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Published: January 20th 2020
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Plan for 2020 - London- Singapore - Krabi/Ao-Nang - Ko Lanta - Ko Muk - Ko Lipe - Langkawi - meet Gill back in Singapore - Melaka - KL - Penang - Singapore and home.
Time to be off again, having hung on until November to see if I got any work, didn’t, so cheered myself up a LOT by booking a flight to Singapore, coming back on March 6th. The cheapest flight was Royal Brunei, but wasn’t prepared to compromise myself by putting money into that homophobic economy, and couldn’t face either a long stopover somewhere in China so BA it was, booking in December, 4 months later than last year and much more expensive. The price looks OK but now hold baggage needs to be added separately, a sneaky trick. Their seat selection prices have gone up a lot too, especially for the 2 seats together at the side, now an extra £72 each way!
So the morning of departure started very, very badly, with an inlay flying out of my tooth. No amount of 111ing (should have said I was in agony but was honest) or googling of emergency dentists produced one on a Sunday, so
I felt quite glum heading for Heathrow with the inlay in my handbag and a massive hole in my tooth, hoping that I could find someone to see me in Singapore first thing before having to be back at the airport for 12. Google located three possibilities in Clarke Quay shopping centre, opening at 9, 9.30 and 10. I intended to try them in order, hoping they would be able to stick it back in.If not, it was going to be a lot more complicated and would have to be done in Thailand. Gulp! I was quite hoping that they’d ask for volunteers to step down due to overbooking so I could go home and see my own dentist. No such luck! I. Ought an emergency dental kit in Boots, which in theory should let me stick it back in temporarily but won‘t use it unless I’m desperate. We set off on time and I had an empty seat next to me, always a bonus. When I got on there was a guy next to me, the only one seated in the whole back section, but he was on crutches and in the middle seat, so the flight attendant came
along and moved him. I was ecstatic! It was, however, the coldest flight I’be ever been on. Luckily I commandeered the extra blanket. Everyone was wrapped up. I asked for the heat to be turned up and they said it had but it was freezing. People kept their coats on!
I got the mrt into the city, although it takes about an hour and a taxi half that. I put some credit on my mrt card and got to the hotel around 8.30 after landing at 6.45pm. Going through immigration was a breeze, zero queue and it took about 2 minutes. Last week in New York it took one and a half hours, the staff were unbelievably rude and customs was equally a pain. No wonder I love Asia! Both Newark and JFK airports were horrible, expensive and scruffy. As you come out into arrivals there are signs everywhere for Jewel, the new shopping terminal, which has all sorts of activities. Gill and I will go there when she comes out at the end of February.
Hong Kong Street is an excellent choice for budget accommodation. It’s right opposite Clarke Quay but you can get a room for £65-75 easily. I’m at the Clover 7 (there’s also a Clover 5 which I went to accidentally but they provided reception for both). Didn’t bother paying for breakfast, luckily, as I’m terrified to eat. I got a single windowless room for £61 and it is not for the claustrophobic. The double rooms looked similar, owners much for bags except for half sliding them under the bed and you have to launch you onto it from the end. But it is immaculate and has everything you need, kettle, fridge, hairdryer and an excellent shower. Even free slippers, flipflop style! Also totally quiet. It wouldn’t be great for any length of time as there is nowhere for your stuff but as an overnight without unpacking I’m really pleased.
Quick turnaround and it was soooooo great to head out into the warmth It smelled so familiar. I went back to Clarke Quay to try to find the 3 dentists, which was very difficult. I ended up at the information desk and she was very helpful, looked them up and pointed out the lifts I needed. You have to use the intercom and put in the floor and unit number. They had all gone home but at least I know where to go tomorrow. I need to be at the airport by 12 at the latest so am on a mission.... Home via 7-11 to get some instant porridge for breakfast. Fingers crossed for tomorrow! Y AirAsia flight to Krabi is at 13.40, so hopefully I’ll be on it and sorted by then.
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