In Search of that White Powder

[9V-SIA]

Introduction

I started doing it 9 years ago.

My first four years in Canada.

Subsequent five years in Japan.

Like all addictions, it started as an experiment.

It soon became more than that.

The end of one trip was the start of my planning for the next.

I can't get enough...

SQTalkers, I present my ski holiday in Vail, Colorado.

Why Vail?

Because of WH.

I had stopped going to North America ( Whistler actually ) because I didn't like the journey to Vancouver.

• Too long
• Too jet lagged

Although it must be said then when you're on the slopes, no jet lag! It's only afterwards that it sets in.

In addition, we had poor snow in Whistler on our last trip there.
I decided then to only ski in Hokkaido because it is colder there during the December school holidays therefore more likely have snow compared to Whistler.

If you have been following news of the Winter Olympics ( this year in Whistler ), there's not enough snow even now, in January, and they may have to truck it in for the snow boarding events!

But WH has been skiing Vail almost every year and promised me snow.
More than that, great runs to ski down.
He was right. I had the best skiing ever.

How do you get to Vail?

Choice of Airline: Easy. SQ.

SIN-ICN-SFO has better flight times than SIN-HKG-SFO, therefore more popular.
The fare via ICN, reflecting its popularity, is more expensive.
I prefer HKG to ICN as a transit stop though.
Better food outlets and shopping.


Choice of Gateway to US: SFO.

SFO nicer airport to enter USA than LAX TBIT
San Francisco, the city, is much nicer to break journey than Los Angeles
( apologies to LA-based SQTalkers )

Choice of Domestic Airline: UA SFO-DEN

There is a more direct SFO-EGE flight but:

• flight times are not so good
• EGE is apparently the most delayed airport in the US because of the weather ( according to the limo driver who drove us from DEN to Vail )

Changi

The plan was for parents to travel J, kids in Y.
Having never flown F on the 77W, I redeemed a one way upgrade.
So I got to try the first class check in...



...which was nice, especially being quickly whisked past your own dedicated immigration counter.
Appearing air side right next to the escalator that takes you to the lounge and my roti prata.
I had an invite to TPR but Miss 9V-SIA was flying Y so I couldn't go.
After reading the varied reports here on SQTalk on TPR, I didn't feel I was missing anything



When did SQ start taking Skytrax seriously? When they won I guess!
Ratings agencies are... not very useful.
And industries ( mine included ) still pander to them



Being December school holidays, there were more kids than businessmen in the lounge.
I like looking down from the lounge at the boarding going on below.

[9V-SIA]

Boarding

So my ride.. 9V-SWE. Full flight in J/Y but F ...3/8 to ICN. 8/8 thereafter.



Row 1 or 2? A or F?





2A!

• Row 2 to sleep better than Row 1
• Left side for (hopefully) views of the Golden Gate Bridge on approach to SFO

First Impressions of the F seat: Storage Space

Compared to 744 F, storage space not as useful.

• "Locker" too narrow though depth OK

• Open pockets not as deep or wide as on 744 F. Only the rear pocket could fit my fanny pouch.

• Carry on bag under my foot rest.

Where do the magazines go?
( They hand out enough reading material after all ).
On 744, behind the monitor or shelf by the window.
On 77W, in front of the monitor or..



.. on the foot rest.



Note:

• panels on either side of the monitor flip open to become a gigantic vanity mirror. For the diva in all of us!
• was watching "Secret Millionaire" later in the flight, not during take off

Anyway, let the adventure begin!

Take off heading north. Been on both aircraft.. the civilian versions anyway.
KC 135 aka 707 and F50 aka F27



Pulau Ubin..

[9V-SIA]

SIN-ICN

A lesson on how the table works ( so that you look like you fly F all the time)

You can more or less figure out how the seat works if you've flown SQ before except the table..

There's a lock that needs to be depressed before the table slides back from the stowed position..





