If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Trip Report - Singapore / Malaysia
Trip Report - Singapore / Malaysia 08/2004 - 09/2004
Route: EWR-(CO9)-NRT-(NW11)-SIN-(SQ106)-KUL-(SQ107)-SIN-(NW12)-NRT-(CO8)-EWR Flight Details: Legend: (FL) Flight #; (SD) Scheduled Departure; (DC) Door Closed; (PB) Pushback; (WU) Wheels Up; (AT) Air Time {elapsed}; (TD) Touchdown; (GA) Gate Arrival; (BG) Baggage Arrival; FL: SD: DC: PB: WU: AT: TD: GA: BG: ================================================== ======================== 1) CO 9 11:10 11:10 11:12 11:33 12:30:07 13:03 13:13 00:00 ($) 2) NW 11 18:25 18:25 18:27 18:47 06:35:33 00:22 00:31 00:00 ($) 3) SQ 106 08:30 08:30 08:40 08:54 00:33:46 09:28 09:34 00:00 ($$) 4) SQ 107 10:20 10:20 10:27 10:43 00:36:19 11:19 11:27 00:00 ($$) 5) NW 12 06:00 06:00 06:07 06:25 06:46:32 14:12 14:20 14:55 ($$$) 6) CO 8 16:10 16:18 16:21 16:48 12:20:53 16:09 16:14 16:38 ($$$) ($) N/A - Baggage held "in transit" ($$) Baggage was already on carousel upon arrival. ($$$) Immigration completed prior to baggage arrival. Flight Notes: 1) CO 9 - No problems at all save that BF could not board on time because the catering truck was still up and the catering door open. THey won't let BF board when that other door is open. So Coach started boarding first. Once the catering door was closed, BF began to board. I've seen this before so no big deal. Same excellent CO service as always. Smooth flight, no problems. 2) NW 11 - ARGGGGHHHH!!! It's our old nemesis the "Meal Selection" Dilemma and once again, I became the "victim." Apparently on NW DC10's, the rotation is to start in Row 1 - J/K Col. and work down both J/K and C/D col. and then turn and come back up the A/B col. so that 1 A/B and 2 A/B are last in the rotation. And of course, my choice was "unavailable." And since my seat mate wanted the same choice, it was unavailable to him also. The "Purser" (ISM) offered us the following to compensate: 1) The "Coach" meal (a Chicken curry close to the BF choice we wanted); 2) The "other" BF meal choice we just said we didn't want in the first place! (I couldn't eat it for dietary reasons). We both refused all service and had the trays taken away. I don't know what my seat mate was thinking, but I was thinking it was more advantageous to "own the issue" than to accept what really wasn't very much of a compensating offering at all. NW Headquarters will get a letter from me shortly. 3) SQ 106 - A really nice flight, albeit for the 1/2 hour or so it was. THey even completed a small meal service with full First Class Linen etc. completed. These guys (SQ) are good! And since they now fly from EWR, I may very well start using them for the trunk route to Asia. THe aircraft was a 777-300ER with 3 sections FC/BF/Coach. The flight was classified for me as FC, but they closed the FC section and put the FC pax. in the BF section. No matter. It was just a better seat that's all. 4) SQ 107 - Equp. was a 777-200 with only "Raffles Class" and "Coach" seats. THey sat us right up front. Raffles class seats are nice and give almost 180Deg recline. They have laptop ports and large viewing screens. Pretty much same flight as 106 with similar meal service. 5) NW 12 - A "newer" DC10 (relative to NW 11 flight) better seating. Flight was pretty much uneventful except for the landing, which was delayed due to the winds/turbulence near NRT (courtesy of Typhoon Chabba). FA's used the same order for meal taking but with some exceptions, and this time I did get the choice I wanted. Not that it means much, given that this was breakfast and wasn't served like a full dinner or lunch type meal. I'm sure they had plenty of both and didn't need to portion it out. 6) CO 8 - No major problems. Arrived to go on line for check in at NRT.BF line was quick, and scanned through x-ray, but as soon as I was done, I was "selected" for checked baggage hand searching. I think it's because the guy saw me putting my plastic ties on and wanted to be a (you know what).... But nonetheless, I had extra ties. I was more concerned with the random searching at the gate. So when it was time to board, I made sure I was 6th or 8th in line. As it turned out, my strategy was moot, since there was only one (1) station set up, no pax. was at it, and the guards let me pass right by. When I got on, my seat mate was already there, but there was enough space to store everything I needed. Flight totally uneventful. They had Harry Potter POA on "Private Screening"! Saw it 3 times! AIRPORT OPS & NOTES: EWR MUCH BETTER!!! Finally, they're getting it right!!! TSA is operating CTX scanners right at Intl. check in level, Terminal "C". You check in, and then take your baggage over to the TSA rep. who scans right there. The rep even let me wait there while it was scanned, and when it