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  • Monthly Archives: July 2019

    • Panama San Blas Islands & Panama San Blas Tour – Paradise in the Caribbean

      Posted at 3:23 pm by TTOTY, on July 27, 2019

      Finally, my last piece from my American trip. I got to admit I was kind of hesitant with this trip right up to the time I was in Austin.

      First, I had read mixed reviews of San Blas Islands – from lousy tour companies to dirty beaches. Secondly, the journey to Port of Carti that can be quite challenging but most importantly, weather forecast on the day of our trip don’t seem favourable. I had the option of free cancellation up to 24 hours before my trip and after much deliberation, I decided to stick with it (and I did not regret that decision).

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Others | 0 Comments | Tagged Guna Yala, Panama, San Blas, San Blas Panama Tour
    • Panama – my experience

      Posted at 11:06 am by TTOTY, on July 26, 2019

      Far from being an adventurous person, I was initially doubtful if my choice of Panama was suitable.  After some reading and first-hand experience from my patient (who was relocating to Panama), I felt that it should be fun and I did not regret choosing Panama for a visit.

      Panama is a large country and with only 6 days, I could only limit myself to within Panama City and the Canal Zone area.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Others | 0 Comments | Tagged Atlantic & Pacific Fish Co., Casco Viejo, Colon, Gamboa, Latin America, Miraflores, Miraflores Locks, Panama, Panama Canal, Panama City, Panama Viejo, San Blas, Uber
    • Austin ATX Pass and Houston Segway Tour

      Posted at 10:29 am by TTOTY, on July 25, 2019

      If you have at least 3 days in Austin and would like to explore this Texan city, look no further than the ATX pass.

      At $95 per person, this pass came with a host of activities suitable for all ages.  Although there are many activities included, chances are you will not be able to do everything hence it is good to sit down and plan your itineraries (depending on the time and location of the activity).

      The ATX pass is valid for 3 days hence it will be worthwhile if you have at least 4 days to spend in Austin.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Others | 0 Comments | Tagged America, ATX Pass, Austin, Houston, Nations Tours, Segway, Texas, USA
    • SQ 637 Suites (NRT-SIN)

      Posted at 11:12 am by TTOTY, on July 24, 2019

      Here are pictures from my friend CAP who recently flew back on SQ 637 from Narita to Singapore.  Just like Osaka, Singapore Airlines recently introduced seasonal flight on A380 to and from Narita Airport.  They used to fly the A380 on SQ11/SQ12 to Los Angeles (which has since been swapped to a Boeing 777-300ER).

      Continue reading →

      Posted in First Class, Flights | 0 Comments | Tagged Award travel, Japan, Kyo Kaiseiki, Narita, Singapore, Singapore Airlines, SQ637, Suites, Tokyo
    • Intercontinental New York Barclay – an old gem in the Big Apple

      Posted at 10:59 am by TTOTY, on July 24, 2019

      At almost 100 years old, this old hotel built by the Vanderbilt family near the Grand Central Terminal still looks elegant and classy well into the 21st century.

      How does it fair in the modern New York?

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 0 Comments | Tagged Ambassador, Club Intercontinental, Grand Central Terminal, IHG, Intercontinental, Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York, Park Avenue
    • Crowne Plaza JFK, New York

      Posted at 11:58 am by TTOTY, on July 17, 2019

      After my previous stays in Crowne Plaza LAX and Crowne Plaza EWR, I was not having much expectation from this hotel.  Afterall, it is just for me to stay for a night after arriving from Panama at 1230am!

      Despite being the first to disembark and the had an all clear from the arrival machine, it took us more than 1 hour waiting to clear the CBP checkpoint!

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 0 Comments | Tagged Crowne Plaza, IHG, JFK, New York
    • Changi Jewel Lounge

      Posted at 2:32 pm by TTOTY, on July 15, 2019

      Review by CHC

      I had the chance to use this lounge on my way up to Bangkok for a weekend conference and was glad to have the opportunity to use my Priority Pass to access it, as this was just recently opened to Priority Pass users.

      The Changi Lounge at Jewel is a very welcome addition to the lounge offerings at Changi Airport, and will especially be of delight to traveler’s departing from Terminal 1 but who wants to have some time landside in Jewel (or has a companion who wants to explore Jewel but him/herself having no interest to do so). For my international readers, please do spend some time exploring the iconic structure before resting your feet in the lounge!