..and it slides backwards and downwards onto your lap



Just look across at 2C
The guide rail for the table is not parallel with the seat.
That's where the height adjustment comes in.
Press on that to gain altitude!




So now that you know how to operate the table like you've done it all your life, it's time to eat

Satay



Lunch

Crab and ginger salad with baby gem, lemon confit and fennel shavings



Spring pea soup with bacon



Butter lettuce heart with baby cress and cherry tomato



BTC lobster thermidor
Introducing Tchaikovsky, my daughter's boxer from Whistler who flew with me



I had both desserts

1. warm almond pie with ice cream and cinnamon vanilla sauce
2. lemon panna cotta

Service was outstanding

[9V-SIA]

Incheon

I know they've won some award but I didn't have a good impression of the place the one time I visited Korea last year.

2 problems I encountered:


When I got off the plane, had to wait for the train to bring me to the main terminal.
By the time the train came, the whole plane was also waiting for the train.
No more getting to immigration ahead of the crowds.

At immigration, there was no one at the "Foreigners" counter but 4 counters were open for "Koreans"
When I jumped over to the Korean counter I was chased back, to wait for someone to open the Foreigner side.
No one came and there was a long line of PAXs waiting. We waited so long the Korean counters had cleared of PAXs!!
Then 1 counter opened for us. After that, the Korean counters opened to us

Approach into ICN



No prizes for guessing whose home ground this is!



Ever feel like someone was following you? MXP. NRT now ICN



Reflection of 77W on aerobridge



Dusk in Korea. It will be dark by the time we leave..



ICN stop brought back memories of our transits here on the way to YVR.
It's been a while since I've transited through ICN but I don't remember the stringent checks on transit PAXs.
We had to produce our boarding pass at the transit booth.
They checked it against the passenger manifest before they gave us our transit pass.
Then through security to enter departure area.
Barely enough time for the kids to have their beef bulgogi at the food court before we had to reboard.
Didn't visit the lounge

[9V-SIA]

ICN-SFO

It was full. But never a problem on SQ F.
Eat and sleep. Then eat some more!
Very turbulent but we were flying ... strong tailwind

Dinner

Maine lobster with celeriac-crabmeat salad and lemon dressing



White onion and thyme soup, prosciutto ham



Korean beef bulgogi with vegetables and steamed rice



And then to bed. These seats are great to sleep on. The quilt is so comfy!



Breakfast

Fresh fruit plate



Cereal



Korean scallop porridge.. looks bland but tasted great!



A couple of movies that I watched:

1. Juno. Love this indie movie.
2. District 9. Prawns will never taste the same again.
3. All about Steve. Not one of Sandra Bullock's better movies

Before I know it, we're about to land..



It was cloudy when we made landfall but...



.. I got my shot of the Golden Gate Bridge





Welcome to SFO



Next, 2 days in San Francisco...

[SQflyergirl]

Having never flown F on the 77W, I redeemed a one way upgrade.
.. snip ....but Miss 9V-SIA was flying Y

I dunno about the penalty for white powder in your country. But the penalty for doing the above to your partner is FAR worse!

Anyway, bring the report on!

[9V-SIA]

I dunno about the penalty for white powder in your country. But the penalty for doing the above to your partner is FAR worse!

Anyway, bring the report on!

I always fly next to Mrs 9V-SIA. My life is that important to me!

But Miss 9V-SIA (2.2) will have to find her own partner to fly in premium cabins

[SQflyergirl]

Do I look stupid? Or I should say do I write stupid?

I always fly with Mrs 9V-SIA. My life is that important to me!

Miss 9V-SIA (2.2) will have to find her own partner to fly in premium cabins

Ah oops my apologies

Yes, indeed, actions by Miss 9V-SIA at this age and point in time, would likely be of less influence and any transgression somewhat less punitive than by Mrs 9V-SIA. 2.2 years old? Enjoy the next oh say.... 14 years. Then look out!

