It’s a quick check in on the way to the office.
Surprisingly the airport express is busy for a 5.13pm train. Thankfully the rain seems to ease as we get closer to the airport.
I’m flying Singapore Airlines (on miles) so no lounge access. As I have a bit of time to spare I wander into duty free where I’m offered a very generous tasting of pink Moët - yes thanks!
It had been a mad afternoon so I pick up a snack; as I’m leaving the store my Apple Pay notification informs me I’ve been charged twice. Ummm no thank you! Takes a couple of seconds to be given my money back then I’m off to the gate.
As I’m standing here in line waiting to board I realize how lucky I am to be able to jump the line with my Qantas gold card whenever I fly a One World Carrier. Of course I’m in the last group which means waiting waiting waiting.
One step onto the plane I realize what everyone has been talking about with Singapore Airlines - the service is really at another level. Once seated we are giving hot towels and menus. And I’m in economy class! I can only imagine how it would be in business class.
The views coming into Singapore are great - the one positive of having the window seat. It’s like I’m coming home.
We thump then slide into Singapore 5 minutes after our scheduled arrival time. The tv monitor is saying it’s 27 degrees - brilliant!!
It takes far too long to get off the plane. I really do wonder what people do. They know they need to get out of their seat so why don’t they prepare things as soon as we have landed??!! Aah Singapore, I’ve arrived. It’s a fast walk to immigration where I’m straight through the APEC line then into the taxi line. There are roughly 20 people ahead of me but the line goes quickly.
As we get out of the airport area I’m surprised with the number of other cars on the road. Especially at this time of night.
As we get closer things start to become very familiar.
The taxi driver lets me use his phone to call Dave, who meets us as the front gate.
I climb into bed at 11.58am; not at all excited about my alarm at 6.30am tomorrow morning.
Friday 8 March I wake at 6.11am, 100% more sleep is needed. Thank goodness today is Friday!
I decide to take the train to raffles place (instead of the new line which is closer to work). I have time to spare and what to relive my old journey to work. My ezlink pass has expired; not surprisingly given they last 5 years and it was last used at least 2 years ago. Of course I still have money on it.....the friendly man advises I can get a refund (at Raffles Place) and encourages me to get a
new card. Done.....with a Sesame Street design. Got to love Singapore.
On arrival at Raffles Place I’m informed by the service center they need two weeks to get a refund and my ID card. Great, totally not convenient.
I stopped for coffee in-route to the office. Aah decent coffee!
It was so nice walking into the office and seeing so many people that I know. The view from the office was as I remembered it.
Mid-morning I step out to meet a friend, Elfie, who use to be in Hong Kong.
My old direct report and I head out for lunch early afternoon. I had requested Kaz Bar, an old hang out that has fantastic middle eastern food. It seems like every man, dog and Harry is here, thank goodness Joanne booked. I don’t even need to look at the menu to know what I want - falafel wrap. It’s doesn’t disappoint!
Lois has requested Old Town White Coffee so we wander to the supermarket post lunch. Man oh man it’s HOT! Wandering back I snap away at the colourful shop fronts.
It's International Women's Day today, and as instructed I wear green. Everyone else has got into the green code as well!
I met Keryn outside work just before 6pm. Been a great day being in the Singapore office seeing so many familiar faces!
Keryn has booked a table at a trusty favourite - No Menu - for 7pm so we head to a bar for a cocktail first.
Dinner is delicious! This place never lets you down.
I was super low on steps today; the heat and no exercise being the contributing factors. So we decide to take the MRT or is it MTR back to Newton. Means I get to use my pass that I brought this morning again.
Saturday 9 March I wake early, shortly after I hear the boys but stay put.
Keryn and I take the bus to botanic gardens then do a 5km run around the outside Man oh man it’s HOT!
We have breakfast in Cluny Court before taking the bus home.
Mid-afternoon we take Albert to their school next door (so handy!) for his swimming lesson. Toby isn’t feeling well so is staying home.
