Category Archives: 2012 Malaysia Diving F1 Trip

CX138 SYD-HKG

Posted on by

CX138 SYD-HKG 12-Mar
Airbus A330, B-HLR (Sep-01), Seat 19D

Checkin for CX at Sydney was in Row A which has seen better days. Only three serving the business queue with three other passengers waiting. Check in appeared very slow in the economy queue was quite large. Anyhow through to the Qantas First Lounge by 1930 when I was one of no more than five there (unfortunately spa was closed). Sat down and ordered and the lounge gradually filled up.

Lounge had just changed to the new spring menu so I took part in some of the new dishes, and then went back for the new wagyu sandwich (brilliant but messy given the salad).

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0149.JPGDSCN0150.JPGDSCN0151.JPGDSCN0154.JPGDSCN0155.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Plane was old style lie flat coffins, I think this is the only HKG-SYD flight yet to change over to the new style and completely full. I had changed flights two weeks before and was only able to get an aisle seat. Watched j.edgar on the plane, got changed into my QF First pj’s (byo as cx doesn’t provide – two other pax were in QF Business), got a do not disturb sticker and to bed. Plane arrived at gate early and was through the airport by 430! So half an hour till CX Arrival opened and over an hour till the first train service

Menu (138-1137J-A/12)

Supper
Mixed salad with gravlax and French dressing

Main Courses
Braised lamb shank with creamy polenta, green beans and carrots
Deep-fried cod with hot bean sauce, steamed rice, pak choy and carrot

Light Choice
Roasted duck in noodle soup

Cheese and Dessert
Camembert, Maffra Fargo Walnut, Roaring Forties Blue
Fresh seasonal fruit
Chocolate orange mousse and strawberry cream cake with raspberry coulis

Tea and Coffee
Pralines

Snacks
Roasted duck in noodle soup
Maggie Beer ice cream

Breakfast
Starters
Orange or Apple juice
Mixed berry & soya milk smoothie
Fresh seasonal fruit
Fruit yoghurt
Butcher muesli

Main Courses
Spanish omlette with Mushrooms, chorizo, beans and corn cakes
Braised e-fu noodles with dim sum and Chilli sauce
Congee with chicken and ginko nuts

Bread Basket
Assorted breakfast bread served with preserves, honey and butter

Tea and Coffee

Wines (100,102,104,110,134,136,138,156,162,170,174,178,194 1-3-2012)
Champagne – Champagne Deutz, Brut Classic
White – Mountadam Vineyard Eden Valley Riesling 2009 (SA, Australia); Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009 ( France )
Red – Château de Maison Neuve Montage Saint-Emilion 2009 (France); Moonvine McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2009 ( SA, Australia )
Special leaflet – Dilection Chinon 2010 (Grand Château, Loire Valley, France )

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0156.JPGDSCN0157.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

The Arrival and Conrad Hong Kong

Posted on by

One of the first into The Arrival (after waiting half an hour into the empty terminal) and secured a shower and got changed.

Quick breakfast, first train then shuttle to Conrad Hong Kong. Arriving at 7am on a free stay I wasn’t expecting a room – but no – 58th floor Executive Club room was mine. HHonors Diamond status works again. Usual impeccable Conrad service throughout the stay, although I was only briefly able to utilise the Evening Drinks.

So a quick snooze and use of the internet in lounge then off to a few meetings and lunches including my first visit to the ICC, Ritz Carlton and massive shopping mall beneath. Some evening drinks at the misspelled Wooloomooloo in LKF Then a solely Californian wine bar Californian Vintage (had over 80 wines by the glass using a vacuum system) and a cool ipad menu/ info system.

Next day I actually checked baggage in the morning and just roamed about with a day pack before working my way back to the Airport. CX Wing First is now closed with a sign and staff member standing at the entrance but doesn’t appear to be much happening yet.

But with a Gate 71 departure, it was off to The Pier First. Food area was very busy and food selection was the usual good stuff. Walked out via Business lounge to get closer to my gate.

CX472 HKG-TPE

Posted on by

CX472 HKG-TPE 16-Mar
Airbus A340-300 B-HXK (Jul-98), Seat 16K, Gate 71

Menu (400/408/464/470/472 F-A/12)
Refreshment

Starter
Fresh seasonal fruit

Main Courses
Braised minced pork patty, steamed jasmine rice with pak choy and Chinese vegetables
Roasted chicken breast in port wine sauce, creamy Parmesan polenta, roasted carrot, turnip and parsnip
Braised e-fu noodle with deep-fried shrimp shiu gow

Dessert
Chocolate mousse brownie with raspberry

Tea and Coffee

Wines (same menu)
Champagne – Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne
White – Mount Riley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (NZ); Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009 (France)
Red – Moonvine McLaren Vale Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2009 (SA Australia); Château Taffard de Blaignan Médoc 2009
Port – Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2006

DSCN0161.JPG

Arrived at TPE T1 (which is undergoing wholesale renovation) and managed to find the single ATM Machine then downstairs for the bus into the city (a high speed rail connection is under construction but still seems some way off). I took the Cheung Kwa bus to Taipei Main Station then a short taxi to Ximending.