passed, they sent it down the chute, and I moved on. TSA 1st level screening was without any major issues. They requested shoes and belt off (although the belt hadn't set any other scanners off later). Only concern for them was the "flashlight" in one bag which they asked me to take out and show them. They returned it quickly and didn't hand inspect any other carry ons. NRT No remarkable changes from prior experiences. The EWR Rep for CO had notified the "airside" transfer coutner at NRT that I'd be coming. The airside transfer between Terminal 1 & 2 is very easy to setup and find. You have to go through security to get to it, but no issues there. The "issue" was arriving between the hours of 12-2pm, when the bus drivers are "out to lunch!" The "public" xfr bus runs every 15 min. "except" during the lunch hours, when it's once an hour on the hour. Meanwhile, some of the airline "alliances" (ie. "Star Alliance", "One World" etc.) run their own private shuttles (using buses looking like the same public bus) Which picked up at the same point, but would refuse to take pax. that didn't arrive on an airline from their alliance, even if the bus was empty! Even if you were going to miss a connection in the other terminal, even if the connection *is* on an "allied" airline, well, "Sorrrrryyyy... you didn't *arrive* on one of our airlines!" I had to wait 45 min. for the public XFR bus. Fortunately, my flight wasn't until 6:25pm. Watch out for this one all you NRT'ers !!! SIN/KUL In a word - WOW!!! These places are FANTASTIC!!! Changi Airport (SIN) is one of the most pleasant airports I've been Nicely laid out, nice facilities free internet stations airside, all the shopping you could ever ask for, and.... yes..... Are you listening NRT & HKG ???.... THey have them!!!!! FULL SECURED GATE ENCLOSURES AT BOTH!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! blushes Sorry folks, you know that's a sore spot with me. Sheepish grin While in transit from SIN to KUL, I stayed at the Ambassador Transit Hotel in terminal 1, Changi Airport. For what it was, it was quite nice. A 6 hour rest for about US$35.00 in a clean comfortable and quiet room. The only thing about it was, NO WINDOWS IN THE ROOM!!!!!! Because, the hotel is inside the airport building I don't think any of the rooms have windows that I could see. I'll have to ask next time. Nonetheless, there's a pool and health spa etc etc.If you have more than a 6 hour layover (or overnight), it's great. A little "Motel 6"ish, but great for what it does. KUL was equally as impressive. I arrived at 10:30am and took the rapid tram line from terminal 2 to 1 (similar to NRT) cleared immigration quickly. Upon leaving immigration, there's a booth for the "e-xkl" service. There are porters (like the porters at DPS Bali) which will gladly escort you and your baggage through customs and onto the KL "Ekspress" train from the airport to KL station. For about RM100 ($27.00 US) You get a ticket for the train, and car service to your hotel in Downtown KL (A mercedes E320 or thereabouts). And, of course, the porter carry's your baggage. Porter picked up my checked bag (I took only one this time - a wise decision I found out) and we proceeded to Malaysian Customs. As it turns out, one need not use the "e-xkl" service if you don't have a lot of luggage. There are vending machines that sell tickets for the "KL Ekspress" train to KL Sentral train station. Once you arrive at KL Sentral, you can walk about 200 yds over to the KL Monorail station. This monorail winds through downtown Kuala Lumpur, past several major hotels and tourist centers. Chances are your hotel is along the way, as was mine. In fact, I used the reverse route to go back to the airport (even with a large suitcase, carry on, and laptop) and for a fraction of the cost (just under $10.00 US). Immigr. Migel Cruz was right! Both Singapore and Malaysian Immigration/Customs were a breeze! In KL, Customs all they did was scan all the baggage in the green line, and the guy actually looked like he was half asleep at the time. No problem at all. I'm not sure if having the "e-XKL" porter with me was of any help with Customs, but it sure didn't hurt. Singapore was even easier. THey had the same X-ray setup in the green line, but since I was behind the SQ crew on our flight (who always get scanned apparently), the machine was very busy. One agent came over, and I flashed my US passport. He asked if I had anything to declare and I shook my head. He waived me right through. General Issues / Impressions of countries: KL Unfortunately, I didn't get out much to see it as I had hoped to do, due to my catching a nasty little cold 2 days after arrival. I gather my resistance was down after all that flying. Either that, or I caught it form a pax. on the