We've just about crossed the Caspian Sea. I've just finished watching 'W.', which interestingly Singapore Airlines categorizes as a comedy – some political comment there?
The second meal has been and gone (I had some sort of Thai pineapple fried rice which was ok) and I'm wondering if I'll need to eat anything more before the end of the flight. I've flown on this particular flight several times and I always think the gap between the first and second meal is too short.
After both meals my tray has not been cleared and I've had to take it back to the galley myself. No big deal really, but they could've cleared it when they were serving tea/coffee. I just hate being 'trapped' in my seat by an airline meal tray.
Monday, 2 March 2009
71K
My seat for my return flight to London is on the upper deck of the A380. I had decided to pay the $50 charge for an emergency exit row seat – I think when I booked my tickets none of the 'free' seats which have extra legroom extra were available.
The seat itself is fine, although to see out the window you have to look backwards over your shoulder. People rave about the upper deck, and I suppose when the lower deck is rammed in economy it has it benefits – there's fewer people for a start.
One problem with this particular seat is the complete lack of overhead storage room. All the overhead bins nearby are taken up with emergency medical supplies. I was swift off the mark in boarding, so I managed to get my bag in to a bin a couple of rows back. There was a bit of moaning by a few people nearby as they tried to store their bags. When I looked later in the flight I was expecting the bin with my bag in it to be choc-a-bloc, but surprisingly it wasn't.
The seat itself is fine, although to see out the window you have to look backwards over your shoulder. People rave about the upper deck, and I suppose when the lower deck is rammed in economy it has it benefits – there's fewer people for a start.
One problem with this particular seat is the complete lack of overhead storage room. All the overhead bins nearby are taken up with emergency medical supplies. I was swift off the mark in boarding, so I managed to get my bag in to a bin a couple of rows back. There was a bit of moaning by a few people nearby as they tried to store their bags. When I looked later in the flight I was expecting the bin with my bag in it to be choc-a-bloc, but surprisingly it wasn't.
So Quiet
Yup the world really is an economic meltdown. Changi airport is eerily quiet this morning. I had a interupt the girl at the check-in counter as she was so engrossed in her book.
Beyond security, the staff in the shops seem to outnumber passengers. And whilst I've never been in the KrisFlyer Gold lounge when its been busy, today for a good half an hour I think I was the only person in it.
I wonder how full my flight will be - knowing my luck it'll be rammed.
Beyond security, the staff in the shops seem to outnumber passengers. And whilst I've never been in the KrisFlyer Gold lounge when its been busy, today for a good half an hour I think I was the only person in it.
I wonder how full my flight will be - knowing my luck it'll be rammed.
Carling Cup Final
OK so Spurs lost. Not exactly a surprise but we were so close. I thought we played really well and Bent should've scored when he had his chance in extra time. I just knew O'Hara was going to miss his penalty when he stepped up. He looked like he was trying really hard not to look nervous.
One thing that made me laugh was the coverage on TV in Singapore. The studio 'pundits' were the brains trust of Kevin Campbell (sporting a ridiculous earring) and Carlton Palmer. Talk about being dumbed down. All we got was a rehash of some of the drivel that you read in the UK tabloid papers (so not that different from UK TV).
I decided to watch the game in my hotel room as I needed to pack, and I didn't fancy paying silly money for beer in a bar where I'd be surrounded by Man Utd fans.
One thing that made me laugh was the coverage on TV in Singapore. The studio 'pundits' were the brains trust of Kevin Campbell (sporting a ridiculous earring) and Carlton Palmer. Talk about being dumbed down. All we got was a rehash of some of the drivel that you read in the UK tabloid papers (so not that different from UK TV).
I decided to watch the game in my hotel room as I needed to pack, and I didn't fancy paying silly money for beer in a bar where I'd be surrounded by Man Utd fans.
Solid
Well it appears as though my bout of dodgy guts has gone (fingers crossed).
I had a good nights sleep without having to make any nocturnal dashes to the toilet. I had a decent breakfast and all things 'digestive' seem to have settled down.
So I think it's safe to say that in future when I have a similar problem I'll just make sure I eat the following:
- Plenty of fruit for breakfast
- A crabmeat popiah
- A curry puff
- Octopus 'balls'
- Some peanuts
- 20 assorted satays
- A plate of fried kway teow
- Some Haagen Dazs icecream (chocolate & vanilla)
All this needs to be washed down with a decent amount of water, a latte and a few Tiger beers!