[Kyo]

[*]District 9. Prawns will never taste the same again.

I know what you mean! Anyhow, there's always lobster

Great TR so far! Now we have to see if this mysterious WH is revealed..

[9V-SIA]

Ah oops my apologies

Yes, indeed, actions by Miss 9V-SIA at this age and point in time, would likely be of less influence and any transgression somewhat less punitive than by Mrs 9V-SIA. 2.2 years old? Enjoy the next oh say.... 14 years. Then look out!

Clarification needed.
There' s me.. 9V-SIA.
There' s wife Mrs 9V-SIA
Also a Mas 9V-SIA 18 years old
And two Miss 9V-SIAs Version 1 ( 16 ) and 2.
I was traveling with the baby, true, but a 13 year old one

So I am "looking out" now. Groan..

This was a daddy and daughter bonding ski trip ( with our friends ).

I know what you mean! Anyhow, there's always lobster

Great TR so far! Now we have to see if this mysterious WH is revealed..

Thanks. Try to finish before Chinese New Year!

[9V-SIA]

San Francisco

Introduction

The last time I was in San Francisco was 2002.. I think. If only I'd done TRs then!
It remains my favorite US city.

• Small town feel compared to New York.
• The liberal and tolerant atmosphere.
• Compact size. I like Union Square and how most things that interest me are within walking distance of Union Square.
• Great food in nearby Chinatown, the shopping, trolley to Fisherman's Wharf from Powell Street.

Also it is within striking distance of Napa Valley to the North and Carmel/Big Sur to the South.
The redwood forests are on my "Things To See" list.

Grand Hyatt, where we stayed, seen from Union Square



Our room..



.. with a view of Union Square and Cheesecake Factory in Macy's
They have a skating rink down in the Square. Is this a tradition?



At street level near Macy's. There was a Santa Convention in town. Spot the Grey Santa!



Old Haunts revisited..

1. Pinecrest Diner

I came here for the first time in 1969.
Every time I come to SF since then I pop in for breakfast.



Classic American diner..



.. and you get to see your breakfast prepared in front of you!



This is breakfast BS ( before Starbucks )



2. Trolley ride to Fisherman's Wharf

Powell Street stop.

The cable car broke down for about 45 minutes. Luckily we were at the front of the queue



Iconic SF building.



Took the wrong cable car. We passed at the top end of Lombard Street



3. Fisherman's Wharf



After our visit to Alcatraz, got to try In N Out Burger here for the first time after reading so much about it here on SQTalk.
Yes, it is very good!

[N_Architect]

Nice as usual, keep 'em coming!

[SQflyergirl]

So I am looking out now thank you very much!

Erm yes... indeed

[LionCity]

Nice Trip Report. Glad you have taken the effort to write the report. I was in your neighbourhood in Denver area around the time you were there. Yes, they have wonderfully powdery snow in that area.

Did not write any report but it was a wonderful trip for us visiting Colorado. Found the folks in Colorado generally friendly group. Most of our activities were focused on activities for our daughter including visit to Santa Village or visiting the physiotherapist on a twice daily basis.

I enjoyed these family holidays most unlike the touch and go business trips. Liked ICN but missed the old SQ lounges at that airport. These days replaced by the awful Asiana lounges. Perhaps the Asiana FC Lounges might be better though.

[9V-SIA]

Alcatraz

Never visited Alcatraz in my previous visits but since the kids wanted to go, we went.
I must say it was very enjoyable and I highly recommend it.
The audio guided tour is a must. Unfortunately, my camera batteries were running low so I was sparing with my pics.

View of Building 64 with the Cellhouse above



Map of the Island



Cellhouse



One of Alcatraz's Suite - not sure if the Wonderful or Marvelous one. KeithMEL?



Recreation Yard from the Cellhouse. My girl in her sailor's cap!



View of SF from the Island



Must go when you visit SF!!!