aircraft. I think that more likely because I've done these lengthy flights before and not had a problem. I can't figure out what might have been different this time. It may look weird, but I think I may start wearing a surgical mask in flight because this is recidivous. I lost all my quality time in KL over this cold. But, from what I saw of it, it was good. Got to the Petronas towers lobby, but not up to the deck (tkts. had run out early). If you want to go up to the deck (ie. the bridge between the two towers, which is as far as you can go), you have to be on line very early in the morning (8AM or earlier) as there are only 600 tickets given out free each day. Once they're gone, that's it for the day. Your ticket is given for a specific time and you must go at that time, or you will miss your chance. The people were wonderful. I felt absolutely safe and did not feel at all uneasy as an American. I did see a good many Eurpoean/Australian tourists as well. Most of the hotel staff were Malay and some Indian and were extremely friendly, but I would expect that of a good hotel/tourist staff. My metric is how the "local people/merchants" treat you and here again, I had absolutely no problems in Kuala Lumpur. Islam Yes, one does see the Islamic orientation of this country but it's not "in your face" at all. in There is very little Arabic script as the national language is "Bahasa Malaysia" (which uses Malays. Romanized alphabet) and not Arabic. While you do see a great many women wearing scarves, they're also likely wearing a t-shirt and jeans with it! Little girls (ie. pre-adolecents) did not have to wear scarves at all but just regular kid clothes. I did see some women in full burkas but not as many as one would think. Most I saw were in the hotel restaurant at breakfast time. They all sat in the far corner of the restaurant with their children in tow (no male adults) seemingly segregating themselves. I'm convinced that children are children all over the world now as they were mis-behaving like all children do. But no matter. We didn't bother them - they didn't bother us. One also sees the Islamic influence in the choices offered for breakfast foods as well (ie. "chicken" sausage, "turkey" ham) and "beef" bacon). The "Other White Meat" definitely not permitted here! But other than that, it's just a country like any other. A little too much air pollution due to all the mopeds (which didn't sit well with my cold), but I couldn't do much about that. I will come back here again, and again, until I get it right! Perhaps I've found a new place, especially since I may be losing and old one (see below). And since both Singapore Air and Malaysian Airlines fly from EWR to SIN/KUL respectively (with 1 stop), it makes it much easier! Perhaps the thing to do is spend a few days in KL orienting one's self after the long flight, and then head out to Kota Kinabalu or some place like that for a week or so. S'Pore A somewhat similar experience as with KL, but clearly much less of an Islamic influence. Humidity was higher but I was able to get out more, feeling a lot better. Hotel personnel were just as friendly. I did have 1 or 2 minor issues with the local merchants though. In one case, as I entered a souvenirs shop near the "Merlion," at least one of the 4-5 employees on duty kept following me around watching every movement of my hands. They were polite, explaining about this and that and this gift, and that gift etc., but all the time, watching me and my hands. They did *not* do this for any of the women guests / married couples or locals who came in the shop. Also, in two of the restaurants I visited (one on the Boat Quay; the other near the Merlion), the service I received as a single male was less than stellar, compared to how I saw other tourist couples and locals being treated. But, apparently, this is nothing new to me. I get this all the time when I travel by myself, even in the USA. Frustrating, but that's an argument for a different time. MRT (the Metro) makes it easy to get around. It now extends all the way to Changi Airport and all the automated announcements are in English so it's easy for Americans. You can get a fare card that's refillable and good for several years (mine's good until 2011). The MRT runs primarily between 6am - 12 mid (times vary for various trains) 7 days. Again, if you don't have a lot of luggage and can take advantage of it, use the MRT to get from Changi Airport. I would recommend a taxi if you have a lot of luggage (S$15.00 or so - $9.00 US - to downtown Singapore). There are shuttle buses but they are slow and operate on the hour. There are also private limousines, but are very expensive. Japan My fourth visit here. I spent three days in Tokyo and 2 in Kyoto. Again, the heat and humidity were factors