The taxi driver sounded like a bit of an armchair sports nut, talking about recent results, especially those that pertained to Australia. I’m trying to ignore sports right now as we are performing shamefully in contrast to the poms.
He also complained about the cost of food in Australia and that prices had risen in Singapore too. But it’s still so much cheaper here I reminded him, ten dollars less for a much nicer laksa for example.
We skirted around Geylang Road and I saw the streets and stalls colourfully lit. Then onwards to the busy airport.
The airport is a lot quieter at 11.30pm. Most of the shops and restaurants prior to immigration are closed. I queue up and check in my additional bag – for an outrageous price. It was actually lighter than my carry-on. I wonder if they would have let it past considering the amount of carry-on luggage some were taking. But I had read that Scoot were strict about it.
Once I got my boarding pass I went straight through immigration. Thankfully most places are still open. I find my beloved Bengawan Solo kuih shop and went crazy for kuih lapis spekkoek, (the cranberry one is quite nice as well) as well as purchasing some pineapple tarts for B.
I also buy an electric shaver to replace the current one, over a decade old and falling to bits. Then it’s time to find dinner. A couple of places say they sell Peranakan (Nonya) food, but my first choice seemed closed. My final meal in Singapore is curry chicken, rice and iced Milo.
Changi Terminal is great for waiting and transiting passengers – once you get past immigration. There was not enough time to use a lounge, but I try to free foot massage chairs, wander around the koi pond and search for toys for Alex in a couple of shops. There are videos to watch, free internet and more.
Soon it is time to queue for gate security, getting my bag x-rayed. It’s a pity that you can’t buy a drink once through the gate, because I am thirsty.
I’m not looking forward to this night flight back to Sydney. I hope that it won’t be bumpy.
Boarding is by blocks of seat rows and I am with the middle lot. I squeeze my uncomfortable chair. Two Australian girls sit beside me. No empty middle seat this time.
I am so tired that I start to fall asleep. Once we are finally up in the air I do nap briefly, until a flight attendant taps on my shoulder to ask if I want an entertainment unit, thinking that I had prepurchased one. Her mistake and no!
If not for the uncomfortable seat and the lack of a moving map it would have been a wonderful flight. The stars were bright and as we fly over somewhere in Indonesia a city appears like a magical glittering jewel beneath us.
Dawn appears just as we cross the Western Australian coast. Then it is hazy below until we pass over the salt lakes of South Australia. I wonder if we are around Lake Eyre. There is water around and greenery! A rare and beautiful sight.
Before long we have passed through New South Wales and are on a northerly descent into Sydney Airport, flying over the Shire of Trout Pouts.
My bottom is sore and my legs don’t want to move as I leave the aircraft. There is one final barrier awaiting as we are told to go to luggage belt 12, then after waiting ages, to go to far away belt 1. Then all the way back again to get out through customs and quarantine!
I’m not sure I want to fly Scoot again. The seats are just too uncomfortable and I fear DVT. The Singapore departure time is inconvenient as well. But it was a good trip, if too short.