Just 3 days after I returned from New Zealand, it was time to fly again as I went up to Taipei for a short escapade. Being a morning peak departure, there was a short queue at the Business Class check-in counters at T3, but we were checked in swiftly and boarding passes issued.
Went to the crowded (as expected due to the morning peak) Silver Kris Lounge to grab some breakfast.
Apart from the standard not-so-impressive breakfast buffet selection, there were 2 'live' stations offering Mee Siam and Seafood Congee.
My breakfast items. It was all very average, especially the Singapore Carrot Cake, which seemed less tasty than the last time I had it in this same lounge some time back.
Proceeded to the gate at A19, where boarding had just commenced.
30 August 2018
Singapore Airlines
SQ 876
Singapore (SIN) - Taipei Taoyuan (TPE)
A330-300
9V-SSI
Business Class
Flight Time: 4H25M
Another A333 at the adjacent gate during boarding.
Boarded the youngest aircraft in SQ's A333 family.
No introduction needed for this angled-flat Regional Business Class seat on the A333s, which would be gradually replaced with the B787-10s with the new lie-flats. We were seated at the last row of Business. Flight was about 70% full in Business Class on this sector.
As soon as we settle in, welcome beverages of juices, welcome mix or water was offered as this was a morning departure. I had an orange juice.
View out the window.
Crew offered newspapers and magazines, and handed out hot towels.
Pushed back with safety video played.
Flight time was estimated at 4hrs.
Started the taxi to Rwy02C, passing Terminal 4. The T4 narrowbody gates were seriously underutilized, with most gates ending up as remote stands for SilkAir and Scoot aircraft.
Passing T4
Departure from Rwy02C.
Video of the takeoff.
Visit to the well-stocked lavatory after seatbelt signs were turned off.
Blue skies and sea.
After takeoff beverages were offered and I requested for a soya bean milk, which is offered only on oriental flights. Watched the local comedy Ah Boys to Men 4.
Lets take a look what is offered for breakfast.
And the selection for the return SQ877 sector for August.
The wine list.
Breakfast service commenced.
The breakfast tray was served with fresh fruits, butter and jam. A selection of breakfast pastries were also offered. Had a coffee to go along.
Raisin bran with milk and yoghurt.
For the main, I had Booked-the-cook the Grilled Angus beef burger with portobello mushroom, onion jam, cheese and tomatoes. Typing this report, I just realised there was no cheese in the burger…. However it still tasted pretty good.
My friend pre-ordered the Nasi Briyani (An Indian specialty, fragrant Basmati rice, cooked with aromatic spices, herbs, tomatoes, saffron and milk, is served with tender chicken simmered in gravy), which was delicious!
Somewhere over the South China Sea
Requested for a Mao Feng tea from the Chinese tea selection. It was served with a pack of almonds and cashews.
F1-branded SQ mineral water offered.
View of the cabin and seat.
An hour to go after completing my movie.
Started on my second movie, a Hong Kong comedy.
Ordered a cappuccino to keep myself awake, especially with the early start of the day.
Started the descend into Taipei. We were flying in the clouds for the most part over Taiwan.
Descending into Taipei from the south.
Approach and landing into Taoyuan Rwy05R.
Video of the landing.
Missing the Tigers in Changi. Making do with the Taiwan versions.
Parked at the gate.
Disembarked and last look at the seat and aircraft.
Luckily, queues for immigration was short and priority baggage came out early.
From the airport, we bought the Airport Metro round-trip and 48hrs metro pass combo tickets, which offers significant savings. The new Airport metro line allows us passengers to reach Taipei city center in less than 40min. Very much improved convenience!
We stayed at Caesar Park Hotel, which is very conveniently located beside the Taipei Main Station and the airport metro. Was upgraded to a bigger and newly-renovated room, which is clean, modern, comfortable with a very spacious bathroom.
View from the room. CI A330 can be seen approaching Songshan Airport in the city center.
View of Taipei 101 at night.
Dinner at a popular eatery 'JingFeng' for Braised pork rice and other traditional Taiwanese dishes.
The next morning, we visited the Michelin bib-gourmand recommended Fu Hang Soy Milk. The queue was snaking long, but moved fast and we were able to place our orders within half hour of queuing. Heard that queues of an hour or more is common and so we were considered lucky.
The very simple menu.
Our order. The salty soy milk was an acquired taste (either you love it or hate it), while the rest were traditional Taiwanese breakfast food and were pretty good.
Creative drinking fountain design in front of Eslite Hotel.
Exhibition where each numbered booth had songs played according to those popular at your age shown on the booth number.
Hotpot dinner at the famous Wulao Hotpot Restaurant. This hotpot eatery is not cheap, but very popular and reservations are strongly recommended. The hotpot is really amazing, with delicious stock and food items such as the famous milky ball, accompanied by wonderful service, making this the top on my list of hotpot experience (and I am generally not a hotpot fan).
The next day, late lunch was had at ToGo Market, a new concept seafood market and eatery. The seafood could be freshly caught or selected and cooked on the spot, or you could order from the extensive menu. Prices were very reasonable for the quantity and quality of the food.
Steamed wagyu beef and seafood. It was all very fresh. Another great meal!
Spot the rainbow after the afternoon rain.
Ximending and Red House in the evening.
Having Taiwanese food again at another of my favourite eatery in the Ximending district.
On the day of departure, we had another traditional Taiwanese breakfast of glutinous rice roll and soy milk from a popular takeaway stand.
Thank you Terry for sharing this FR with the great bonus.
I'm impressed that SQ uses Penhaligon's toiletries in its WC. Now if they can only provide amenity kits in J with its "Sartorial" Eau de Toilette.