A trip to China and the United States in Sept 2019: An Introduction

In September 2019, I took a one week trip to China and the United States. The primary motivation for this trip is the American Airline business class ticket which I had booked some time ago. From Vancouver, Canada, via Los Angeles and Miami, to St Maarten in the Caribbean Sea.

In addition, I have long wanted to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando. Since I would be in Miami, I might as well visit Orlando since these cities are near to each other.

Finally, I chanced upon a cheap, one way ticket on United Airline from San Francisco direct to Singapore.

With that, I put together this trip. From Singapore, I traveled on Spring Airline, a new airline from me, from Singapore to Shanghai to visit the newest Disneyland.

From Shanghai, I would take American Airlines across the Pacific ocean towards Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles, United Airline would take me onward to San Francisco and then position me to Vancouver, Canada. As a Star Alliance Gold member in 2019, I would have access to the United Club lounges in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Unfortunately, I missed the chance to visit other Star Alliance lounges in Los Angeles.

After an overnight in Vancouver airport, I would embark on American Airline towards Los Angeles and Miami. This gave me the chance to try out American Airline business class on its E175 aircraft, an Embraer aircraft not commonly seen in my part of the world. Strangely, American airline doesn't offer lounge access for its premium passengers at Vancouver airport.

On the Los Angeles to Miami route, American Airline deployed its internationally configured B77w aircraft on my date of travel, and allowed its premium passengers access to its flagship lounge at Los Angeles airport.

I booked this ticket with St Maarten as my final destination. Unfortunately, due to schedule and high ticket cost out of St Maarten, I had to give up the last leg of this booking. As much as I would like to visit the Caribbean countries, they will have to wait.

From Miami, I took an overnight coach to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World.

At the end of my visit, I took United Airlines from Orlando to San Francisco and onward back to Singapore, giving me the chance to visit the United Club lounges in Orlando and San Francisco airport.

This is a short and expensive but fulfilling trip for me. It gives me new airline and lounge experiences and I get to visit disneylands in China and the United States.

In the subsequent posts, I shall review my journey and relive the wonderful memories from this trip!

Looking back 2019

A lovely morning from Singapore, today is the last day of 2019. A good time to take stock of this year. Personally, 2019 has been a great year for me, not just traveling but also other aspects of my life. It has been a happy year for me too, maybe that's because I have been to 3 disneylands, in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Walt Disney World haha! There is a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment within me!

With regards to travel, 2019 has seen me venture out of my comfort zone into the great unknown. I have travelled to many countries for the first time such as Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Iran and so many more.

It can be a little intimidating when first stepping foot into an unfamiliar country. Of course, I would have done plenty of research online, checking out local transport, accommodation, places of interest and safety issues before venturing into one. But after a while, I will come to enjoy the place.

Sure, I could have "traveled" for thousands of miles in the comfort of my own home by reading. Still nothing beats than experiencing it for myself. Hence the Chinese saying: 读万卷书不如行万里路.

After more than 30 flights and 20 countries during my year end trip, I still yearn for more travel. It seems my wanderlust will last me for quite some time.

Anyway, taking stock of all the countries I have been to since time immemorial,

1. Malaysia

2. Thailand

3. Indonesia

4. Philippines

5. Vietnam

6. Cambodia

7. Myanmar

8. China

9. Hong Kong

10. Taiwan

11. India

12. Sri Lanka

13. Australia

14. New Zealand

15. Brunei

16. Laos

17. Japan

18. South Korea

19. Greece

20. Turkey

21. Holland

22. France

23. Britain

24. Switzerland

25. Denmark

26. Norway

27. Sweden

28. Finland

29. Estonia

30. Latvia

31. Lithunia

32. Hungary

33. Poland

34. Brussels

35. Germany

36. Italy

37. United States

38. Chile

39. Canada

40. Iceland

41. Spain

42. Portugal

43. Mexico City
44. Macedonia
45. Vienna
46. Oman
47. UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
48. Qatar

49. Romania

50. Bulgaria

51. Serbia

52. Slovakia

53. Ireland

54. Kazakhstan

55. Ukraine (transit only)

56. Fiji (transit only)

57. Russia

58. South Africa

59. Kenya (transit only)

60. Jordan

61. Cyprus

62. Czech Republic

63. Morocco

64. Georgia

65. Armenia

66. Lebanon

67. Egypt

68. Iran

69. Saudi Arabia (transit only)

Yup, it's a growing list as I embark on more adventures in the near future. In hindsight, I have taken note of some learning points (though I should have known haha!). Always book transport tickets early, be it flights or coaches or trains, when my plans are cast in stone. It is almost always cheaper to do so.

Earlier, I noted that I would like to visit Luxembourg. But I delayed booking the train tickets till on the day itself. End up, it costs much more than I was willing to pay, so I had to visit an alternate destination instead. Lesson learnt. 😀

But it's alright. I have meant to return to Europe at some point in the future, at least once. In a subsequent post, I shall share some of my travel aspirations and plans for the year 2020 and beyond.

Hong Kong airport lounges and Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong to Singapore

Coming off my Cathay Dragon flight in Hong Kong, I first proceeded to the Pier lounge, the best lounge among all 4 Cathay lounges.

For any premium passenger originating or transiting in Hong Kong on Cathay flights, one can use any or all of the 4 lounges. Here are the locations for all these business class lounges:

The Deck: near Gate 6
The Wing: near Gates 1 to 4
The Bridge: near Gate 35
The Pier: near Gate 65

The Pier lounge is accessible one level below the gate area.