in my getting out and about. I think it better to come back during either early April or late November when the weather is much cooler and the skies clearer. It also felt a little different from a people/cultrural perspective. I'm still wrestling with my feelings at this time and I need a little time to sort them out. Dave Fosset - if you would kindly e-mail me by following the instructions in my signature, I'd appreciate it. I'd like take a few things off line first. Thanks much. __________________________________ Regards, Arnold. E-mail address altered, to prevent spamming. :-| Remove all asterisks and the *hates*spam* to get true address. You may also be given an e-mail link to click to verify your e-mail which you should only need to do once. - Thanks much - This SPAM is killing me!!!) ) |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
mag3 wrote:
The people were wonderful. I felt absolutely safe and did not feel at all uneasy as an American. I did see a good many Eurpoean/Australian tourists as well. Most of the hotel staff were Malay and some Indian and were extremely friendly, but I would expect that of a good hotel/tourist staff. My metric is how the "local people/merchants" treat you and here again, I had absolutely no problems in Kuala Lumpur. Islam Yes, one does see the Islamic orientation of this country but it's not "in your face" at all. in There is very little Arabic script as the national language is "Bahasa Malaysia" (which uses Malays. Romanized alphabet) and not Arabic. While you do see a great many women wearing scarves, they're also likely wearing a t-shirt and jeans with it! Little girls (ie. pre-adolecents) did not have to wear scarves at all but just regular kid clothes. I did see some women in full burkas but not as many as one would think. Most I saw were in the hotel restaurant at breakfast time. They all sat in the far corner of the restaurant with their children in tow (no male adults) seemingly segregating themselves. Those women were probably tourists from the middle east. There are a LOT of them in the summer; as it's cooler here than in the Gulf, and since Malaysia is a majority-Muslim country, they may feel more comfortable being here and telling their neighbors where they went. I don't think I've seen any Malaysian women who fully covered their faces, at least not in KL. Granted, I haven't lifted any veils to check, but based on their husbands I'm pretty confident. One also sees the Islamic influence in the choices offered for breakfast foods as well (ie. chicken" sausage, "turkey" ham) and "beef" bacon). The "Other White Meat" definitely not permitted here! Depends on where you are. In hotels - especially at the breakfast buffet - they will usually avoid all pork products just to avoid any potential misunderstanding (given language difficulties, etc.). But I just had some delightful crispy pork for lunch at the Thai restaurant across the street. At Chinese places, the first time I eat there, they will warn me if I have ordered something that has pork in it (unless it's obvious from the name) but after that it's business as usual - they seem to have very good memories for pork tolerance. Sometimes there is a separation between the halal (no-pork) and non-halal (yes-pork) vendors in food courts - opposite sides of the aisle and so on. You can sometimes see that in Singapore too. Supermarkets in Chinese and expat areas (like anywhere in central KL) usually have a separate section (sometimes even a different room) labeled "non-halal foods" in huge letters where you can stock up on bacon bits and pork rinds. I still don't completely understand the alcohol thing. Far as I can tell, I can walk into 7-Eleven and buy a beer any time I want (is there a cutoff time here? I haven't run into it yet but I really don't know); far more easily than in the USA where I'd have to deal with ID checks and complicated blue laws. On the other hand there are a few "dry" states in Malaysia where 7-Eleven wouldn't sell beer at all. I have heard that they are not supposed to sell alcohol to Muslims but I sure haven't seen anyone get turned away no matter how Malay they looked. I am probably missing the subtleties of that rule (or it may not exist). But other than that, it's just a country like any other. A little too much air pollution due to all the mopeds (which didn't sit well with my cold), but I couldn't do much about that. Agreed, the moped pollution sucks. Much better after a rain or on a clear, windy day. Much worse on Sunday evening on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman when they're all racing around! Anyway, it sure is nice to get a good old-fashioned trip report in this newsgroup instead of off-topic political bickering (and I know I've been as guilty as anyone in the past). miguel -- Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Miguel Cruz wrote:
