After spending 3+hrs in the city, we proceeded back to the airport again. It was rather busy with the many red-eye departures.
Departure gate at A5. The gate is normally used for domestic flights during the day and for international flights at nights. Flight appeared to be very full again.
13 October 2017
Thai Airways
TG 670
Bangkok (BKK) - Sapporo New Chitose (CTS)
B747-400
HS-TGW "Star Alliance Livery"
Economy Class
Flight Time: 6H08M
Would be flying on the rare 20 yrs old Queen of the Skies for this sector. Boarding the Star Alliance liveried aircraft.
This aircraft was one of the earlier retrofitted ones, with the older ptv screens. Blankets and pillows already placed on each seat.
Legroom was pretty generous again at 34" pitch.
TG A350 parked beside, heading to MEL.
Boarding in progress. Again, flight was very full.
Flight map
A snack will be served after takeoff and breakfast before arrival.
Safety card
Old-school controller.
Doors closed and safety video played.
Pushed back.
It was barely a few minutes of taxi to the runway and we were very soon taking off from Rwy19L for the 6hrs flight to Sapporo.
After seatbelt signs were turned off, the refreshment service prompted started with the handing out of sandwiches followed by juices and water. My friend had ordered the seafood meal for this sector and the crew delivered his tuna sandwich.
For the normal meal, a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich was offered. I also had an apple juice. After the quick snack service, lights were turned off.
With the comfortable legroom and seat recline, I managed to get about 3hrs of sleep. Woke up when it was dawn and we were about 2hrs away fron Sapporo.
Cabin distributed hot disposable towels, followed by the breakfast service.
The breakfast tray consisted of fruits, yoghurt, warm croissant with butter and jam, main dish and a cup of orange juice.
I chose the Fried snapper in mushroom sauce with Japanese rice. The portion was huge and the dish tasted alright. Fruit and yoghurt were good and croissant was delicious!
My friend's seafood meal consisted of grilled seafood skewer with buttered mashed potatoes, grilled tomato and peas. It was rather tasty as well.
Stretched my legs after breakfast. A look at the B747-400 door at the rear.
A total of 6 lavatories at the rear of the aircraft, and 4 in the center. Similar to the B773, there are a total of 10 lavatories for economy pax!
Visit to the lavatory to wash up. Even though TG does not provide amenity kits or amenities in the lavs, toothbrushes, earplugs and eyeshades (not sure about socks) can be requested from the crew.
View of the B747 cabin after breakfast service.
We would be starting the descent very soon.
Descending into Chitose and flying pass Hakodate, which I went earlier this year.
Flying pass New Chitose airport for the approach.
Making a turn back to New Chitose Airport.
Landing on Rwy19L slightly ahead of schedule.
It was a bit of a taxi to the international terminal, where we were the first international arrival for the day at the totally empty terminal.
Disembarking and last views of the Star Alliance Queen.
Immigration did not take too long as we were the first arrival and bags were out pretty fast as well.
The arrival hall of New Chitose International terminal looked pretty sterile.
The domestic terminal and the linkway to it was the complete opposite however. There are Doraemon and Sanrio themed play areas and cafes along the linkway between both terminals.
Along the linkway as well, there is also a Royce Chocolate World, which includes a chocolate making factory, museum and shop selling limited edition Royce chocolates, including Hibiki 17 flavour! Not found anywhere else in the world.
And even a Royce bakery with amazing breads and pastries items!
Over at the domestic terminal, it was a bustling food market, shopping mall, and various eateries all in one. There is even an onsen!
Fresh seafood, including live crabs, are actually sold here!
And of course the obligatory shops selling Hokkaido products, which were in abundance throughout the terminal.
An avenue selling all the sweet treats!
Stayed at APA Susukino Ekimae, a 2-stars business hotel. Room rates were very reasonable and room size was adequate by Japan standards. Of course, all the amenities were provided for.
First meal after checking in was Soup Curry at Suage restaurant. Soup curry is a very Sapporoian dish and unlike normal curries we are generally used to, soup curry is lighter and less spicy, accompanied by lots of ingredients and japanese rice, a perfect comfort food for the Hokkaido cool weather.
Stroll along Odori Park, where the trees were gradually turning red/yellow.
Sapporo Clock Tower, a historical site among all the modern buildings.
Dinner at Hachikyo, famous for its Ikura-overflowing rice bowls!! The rich Hokkaido milk softee is a pefect ending to the meal too!
Early the next morning, we embarked on a day-tour out of Sapporo to surrounding sights. It was a very quiet morning in the city.
First stop was Lake Shikotsu, about 1.5hrs drive away from Sapporo. The view was beautiful with the autumn leaves along the bay.
Next stop was Mt Usu, with a view of Lake Toya from the summit. We first had a Shabu shabu lunch at the base, which wa included in the Hot Bus tour.
After lunch, we rode the cable car up the summit. The summit offers a grand view of Lake Toya and surroundings.
There was also an active crater at the summit.
Beautiful views from the peak of Mt Usu.
This mound was formed by an eruption in the 70s.
Having a soft serve back at the base. The hill behind sprouted out from the ground 70 years ago.
Last stop was the Noboribetsu Hell Valley. This area is famous for the hot spring resorts.
The smell of sulphur was pretty overwhelming, but scenery was nice.
Back to Sapporo city, where we grabbed some baked cheese tarts from a famed chain in Sapporo.
Dinner was All-you-can-eat crab buffet at Ebi-kani Gassen. For the price, it was pretty worth it if you can stuff as many king crab and snow crab legs within the time limit! I think I ate the equivalent of half a hairy crab, a whole king crab and a whole snow crab within 90min!!
Hi,TERRYYONG. Thank you for the nice report.
Welcome to my hometown. TG arrives at this airport early morning so I often meet this big bird. TG is one of the two airlines operating B747 regularly in this airport. The other is China Airline.
Seats were so colorful and cute. I'm happy to hear that their seat was comfortable. I would like to try TG for accessing SE Asia, someday.