The Pier business class lounge is very, very long. There are plenty of seats though is crowded at night as well. There is a great selection of buffet food as well as made-to-order food. 

The lounge looks out to the parking area for planes. And I spotted this Cathay Pacific A350 plane.

The lounge also features shower amenities as well. Though I was told I couldn't use the shower due to running out of water. That was close to midnight, I think. Anyway, not a big deal since I could get a shower at the other Cathay lounges.

My second visit that night was to the Bridge lounge, again one floor down

It was smaller than the Pier lounge. But still offers a decent selection of food and beverages.

More empty seats available at this lounge

My third visit was to the Wing, same level as the gate area. I didn't have time to check out this lounge though as I only had 4 hours layover time. 

On the return leg of this ticket in June 2020, I intend to check out the Pier (again), the Wing and the Deck. If my flights go according to schedule, then I will arrive at Hong Kong just past midnight and depart next morning. However, all the lounges closes after midnight and only opens at 0530. So that leaves me under 4 hours to enjoy these lounges !

It was soon boarding time for my flight to Singapore.

Champagnes, a great way to begin a business class flight 😀

This Cathay Pacific A350 aircraft is fitted with camera views outside the plane. Quite cool !

My late night supper or breakfast haha!

A quick flight to Singapore

This is my second time travelling on the Cathay Pacific business class. It's still a good inflight experience, coupled with incredible lounge access at Hong Kong airport. I can't wait to embark on the return leg of this trip !

Xiamen Airport first class lounge and Cathay Dragon business class flight Xiamen to Hong Kong

At Xiamen Airport, I checked in for my Cathay Dragon business class flight to Hong Kong and my onward Cathay Pacific business class flight to Singapore. I was given the lounge invitation cards to Xiamen Airport first class lounge (though I was flying business class) and also Hong Kong airport the Pier / the Wing / the Bridge / the Deck lounges. The joys of flying business class 😀

Access to first class lounge for various airlines

 

The lounge features a reasonable selection of hot and cold dishes of and beverages

It was quite crowded during the time I was there, considering the number of airlines that uses this lounge for their premium passengers. Seats were limited in capacity as well.

My pre-flight meal

Boarding my flight on an A330 aircraft:

I got the bulkhead seat, with three windows to myself.

Business class menu

The seat features just a recline. This is alright, considering Cathay Dragon operates mainly regional flights from Hong Kong. A widebody aircraft on a flight of this length is definitely great!

Setting the dining table

Food is of reasonable quality and quantity.

Cathay Dragon economy class flight Hong Kong to Xiamen

Since I had free time today, I might as well catch up on my trip reviews. I had wanted to keep up on my posts during my trip. And had brought along my laptop for this purpose. But then procrastination sets in every time I stayed at a hotel. Haha ! Looks like next time I will not bring it along, and save the hassle at the airport screening process.

At Hong Kong airport the next morning to catch my Cathay Dragon flight, I spotted two SQ planes parked beside each other at the airport. SQ operates many daytime flights between Singapore and Hong Kong, along with Cathay Pacific, which also operates a daily overnight flight in both directions.

My short flight to Xiamen is on an A330, with 2-4-2 seating configuration in economy class.

The economy class seat comes with a PTV and USB port. Always great to fly on a widebody aircraft.

Meal service that morning consisted of merely a bun and water. Still better than nothing.

 

The short flight up to Xiamen

Arriving at Xiamen airport

That's my flight again

After immigration procedures, I left my luggage at the manned counter in the airport terminal. It only costs me 8 yuan to store my luggage for 5 hours. Very cheap!

After that, I had my lunch in the airport too then proceeded to wait for the Xiamen sightseeing bus, which fortunately passes by the airport.

There was a change of bus at its bus terminal, so I just wandered around the lake area.

Xiamen sightseeing bus

Xiamen 胡里山 district

After a day of sightseeing, I returned to the bus stop for the sightseeing bus back to the airport.

Xiamen has another major tourist attraction, 鼓浪屿. Unfortunately, that requires a full day and involves taking ferry to the island. So I didn't get there. Still, it's a good sightseeing day in Xiamen.

Hong Kong Disneyland '19

Upon touching down at Hong Kong airport, I took the train to reach Hong Kong Disneyland. A distinctive train!

Soon I arrived at the disneyland station.

Then, it was another walk to reach the entrance of the theme park.

Disneyland: the happiest place on earth ! And it makes me happy !

Main Street USA

It was not crowded at all, due to it being a weekday. Hardly any wait on many of the attractions. 

Time in Wakanda 😀

Disneyland all-time favourites

I was having a fun day over there till it gets dark. And that's when the nightly parade starts.

What a great way to end the day!
Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest of all disneylands, but I thought it still offers a wide range of attractions for visitors to enjoy for the day.

In 2019, I actually visited a grand total of 3 disneylands around the world. After my August trip to Hong Kong, in September, I visited Shanghai Disneyland as well as Walt Disney World in Orlando, the origin of Disney, on the same trip. Needless to say, the Walt Disney World is truly my favourite in the world, is the biggest, and is made up of four different theme parks. The reviews coming soon !

I'm hoping to visit the Euro disneyland in Paris as well, the only one I have yet to visit till today. Originally, I had intended to visit in December 2019. I even had booked air tickets for Paris. But due to schedule changes, which I'll explain in a subsequent post, I couldn't visit Paris. Oh well, I guess I would just have to make another trek to Europe.