Singapore

Crosby returned and off we went to see mainly by shank’s pony a bit of Central Singapore.

Aboard the local bus for several stops and breakfast in Chinatown Complex Market (& Food Centre).

Again I will let the photos take you through what I saw.

As the day progressed it was humid and thanks Crosby for guiding me through the mainly air-conditioned alleyways and buildings.

Chwee Kueh and Chee Cheong Fun

Popiah (springroll) and Kueh Pie Ti

Sri Mariamman Temple (Hindu), Temple Street

Nankin St

“Heading Home”, bronze sculpture by Lim Leong Seng of a rickshaw puller

Fuk Tak Chi (Hakka Temple) Museum, Telok Ayer Street

Fuk Tak Chi (Hakka Temple) Museum, Telok Ayer Street

Fuk Tak Chi (Hakka Temple) Museum, Telok Ayer Street

Fuk Tak Chi (Hakka Temple) Museum, Telok Ayer Street

Fuk Tak Chi (Hakka Temple) Museum, Telok Ayer Street

Fuk Tak Chi (Hakka Temple) Museum, Telok Ayer Street

Yueh Hai Ching Temple, Chulia Street

Yueh Hai Ching Temple, Chulia Street

Yueh Hai Ching Temple, Chulia Street

Boat Quay / Singapore River

Boat Quay / Singapore River

Boat Quay / Singapore River

Boat Quay / Singapore River

Boat Quay / Singapore River

Cavenagh Bridge

The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands

Merlion Park

Merlion Park

Anderson Bridge

Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall

National Gallery Singapore (former Supreme Court & City Hall)

The Arts House at the Old Parliament

National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore (former Supreme Court Cell)

National Gallery Singapore (former Supreme Court)

St Andrew's Church (Anglican)

Bak Kut The (Pork Ribs Broth)

It was time to bid farewell and I hope that it won’t be such a long time till we can meet again.

Thankfully Crosby gave me some hard cash, $2 note for the MTR to get me to the airport but on arrival at Bugis Station saw the signs saying that the MTR was not operating due to all day maintenance, but buses were provided for a SGD$1 (no change) to get me directly to T3. So it was a very quick trip to be dropped off at the departure level at the airport.

Quick check in and with boarding pass in hand for seat 51D had time to kill. My timing was good as there was enough time in the airport’s 24 hour cinema before my 7:50 boarding time to see the whole of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, a good old New Zealand film 2016 (Sam Neil and Julian Dennison) which I had not seen.

Day 13 Delhi > Singapore

Three of us were flying out this morning / lunch time and Sally had organised an Uber ride. Ngaire and I joined her at 8am / 08:00 for the short and quick 30 minute trip to the airport. So how much did I see of Delhi? Nothing so that means I need to return!

We each had to check in at our respective airline counters and then after security met up inside for an airport breakfast 342 rupee / NZ$7.30 / US$5.30 and our farewells, Ngaire to London and Sally back to New Zealand via a stop over in Guangzhou, China.

Saw some New Zealand wines in the duty free shop.

Villa Maria Marlborough Cellar Selection 2016 Sauvignon Blanc 3,560 rupee / NZ$75.70 / US$54.70 (gold).
New Zealand supermarket costs 780 rupee / NZ$16.50 / US$12.00.

Villa Maria Marlborough Private Bin 2016 Sauvignon Blanc 2,980 rupee / NZ$63.30 / US$45.80 (white).
New Zealand supermarket costs 690 rupee / NZ$14.60 / US$10.60.

Opposite the departure gate was Starbucks so Brenda will get an India cup to add to her collection.

The plane was a bit late leaving than its scheduled 12:10 / 12:10 departure time.

Touch down at Singapore after the 5 hour 40 minute flight. After getting another password for the airport Wi-Fi made initial contact with Crosby via WhatsApp to let him know that I had arrived.

The plan was for me to meet him at the Bugis MRT station. With 30 people in front of me in each of the immigration queues, I wondered how long it will take to clear this. So my message to Crosby that I sent to him while waiting in the immigration queue was that I will let him know when I have the MRT ticket in my hot little hands ….

I knew that the airport MRT station had ticket machines which took credit card but would it accept mine? NO! The usually manned ticket counter was closed being so late. Having no Singapore cash on me, what do I do? Go back upstairs to change some money? Thankfully some kind person at the ticket machine brought my SGD$1.65 ticket! I gave her some US$$$$.

But down in the bowels of the airport MTR station it wasn’t connected with the airport Wi-Fi so it was back upstairs to let Crosby know what was happening but more importantly when to expect me at Bugis station.

Thankfully he had already sent me instructions of how to get to my hotel as when I got to Bugis station there was no sign of him.

With Maps.Me on my phone in one hand and asking exactly which way I had to go after surfacing out of Exit C made it to G Hotel with no problems.

Then after connected with their Wi-Fi, messaged Crosby. It was an hour since my last message as to me the MRT seem to take forever to get to Bugis Station even at this late hour of the night. He wasn’t far away so off we went for a late dinner just one block from the hotel at Aroy-Dee Thai Kitchen along in Middle Rd. After some 20 or more years it was a long overdue catch up! I had some fried glass noodles.

Lost count of the number of times the airline crew came around and offered glasses of water to keep us hydrated. Plus the mini roll, chips, nuts or chocolate bars. Thanks Singapore Airlines - service always with a smile.

Dinner option was the pork.

Captain informed us that he had made up some time and subject to airport control should land at 6.45pm.

Boats at anchor off Singapore

Touchdown in Singapore

Changi

We touched down 6.45pm / 06:45 local time or 11.45pm NZ time, 5 minutes short of 10 hours in the air.

It was another 15 minutes before the flight connected with the air bridge. Thank goodness I was sitting behind Business Class and at the front of cattle class on the upper deck so was off the plane fairly quickly. Then a "mad" dash from T3 via the sky train to T2 and the long walk to gate E11. I'm sure there was a quicker route. Perhaps I should have taken the bus. Had time to get the airport free Wi-Fi code.

Singapore to Kochi with a full flight of what appears to be local Indians going home. I seem to be the only non-Indian on board. Must be on the right plane. Actually I saw when leaving 2 European / Caucasians.

So much for my leg room on this Silkair Boeing 737-800 compared to the A380. Only have to endure the 4 hours flight in seat 10C.

Lift off at 8.30pm / 20:30 Singapore time or 1.35am / 01:35 NZ time.

Fish or vegetarian? Fish please.