I had a good nights sleep without having to make any nocturnal dashes to the toilet. I had a decent breakfast and all things 'digestive' seem to have settled down.
So I think it's safe to say that in future when I have a similar problem I'll just make sure I eat the following:
- Plenty of fruit for breakfast
- A crabmeat popiah
- A curry puff
- Octopus 'balls'
- Some peanuts
- 20 assorted satays
- A plate of fried kway teow
- Some Haagen Dazs icecream (chocolate & vanilla)
All this needs to be washed down with a decent amount of water, a latte and a few Tiger beers!
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Sunday in Singapore
Today was a little bit about 'managing' my explosive intestines!
I left the hotel in blazing sunshine. First stop was the Funan Mall to pick up some pens etc. from the stationery shop which was closed yesterday. Then it was back to the Delta Swimming Complex for a few lengths. The swim was really good and I seemed not to be feeling any worse for my bout of food poisoning.
I had a lightish lunch at Lau Pa Sat (a crab meat popiah) and then walked to Raffles City. By now the sky was looking very threatening and it wasn't long before there was some almighty thunder and lightening accompanied by torrential rain. I had my umbrella thankfully!
Because of the heavy rain I spent most of the afternoon in shopping malls, and undercover as much as possible! I once again resisted any urges to spend money, but I was very tempted by a bag from Crumpler for my netbook.
All I need to do now is get some food and plan where I'm going to watch the Carling Cup final. Hopefully the rain will stop as I quite fancy some satays.
I left the hotel in blazing sunshine. First stop was the Funan Mall to pick up some pens etc. from the stationery shop which was closed yesterday. Then it was back to the Delta Swimming Complex for a few lengths. The swim was really good and I seemed not to be feeling any worse for my bout of food poisoning.
I had a lightish lunch at Lau Pa Sat (a crab meat popiah) and then walked to Raffles City. By now the sky was looking very threatening and it wasn't long before there was some almighty thunder and lightening accompanied by torrential rain. I had my umbrella thankfully!
Because of the heavy rain I spent most of the afternoon in shopping malls, and undercover as much as possible! I once again resisted any urges to spend money, but I was very tempted by a bag from Crumpler for my netbook.
All I need to do now is get some food and plan where I'm going to watch the Carling Cup final. Hopefully the rain will stop as I quite fancy some satays.
Dodgy Guts
Unfortunately I must've eaten something dodgy yesterday, as I woke up with really poor guts. Full on diarrhea! I'm blaming the late night chicken puff things I bought from 7-11 on my way back to the hotel.
I ate breakfast ok, managed a good swim and had lunch, so I'm hoping it's not going to be as bad as the last time I picked up a bug when I was on my travels (HK 2008). I'll make a call as to whether I'll need some Immodium to get me through the flight later!
I ate breakfast ok, managed a good swim and had lunch, so I'm hoping it's not going to be as bad as the last time I picked up a bug when I was on my travels (HK 2008). I'll make a call as to whether I'll need some Immodium to get me through the flight later!
Saturday Night Beer
I was still feeling a bit world weary and tired when I headed out for dinner. Because of the dodgy weather I decided to go to a food court in a Shopping Centre rather then try my luck at Lau Pa Sat for satays.
I fancied som nasi padang, and after passing up the meagre offerings at the place in the Wisma Atria food court, I went to the food court at Takashimaya. The food was mighty tasty.
I'd foolishly come out with no umbrella and it was now chucking it down again. So I went back to the hotel to pick mine up, before going to Brewerkz for a few beers. Brewerkz wasn't particularly busy and I was able to plomp myself at the bar and similtaneously watch two football games and a six nations rugby match.
At about midnight I decided to walk back to the hotel, which is just as well as I don't think I'd have caught the last MRT. Fortunately the rain had stopped completely by now.
I fancied som nasi padang, and after passing up the meagre offerings at the place in the Wisma Atria food court, I went to the food court at Takashimaya. The food was mighty tasty.
I'd foolishly come out with no umbrella and it was now chucking it down again. So I went back to the hotel to pick mine up, before going to Brewerkz for a few beers. Brewerkz wasn't particularly busy and I was able to plomp myself at the bar and similtaneously watch two football games and a six nations rugby match.
At about midnight I decided to walk back to the hotel, which is just as well as I don't think I'd have caught the last MRT. Fortunately the rain had stopped completely by now.
