"SpoKEN Tales" with KEN SOLO

107,348 87 segments

Actual Miles Flown Since 1/1/02

Ken Solo PROFILE

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07/07/2002 Singapore Airlines Raffle Class & Hong Kong!

Travel: United Airlines San Diego/San Francisco/San Diego
Singapore Airlines San Francisco/Hong Kong/San Francisco


If you are taking short flights between San Diego and San Francisco on United Airlines or any of the former shuttle operations flights, be warned if you are a premium passenger and expect Economy Plus ®. Not all equipment has been reconfigured, even though the Shuttle operations have disappeared. You get to board as with all flights, First/Premier, back of plane moving forward vs. the old Window/Middle/Aisle Zone. Some of the aircraft has changed to 320/757 equipment, but in general, expect the tight quarters of close seating throughout, and minimal beverage service.

Taking Singapore Airlines (SQ) is probably been one of the most enjoyable flight experiences in my lifetime… and that’s probably saying a lot. On a whim, my buddies Reid and GayLynn asked me to join them in Hong for a week to hang out and to show them around (I had been there before). I managed to redeem a Raffles/Business class ticket on SQ using 90,000 Delta Skymiles (the joys of partnerships), leaving on Tuesday 1:50 am and returning the following Sunday at 9:50 pm, with about 3 week’s notice! I had tried with UA Star Alliance and the only thing they could offer me was a change of plane twice in SFO and TYO on partner ANA. When confirming my seat requests for upper deck 747-400 with SQ, I was advised to review my menu options on Singapore Airlines . Under Raffles Class, you’ll find a section on Book the Cook with items such as Lamb, Baked Fish, Seafood Thermidor, Stir Fry Beef and Vegetables etc as options. With 24 hours advance notice, you pre-order your dinner or you can still select one of three entrees on board. No lines to check in and I was invited to go to the Business Class lounge at SFO International, where you’ll find instant noodles, full beverage service, sushi and internet access. I had worked all day in SFO, and had a pre-dinner meal with Matt and Lannie at a fabulous restaurant in Napa – Don Giovanni Bistro at 4110 St. Helena Highway phone 707/224-3300 – recommendations strongly suggested! I was pretty worn out by the time I arrived at SFO. I was very happy to see a shower facility, fluffy towels and full amenities to freshen up. (I knew I was going to like this flight)

At the last minute, I inquired at the gate if the lower deck was full, and the gate agent very pleasantly re-assigned me to a middle section downstairs with an empty space next to it to allow me room to stretch out and lay out my stuff. As I sat down, lead purser, Frankie Poh greeted me by name (no notes mind you) and took my coat. He was followed by the flight attendants in the sarong dresses offering juice and champagne. Just before take-off, Frankie offered to move me to a two seat section by the window allowing me even more quiet… he promptly opened the overhead and helped me with my back pack and helped me settle in to my window seat. All the flight attendants used my name so often without any prompting that I was almost embarrassed at one stage. My dinner began with Scallops followed by the entrée I had ordered previously. The Mediterranean lamb with couscous and roasted vegetables was as good as any restaurant preparation. This was followed by a cheese and fruit board. I was continuously asked about my dinner and there was even an offer other selections (which were Lamb chops, steamed marinated chicken in a lotus leaf, or pan fried sea bass with saffron sauce) if I was somehow dissatisfied with my meal. I finally settled in to a nap and stretched out in the seat with adjustable headrests, comfortable pillows and must have dozed for about 4 hours. Throughout the flight, my water glass was continuously refilled. On waking, I was greeted by a flight attendant who greeted me warmly by name and asked if I would like coffee or tea. I could barely get the sleep out of my eyes – what did they have back there – body sensors?! Anyway, I had some green tea and she brought me some sandwiches in case I was hungry and assured me there was fruit, cookies and ice cream in the galley if I wanted anything else. Our landing in Hong Kong was very smooth, ahead of schedule at 6:10 am and I wish the flight did not end!

I cleared through customs very quickly – the new Cheng Lap Airport is airy, spacious and almost deserted at that hour. I made it through to the arrivals hall and found the Intercontinental Desk to arrange for shuttle to the hotel. I was very pleasantly welcomed and escorted to the the shuttle desk and was able to charge the fee to my room HK$120, which is about USD $15.60. The shuttle takes about 35 minutes and goes door to door… great if you have luggage and in my case, great because the only ATM in the area I could find was out of order! The alternative is to take the high speed train into Hong Kong or Kowloon, depending on where your hotel is for about HK$90 and then take a cab to the hotel itself (possibly another HK$20). For me it was well worth the effort of getting on the shuttle. When I reached the Intercontinental (formerly the Regent Hotel), I don’t think my hands ever touched my luggage. I was greeted by John the doorman (who would turn out to be a very reliable source of info over the next few days and my towel and water savior after each morning run) and checked in at the desk. The hotel had a room ready for me and I was escorted by Raman from the front desk (and I still don’t know where my luggage is still) but about a minute after he leaves me to take in the room and the spectacular harbor view, the luggage arrives. A minute later, the doorbell rings again and I am brought tea and fresh nectarines as a welcome gesture. This I can live with! Throughout the stay, examples of excellent service I encountered: iced water brought to you as you sit down at the pool area; bottled water handed to you in the gym and Raman spots you in the gym and encourages you to do better. Food anywhere in the building was nothing short of excellent. Try the seafood restaurant “Yu”, the café for breakfast buffet or a continental at the pool side overlooking the Harbor. Or take in Afternoon tea in the lounge. This website shows it all Intercontinental Hong Kong. … and it’s all real.

Hong Kong is all about bustle, all about shopping and all about learning a new culture. You must do the following: visit the Peninsula Hotel and go to Felix on the top floor in the evening for a cocktail and try the restrooms… the views from there are something else…try Dim Sum at Rising Star or Jade Garden Restaurant… go to the Peak at night and during the day.. ( a little touristy), get a visa HK$100 and go into China to Shenzen for some bargain shopping or enjoy the Cultural Center where you can see many of the minority tribes you don’t often see or hear about. Take the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island for HK$2.20 (28.5 cents US)… ride the KMT underground and visit the museums for free on Wednesdays. Don’t let the vendors bother you with “Copy watch! (where they will try to sell you an imitation Rolex) or “Tailor Suit” (where they will lead you into a tailor shop for custom suits – you might be ripped off by their switching material on you and you would not know it) comments along Nathan Road. Do shop at Giordano’s, Bossini, or U2 for casual clothing. Hong Kong is in its worst economic crisis (although you would not know it- 7.7% unemployment) so if you shop for souvenirs, be prepared to bargain and walk away. Do take time out in Kowloon Park or in Hong Kong Park. Walk through the Zoo – it’s free. But come prepared to excite the senses…and see your dollar go a long way!

My 5 days ended with High Tea at the Intercontinental, and heading out to the airport by shuttle again. The SQ Lounge again was well staffed, and offered showers and refreshments and snacks (egg rolls, pastries, brownies, cookies). My return flight was as pleasant as the outbound, with the flight attendants being around every few minutes. The food was an event again - Chinese Roast Duck Salad, followed by my pre-ordered Baked Fish Fillet in a Banana Leaf - absolutely delicious! The other options were: Cubed chicken in honey pickled ginger sauce, veal medallion or sole roulade. Before touchdown, we were offered fried noodles, waffles or an omelette. My luggage was the first to come on the carousel, and I cleared customs and immigration in minutes. Found my way to the United terminal for my connecting flight home – tried to standby for an 8:20 pm flight (did not make it) so relaxed in the red Carpet Lounge until 9:30 pm.

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