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Lounges | 0 Comments | Tagged Changi Airport, Jewel, Lounge, Priority Pass, Singapore
    • Delta One & Korean Air Business Class

      Posted at 5:47 pm by TTOTY, on July 13, 2019

      Another friend recently made his maiden flight on Premium Class and what better way to do it on a Transpacific flight.

      He was in San Diego for a conference and he managed to try the famed Delta One Business Class Suite (on the Narita to Seattle Segment) which was operated on their new A350-900.

      On the way back, he was on a Korean Air Boeing 777-300ER with a very outdated 2-3-2 shell seat (oh, they still have such seats in Business Class nowadays?!)

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Business Class, Flights | 0 Comments | Tagged Business Class, Delta, Delta Airlines, Delta One, Incheon, Korean Air, Narita, Seattle, Singapore, Tokyo
    • UA 2 & UA 1 Economy Class (SIN-SFO-SIN) in pictures

      Posted at 5:16 pm by TTOTY, on July 13, 2019

      It has been a busy week and I have not been able to continue – decided to take a bit of a break from my recent trip reviews and to post this from a friend’s recent trip.

      A friend recently flew on UA 2 which is the direct competitor of SQ 34.  Other than the fact that it is a direct flight and she was given the Economy Plus seat (at no extra charge), the rest of the flight was pretty forgettable.  The best (or the worst) part was the “service with a snarl”.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Economy Class, Flights | 0 Comments | Tagged Changi Airport, San Francisco, Singapore, United Airlines
    • The Westin Playa Bonita

      Posted at 1:11 pm by TTOTY, on July 5, 2019

      Playa Bonita is a seaside area just 20 minutes from Panama City.  Located at the coast of Pacific Ocean, Playa Bonita is not far off from the entrance of the Panama Canal (Pacific side) and Bridge of the Americas.

      Being a seaside resort, this place is popular with tourists.  It is not far from Panama City and easy to get there (driving or Uber) yet without the city noise and congestion.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Central America, Hotels | 0 Comments | Tagged Panama, Panama Canal, Panama City, Playa Bonita, Westin
    ← Older posts
    • Posts