Caffeine
After waiting out the worst of the rain storm I did some more aimless wandering around on the well trodden paths of Orchard Road and Raffles City. I was a bit disappointed that one of the shops I wanted to look at in the Funan IT Mall was closed for 'stock taking'. All in all I did lots of browsing, but no buying.
Eventually I ended up in Tanglin Mall and then decided it was time for a serious caffeine hit!
Eventually I ended up in Tanglin Mall and then decided it was time for a serious caffeine hit!
Rain
I eventually cleared immigration and customs and was at the hotel by about 9am. As I expected my room wasn't ready so I dumped my stuff and went off for a swim at the Delta Swimming Complex. The swim was just what the doctor ordered – nice and refreshing and a chance to get the flight out of my system.
After my swim I made my way rather leisurely back to the Hilton. I was starting to really feel the lack of sleep. Fortunately my room was now ready and I was able to grab a short nap.
After my nap I set off for lunch (Hokkien noodles from Wisma Atria food court) and then faffed around a bit in the Paragon Shopping Centre. In this time the weather turned dramatically from reasonably fine and sunny to spectacular thunderstorms and torrential rain!
After my swim I made my way rather leisurely back to the Hilton. I was starting to really feel the lack of sleep. Fortunately my room was now ready and I was able to grab a short nap.
After my nap I set off for lunch (Hokkien noodles from Wisma Atria food court) and then faffed around a bit in the Paragon Shopping Centre. In this time the weather turned dramatically from reasonably fine and sunny to spectacular thunderstorms and torrential rain!
Ouch
So we arrived in to Singapore without much fuss. The moving map packed up somewhere over India, so although the 'time to destination' seemed accurate, the map showed us permanently hovering over Delhi.
After we parked at the gate at Changi (but before the seatbelt sign was turned off), some numpty decided to get his stuff out of the overhead locker. Unfortunately someone's laptop fell out, and fortunately for the laptop owner I inadvertently cushioned its impact with the floor with my foot/ankle. It bloody hurt – it definitely wasn't a little netbook! I was annoyed by this 'injury' and completely forgot my Camelbak water bottle. I only realised something was missing when I was off the plane. Bugger.
After we parked at the gate at Changi (but before the seatbelt sign was turned off), some numpty decided to get his stuff out of the overhead locker. Unfortunately someone's laptop fell out, and fortunately for the laptop owner I inadvertently cushioned its impact with the floor with my foot/ankle. It bloody hurt – it definitely wasn't a little netbook! I was annoyed by this 'injury' and completely forgot my Camelbak water bottle. I only realised something was missing when I was off the plane. Bugger.
6hrs 42mins
That's the time remaining according to the trusty old moving map. Apart from eating and drinking I've managed to knock off a good few pages from my book 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.
The flight itself is busy without being rammed. I've overheard lots of people describing their upcoming journey's around Australia. Hopefully, that will be me later in the year – assuming I'm still employed. In fact in my Tiger Beer induced mellowness I think I'll go regardless of whether I'm still part of the rat race or not. Proper planning for 'Tasmania 2009' will start when when I get back home!
The flight itself is busy without being rammed. I've overheard lots of people describing their upcoming journey's around Australia. Hopefully, that will be me later in the year – assuming I'm still employed. In fact in my Tiger Beer induced mellowness I think I'll go regardless of whether I'm still part of the rat race or not. Proper planning for 'Tasmania 2009' will start when when I get back home!
Tiger
I'm pretty certain I've had 7 possibly 8 cans! It's just gone down way too easily. I had a Lamb Curry for 'lunch' and I wasn't about to spoil it by pairing it with an inappropriate white or red wine. The curry itself was pretty good, and had a level of spice that I wasn't expecting, but really appreciated.
48D
What a great seat!
SQ now charges US$50 for the privilege of sitting in an Emergency Exit Row seat. So in order to conserve some cash I plumped for seat 48D. This is on the main deck of the A380, but has the benefit of there being no seat in front of it. The reason for this extra space is that there is a hatch in the floor in front of 48D which serves as the emergency exit from the crew rest area.
To add to my level of comfort I had a free seat next to me. Bonus, and $50 saved!!!
SQ now charges US$50 for the privilege of sitting in an Emergency Exit Row seat. So in order to conserve some cash I plumped for seat 48D. This is on the main deck of the A380, but has the benefit of there being no seat in front of it. The reason for this extra space is that there is a hatch in the floor in front of 48D which serves as the emergency exit from the crew rest area.
To add to my level of comfort I had a free seat next to me. Bonus, and $50 saved!!!
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