the flight doing my emails.





The boarding call was soon made, and I headed to the gate where my "BN" (bag number??) was highlighted on a list. Seemed like a full house today, this dreary early morning departure was more popular than i'd thought - must be a v convenient connection to long hauls. Priority boarding was strictly enforced which was a relief.

Got the NRBC config today, it is less comfortable than the ORBC but certainly adequate for a regional flight and some of the criticisms on FT are rather unfair I felt. JCL was totally full.







Pre-departure drinks were offered. I reached for what appeared to be champagne but it turned out to be apple juice. Upon enquiring, I was told that champagne would only be served on request after take off as it was simply "too early." Heresy!

The breakfast post take off was a bit slow as service started from the back. Went for the scrambled eggs yet again, and the v nice FA remembered that I'd requested for champagne as a glass was brought to me. Nothing like champagne to wash it all down. Oh and Cathay has great garlic bread - possibly the best on any airline. It was crispy, not soggy which is common on other carriers - and they've got the blend of flavours right.







In no time at all I'd arrived once again at HKG.

To be continued...

Apologies for the delay, things have been a bit hectic for the past few days.

[SQFAN]

Yummm, Pinoy food!

Keith, food does look delicious. What a feast.

[jjpb3]

CX904 MNL-HKG, 24JUL2008, Business Class: @ 'OMG!' o'clock

Morning person though I am, I've never had the energy to catch that one. Hat off to you!

I'd asked the IC for a wake up call of 0330, and set my own alarm clock for 0345. I wasn't alone trying to check out at half past 4, and the lobby was a hive of activity - seems like these ungodly hour departures are more popular than I'd thought.

Wow, I wouldn't have thought so, but I guess that's why CX scheduled that flight at that hour. I do remember arriving a bit on the early side for the next flight to HKG; I caught the tail end of the crowd as it inched forward towards passport control and tried not to be panicked by the announcement that the CX flight was ready for boarding.

I wish I could say my CX Flounge experience at MNL was something to write home about but unfortunately it wasn't, as it didn't seem too different from the J lounge and was nothing like the Wing/Pier.

Yeah, its only saving grace may be that it's not the general departure area. It doesn't even have its own toilet, IIRC. The SKL is the better lounge in MNL.

Nice update, KeithMEL.

[Nick C]

Food in Manila looks good!

[planemad]

Pre-departure drinks were offered. I reached for what appeared to be champagne but it turned out to be apple juice. Upon enquiring, I was told that champagne would only be served on request after take off as it was simply "too early." Heresy!

Heresy indeed! I say off with the FS's head! There are two things all cabin crew should learn early on in the job: a) You can't ever drink too much champagne (hic), and b) it's never too early in the day to have a glass of this celebratory nectar of the gods.

Looking forward to your Bali posting. Tis the best time of the year to be in Bali. Hardly any rain and a nice breeze blows all day long. In the evenings, temperatures drop to a cool 24 degrees C, and in the higher elevations of Ubud and elsewhere it can be nippy enough to warrant a light sweater at night. Have you decided where to eat and party in Bali? Sarong and SOS (at the Anantara) are the latest hot spots but there's so many places to eat and drink, it will be tough to decide. You will like Ku de Ta too, but don't eat there, except maybe for brunch or lunch, just go for drinks.

[KeithMEL]

Hong Kong to Denpasar

Got special attention at transit security yet again because of my epi pen. This time they'd decided to take apart the whole thing to examine it, but were nice enough to put it back together for me. Off to the Pier, being the closer lounge of my next flight. Spent some time to catch my breath in there with a glass of Lanson, before once again heading to the boarding gate for my onward connection.

Got a glass of Billecart-Salmon for pre take off drinks - ahh back to normality. Managed to fit in another one but not without a surprised look on the FA's face who didn't seem v happy about it. I can't help but feel that Cathay FAs aren't as proactive as SQ or QF - whereas on these latter carriers pre take off drink top ups tend to happen automatically sometimes before you even get a chance to blink, one actually has to ask on Cathay. Ok maybe I've been spoilt.



NRBC yet again, and I've got the bulkhead this time with no one next to me. The cabin seems reasonably full, and there were lots of pax interlined over from AA and BA flights.



The ISM came around to confirm that my shellfish allergy has been noted on the manifest, and ensured that I got the (non shell)fish meal as my main. Service post take off was rather leisurely as this was a relatively long regional flight. Got quite a few glasses of the most delicious Billecart Salmon in, unfortunately this involved a bit of call bell pushing as the FAs weren't v attentive with empty glasses.

Had to skip my entree as it was a shrimp dish, so I had salad and waited for the trolley to come around for the mains. The main course of fish was v average, and like the brekkies from the flight before - wouldn't look out of place in YCL. I've said it before and I'd said it again - Cathay's regional JCL catering needs some serious work on. I was peckish and ended up having both cheese and ice cream.









