The main 2 legs of this trip was funded for both of us by using 120K VS miles, and I can now say; at the end of the trip, that they were points VERY well spent. [:D]
Having left my car at Purple Parking, as usual, I met up with Buns at the new VS check in area and we went to the SQ check in where a delightfully pleasant check in agent sorted us out. She checked our bags all the way to KL and also issued our boarding passes for the first SIN / KUL fight in First, which is a few hours after we land in SIN.
We were delayed a few minutes getting through the (not so) Fast Track security and shoe carnival, but were still walking through the doors of the VS Clubhouse at 8am. We sat down in the restaurant area. I had a bowl of fruit with a very welcome coffee, followed by a full English! Buns had a glass of champagne and an OJ, followed by scrambled eggs with smoked salmon how decadent is that?
Once we had eaten, we stocked up on reading material, had our shoes shined, surfed V-Flyer and chilled for a while. I drank too much coffee and we stocked up on sweets for take off. Once our shoes were done, we decided to have a look at the Singapore Airlines Silver Krisflyer lounge. This is in the D area near the new gates 1-8.
The Krisflyer lounge is divided into two areas First Class is off to the left, and Business Class is to the right and upstairs. It is very basic compared to the Clubhouse, but is more than adequate, with lots of seats, views of the apron and runway and plenty of refreshments available. The only hot fare is soup, but there are lots of sandwiches and snacks plus a full array of drinks both hot and cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The fridge was well stocked with London Pride and the ubiquitous Tiger Beer- something I will always associate with Singapore. There was no free wi-fi, but a T-mobile hotspot was available, and there were a number of PCs connected to the internet for free surfing. I had to laugh at a notice above the PCs that politely requested people not to download adult images, and then a veiled warning underneath that the area was being monitored by CCTV!
At about 10.15am 15 minutes before they were due to call for boarding, we decided to walk down to the gate. We walked down to gate 27 and passed into a packed pre-boarding area. We waited for a few minutes until they announced boarding. It was done through two doors First / Business through door A and the rest through door B. This was strictly enforced. We made our way on board and then up the stairs. We have the first to seats on the left hand side of the plane 11a and11c (right behind the driver). There is a massive amount of leg room and the seat is a bit like the old Virgin J2000 seats, in that it doesnt go completely flat, but is big enough and comfortable enough to sleep on.
We were greeted by name and offered a variety of juices or champagne. We were also offered a selection of newspapers and magazines. Before we took off we got hot towels, menus and wine lists were handed out and our meal and drinks orders were taken. Again we were addressed by name and they had a note that I had already ordered the pork from the book the cook menu. We were also given hot towels after the drink.
Push back was a little late at 11.10am and we made our way round to 27 right. It was still raining and windy. Wheels up was at 11.35am and the wind buffeting continued. Once we were airborne we were given headsets and slippers eye shades, then the drinks very quickly arrived. We were chatting and discussing the IFE when the first course of the meal was served three satay skewers a combination of beef and chicken with a spicy peanut sauce, onion and cucumber very nice too.
The Krisworld IFE is on demand with a choice of 86 movies, 106 TV shows, 180 CDs, 12 radio channels and 59 games. There is obviously a very cosmopolitan selection of films including lots of new ones and old classics like The Great Escape, Casablanca and the 1967 version of Casino Royale. Once the starter was cleared away we got another hot towel and main course orders were taken also the offer of another drink.
Next, we were served 'A Savoury Note', which was Goose liver terrine and duck terrine with mixed salad and balsamic dressing. This was followed by the main course, I had my pork and Buns had Boiled beef cheeks in beef consomm_ with peas, baby turnip and asparagus which was apparently exclusively created for SQ by Gordon Ramsey. Sweet was a red fruits / passion fruit mousse with chocolate and iced berries, this was followed by the cheese board!
For info this was my Book the Cook choice:
Menu out of London
Baked fillet of cod with runner beans, pancetta, and roasted pine nuts served with potato and turnip mash.
Pork medallions in red onion marmalade with broccoli and potato-celery croquette
Roast corn-fed chicken breast marinated in rosemary, garlic, and lemon with braised savoy cabbage
Seafood Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow-roasted vine-ripened tomato, and saffron rice
Cantonese roast duck with vegetables and steamed rice
Chicken Teriyaki with Japanese mixed vegetables and steamed rice
Selection of sushi with pickled ginger and condiments
Singapore Chicken Rice
Each course was accompanied by a drink refill and a water top up. Needless to say, before the end of the excellent meal I was full so much so that I declined the cheese course and coffee. Out of the window, as we flew over Germany and Poland then Russia, we kept getting glimpses of the ground when the cloud broke by the time we got over Poland it was snow below, then we had the strange situation of it getting dark mid afternoon our time as we headed through the time zones eastward. I watched a bit of Doctor Who and read the papers, then got my head down as did most of the cabin. When I woke up, the very attentive Stewardess asked me if I wanted a drink. I asked for OJ and got a glass of juice and a plateful of shortbread! The crew seemed to be constantly prowling the cabin offering drinks, snacks and just being really helpful!
Towards the end of the flight, breakfast was a bit of an event first course was the juice, then we got a bowl of fruit, then a selection of croissants and pastries, then a choice of yoghurt, cereal or muesli, then the main course. I ordered chive omelette with veal sausage, tomato bubble and squeak. Buns is having Kassler ham steak with white pudding, poached egg, spinach and saut_ed potato., then more coffee. At the end of the meal I was about full, once more!
I enjoyed a film called The Brave One with Jodie Foster, but mainly channel hopped, then listened to music, read and watched the sky map - we got great views of Singapore Harbour and city, as it was just getting light as we came into a very smooth landing at 7.05am Singapore time (11.05pm yesterday in the UK). The crew were helpful and attentive right to the end of the flight nothing seemed too much trouble for them. The other thing of note is that, even as we were getting off the plane we were always addressed by name a very nice touch indeed.
We disembarked into the massive brand new Terminal 3 at Changi it only opened a couple of weeks ago and everything is still pristine and new not that this is unusual in Singapore. We walked round the shops and explored a bit. Buns went to the loo and came out laughing because the windows are not opaque and you look right out onto the apron and the gates so are visible albeit head and shoulders only, to people on the planes!
We got the transit over to the old Terminal 2, which is where our SIN / KUL plane departs from, and made our way up to the First Class lounge, where I am currently sat typing this.
The First Class lounge is not as busy as it used to be as T3 has taken a fair amount of its trade, but it is still just as well stocked. Free wi-fi and lots to eat and drink not that food is of any interest right now. One change is that the Ben and Jerrys freezer is no more unless they have moved it and I missed it!
To be continued.......
