Walking off the jet lag in Singapore

 Thursday 

3 October 

Day 95

1 to go

Paul was awake before the 8am alarm, letting the light in through the curtains. I was not awake and was trying desperately to keep the light at bay, but it was of no use. While we were awake, we were not up, still trying to work out whether we were ready for this day to begin yet. I was however, keenly aware that we needed to get on top of the jet lag and the best way was to embrace the new time zone and start doing regular morning things. So with that, we had a cuppa, shower and then went downstairs just after 9am for breakfast. 

With full bellies, I worked out how we were going to navigate the morning and then we left the hotel and moved into the tropical, warm air. It was lovely to be back in shorts and T-shirts and down by the river. We walked it’s banks for some time, before tracking across the town and on to the famed shopping street, Orchard Road. 

We initially walked along the footpath, checking out the large shopping centres and the billboards advertising the high end stores. We did duck into one centre, so we could cross the road and got ourselves lost momentarily. It was far easier to stay outside, so we could keep track of our whereabouts and also take in the great architecture and the art on the street. 

We walked up and down both sides of the road, but we were fading. We found Brewerks, at the top end of Orchard Road, so decided to head in for lunch and a drink. In the end we stayed for an hour, as we were in no hurry. 

When we did finish up, we elected to take the MRT back to the station closest to our hotel and then walked the final 500m. A rooster crowed, as we walked by, giving away his hiding space behind the hedges of the hotel next door. 

Back at the hotel, we retired to our room for a short time, before choosing to head to the pool for a swim. It was lovely  to be out in the sun and enjoying a bob about for a while. If we could have slept in the pool, we probably would have. Instead we returned to the room. Paul had a snooze, but I was determined to leave any sleeping until tonight. I went through the photos and blog. Catching up on the past few days. 

At 5.30pm, we were happy to tune into the NBL and watch the 36ers v SEM. When the game was done and dusted, we wandered down to the river frontage of Robertson Quay and found a restaurant to have dinner. It served its purpose and then we returned to the room an hour later, ready for bed. 

Hello Sunny Singapore, see you tomorrow

Wednesday 

2 October 

Day 94

2 to go

It was after midnight in the end. With the large number of planes diverting to Vienna, we had to wait for a tow truck to do the push back. This didn’t happen until 12.25am. Taxiing to the runway took a further 15 minutes. It was 12.40am, when we were finally back on our way. I was just waiting for the moment we were allowed to recline the chairs and then I was in sleep mode right through until the Captain’s voice came over the PA at 5.15am. 

We were finally approaching Dubai and it was now 7.15am, local time. It looked quite hazy outside and no doubt, unbearably warm. This was confirmed by the staff, with an announcement on arrival at 7.45am. It was 35° outside.

We grabbed our things and made for the terminal, we had two hours before our onward journey to Singapore. We were able to skip the connection lane, go through security and straight into the Business Lounge. We had breakfast and took stock of where we were at. Paul was exhausted, having not got much sleep on the flight. 

At 9.05am, we wandered to the terminal and waited for boarding. We passed through the check in, walked the air plank and then found our seats in row 24. Unfortunately, we were separated by the middle box again. Once settled we waited for departure. This was to be 10.05am, however with the backlog created after yesterday’s drama, we weren’t pushed back until 11am and then we had to wait on the tarmac for our turn on the runway. This didn’t come until 11.20am! I was thankful, when we were finally in the air and making our way to Singapore. 

I was straight into the movie selection, choosing to watch Inside Out 2. Lunch was served at 1.30pm. There was so much I couldn’t eat it all. I started up The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and that kept me entertained for sometime. 

The afternoon was spent flicking from TV series to TV news, with a constant cycle of the Middle East battles. I had a small plate of fruit at 5pm. Soon after, Paul and I sat in the lounge, enjoying the chance to be together, rather than separated.

We returned to our seat at 5.45pm. The Captain announced we would start our descent into Singapore in 15 minutes and would arrived at 10.45pm Singapore time.  So the long part of the journey would be over. 

We were keen to get off the plane, 31 hours of traveling was pretty intense. We passed through passport control, collected our bags and found our driver, all by 11.30pm. He drove through the little up streets, catching most of the traffic lights, which slowed us down somewhat. We finally pulled in to the Hotel Miramar valet, took our bags and checked in to our room, 1314, all by the stroke of midnight.

We unpacked the essentials, had a much needed shower and then were keen to put the longest day to bed.

The long trek that became longer!

 Tuesday 

1 October 

Day 93

3 to go

And here we are. The end of our European escape is rapidly coming to a close. We were up at 8am, showered and breakfast done. We finished the last minute pack of the very full bags, hung out with Chell and at 9.15am, we were out the door, packing our bags into the waiting Audi, saying goodbye and heading for T3 Heathrow. The drive was a little chaotic, due to morning traffic and the consistent rain. The driver went an odd way, which had Paul questioning the man, as to whether he knew we were going to Heathrow and not Luton. It was all good. 

