Another "HARI RAYA" trip: half around the word to TFN, with GA, SQ, TG, JK and LH

[Dent@SUB]

After gathering my energy and mood, I try to make another TR after a long time vacuum since my last TR last year.
Will use more pictures than words to tell the stories... (I'm a lazy guy .... )
and sorry for the quality of the picture... I avoid to use flash light at almost all the time...








Part 1: A 36 hours journey to reach TFN


GA305
SUB-CGK
Class: J
Seat: 1F
Load: 4/16
ETD: 0700
ETA: 0820
ATD: ontime
ATA: ontime
Aircraft: B737-300


After late night work the previous night, I departed early, around 5AM, for the airport light headed.

Arrived at SUB around 5.30AM, the airport already very crowded. It's the beginning of the "Hari Raya" festive season, the peak-peak-peak season for airlines in Indonesia (like lunar new year in China).

Went to the International terminal to check in my flight (Garuda use International terminal check in counter for their domestic flight, along with Air Asia.)

The international terminal already quite crowded, dunno what the situation at the domestic one, must be worse, as all others airlines make home base there.








GA only open 1 check in counter for J pax.

After got my BP, I went upstair to the Garuda Domestic lounge.

The lounge itself quite nice, with a decent food & drink selection for domestic lounge.

[Dent@SUB]

View from the lounge:







It was a rare view in SUB that we can see 2 CX'S big birds at the apron at one time.
For this beginning of festive season, CX deployed 2 B773s to SUB. What a load they got. Usually CX only deploy A333 6x a week to SUB.






Lion Air (JT) B737-900ER special livery.





This time, the aircraft was parked at the remote area. So after went through the bridge, we must went down by stair to the apron, and got bused to the aircraft. This made an opportunity to take a snapshot to the CX's big bird.





The SQFG trademark shoot (SQFG, where I must send the royalty?? ):






GA's J cabin's view:







We pushed back on time.

GA served a nice breakfast for this flight, with local taste. This time we 2 option: Omelet and sausage or Nasi Uduk (coconut milk rice with condiments)
I opted the Nasi Uduk:





We arrived on time at CGK.
For J pax, GA has a new service for their luggage. CONCIERGE style! Nice touch from GA new management.
So we no need to wait at the belt, but someone will bring your luggage at the "concierge" counter. And my luggage was delivered first, even before the belt began to move..

[freddo]

Very nice! Waiting for more
The executive class baggage collection is a wonderful idea!

[Dent@SUB]

SQ957
CGK-SIN
Class: F
Seat: 1D
Load: 18/18
ETD: 1140
ETA: 1415
ATD: ontime
ATA: 45 minutes late
Aircraft: B777-300

After got my luggage, I went up stair to check in my next flight to BKK via SIN with SQ.

SQ use terminal 2D for their check in counter.

View around the check in counter:








In this peak season, there was an increased security measurement. There were two security desk before we entered the check in counter to search our luggage. I must opened my intended check in luggage in front of them




After got my BP, and cleared the imigration procedure, I went to the Esplanede Lounge. SQ use Esplanede Lounge exclusively just for their premium pax.

View of the terminal airside:










At the end of Terminal 2D, there are 3 lounge, The Premier Lounge, Pura Indah Lounge and Esplanede Lounge:

[Dent@SUB]

Esplanede Lounge divided into 2 section. Biz and First class section. Turn left, you got the Biz class section. Turn right, you got the First class section

The lounge look little outdated, like SKL T2. But the food and drink selection are quite decent.

View of the lounge, F section:



















My ride to SIN:




9V-SYB this time...

[Dent@SUB]

Boarding was on time, and using the usual sequence: baby & infant & elders, F pax, J pax, PPS pax, *gold and whY.

Another SQFG TM shoot. (SQFG, how much royalty I owed??? )




The flight was choking full, all classes!!!