Post swimming we drive down the Newton Hawker Center to meet up with Dave and his family for pre-dinner drinks. Thank goodness for a light breeze.
Another shower is 100% required before we head out for dinner. I foolishly decide to blow dry my hair.......not sure what I was thinking!!
Keryn and I sneak away while the boys are in the bath. I’m walking on tip toes to ensure they can’t hear my heels.
Keryn had booked a table at The Grand Hyatt BBQ buffet. This is where I went for my going away dinner so I totally knew what to expect.
A lovely evening catching up with friends, chatting to Dave’s family and eating / drinking.
Keryn and I decide at 9.30pm it’s time to go home. Dave’s family had already left and he and the boys were deciding what to do. Home time is good!! As we are waiting for a taxi a pool dancing taxi drops off three guys. Too funny!
I wake at 3am on Sunday 10 March - far too early to start the day! Thankfully I manage to go back to sleep for a bit.
Keryn, Toby and I walk down to Velcotiy shopping mall (my old local) to get bagels. It’s another super hot day!!
I had arranged to meet Kate and Jason at 11am. My plan was to run there but my left knee is playing up so I decide instead to bus some of the way then walk. I’d worked out where to go on google maps before leaving the house. Pretty much straight away the right bus arrives, major result! Literally 50 meters after driving off I realize I’m heading in the wrong direction. Whoops!! Right new plan is to go to the Botanic Gardens and either get the train or a taxi from there. I’ll be walking home (or some of the way home) instead!
The man at the service center at the Botanic Gardens train is super helpful, even giving me his hotspot so I can google the best way to now get there. I also quickly message Kate to let her know I’ll be late.
I wasn’t able to enter the train passenger only area as I didn’t have more than $3 on my card. Bloody annoying! So after adding $10 I’m all set.
Two trains later followed by a 5ish minute walk I arrive.
We have a lovely brunch / lunch - always love catching up with friends.
I’m given directions to walk; en-route changing my end destination to the Arab quarter. Man oh man it’s HOT!!
I have a wander around Haji Lane, I’m definitely not the only person here today.
The signs advised the downtown line was 450 meters away, I can do that. Then it’s a/c time.
I manage to get on the train going in the correct direction back to Keryn and Dave’s.
We have the afternoon outside at the pool. So nice to be in the water again.
Mexican is ordered is dinner - boys are put to bed, time to sit back and relax.
Monday 11 March I wake at 4.25am, with the alarm going off in basically one and an half hours later I force myself to go back to sleep. I hear the boys at 5.47am but remain in bed to my alarm goes off. 6am I’m up and out of bed, getting ready to pound the pavements.
I had forgotten that it doesn’t get light before 7am here so it was strange running in the dark. 30 minutes was enough. Was nice running around streets I used to run around when I lived here.
I head to the train when the boys go to school. Such a lovely weekend! For now it’s off to work I go.
It’s a longer journey to work than I remember from Friday, yes I’m on a different train line but still. On arrival it’s a short hop, skip and jump to the office. I drop my bags then head to Dimbula for breakfast - flat white and a croissant. Tomorrow I will be back to a normal breakfast, eggs and tea.
It’s another good day in the office.
At 4pm I notice the heavens have opened. Right time to think about leaving. Definitely don’t want to get stuck or even delayed to the airport. I had checked in this morning so no issue with not arriving 2 hours before the flight. One of the girls in the office booked me a grab taxi. As I arrived downstairs it arrived, talk about timing.
It’s a quick 25 minute trip to the airport, even in the crazy rain! I had already checked in online so didn’t need to check in but it wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t as there was no line at check in. I tried to change my seat but no luck. Definitely notice not having any status with Sing Air.
Given I’d arrived so early I decide to head to the Priority Pass Lounge closest to my gate. Red wine and peanuts collected; queue checking work emails and relaxing.
We land back into Hong Kong at 10.15pm. Once I’d finally decided what movie to watch the flight went quickly. It was wonderful to be back in Singapore again. Until next time.
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