Kuala Lumpur and Saigon

via Emirates and Singapore First Class

January 2024

Saigon

After settling into the Park Hyatt, I headed across the street to Hoa Tuc, one of a dozen quaint restaurants down a quiet alley.

Then navigated crazy Saigon traffic for some sightseeing.

Central Post Office.

Notre Dame Cathedral, under renovation.

After an afternoon power nap, down to the PH bar 2 Lam Son and then Grab to dinner at Cloud Nine.

Instagram video of my day and evening in Saigon.

Vietnam Airlines to Tokyo

Vietnam Airlines Business Class to Tokyo

Finally a use for my Delta Sky Pesos!

My long 24 hour trek home to Denver starts with a 3:45am wake up and 6:20am Vietnam Airlines flight to Tokyo. Saigon airport was empty just before 5am and I was in the pleasant but dated Lotus Lounge a few minutes later.

Business Class check-in.

Rather impressive food spread at any time let alone at 5am.

My tasty sampler.

Saigon SGN to Tokyo NRT

Vietnam Airlines VN 302

A350

6:20am-1:45pm

January 12, 2024

Departed 3/24 !!

The good news is that the flight was on time, food was good and Business Class was virtually empty with only 2 other passengers.

The bad news was that I still get nightmares thinking about the dreadful seat and cabin colors. Jeez, was Stevie Wonder the decorator?

OMG, these colors are nauseating.

Not the most comfortable seats but the crew was lovely and made a bed for me in an adjacent seat to sleep later on.

Today's menu, on a photo copy paper. LOL.

And wine and drink list. Not terrible but I'm waiting for Singapore.

Still no Wifi. No impressed.

Showtime: Vietnam Airlines style,

The kaeseki Japanese meal was surprisingly good.

On time arrival at Narita.

My Instagram video of my Vietnam Airlines flight to Tokyo Narita.

Another Round with Narita

I Hate Narita - Round 10

Another miserable transit at Narita, but this time it was a Singapore Airlines failure as I was unable to check-in online. And despite partner ANA proudly displaying a Star Alliance sign at its transit desk, ANA and SQ systems can’t communicate so they couldn’t check me in.

The only good part of the transit was that I was the only one at International Transfer security.

Up to the ANA Suites Lounge to try to check in.

Nope, ANA can't check me in. So I had to enter Japan, head up to departures and check in at the Singapore counter. Except that the SQ counter wasn’t open for another 45 minutes.

At the point I was pretty hungry. McDonald's? Why not?

It's been year, maybe decades, but man this was tasty.

Back at the SQ counter, finally open.

After my Big Mac meal and finally checking in, off to Narita security for the 2nd time this afternoon. Then a 10 minute walk bac to the lame ANA Suites “First Class” Lounge for an hour and a half.

It may be a First Class Lounge but ANA Suites Lounge is nothing special with limited serve yourself options although you can scan the menu bar code and order some rather uninspiring options.

After my ordeals, I thought a shower might be nice. #20 in line and over an hour wait. LOL. Thanks ANA.

The best part of the ANA "First Class" Suites Lounge..

My Instagram video or my lovely afternoon at Narita.

Singapore First Class to Los Angeles

Singapore Airlines First Class to Los Angeles

Tokyo NRT to Los Angeles LAX

Singapore SQ 12

777-300ER

6:15pm-11:15am

January 12, 2024

Departed 4/4

Happy to be back with an old friend tonight, Singapore’s fifth freedom Narita-LAX 77W. Exceptional inflight service on a very short 8h 40m flight today.

Even if a little dated, still a gorgeous 4 seat First Class cabin.

Suite 1A.

But of course...

After departure, let's try the Taittinger Comtes.

Tonight's menu.

OMG, the signature SQ satay was as good as ever...

The kaiseki Japanese meal was fabulous.

After about 4 hours of sleep, I enjoyed another Book The Cook feature, Singapore Chicken Rice.

Back with an old friend on arrival...

Instagram video of my Singapore First flight to Los Angeles

PS Private Suite at LAX

P/S The Private Suite at LAX

PS at LAX is the Private Suite terminal at LAX and the ultimate way to avoid the mess that is LAX. My PS rep met me just after the jet bridge at my arriving Singapore Airlines flight, and escorted me down the jet bridge stairs to my private limo across the tarmac to the PS terminal for private CBP passport and immigration clearance.

I'm lovin' it.

How cool is this. Private CBP immigrations and customs.

PS Salon at LAX.

Fabulous chilaquiles...

Fortunately I don't have to fly the garbage MAX9 today.

The good news is that I had a back-up reservation on Delta. I enjoyed a couple of hours in The Salon. Then private TSA and off to a waiting limo for the drive around the LAX tarmac to my Delta flight home to Denver.