Amba Hotel Ximending Taipei

Posted on by

Amba Hotel Ximending

This is a brand new hotel in Ximending, the area described as Taipei’s Shibuya. A number of streets are closed to traffic in the afternoon and evening including the street in front of the Amba, but only a 50m walk from the main road. Hotel sits above a multi-level department store with a bakery and Starbucks at Ground Level and McD’s across the road. Hotel reception on Level 5, with rooms on Level 6 to 10. Opened in Feb 2012 so very new. Reception area is very funky and open and the level also contains a large bar and restaurant with some cool modern artwork.
[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0188.JPGDSCN0190.JPGDSCN0191.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Rooms are very clean and modern. All white bed but with an antique coke chest and metal drum as side tables. Closet looks like it is from ikea. Separate shower and toilet and a central sink, fridge etc near the entrance. Overall very nice hotel, a bit like an aloft I guess. No minibar but a decent sized fridge. Free wifi in the rooms with good speed.
[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0162.JPGDSCN0163.JPGDSCN0164.JPGDSCN0165.JPGDSCN0166.JPGDSCN0168.JPGDSCN0169.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Spent the night exploring Ximending
[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0172.JPGDSCN0173.JPGDSCN0186.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Then over to City Hall to checkout Taipei 101 (a surprisingly longish walk from the MTR).
[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0180.JPGDSCN0183.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Only downside to the hotel for me was being on the main road side (room 823) there was a lot of external noise including motorcycles and trucks. Windows on that side do not appear to be double glazed. Perhaps rooms on the other side or the internal ones would be quieter.

Alarm set for 530 but bodyclock got me at 520. Out of hotel by 535 and onto a bus by 545 (taxi and bus cost 100+125twd and far more comfortable than the 1200twd taxi fare). Bus makes a few short stops along the way but at airport by 630. No queue for Malaysian checkin (800 departure) so through to airside.

More Lounge Taipei

Posted on by

More Lounge Taipei

Paid a visit to this Priority Pass lounge. Lounge sits in the middle of the passage connecting the two wings with a view from the outside to immigration. Design and seating is very old wordly (Somewhat different to the Cathay lounge down the hall). Food is fairly local but a good selection of soups and buns, and some toast. Plenty of packaged tea/coffee, a soda fountain, ice cream and small selection of spirits. Lots of computers to use and quick wifi.

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0192.JPGDSCN0193.JPGDSCN0194.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

MH69 TPE-BKI

Posted on by

MH69 TPE-BKI, 15-Mar
Boeing 737-400 Seat 14K

First old 737 in a while but got the pick of the seats – 14A/K have meters of legroom as the two exit rows in front have no window seats. Despite its age, cabin was in looking OK, although unsure about Malaysian random colour system that mixes red, green, Orange and aqua blue seats. Loads around 90% but I had a spare next to me.

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0195.JPGDSCN0196.JPGDSCN0197.JPGDSCN0198.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Decent meal served – choice of chicken noodles or an omlette.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabala and Mt Kinabalu

Posted on by

LeMeridien Kota Kinabalu

Well located resort on the waterfront in Kota Kinabalu and a great cash and points rate. On checkin switched to a King Bed on high floor but no club access (as SPG Gold). Large room that is stylish yet understated, hotel showing some signs of age but in reasonable condition. Pool on level 2 is quite nice but appears underused.

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0201.JPGDSCN0202.JPGDSCN0203.JPGDSCN0204.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

In and around Kota Kinabalu
[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ]
DSCN0205.JPGDSCN0208.JPGDSCN0210.JPGDSCN0211.JPGDSCN0214.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Climbing Mt Kinabalu

I decided to set myself a challenge despite having not done much training and climb Mt Kinabalu. Due to availability of Sipidan dive spots I could only do the one day climb. This has advantages in being cheaper (not having an overnight at Labu Raten), means you don’t have to climb in the dark, and limited to 4-5ppl, but you often get cloud cover at the top in the middle of the day. It is also a dammit tough climb. Pickup at hotel 500, Started climbing at 725. The way up is 8.6km long and 2200m vertical to reach Lows Peak of 4100m. Great view at the top and spent 25min there. Down is the same way and distance. I actually found the way down harder – combination of the distance and some sunburn.

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ] DSCN0226.JPGDSCN0233.JPGDSCN0237.JPGDSCN0240.JPGDSCN0242.JPGDSCN0245.JPGDSCN0249.JPGDSCN0262.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

Slept very well that night!!