      • Intercontinental Hotel Bugis Singapore
      • SQ380 Business Class a.k.a Dine@A380 – Flight of Hope (or desperation)
      • Together, we shall prevail!
      • Review – Life in quarantine facility
      • What I fear, is the fear itself.
      • TTOTY 2020 – not a great start
      • Korean Air Business Class Second Act – The Apex Suite
      • Korean Air Business Class in pictures – KE 644 (SIN-ICN) and KE 765 (ICN-CTS)
      • Looking back at 2019
      • Air China Economy Class
      • Bank of China Elite Miles Card – my crappy experience
      • SQ 32 Business Class (SIN-SFO) in pictures
      • SQ 979 Business Class (BKK-SIN)
      • Renaissance Hotel Bangkok
      • T/G Lounge (DPS)
      • Thai Royal Silk Lounge Singapore
      • TG 404 Business Class and TG 409 Economy Class (SIN-BKK-SIN) – an ‘upgraded’ experience
      • Park Royal Kuala Lumpur – more GHA hotel review
      • Capitol Kempinski Singapore and GHA Discovery Black
      • Holiday Inn Resort Batu Ferringhi, Penang
      • TR 426 (SIN-PEN) and AK 1729 (PEN-SIN) review – tale of 2 budget airlines
      • SQ 611 Business Class (ICN-SIN) in pictures
      • NH 7 Business Class (SFO-NRT) in pictures
      • Sony WH-1000XM3 – The must have traveling companion!
      • Panama San Blas Islands & Panama San Blas Tour – Paradise in the Caribbean
      • Panama – my experience
      • Austin ATX Pass and Houston Segway Tour
      • SQ 637 Suites (NRT-SIN)
      • Intercontinental New York Barclay – an old gem in the Big Apple
      • Crowne Plaza JFK, New York
      • Changi Jewel Lounge
      • Delta One & Korean Air Business Class
      • UA 2 & UA 1 Economy Class (SIN-SFO-SIN) in pictures
      • The Westin Playa Bonita
      • Silverkris Lounge makeover …. finally!
      • Gamboa Rainforest Resort – an old gem badly in need of makeover
      • Waldorf Astoria Panama City
      • Hilton Americas-Houston
      • Lufthansa Senator Lounge (FRA) Revisited
      • Virgin Clubhouse JFK – sanctuary in a busy airport
      • Copa Club Tocumen Airport and The Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network
      • Landry’s Seafood IAH Terminal C and non-lounge use of Priority Pass Card
      • United Club and KLM Crown Lounge Houston (IAH)
      • SQ 25 Suites (JFK-FRA-SIN) – my favourite cabin once again
      • CM 804 Business Class (PTY-JFK) – Good alternative connecting into Latin and South America for Star Alliance
      • CA 885 First Class (IAH-PTY) – First Air China experience
      • UA 1045 First Class (IAH-AUS)
      • SQ 52 Business Class (SIN-MAN-IAH) – my long and arduous journey into the Lone Star State
      • That Time of The Year 2019!
      • Gardens Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur
      • First Class or Business Class redemption? A simple breakdown on Krisflyer
      • Long Haul Economy Class or Short Haul First Class?
      • SQ 218 Suites (MEL-SIN) and Silverkris Lounge Melbourne in Pictures
      • SQ 217 Suites (SIN-MEL) in pictures
      • Food in Kansai
      • Wa Yamamura – a must try in Nara!
      • Holiday Inn Osaka Namba – strategically located budget hotel
      • Mikasa Ryokan Nara – a sanctuary for relaxation
      • SQ 618 (SIN-KIX) Business Class – a fairly simple sleeper flight
      • SQ619 Suites (KIX-SIN) – A Great Way To Fly!
      • OD807 Business Class (KUL-SIN) in pictures
      • The end of an era
      • IHG Ambassador Programme
      • Upcoming Krisflyer devaluation
      • Grand Millennium Hotel Hongqiao Shanghai
      • Happy New Year 2019!
      • MH609 (KUL-SIN) Business Class & MAS Golden Lounge in pictures
      • 2018 – looking back
      • SQ 830 (SIN-PVG) and SQ 833 (SIN-PVG) Economy Class
      • MI 988 and MI 985 Business Class (SIN-WUH-SIN)
      • SQ21 Business Class (EWR-SIN) – post inaugural flight back to Singapore
      • Special feature – SQ22 Inaugural (SIN-EWR) Premium Economy
      • SIN-EWR Inaugural
      • Air China First Class Lounge Shanghai
      • SQ618 Business Class (SIN-KIX) – Pictorial review of the Dreamliner
      • SQ828 First Class (SIN-PVG)
      • Holiday Inn Express Mongkok, Hong Kong
      • Holiday Inn Munich City Centre – conveniently located within Munich City
      • Imlauer Pitter Hotel Salzburg – Cosy Boutique Hotel just a stone throw away from the Mirabel
      • Heritage Hotel Hallstatt – a hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage town
      • MI 986 and MI985 Economy Class (SIN-WUH-SIN) – my furthest flight on a 737
      • SQ22/21, here we come!
      • Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge, Changi Airport Terminal 4
      • CX712 Business Class (HKG-SIN) and The Deck Business Class Lounge
      • CX711 Business Class (SIN-BKK-HKG) – First Cathay Pacific experience
      • Holiday Inn Bangkok
      • Oman Air Business Class Lounge Bangkok
      • Adlers Hotel Innsbruck – A gem in the Tirolian capital
      • Radisson Blu Plaza Helsinki
      • Rovaniemi Scandic Hotel
      • London Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel – a luxury that is in need of some uplifting
