We are finally off to Aotearoa - Singapore airlines to Auckland pretty unremarkable and long !! Biosecurity alive and well in NZ, G said I had to declare my bamboo knitting needles - I don't think so !! Exhausted when we arrived, did too much in Singapore and then a long flight and another 5 hour time difference. Quick stop at Mount Eden overlooking Auckland, sound of Circada's were deafening!!! Off to the Heritage Hotel. Very nice - kitchenette in room and comfy sofas. This was our first evening eating with our tour group and we had a fab table of [View Full Entry]

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So, we arrived in Singapore, and stayed at the Pan Pacific. It was hot and humid and exhausting. We visited Thian Temple, The Botanical Gardens, saw the Merlion, and had dinner at the Pan Pacific's signature restaurant on the 37th Floor !! We visited Chinatown and Little India. Changi Airport is the most amazing place with a Butterfly garden, and Koi carp and enough stuff going on to keep you occupied for ages (even for Gemini's like Grahame and I !!!) [View Full Entry]

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So we're off to Singapore and NZ - but first to get there. We leave Newcastle upon Tyne Central Station and take the Transpennine Express to Manchester - nothing express about it at all - it takes 3 + hours !! We spend the night at The Crowne Plaza hotel !! [View Full Entry]

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