Depends on where you are. In hotels - especially at the breakfast buffet - they will usually avoid all pork products just to avoid any potential misunderstanding (given language difficulties, etc.). But I just had some delightful crispy pork for lunch at the Thai restaurant across the street. At Chinese places, the first time I eat there, they will warn me if I have ordered something that has pork in it (unless it's obvious from the name) but after that it's business as usual - they seem to have very good memories for pork tolerance. Sometimes there is a separation between the halal (no-pork) and non-halal (yes-pork) vendors in food courts - opposite sides of the aisle and so on. You can sometimes see that in Singapore too. Supermarkets in Chinese and expat areas (like anywhere in central KL) usually have a separate section (sometimes even a different room) labeled "non-halal foods" in huge letters where you can stock up on bacon bits and pork rinds. To be a bit more accurate, even chicken meat can be both halal and non- halal. It's halal if you pray before killing the chicken, non-halal if you don't. At the Chinese food stalls you get usually non-halal chicken. -- Alfred Molon http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Austria, Budapest and Portugal |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"mag3" wrote in message ... Trip Report - Singapore / Malaysia 08/2004 - 09/2004 While in transit from SIN to KUL, I stayed at the Ambassador Transit Hotel in terminal 1, Changi Airport. For what it was, it was quite nice. A 6 hour rest for about US$35.00 in a clean comfortable and quiet room. The only thing about it was, NO WINDOWS IN THE ROOM!!!!!! Because, the hotel is inside the airport building I don't think any of the rooms have windows that I could see. I'll have to ask next time. Nonetheless, there's a pool and health spa etc etc.If you have more than a 6 hour layover (or overnight), it's great. A little "Motel 6"ish, but great for what it does. ................................................. .......................... ...................................... Quote from ABTN issue of 06SEP 2004 AIR & BUSINESS TRAVEL NEWS A WEEKLY NEWS REVIEW PUBLISHED EVERY MONDAY PO Box 1315, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1PU, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1707 665454 All enquiries: This email can also be viewed, with photos, on http://www.abtn.co.uk CHANGI Singapore Airport seems to always be winning the awards for the best airport. That is debatable and ABTN can quote some that are arguably slightly better in some respects, but the airport is easily the finest when it comes to pro-active PR and ideas. Changi's latest press release concerns "The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports" which for the eighth consecutive year has voted Changi the best. The airport's two passenger terminals have five designated areas that provide free rest facilities. There are nearly 60 reclining snooze chairs around the two terminals of the airport that can be used by any traveller. Some are even fitted with vibrating alarm clocks to wake the traveller in time for his flight. There are also massage chairs where you can soothe your weary body. Aside from these free facilities, travellers can also drop in at the two transit hotels which also offer shower facilities, a swimming pool and a jacuzzi. Travellers who do not need a room can get their rest in private bunks at the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Rainforest Lounges and there are 200 free Internet terminals plus 100 retail shops. It seems better than the destination. http://www.sleepinginairports.net/bestof.htm unquote retired/uk. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
When I travel, I always book with:
http://www.hotelclub.net/enter.asp?i...p%3Fid%3D1 21 Maybe it's not the best but it's the most accurate... Peter |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
When I travel, I always book with:
http://www.hotelclub.net/enter.asp?i...p%3Fid%3D1 21 Maybe it's not the best but it's the most accurate... Peter |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
When I travel, I always book with:
http://www.hotelclub.net/enter.asp?i...p%3Fid%3D1 21 Maybe it's not the best but it's the most accurate... Peter |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Trip Report: CPR-ANC via DEN on 06/03/2004. | Michael Graham | Air travel | 0 | June 13th, 2004 08:15 PM |
Trip Report: No chicken on Malaysia Airlines, solicitors at LAX, etc. | Andy P. Jung | Air travel | 4 | April 26th, 2004 05:54 PM |
Trip Report - SDF-DTW-AMS-BCN-MAD-JFK-CVG-SDF | Steve | Air travel | 120 | November 13th, 2003 10:57 PM |