      • SQ974 and SQ973 Economy (SIN-BKK-SIN) – The Dreamliner makes a debut
      • BA926 (LHR-MUC) Club Europe – a good way to use your Avios
      • Arctic Snow Hotel and Igloo Hotel Rovaniemi
      • SQ327 Business Class (MUC-SIN) – My first A350-900 XWB ride
      • AY412 Economy Class (KAJ-HEL)
      • AY533 Economy Class (HEL-RVN)
      • SQ 308 Suites (SIN-LHR) – a rather underwhelming Suites experience
      • Krisflyer Spontaneous Escapes – March Edition
      • Helsinki Finnair Business Class Lounge
      • Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Doha
      • Plaza Premium First Lounge KLIA (Part 2)
      • Qatar Airways A330-300 Business Class
      • QR849 Business Class (KUL-DOH)
      • Intercontinental Landmark 72 Hanoi (Club Intercontinental)
      • SQ 176 and SQ 175 Business Class Review (SIN-HAN-SIN)
      • KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Promotion
      • Hotel Jen Puteri Harbor, Johor
      • KLIA Plaza Premium First Lounge
      • OD 807 Business Class (KUL-SIN) and KLIA Premier Access Lounge
      • SATS Premier Lounge Changi Terminal 2 and MH614 Business Class (SIN-KUL)
      • Berjaya Time Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur
      • QR 852 Business Class (DOH-KUL)
      • Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge Doha
      • QR40 First Class (CDG-DOH)
      • Qatar Airways Premium Lounge Paris
      • South African Airways Premium Baobab Lounge
      • Bidvest Domestic Lounge, Cape Town
      • SA8651 Economy Class (CPT-SZK)
      • Enhanced security screening going into USA from Canada
      • That Time Of The Year 2017 – Part 2
      • Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
      • Hakone Yoshino Pax Hotel
      • Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome
      • LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel
      • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
      • Banff Aspen Lodge
      • SQ478 Business Class (SIN-JNB-CPT)
      • St. Regis Hotel Vancouver
      • Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal
      • SQ631 Business Class (HND-SIN) and ANA Business Lounge Haneda International Airport
      • SQ11 Business Class (LAX-NRT) and Star Alliance Lounge LAX
      • AC578 Economy Class (YYC-LAX) and Calgary Aspire Lounge
      • TS8788 Economy Class (YVR-YYC)
      • AC307 Domestic Business Class and Maple Leaf Lounge – a case of downgraded bird
      • DL 4106 Domestic First Class – A very forgettable experience!
      • SQ26 Suites (SIN-FRA-JFK) Round 2, with my first ever in-flight medical call
      • That Time Of The Year 2017 Part 1
      • Let’s talk about Avios
      • My take on the upcoming devaluation of Krisflyer Miles
      • The day we all dread …..
      • A Tale of 3 Lounges
      • Seoul Courtyard Marriott Time Square Club Room
      • MH616/66/67/607 Business Class (SIN-KUL-ICN-KUL-SIN)
      • Special! 7D 5N Parlo Tour (Malaysia) Hokkaido
      • Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
      • New Chitose Air Terminal Hotel
      • MH619 Business Class (KUL-SIN)
      • D7 551 Economy Class (CTS-KUL)
      • NH63 Economy Class (HND – CTS) – and Ninja Wifi review
      • SQ636 First Class (SIN-HND)
      • More upcoming review
      • SQ67 Business Classs (GRU – BCN – SIN)
      • Sumaq VIP Lounge, Lima
      • Premier Lounge Ngurah Rai Airport
      • ANA Suites Lounge Narita Airport
      • Changi Airport Terminal 1 Dnata Lounge
      • Upcoming review for October 2016…
      • JW Marriott Cusco
      • KL836 Business Class (DPS-SIN)
      • KL835 Business Class (SIN-DPS)
      • Next up? Bali
      • My short Malaysia getaway
      • MH628 & MH 605 Malaysia Airlines Economy (Via JAL Redemption)
      • Award redemption using Krisflyer Miles
      • Credit Cards that offer renewal miles
      • Citibank Prestige Card
      • SQ856 Business Class (SIN-HKG)
      • MH73 & MH609 Business Class (HKG-KUL-SIN)
      • SQ866 Suites (SIN – HKG)
      • The Haven by Jetquay Lounge
      • Penang Rasa Sayang Shangri La Resort and Spa
      • San Francisco Hyatt Regency
      • Los Angeles Residence Inn L.A. Live
      • Missisauga ALT Hotel
      • Niagara Sheraton On The Falls
      • Toronto Intercontinental Club Room
      • Boston Intercontinental Club Room
      • New York Residence Inn Times Square
      • Part 6(B) – SQ 15 First Class (ICN – SIN)
      • Part 6(A) – SQ 15 First Class (SFO – ICN)
      • Part 5 – Amtrak Coast Starlight, Sleeper Cabin (LAX – SFO)
      • Part 4 – AC 791 Transcontinental Business Class (YYZ-LAX)
      • Part 3 – AC 7627 Domestic Business Class (BOS-YYZ)
      • Part 2 – DL 4004 Domestic First Class (JFK-BOS)
      • Part 1(B) – SQ 26 Suites (FRA-JFK)
      • Part 1(A) – SQ 26 Suites (SIN-FRA)
      • That Time Of The Year – 2015!
      • Round The World Trip
      • SQ807 Business Class (PEK-SIN)
      • SQ802 Suites (SIN-PEK)
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