WEDNESDAY 20 JULY- SINGAPORE
The Singapore humidity hit us sharply as we stepped out the doors of the airport. It was only 8.30 in the morning. We were of course dressed for a long plane trip in long pants, long sleeves and sandshoes. It was quite overwhelming since we had left rainy cold London and arrived in this heat. Having so much luggage to keep an eye on added to our overwhelming feelings - heat, going home and tiredness after the flight.
All this changed though as we travelled in the air-conditioned mini bus to our hotel on Sentosa Island. I do love Asia, the tropical settings, orderly lifestyle and hustle bustle of a major Asian city. The kids were excited about our last stage and in only a few days we would be home.
We pulled up to the grand foyer of our hotel and jumped out with excitement. The attentiveness, efficiency and orderly organisation of being here was such a contrast to our muddled, speech impaired experiences through Europe. We were staying at the Shangri-La Rasa Hotel, Sentosa Island.
We were shown to our luxurious rooms with balconies overlooking the grand pools and beyond to the South China Sea and all the tankers and ships moored out there. We figured that since we had flown overnight and hardly slept, it would be best if we had a couple of hours sleep now otherwise we would all be asleep by 5pm, wake early the next day and then have trouble with the jetlag again. The best option was a couple of hours sleep now. Despite the crystal pools beckoning, no persuasion was needed and we all fell asleep quickly for a few hours.
About 1pm we rose and headed out for lunch before heading to the pool for the afternoon. Corky had a meeting in Singapore so he headed off and the kids and I enjoyed a fabulous buffet lunch - how nice to know exactly what you are eating, no communication barriers here! Sated, we went to the pool and I found a lovely deckchair under the umbrella and that is where we stayed all afternoon. The kids expended a lot of energy swimming and constantly going up and down the water slides. Corky returned and enjoyed time in the pool with the kids. Later in the day we headed over to the poolside bar for a mocktail and a listen to the wandering band and enjoyed watching the monkeys climbing up the hotel balconies in search for food. There were at least 20 of them and they were indeed cheeky monkeys.
We decided to finish our cocktails down on the beach as the sun started to set. It really was quite a site and even though I would have preferred a beautiful ocean outlook, the site of all the tankers virtually nudging each other was quite dramatic. I guess it exemplified us being in Asia.
Soon it was time for dinner. We honestly did now know what we were in for. The buffet was exceptional. There was the choice of everything imaginable, every delicacy and prepared so beautifully. We just didn't know which end to start so we started in the middle and worked our way outwards. I think we chose everything from chinese, japanese, indian, seafood, sushi, fresh salads and fruit and then there were the desserts! I still can't talk about them because I still feel guilty at my gluttony. A drink on the balcony upstairs and then to bed; our beautiful big luxurious beds in our decadent air-conditioned rooms. Sigh of satisfaction!
THURSDAY 21 JULY- SINGAPORE
Well, this is it! Our very final full day of our wonderful adventure. Certainly it was a bittersweet day, a day of Singapore sunshine and food, food and more food but also a day of sadness that our dream is coming to an end but also excitement at arriving home tomorrow. We were ready to go home, 15 weeks is certainly a long adventure for a family of six.
Sadly today we overslept and missed the buffet breakfast. After last night's buffet dinner, we were very excited to see what gourmets would be supplied for breakfast. What disappointment we felt when Corky woke us at 10.40am! Never mind, we headed off to the pool, me dragging my feet in buffet-glutony disappointment and had a great day in the sun. After lunch by the pool, we decided to try a little adventure. The first adventure was leaving the boundaries of our resort. We wandered along Siloso Beach and the kids (except Harry because of his age) tried the trapeze. They had a fabulous time and went for a 2nd go.
Adrenalin in their veins, we moved onto the next adventure. The flying fox! Corky stayed behind with Harry (age thing again) while I hopped on a motorised buggy with Jack, Madi and Sophie and we headed up the hillside behind the beach. We had a briefing session, we kitted up and then headed around to the 3 story wooden platform we were to launch from. The view from the top down to the beach was incredible. We could see Corky and Harry playing on the sand way below. Soon enough, i was our turn. Jack and Madi were strapped together and Sophie was strapped onto my front. We were let off the platform together and we soared down through the cutting above the forest and out into the open over the beach, a bit of water and then onto a tiny island. It was so exhilarating. To come down from our death-defying acts, we climbed some palm trees!
We once again had our buffet dinner out on the balcony enjoying the balmy evening. We had organised a cake with a candle and some of the staff to sing Happy Birthday to Corky because tomorrow we will spend his birthday on a plane home (he thinks the A380 is his best gift yet!)
FRIDAY 22 JULY - SINGAPORE TO HOME
Corky's 44th birthday. We woke very early, hoping to get in a quick 20 minutes at the breakfast buffet before our car took us to the airport. We weren't disappointed, the buffet lived up to everything we thought it would, we were only disappointed that we couldn't linger and savour it. Off to the airport and ready to board our flight home. Yet again, so bittersweet but we were all very excited. Our flight took off about 11am and was about 7.5 hours long.
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| Going home .... |
We arrived into Sydney at 7.30pm, Corky having a little trouble with his water stained photo in his passport (due to melting snow off a glove tucked next to the passport in our bag in Innsbruck) but soon enough he was released and we grabbed our monstrous amount of luggage and got a maxi taxi home. The kids were giddy and very excited as they stood at Nanny and Poppy's door about 10pm.
We were home!
