3:45 am and the alarm dragged us out of a deep sleep to a mild and drizzling morning.  Expecting rain we opted to book seats on the shuttle and it turned out to be good planning. Check in was smooth and we had a quick shared small McD’s breakfast and good coffee before checking in. Still feeling a bit weird like we are just popping across to Aussie for a couple of weeks and not having an awesome 2 month break across Europe. I wonder how long it will take before it sinks in?

Onward through duty free and the obligatory spray of perfumes (Vern doused as well) and a top up of eye, face and hand creams.  I was delighted to be able to apply a bit of BB cream, concealer and mascara to make my bleary sleep deprived face a bit more presentable. Feeling bits of excitement and after a first official selfie we boarded our Qantas flight and settled into a movie for our brief flight across the Tasman. Breakfast and service were of a very good standard and we are happy with our decision to continue with Qantas vs. Air NZ – as we are finding Qantas consistently good and better.  I have been too busy to watch movies or even much TV in the past two years so was looking forward to overdosing on the plane flights.  The Trans-Tasman movie selection was not extensive so I chose ‘Beauty and the Beast’. It gave me leaky eyes and had my chest quivering with emotion 3 times at touching parts.  Yes there are touching parts in the movie. Clearly the combination of old age, change of life and movie abstinence is affecting me; poor Vern.

We touched down 15 minutes early to a fine day in Sydney where we had 2 hours in transit before we could board our second flight. This time went really quickly with a relaxed walk around and a bit of free internet browsing.  A quick reapplication of scents and hand creams and we boarded our second flight of approximately 8 1/2 hrs.  Another great flight, great service, and very reasonable food (it is airline food after all and they do very well all things considered). We enjoyed premium juice on boarding, a peri peri chicken with roast vege and courgettes (Vern) and for me Thai beef salad, warm garlic roll, cheese and crackers, a nice sparkling Pino Noir -Chardonay blend (ok is it Auckland time, Sydney time or Singapore? Late enough I reckon), Weiss raspberry ice cream, Lindt balls, tea and coffee and more juice. Later in the flight we were served a nice Singapore style vegetarian noodle box. The next two flights of the journey will be with Emirates on the big girls = looking forward to that.

Despite flying during the day, and probably because we had such an early start we both felt tired and took some time out to have a little nap.  Not sure if we slept, but must have been pretty close to it and felt a little refreshed for our efforts.  We normally fly at night and I think now having flown a longish time during the day it is a bit gentler on the body time clock etc.  Night flying is better time wise but your sleep will be in deficit to a degree, depending on how you can sleep on the plane.  This flight we are trying out some new ‘Turtl” neck supports and can recommend them as more comfy and way less room taking than traditional style pillows.

On boarding in Sydney our personal entertainment screens didn’t work so we were offered alternative seats.  We were gutted as we had prebooked aisle ones just behind the emergency section and had a great view and not too hemmed in.  We managed to get two seats just across the way in the front of a middle section where you have all that leg room, although we had company as it was a section of 4 across, vs. our only two at the window isle.  Missed out on the views, and the two movies I did watch over were crap anyway.  Well maybe that’s a strong word but I watched Mothers Day and whilst it had some funny bits it was full of overdone American cliche, the other was George Clooney one where his wife died, he was lawyer for some family Hawaiian land and had to assume responsibility for kids.  He also found out about and confronted his wife’s lover whilst she was on life support.  Again despite my attraction to George, the movie was still a really weak story of overdone drivell too.

Arrival in Singapore was slow through their unfriendly and clinical customs.  Duely fingerprinted and processed we transferred by sky train to another terminal where we caught the MRT rail to town.  In hindsight, although its cheap as chips, a $4.80 SGD (very close to our NZD) ticket gives us 6 trips each, it does require 2 easy changes, and takes – this is the clincher – about 45 minutes to town.  A taxi would have been quicker and average price is bout $25.  Ah well live and learn. The advantage to the MRT it is the cheaper local option where you click right into the daily commuting of locals – gets you in the vibe of the place right away.

The weather was about 30 degrees and very high humidity – 80+.  It definitely was tropical but not quite as unbearable as last time we visited.  By the time we checked in it was about 6pm local time, a lot later than I anticipated.  I managed to score some discount vouchers at reception for in house dining $20% off any meals – and having very fond memories of the ‘Edge’ International restaurant we decided to stay in house and have a feast in.  Our original plan on arrival was to walk down to the Gardens at the Bay and begin a look around, and perhaps do some night photography.  One thing I did not factor in was the time difference coupled with the early departure from NZ – so Singapore is about 5 hours behind, so it was already our bed time in local terms.  Added to that an early start and not much sleep the night before we made the united decision to just freshen up, enjoy the 5 star room facilities and dine in.  As it turned out, but the time we finished dinner it was 2am local time .. and then I didn’t dare look at my watch but I think by the time my head hit the pillow we had been up 23 hours!  Yes, I know very little sympathy for us jet setters – and honestly we felt fine but just knew we would enjoy activities more by taking it easy today 🙂

A brief note on “The Edge” – one of the series of restaurants in house that has won awards and we dined at several times last stay.  Firstly its high quality, second its HUGE, and there are all these mini internaltional cuisines – stands that tempt you to sample their wares. The dessert section includes soft house made pralines or chocolates which are pretty unforgettable – chocolate rum, matcha green tea, and strawberry caramel mmm mmm.  They were as good as I remember from last time. Back to the mains they have a great seafood section – including sashimi, and the CRAB – made the mermaid in me very happy – humongous claws filled with sweet, moist juicy flesh.  Dipping sauces including exotic Asian like ponzu and toasted black pepper and tomato, or wasabi mayo and European style and I couldn’t help but have two plates worth of that course, even knowing it would affect my capacity for the rest.  Next we both enjoy the local traditional Singapore dishes like duck and pork curries, and chili crab. The Indian section is great, so too Japanese, Chinese, including a separate noodle house, BBQ house and more.  French section, Italian section, grill and salads.  Probably forgotten some, but a belly can only stretch so far.  I did have room along with the pralines to fit in one of my favorite fruits – red paw paw along with house made icecream/gelato of Thai milk tea flavor and salted almond caramel.

Quite simply we stuffed ourselves like we were on training for a Roman food orgy.  I had no faith that I could lie horizontal on the bed, but pushed on knowing it would be some time before I would be here again. On our last visit here, we enjoyed the whole hotel experience so much, we agreed that if we ever came back again we would do it again.  Our only regret is that we are here for two nights and not longer.