Author Topic: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.  (Read 32793 times)

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #100 on: January 15, 2015, 04:26:54 AM »
Thanks for the awesome live-blogged TR!
Looking forward to seeing the pics
Next installment should be out in a few hours.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline EnEl

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #101 on: January 15, 2015, 09:08:51 AM »
Next installment should be out in a few hours.

Patiently waiting 8)

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #102 on: January 15, 2015, 09:14:30 AM »
Patiently waiting 8)
Spell checking now. Don't want to end up in the grammar hall of shame here.
« Last Edit: January 15, 2015, 09:29:09 AM by Marco Polo »
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #103 on: January 15, 2015, 09:29:46 AM »
Part Seven:

   Just a week after we had landed in Tokyo, we were all packed up and heading back to the airport. I knew we wanted to stop by another country while on this side of the world, but was not sure where. It was a toss up between Singapore and Hong Kong, with Hong Kong coming out on a top the day before we left on our trip. Although we had visited Hong Kong last year (albeit very briefly), I figured it would be easier to find a flight home from HKG over SIN last minute and this short trip could build on what we saw last time. After booking the flight (CX F), I was told to try and secure the two F seats in the nose of the plane as these seats would offer the most privacy in F. When I checked the seating map online, I saw those two seats had been blocked off, but every other seat was an option. Great. I decided to give Cathay Pacific a call just to check and found out the seats were indeed available and I was switched into them a few minutes later.

   We took the train from the hotel to the airport, which was a bit rough with our entire luggage and a baby with a stroller.  But we managed and got to the airport an hour or so before boarding. I was able to check-in and drop off most of our bags and then went off to find a JAL representative to discuss my missing car seat. I was told that it was found and I could get it at the airport from a JAL agent the night before. It took fifteen minutes to locate someone who knew about our issue or could help me, but someone did come and they did have the car seat in tow. I was told if I wanted to try and get any compensation for the week of not having the car seat (the initial compensation was for the one day delay), I would have to file a claim with BA. I took the car seat and went to check it at the CX counter and then went off to the CX lounge.

   The CX lounge is pretty spacious and has a decent selection of drinks to choose from and some kind of noodle bar as well. I went over to the agents and asked them to check if there was any award availability to NY or ORD on Sunday/Monday and was told there were a couple of flights, which actually had space. As we were already at boarding time and the CX gate was at the farthest corner of the airport (not sure who they pissed off in HND), we had to run for our flight. This ended up being a mistake as by the time we landed, those seats were not available on BA for booking. Anyways, as we were heading towards the gate, I was able to see our ride towering n the distance. We were flying on the 747, which just looks like a massive plane (not like the A380, but still very big). Almost running down the jet bridge with controlled (mostly) excitement, we were finally at the door stepping in paradise.

   The first class cabin was empty when we got onboard and we (I) danced our way to the seats. Would this flight turn out to be us alone with the crew in F?? It didn’t. Another three people boarded, making it five and a half passengers in nine seats (not too bad). With everyone all spread out, we were ready for our pre-departure beverages. Nothing like having some Blue Label before a flight to get you going, even if it is ten in the morning (as Jimmy Buffet is known for saying “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere”).

   Takeoff was nothing too spectacular, other than the fact something this big can fly. Once again, we must have taxied half way to HKG before taking off (someone from CX really needs to send a gift to HND personnel and get some better treatment). The ride out and the first fifteen minutes of the flight were shaky due to bad weather, halting cabin service (such issues not being served at all times and having your beer shaking and spilling in the air). Before we knew it, we were already descending into HKG and on to the next part of our trip.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #104 on: January 15, 2015, 09:30:10 AM »
   After getting our bags and clearing customs, we went to the CX Arrival lounge so I could check the CX flights for a way home and had no luck. My kid was getting cranky at this point so we left pretty quickly. We decided to take a taxi from the airport, which would only be a little more money, but would save us from dragging our luggage through the train and the multiple stations. We made it to the Hyatt Regency around thirty minutes later and were upstairs in the lounge checking in not soon after. We were booked on a cash and points stay with a suite upgrade, which we were looking forward to experiencing here. Last time we stayed on Hong Kong Island at the Grand Hyatt, this time we would be in Kowloon. 