Angled view of the F cabin:




Welcome drink, DOM:





The menu:




The breakfast from SIN to CGK menu (they are on the other side of the CGK-SIN menu)




My lunch with Pad Thai as main course:

[Dent@SUB]

Approaching SIN, there was a heavy thunder storm around SIN. My plane must flying around waiting for an opening to landing.
After all, we landed 45 minutes behind schedule. It just left me 45 minutes time to catch my flight to BKK.
My CGK flight arrive at F pier, and my BKK flight left from E pier. There was a very long walk to get there.
Reaching the gate, it was half empty. Half of the pax already on board.

Worried about my luggage, I asked the gate agent about them.
They checked their computer, but still no data about that. But they convinced me that my luggage was on the way. I once again told them that I can't handle to missed this luggage because I really need this luggage for my connecting flight to Madrid tonight.
They assured me that they will do everything to make sure the luggage will come with me.



SQ976
SIN-BKK
Class: J
Seat: 11D
Load: 30/30
ETD: 1530
ETA: 1655
ATD: 10 minutes late
ATA: on time
Aircraft: B777-200



After on board, I once again asked the green kebaya girl about the status of my luggage. She told me she will see what she can do for me. I saw her talk with the purple tie guy, and he contacted the ground staff. After a while, he approached me, and told me: "don't worry sir, the luggage has been loaded into the plane."
KUDOS for SQ!!

The flight was choking full, all classes. Good business for SQ.


Another SQFG TM shoot. (I'm really in big debt to SQFG in the end of this TR... )




I can see the door clearly from my seat:




This flight menu:

[Dent@SUB]

9V-SRM this time:





I have ordered from Book the Cook menu for Fish Ball Curry. so here they are:





The fish ball had some shrimp inside:



And the taste very tasty. Spicy and full of flavor.



For J pax, SQ gave us a Fast Track pass to use for BKK immigration, along whit 1000 bath voucher to use for duty free item purchased above 5000 bath.






We arrived at BKK on time

[Dent@SUB]

When I reached the immigration counter, there was quite a long line in front of the fast track counter. The regular counter had shorter line, so I went to the regular one, and decided not to used the Fast Track Pass.

Cleared the immigration, I reach the baggage belt. There were already some baggage on the belt, and mine was one of them.
Salute to SQ that can transfer my luggage in 40 minutes window time. SQ really saved my trip.

After got my luggage, I went upstairs to check in my next flight to MAD with TG.
The reason I didn't check through my luggage to TFN from CGK, because it will be a long route, 4 segments, 4 different airports, 3 airlines. So the chances to get lost were quite big. I wanted to minimize the risk. And I have a long transit time at BKK anyway.

The view of BKK check in hall:















TG premium check in area are around the A zone.









Check in for TG F is ala concierge style.

Approaching the F section, a guy hurry came to me to help me with the luggage.
The agent inside the F check in lounge will do rest for me while I sat there.









There was some incident in the check in process.
First: the agent couldn't check though my bag to TFN on the first time, even though she could issued my BP all the way to TFN.
After a few call, she managed to print the luggage tag all the way to TFN.
Second: the agent could only issued whY BP on my JK sector from MAD to TFN, even though my ticket clearly stated it's business class.
She called the ticketing department,and they told her it's indeed a business class.
In the end she suggested me to check with JK at MAD for the seat change from whY to J, and gave me the whY BP.
I thought it was the most logical thing to do in this situation. So I accept that.


Next: the famous TG F lounge and TG F Spa.....

[9V-SIA]

Thanks for this TR Dent@SUB!

The Phad Thai looks good.

Did you use the Fast Track pass at BKK?

I found all the lines very empty so I just went through normal immigration.

[UMD]

Great TR so far. Keep it coming.

[Dent@SUB]

After finished all the check in process, the check in lady escorted me through the immigration.
Passed the immigration, an electric car has been waiting for me to bring me to the F lounge.
Actually the F and J lounge are one loooonggg connecting lounge with F lounge at the farthest one.
The driver rode me literally through the J section to reach the F part.