At 10.30am, we were at the terminal and ready to check in. With our three bags sent through to the hold, we proceeded through security check and then were bamboozled by the terminal. We eventually worked out where we needed to be and found the Emirates Lounge. 

We found our selves seats by the large window, where we could watch the airline traffic come and go. Every time a plane landed, great plumes of water sprayed from behind the wheels. We helped ourselves to the lunch selection. We weren’t disappointed. I could have eaten for days. I also took advantage of the Moet on hand. 

We happily entertained our selves on our devices, waiting for the boarding call. I watched our plane arrive, the passengers disembark and all the behind the scenes things go on. As the plane was late, our boarding was pushed back, not getting the call until 2.15pm. The plane was fully booked. Apparently a flight had been cancelled last night, so many were added to our departure. 

We settled in to our middle seats in row D. Unfortunately we were separated by the large space required for the passengers’ feet behind us. 

Champagne in hand and the lunch menu delivered, I drooled over what I was going to indulge in. It wasn’t until 3.30pm that we were finally in the air. A little over an hour later than expected. I was thankful to be in the comfy seats and not squashed in to cattle on the lower deck. 

I read my book, wanting to finish it off, and when I was done we started on the inflight entertainment, choosing to watch the Fall Guy. Dinner was served at 5pm and it was as delicious as it read in the menu. 

With Fall Guy finished, I started on If. At 7pm, the captain came on board to let us know that they needed to divert, as the airspace’s over Iran and Iraq were closed. This meant they needed to locate a different airport; Istanbul, Athens or Cairo, to land at, refuel, make a decision on a different route and then proceed to Dubai. 

The plane was then prepared for an imminent and unforeseen landing. The captain was back on at 7.30pm, letting us know that we were diverting to Vienna instead. Unfortunately it meant back tracking on the route we had already traversed for the following two hours. 

Paul and I went for a walk to the back of the plane. The bar had been closed due to our change of plans. It was nice to be up and stretching for a bit. On the way back to my seat, I could see people watching the live news and it soon became apparent as to the reason behind our diversion, Iran had launched missiles at Israel. We wondered how this would effect our travel from here, but it was for Emirates to figure out. 

At 9.30pm, (10.30pm Vienna time), we landed at our new destination. I had spent the last hour watching Turtles All The Way Down. We received an email giving us a new flight from Dubai to Singapore, 7 hours later than the one scheduled. We would now arrive in Singapore at 9.45pm on Wednesday and not 3.30pm. Oh well, better safe than sorry. 

The captain was back on the PA, saying fuelling was underway and we should be away again in 45 minutes. It would be near midnight.

Final day in Eurpoe

 Monday 

30 September 

Day 92

4 to go

We both slept much better last night and woke feeling a little brighter. I was happy to stay in bed for a while and read my book. The other two were up and about downstairs. I did get up by 9am and joined them for breakfast. It was a crappy looking English day, grey and wet. 

I phoned mum, who was out chasing chooks. We filled her in on life here and our plans for the next few days. Paul was then in to the cases and sorting out the packing. We have managed pretty well across Europe, but now we have to fill the bags with all the stuff we left here in the UK. Thankfully we have 40kg limit each!

We then flaked on the couch. Paul rang Ballsy, getting the low down on home and then he rang Jaden. Bub was fast asleep, Rayah was still racing around. It was nice to see them. 

We then went into Hitchin town for a wander around. We stopped for a hot chocolate, before we continued our walk among the buildings. We did a wander around and through St Mary’s Church. We noticed one of the headstones had a skull and crossbones. I also watched a squirrel collecting nuts within the grounds. 

We completed the circumference of the church, watching ducks, pigeons and Canadian geese by the pond. We then picked up some things for lunch and returned to the car, just as the rain set in.

Back home, we got cooking and then ate our bacon sandwiches while watching the NZ v SEM replay. The rain had finally stopped and the sun was trying to penetrate the thick cloud layer. 

We had a lazy, but very welcome afternoon. I read my book for a while and and we took the opportunity to have a rest. Time moved quickly and it was 5pm before I realised.

We decided we would head out for dinner, opting for the pub we were intending to go to yesterday, The Wilbury. We got ourselves organised and then Chell drove us the short distance to the venue. The place did a carvery, so we all enjoyed a roast meat and vege dinner and a sweet to follow. It was the perfect way to finish off our last day in the UK. 

Back home, we settled into the lounge, devices in hand and by 8.30pm, we were looking for bed, keenly aware of the big 24 hours to come.