Blogs from Changi, Singapore, Asia
April 1st 2012
After 2 failed attempts, I am finally doing it. I'm off to fulfill my childhood dream to STEP on THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA! I want to accomplish this feat so I can move on with scheming new things. It's like a whirlwind since I decided to quit my job. Even before I tendered my resignation I already bought my air ticket to Beijing. It was like a motivation or a deadline that I should leave before then. I know I have the tendency to drag on things even if it is futile in keeping the same. I won't discuss my work-related issues, I have chosen to let go of whatever it was. Another thing that has made me really take this leap of faith now is that I was getting sick a lot since December ... read more
January 23rd 2012
Well, after a 13 hour flight, we landed in Singapore at 7:30pm (lost 8 hours somewhere). BA managed to leave Sylvia's bag at Heathrow but Iain's arrived thank God. Hotel is very good but looks quite expensive if we were to eat there. However, about 10 mins walk away is a very large food hall which is a lot cheaper. Monday morning we went on an inclusive City Tour which was very good. We say "Merlion" which is a symbol of Singapore, being a very large white statue of a lion's head and mermaid's tail. Then we went to a gem factory where they made precious gems from stone (e.g. mother-of-pearl etc) into jewellery and various other lovely works of art. From there we went into Chinatwon and then onto the Orchid Garden at the Botanical ... read more
September 9th 2011
Finally, the day had arrived. After almost 2 years of planning, Ian and I departed on our Singapore Airlines flight, bound for Istanbul. This was the first day of a 10-week holiday, that would take us through Turkey, Greece and Italy, with a few days in Phuket at the end, for a much-needed rest. Almost a year before, we had booked an "early bird" special with Singapore Airlines, which allowed us a generous baggage allowance of 30 kg, and it was just as well, as our bags were already tipping the scales at 24 kg. As we were going to be away for such a long time, we would need a range of clothing, from summer to winter clothes, not to mention backpacks for Italy. We had an 8-hour stop-over in Singapore, so we had booked ... read more
September 7th 2011
I always forget what a drag the traveling thing is. Started off on the train Newcastle-Sydney, managed to get delayed at Woy Woy by a stalled freight train then an unscheduled change of trains at Hornsby, so about 45 mins late getting to the airport. By the time we checked in our bags, went through customs and found our way among all the duty free there was enough time to grab a quick snack and then pretty soon boarding our plane. Singapore Airlines A380 has pretty much everything that opens & shuts, even cattle class is not too bad. Watched about 4 movies - the best of them was The Beaver- and found ourselves in Singapore late at night. Had about three hours to kill. Eventually found one of those spaces with the reclined banana lounges ... read more
August 24th 2011
I find myself back in the familiar of Changi again after many years of US travelling with Singapore Airlines. There is a lot of comfort in Changi with it's free internet kiosk and laptop stations, not to mention the countless free entertainment areas all across the terminal. If you are okay spending SGD, there are also tons of variety of food.... read more
May 11th 2011
So - on the plane and I had to laugh to myself at the announcement "G'day Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking..." Listening to that, it's finally sunk in that I am actually on my way to Australia! The time at the airport seemed to fly by. Baggage drop and check in was quick and it was great to have a sit down and eat with Dinah and Bailey ( I hope the M25 wasn't too bad for you 2 on the way home) At departures, I got the usual pat down at security- don't know how I always manage to set the alarm off- and set out to do a bit of shopping to bring something British to the Brits I'm visiting in Oz. I got a tea towel, a London Christmas tree ... read more
May 9th 2011
Over the past week I’ve met with government agencies, trade organizations, and a few businesses all focused on growing trade relationships between China and Singapore. With only 5 million people, on a 275 sq. mile island, they've done some impressive things in order to position themselves as the number one most attractive country for international investment. One of the ways they’ve gone about this is by maintaining strict policies in regard to intellectual property rights. Everyone around the globe has their eye on China as the next major economic powerhouse, and though they’ve solidified themselves as a principle player in manufacturing, they also are infamous for their knock-off market. Why else would you be heading to Chinatown for your next Louis Vuitton bag? It’s widely accepted that companies must be careful sourcing from China, or they ... read more
April 27th 2011
Day one still going ... and going ....! Had great flight ChCh to Singapore. Not full so enjoyed an empty seat between us. Went into Orchard Road - had enough after 10 minutes in the heat and crowds so back to airport. No parcels to carry! Far TOO EXPENSIVE! Now waiting for flight to Turkey. Ad investigating the foot massage chair - in fact I can see she has just struck up a conversation with an Asian man who is instructing her in the operational technicalities. (I wish him luck!). Lizzie... read more
O'toole's commentary on murphy's law: Murphy was an optimist
Published: March 30th 2011Asia » Singapore » ChangiMarch 30th 2011
I am writing this somewhere above the Indian ocean. I’ve always longed to begin a journal with a sentence like that. We have organised our travel arrangements to within an inch of their lives. Everything has been done. Nothing was left to chance. Unless of course you count the fact that we confused our departure time from London for our return trip with our departure time in Sydney for our flight out. As a result we arrived at the airport on Monday in plenty of time for our 10.00pm flight to find that our 5.05 flight had left without us. 24 hours and $300 for accommodation and expenses later we find ourselves finally on our way. later It is 12 pm Sydney time. Everyone has been asleep for the past 3 hours. We are preparing for ... read more
March 16th 2011
An overnight stop in Singapore - so looking forward to getting on the plane tomorrow - London bound!... read more