   By the time we were all checked in and settled in our room, it was almost time for dinner. We decided to hang out in the room and then head over to the JCC for dinner. We took the subway line from across the street to HKI and took a cab from there to the JCC. For those that have never been to the JCC in Hong Kong, prepare for a real interrogation and have your passports. They are very suspicious and never believe you are there for just a meal. We finally made it past the guards and took the elevator up to the restaurant. When we got in there was one other person there, but we were not necessarily looking to socialize. We ordered Thai spring rolls for the appetizer, chicken pad Thai and a three-peppered beef with rice for the mains. The food came out quickly and was hot. The appetizers and the pad Thai were good, but we weren’t too thrilled with the beef dish. After dinner we took a cab straight back to the hotel (well the driver did actually stop in middle and asked if he could run out to a restroom…) as our kid was sleeping and we didn’t want to drag him into the subway. We were pleasantly surprised by the insignificant price increase compared to a taxi+subway.  By this point we were all wiped from the day, so after a shower, write-up of this TR, it was finally bedtime. Not sure what we are going to be doing tomorrow, but I am ready to go out and explore HK a bit more.
« Last Edit: January 15, 2015, 09:36:03 AM by Marco Polo »
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #105 on: January 15, 2015, 09:46:49 AM »
Spell checking now. Don't want to end up in the grammar hall of shame here.
lol

Another great writeup! Glad you got the car seat!

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #106 on: January 15, 2015, 09:53:37 AM »
lol

Another great writeup! Glad you got the car seat!
I picture you with a coffee every morning reading this on the way to work.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline dealfinder85

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #107 on: January 15, 2015, 09:54:11 AM »
I picture you with a coffee every morning reading this on the way to work.
haha
im reading this at work...

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #108 on: January 15, 2015, 10:03:28 AM »
I picture you with a coffee every morning reading this on the way to work.
haha
im reading this at work...
+1 Usually it's in either in bed when I first wakeup (I find it hard to just jump out of bed; Not that your TR is the first I HAVE to read in the morning :P) or it's at work before anyone gives me anything to do.

Offline TimT

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #109 on: January 15, 2015, 10:05:55 AM »
Great read once again. You did it the smart way. This way when you get back you won't have the pressure to write up a long TR.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #110 on: January 15, 2015, 10:07:03 AM »
Great read once again. You did it the smart way. This way when you get back you won't have the pressure to write up a long TR.
If i had to do it when i got back, the report would be a quarter of the size.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline TimT

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #111 on: January 15, 2015, 10:11:35 AM »
If i had to do it when i got back, the report would be a quarter of the size.
Pretty amazing that after such a day you're able to sit down & write up a TR.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #112 on: January 15, 2015, 10:17:48 AM »
Perhaps the scariest moment that somehow slipped my mind of todays trip was entering Hong Kong. My kid wasn't feeling that great on the flight, and as we were walking to immigration, they have people scanning you for your temperature. Anyone with a "bad" reading gets quarantined. Of course they know kids are a hot bed for germs etc. and my kid was scanned... Luckily all was good and were let through without collecting $200 and passing Go.
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Offline mochada

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #113 on: January 15, 2015, 10:18:50 AM »
Perhaps the scariest moment that somehow slipped my mid of todays trip was entering Hong Kong. My kid wasn't feeling that great on the flight and as we were walking to immigration they have people scanning you for your temperature. Anyone with a "bad" reading gets quarantined. Of course they know kids are a hot bed for germs etc. and my kid was scanned... Luckily all was good and were let through without collecting $200 and passing Go.

Atleast you got your car seat this time around.

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #114 on: January 15, 2015, 10:19:51 AM »
Atleast you got your car seat this time around.
Was kinda hoping they would lose it and get some more money.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline mochada

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #115 on: January 15, 2015, 10:22:17 AM »
Was kinda hoping they would lose it and get some more money.

 :P :P :P

Offline am7734

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #116 on: January 15, 2015, 10:39:43 AM »
He hangs around, but we usually are stopping at places to see and do things so he can get out.
Very enjoyable TR. Easy to read.
I have a 16 Month old, and there is no way this would ever happen. He's been on 8 Flights (some really short, some really long) and its a nightmare every time..
As for 'hanging around' in his stroller, my kid has napped, in his stroller, exactly twice since he was born!!!!!!
Count your blessings...
Safe Journeys

Offline TimT

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #117 on: January 15, 2015, 10:46:36 AM »
I have a 16 Month old, and there is no way this would ever happen. He's been on 8 Flights (some really short, some really long) and its a nightmare every time..
Business or coach ?

Offline Dan

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #118 on: January 15, 2015, 10:52:33 AM »
Business or coach ?
You think the baby cares if its in business or coach?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Getting To Japan Backward and Other Tall Tales from MP and Co.
« Reply #119 on: January 15, 2015, 10:54:09 AM »
You think the baby cares if its in business or coach?
:P You know it's easier to be in J with a baby than Y.

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