As noted, v average and lacklustre set of crew with 1 exception - a v cheerful white blouse who made the effort to make small talk with her pax. She was probably more proactive than her colleagues in filling empty glasses - the other crew members would simply collect the glasses without asking if I'd like more bubbly.

Next: The Elysian Villas, Seminyak; Sighted in Bali; CX784 DPS-HKG J; A Night Out in HKG

[HUGE AL]

Got a glass of Billecart-Salmon for pre take off drinks - ahh back to normality. Managed to fit in another one but not without a surprised look on the FA's face who didn't seem v happy about it. I can't help but feel that Cathay FAs aren't as proactive as SQ or QF - whereas on these latter carriers pre take off drink top ups tend to happen automatically sometimes before you even get a chance to blink, one actually has to ask on Cathay. Ok maybe I've been spoilt.

Not at all. Simply poor service (CX has never thrilled me in this department) -- as is evidenced by your other comments:

Got quite a few glasses of the most delicious Billecart Salmon in, unfortunately this involved a bit of call bell pushing as the FAs weren't v attentive with empty glasses.

...the other crew members would simply collect the glasses without asking if I'd like more bubbly.

[jhm]

[Annie] was a bit reluctant about me going to Kuta, and I was about to find out when I actually got there why that was so.

Waiting for the climax to the story!

[KeithMEL]

Review of The Elysian Villas, Seminyak posted here.

Next: Sighted in Bali; CX784 DPS-HKG J; Night out in HKG; QF30 HKG-MEL J

[KeithMEL]

Bali!!

Bali was like a great escape. A land where you could do whatever you feel like doing without watching the clock or getting stressed with public transportation. I've never felt so relaxed; it was like being lost in another world lounging on the beach watching the sunset with a martini and chilled out music in the background. Before heading out to get some yummy eats, and dancing the night away at the clubs. I could so get used to it, I just wished I could spend more time there.

The nightlife

Is generally dependent on the neighbourhood you venture into. Nightlife here starts late, clubs only kick off at midnight - but there are good places for some pre-clubbing drinks.

Seminyak

Classy, trendy, fashionable, happening every night - yet down to earth and welcoming.

Ku de Ta is the spot to go for some quality cocktails (try the Earl Grey martini!) and sunset on the beach. The owner/manager is a v cool joe from Melbourne who's lived in Seminyak for 10 years, and gave great advice about Bali - I was almost talked into delaying my departure and missing some uni. The food looked delish but eye poppingly expensive so I ate at other places instead. Tis also the place to mingle with some fashionable people, make new friends before leaving for some serious clubbing. Annoyingly I'd missed out on their big party by a day, for which they'd invited Delta Goodrem to perform.


Sunset On Six (SOS) - 6th floor terrace of the Antara Resort. Also a place to see and be seen. Preferred the drinks at Kudeta though.

The Living Room - superb DJing, and the Ku de Ta/SOS set usually migrates there at about midnight. I was dirty dancing with 2 French girls and their bfs at the same time (hotness); the girls turned out to be a mother-daughter pair - I seriously thought they were mates or sisters!

Santa Fee - great live music. They played a mix of exotic world music, as well as old Aussie favourites - I was impressed that they knew Holy Grail. I've been trying to get cover bands in Hong Kong to play this Hunters and Collectors classic without success; a great Aussie rock song that ought to be included in the sets of any cover band along with Land Down Under (latter of which everyone knows of course). Crowd went wild after they'd played both songs back to back - even an encore later in the night.

Friends of Dorothy hangouts are also around Seminyak, however I didn't spend too much time there as the crowd wasn't really to my liking.

Kuta
It was like the entire westie, yobbo and yahoo (that's chav for you UK folks) population of Melbourne (and I'm assured - other Oz cities too) had moved there. Best avoided if you're even remotely fashionable. But if you have to get drunk there just to check it off a list, Embargo is the place to be.

Daytour of Bali
If anyone's staying at the Elysian, I strongly recommend that you book day tours through them - you'd get a personalised, private tour in your own limo, endless supply of booze, and a wholesome picnic hamper. All for a v good value price (can't remember right now but I remember thinking it's good value).



Ubud

Batik painting



(Silver) Jewellery making

Got myself a new necklace and bracelet here.



Oil painting



Rice terrace

Obviously a v touristy place as I got hassled by "1 dollar, 1 dollar only sir - you so handsome very good price for you" hawkers literally every flippin' second.

Nonetheless, a beautiful setting for lunch!












My guide was such an awesome dude that I just had to shout him some lunch.

To be continued...

[KeithMEL]

Monkey park (can't remember exact name)

Lots of native Balinese monkeys here according to a brochure I read. They seem cute and cuddly - but never, ever attempt to pet them. Trust me on this one!! Yes naughty me for failing to observe the signs...





Tanah Lot

Watched the sunset here - noice.

















Next: CX784 DPS-HKG J; Night out in HKG; QF30 HKG-MEL J