Cherry Blossoms in Japan

With nearly four hours before our Singapore flight and a pleasant day in LA, we decided to walk to the new TBIT and check-in.

This may be a new terminal but security is an awful experience.  The good news is that there is a priority lane.  The bad news is that it is virtually useless... the lane goes to an ID checker about half way thru a single queue for all pax.  So we joined a queue of about 75 pax.

Los Angeles LAX to Tokyo Narita NRT
Singapore SQ 11
A380-800
3:15P-7:15P +1 (sked)
3:15P-7:05P +1 (actual)
March 29, 2014
Departed 5/12
Suites 3CD and 2CD

At around T-40, our SQ representative Tanya came to escort us to the gate.  

Other than the group hug in the elevator with a dozen J pax, it was a pleasant 5 minute walk to Gate 152.   Wow, the new TBIT is a major improvement over the old dump.

No waiting at the gate as Tanya escorted on board to the private Suites jetway where we were met by one of the three FAs working the Suites cabin today.  Beautiful and spacious cabin, soothing colors.  No bling or faux gold like Bling Air.  Lower deck and no useless fru-fru makes the suites feel much larger than EK.  As spacious as MH but the doors make this much more private.  And unlike the position of the galley on MH, the SQ galley is well designed and completely hidden and away from the cabin.  I heard no galley noise at all despite our 3CD being directly in front of the galley.

Looking across the aisle at 3A.

Suite 3A

Singapore's IFE is one of the best.  Lots of movie choices from around the world.  I opted to start with Grudge Match.

Very cool subtitle on/off feature. 

Shortly after take-off, our FAs were prepping for today's meal service.  My usual G&T to start.

Let's go to the menu.

Today's wine list.  Other than Dom and Krug, a rather inspiring selection.  Not in the same league at Emirates or even BA's A380 list.  That was my only complaint today and sticking with Dom solved that one.  :cool:

Showtime!

I started with the malossol caviar and a shot of chilled vodka, offered without prompting by our own gorgeous Singapore Girl, Lead Stewardess Stella.

Then the delicious Cream of Prawn soup with porcini, button mushrooms and watercress, and more Dom. :)

Followed by the excellent Meculin salad with marinated tomatoes and shaved parmesan.  I opted for the chili salsa dressing and more Dom. :)

For our main, we pre-ordered the Boston Lobster Thermidor off the Book the Cook menu.

It was positively sensational.  So were two more glasses of Dom. :)

For dessert, we both had the amazing Pouch of caramelized apples with apple jus and vanilla ice cream, and more Dom. :)

After dinner, tried out SQ's wifi service.  About as slow as United but way more expensive.  $14.99 for 15 MB.  Wow, compare that to Emirates where you get 100MB for $25.  Didn't use this too much tonight.  :eek: 

With the F cabin on the lower level, the lavs are not as spacious and elaborate as EK or LH.  Nevertheless, better than the BA A380 lav.

Amenity kit?  Meh.  None of these smell very good IMO, and I didn't bother taking them home.

Some time after dinner, we both decided to retire to our bedroom and double bed.  Pretty cool feature as the center console lowers and a murphy bed folds down from the back wall.  Not really a double bed in that you can't easily roll back and forth.  And as Mrs. SFO predicted, no mile high club tonight. :(

I slept for three hours then moved back to 3C to download and edit pics and watch the rest of a French comedy and then a much better than expected Stallone/Schwarzenegger action movie Escape Plan.

At about T-2, second meal.  Neither of us were particularly hungry, but decided to have something since we'd be hungry later if we didn't eaten.  So many options on the good looking light menu selections.

We both started with the delicious Thai spicy seafood and glass noodles salad, with more Dom naturally. :)

I went with the Stir fried Oriental Style Lobster with leafy greens and egg noodles.  
It was outstanding but way too much.  My new friend joined me for the meal. ;)

Mrs. SFO had some sort of noodle dish which she loved.

I was stuffed and declined dessert.  But I'm a sucker for beautiful women and I couldn't resist Stella who insisted that the L'Orange, soft orange sponge with blood orange cream, apricot compote and crunchy almond crumble, was very small.  It was indeed very good.

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Shortly after our meal, we started our descent into NRT.

Very strong winds tonight produced a rock and roll approach and landing.  We touched down just before 7PM and were at the gate 5 minutes later.  What can I say?  Simply another sensational and most enjoyable Singapore Airlines flight.

Wednesday was getaway day and we decided to avoid people and eat in the room.  Hard to beat the view anyway. 

At 11:10AM, we checked out at headed for Toyko Station, in style thanks to our wonderful concierge Sanae.

And arrived 10 minutes later.

And finally found our way to the right track and waited for our train to arrive.

Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station
Nozomi 227
12:00PM-2:17PM
April 2, 2014
"First Class"
Car 8, Seats 11CD

Our cabin crew waiting to board.

And the cleaning crew waiting to prep the train once it arrives.

Our sleek train pulling into the station. 

The doors opened for pax at T-5 minutes.

Comfortable 2x2 seating.

We depart on time at exactly 12:00PM.

And after a couple of suburban stops, were on our way at 200mph to Kyoto.

Service?  Meh, what service?  Guess I was expecting a Eurostar kind of deal.  Beverages and limited snacks for sale from a cart.  Most pax brought meals onboard. Seriously? This is First Class.  I guess you pay for the seat and that's it.  WiFi was supposedly availability and indeed was announced but I couldn't find a network and there was no information whatsoever.  We arrived at Kyoto Station on time and were met by a Ritz Carlton driver at our car, despite having told the very challenged Ritz concierge staff that we would just take a taxi.