MH3055 BKI-TWU

Posted on by

MH3055 BKI-TWU 17-Mar
ATR72-500 9M-MWG (Nov-09) Seat 3D

Checked in at the impressive Kota Kinabalu terminal to find flight delayed almost two hours. MH hides their check-in desk and tries to force everyone to use the kiosk and bagdrop desk.

Airport is much bigger than current needs with almost 20 domestic and international gates. A large number of shops in the domestic terminal appear shuttered. Small Golden Lounge and end of Domestic pier that appeared OK but nothing special (no access until MH joins oneworld)

Had some foot reflexology to pass the time, albeit the leg massage was somewhat painful thanks to my Mt Kinabalu sunburn.

Near new Maswings prop arrived for a quick turnaround. A 2×2 configuration throughout with a two row business section with same seats but separated by a curtain. Entrance only from the rear so premium pax are last off! Ceiling is low at about 6’4 hitting head and anyone above 6′ needs to be very careful of the overhead bins when open.

Small muffin and drink (your choice from cart) served on flight.

 

Holiday Inn Semporna and diving Sipidan

Posted on by

Holiday Inn Semporna

Trailed a few Westerners and paid myr50 to get on their shuttle into town where I checked into Holiday Inn (local hotel connected with Sipidan Scuba/ North Borneo Divers). Basic queen room of about 10sqm with no windows, but flat tv, good aircon and a lukewarm shower in a wetroom toilet/ shower. Safety lockers outside in full view of reception outside. Basic but OK enough and the price was RMB90 (dorm beds in the Inn are RMB25), but I wasn’t here for luxuries I was here to dive

Semporna is a pretty cheap town. Meals at a recommended Chinese restaurant in town for RMB6, on the water for RMB10. 4 beers RMB20-24

Diving in Sipidan

I used Sipidan Scuba as they are the only shop with an online reservations system with live access to Sipidan permits (only 100 a day and SS has 7) which helps when planning only a few weeks out. They are Semporna based so a longer trip on the boat, although they use a boat with 400hp to the outer islands. Friendly and good DiveMasters and decent albeit well used rental equipment.

Spent three days diving going to Manbutan, Sipidan and Mabul. Sipidan was the highlight with 3+m turtles swimming meters away, a huge school of jacks that swam around us, huge schools of 1m+ barricudas and some 1-2m whitetip reef sharks. At Mabul some cool lion fish, frog fish, crocodile fish, 2m grouper fish and a massive Moray eel. Coral was good but the marine life stunning. An awesome experience.

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ] DSCN0271.JPGDSCN0272.JPGDSCN0286.JPGDSCN0287.JPGDSCN0289.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

As I had a relatively early flight I left the hotel at 545am and dragged my luggage to the local minivan depot (the Tawau depot is near the KFC). Driver turned up at about 6am but we didnt fill up and leave until 6.30am.  Anyhow for the princely sum of RMB20 I was on the near 100km journey back to Tawau Airport (the trip to Tawau goes past it). There is also a scheduled coach (for RMB40)  that apparently leaves at 7.00am but this was getting too risky for me.

 

MH2122 MH2605 MH1446 TWU-BKI-KUL-LGK

Posted on by

MH2122 TWU-BKI 21-Mar
Boeing 737-400 9M-MMW (Jun-93) Seat 22C

Back to the old 737 for the first of three flights to Langkawi. Tawau airport has seen better days and only has three gates but does the job. Got one bag checked thru to Langkawi, then went into the departure lounge. Flight was absolutely packed and service consisted of a pack of peanuts (unheard of nowadays on a western airline and an orange juice ). Landed on time at kk and made my way to the next new gate.

MH2605 BKI-KUL 21-Mar
Boeing 737-800 9M-FFA (May-05) Seat 14C

New Malaysian 737, writing on door said operated by Firefly. Four row 2×2 business in cloth blue, then economy standard 3×3 in blue leather. Despite plane seeming to have drop down screens the safety demo done manually.

Two hot choices for lunch – egg fried rice with ginger chicken or a Malaysian pancake (had run ut by my row). Served in a long tray with chocolate cake, a kit cat and orange juice, along with tray drinks. Very tasty and impressive for a 2hr20min economy flight.

[pe2-gallery class=”alignleft” ] DSCN0293.JPGDSCN0294.JPGDSCN0295.JPGDSCN0296.JPG[/pe2-gallery]

MH1446 KUL-LGK 21-Mar
Boeing 737-800 9M-FFC (Apr-07) Seat 5A

A long walk from B11 the A9 about as far as it gets at KUL Domestic. No lounge as the only Ppass lounge is in the International Satellite pier, although MH operates a Domestic Golden Lounge.

Another Firefly jet with same layout. Got row 5 which has excellent legroom and a cutout.

Service was again just peanuts and orange juice.

Seat 14C

DSCN0300.JPG