Arriving at the F door, the reception lady inside walked out to greet me in front of the lounge and escorted me to the reception desk.
Having a long journey since 5AM this morning, I asked the lady for the SPA treatment. She called the SPA asked for the room availability for full body massage. Great news, they had a slot right now at that time.
So I proceed to the Spa, which is literally in front of the F lounge, with a lady from the F lounge escorted me there.

The lady from the F lounge "hand over" me to the Spa lady.
I was asked to fill some kind of form regarding the service I required. She also offer me for other treatment beside the full body massage. So I also asked for neck and shoulder massage after my full body massage.

Finished with the formality, she escorted me the spa treatment room.

As usual, the therapist ask me to change into the disposable underwear for the treatment. So I went to the changing room, and took the shower first, than change into that "transparent, disposable square underwear", and took the kimono that are provided in the changing room cupboard.

The amenities there still L'Occitane, Verbena series, which are very nice product.

Here some picture of the Spa Treatment room:



Look at those Jacuzzi. Has anyone ever tried those? I was to shy to ask the therapist to prepare the jacuzzi form me....




The massage bed table...




There are the changing room, to the left is shower room, to the right is toilet. In the middle is wash basin with cupboard filled with kimono robe, sandals, and towel.



The massage itself was a total bliss. So soothing...
Wish they had 2 hours massage menu...

After finished with the massage, I took shower again. When I came out from the changing room, the therapist has already finished make up the room.
Then she escorted me to small lounge to take some hot herbal tea.











Not long I sat there, a lady came in and told me that my therapist was ready for my neck and shoulder massage. She escorted me to another therapy room, some cubicle room with large chair inside.

[Dent@SUB]

Finished with the massage, I went back to the lounge.The lady from the Spa escort me back to the lounge that just across the "street".

Here some view of the lounge:






















I order some "snack" to filled up my grumbled tummy :

[Dent@SUB]

TG F lounge has 4 or 5 napping room. Good for long transit pax.
They have some different setting for the room.
Here some view of the napping room:











Before boarding time, I decided to pay a visit to the shower room. It's still using L'Occitane product, also from Verbena series, which was very nice for showing this is F facilities, not just regular one with soap dispenser on the wall (like SQ SKL F, even at TPR )!

[Dent@SUB]

TG948
BKK-MAD
Class: F
Seat: 1A
Load: 1/10
ETD: 0005
ETA: 0800+1
ATD: ontime
ATA: 15 minutes ahead schedule
Aircraft: B747-400


Approaching the boarding time, a TG ground staff lady came to me, and escort me to the gate. Because I was supposed to board from gate B5 which is near the lounge, no electric car for me. We just walked to the gate.
While we walked, she told me that I'm the only person in F cabin.
Wow, another F solo with TG after last year solo, also with TG.
It was just a short walk to the gate. Arrived there, there were already two long Q for boarding.
The TG lady escort me to bypass the Q. Soon I was in the plane. A senior FA greeted me at the door, and escorted me to my seat.

Here the view of "the nose" cabin, the cabin that was mine in this flight. 10 seats, 2 toilets, all were mine...









Soon after settled down in my seat, came the inflight purser. He introduced himself to me and one of his male staff, called Manon (his tag name was Mong Kon) who will took care of me for the rest of the flight. Both of them spoke a very fluent English.

Not in the mood for alcohol, I asked for sparkling water when Manon asked me. Then he asked me: " Is Perrier fine with you, Sir?".
Nice beginning...!!
Even in SQ I never been asked about the brand of sparkling water I wanted, only something like this: "would you want them with ice and lemon, Sir?" which Manon also asked me about that.


My welcome drink:




And then a senior female FA who greeted me at the door, came to give me the pajamas, amenities kit, and the menu.

I like the color of the pajamas, light purple. But the amenities kit were nothing to talk about, so basic.
(these pictures were taken at the hotel after the flight)...








And here the menu:






For this flight, I already have ordered Coguilles Saint Jacques with duchesse potatoes (Scallops in white wine cream sauce, seasoned with cayenne pepper and lemon juice) from their Chef on Call menu.