Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. November 2018

[supergran]

Flew Etihad to Singapore on Friday 2nd November. My son stayed over and got me to Manchester airport at 5 a.m three hours before flight time. Took my time once through security, had breakfast in lounge then went to gate. Checking I'd got everything realised I'd left my tablet in one of the trays. Phoned Customer Services and it was suggested I go back to security. I said I couldn't as it was too far and we were ready for boarding .Advised to check with Lost property on my arrival in Manchester. I pondered on my stupidity as for the last few years I had organised many trips and holidays for both of us being responsible for everything and never mislaid or forgotten anything. Quickly dismissing it from my mind boarded the plane for the 7 hour journey to Abu Dhabi. I had the row to myself, settled down and promptly fell asleep.:

[karanga]

Hope you have a great time, supergran.

[Caro]

Hoping you feel well enough soon to continue with this blog Mo... I love a supergran blog! xx

[supergran]

Hello and happy St Andrew's Day to my Scottish friends. Apologies for the hiatus. Some darned virus hit me for a six on my return home and only now am I feeling almost back to normal. So, after two long haul flights..Manchester to Abu Dhabi then Abu Dhabi to Singapore I arrived in sunny Singapore. Cleared security and customs, thumbprints taken, collected luggage then quickly in taxi to the Bay Hotel. At reception was told by a charming young man that my accessible room had been upgraded as the single rooms were very small. I thanked him and was taken in the lift to my upgraded room. My cases were taken in and then I entered. I was absolutely astonished at what I saw.

[supergran]

On the right side of the narrow entrance was the smallest toilet I had ever seen, A partition divided it from the smallest shower stall I'd ever seen. Then I noticed on the left a sink next to the coffee making facilities. But worse was to come as in front of me was a double bed but hardly any room on either side. There was a shelf over a structure obviously providing space for things but which obstructed ny access to the left side of the bed. I could only put my large case on the right at the foot of the bed which prevented me from squeezing round the bed that way. I could only laugh, tell myself I was only there for two nights and fleetingly think longingly of The Hilton, the Marriott and other upmarket hotels that Alan and I stayed in over the years.

[supergran]

After unpacking a few essentials for my short stay I went down to have lunch. I found the restaurant which was very nice. Large, air-conditioned, linen napkins and attentive service. I ordered a meal, fish and vegetables and then asked for a glass of wine. Well, it was almost 2 o'clock and I was on holiday.I was told the restaurant did not serve alcohol as it was Halal. I asked if there was a bar in the hotel and the waiter explained that there was a rooftop bar which opened at 5.30 and closed at 1 am. Finishing lunch I got a taxi to the Bay Gardens.

[hfwardhouse]

Yay for the blog .... for the lack of alcohol .... we were in the Maldives (before Esther ...) a couple of times on hols and they brought in waiters from Sri Lanka to serve the drinks as the Maldives is a muslim country.

[supergran]

Outside of the air conditioned hotel it was very hot with high humidity. The Bay Gardens were spectacular with trees, plants and flowers from all corners of the globe set in a stunning ecological environment.I bought a ticket for a tour buggy which was well worth it with a fascinating and informative talk. The tour lasted an hour so I then strolled around, visited the gift shop and after another hour jumped into a taxi. The driver asked where I was going and I told him to take me to a lovely hotel where I could enjoy a glass of wine and a cigarette on a terrace. He dropped me off at the 5 star Fullerton Bay hotel. Marble floors, flowers everywhere, just the ticket. I went up to the terrace in the lift and came out onto a huge area with tables and chairs and a bar. I found somewhere to sit in the spacious smoking area and immediately a waiter appeared. I asked for a large glass of Pinot Grigio and settled down with my constant companion Jack Reacher. The wine came with a glass of iced water plus slices of lemon and two dishes of nibbles. The terrace overlooked a stretch of water and the hotel was surrounded on one side with other tall buildings. It was lovely just sitting there in the glorious sunshine even though I felt damp all over and had to keep dabbling my face.

[supergran]

Reluctantly after two hours and two large wine, the iced water and the tasty nibbles I left the beautiful terrace and made my way down in the lift. Now, I'm well known in my family for having no sense of direction and having lost he who seemed to have an inbuilt compass I became slightly disoriented. I found myself in an area surrounded by gorgeous young ladies in fabulous clothes and a camera crew. I felt distinctly underdressed. They looked at me, I looked at them, then grinned and said "I think I'm in the wrong place here." Suddenly an elegantly dressed man appeared at my side and asked where I wanted to go. Telling him I was leaving the hotel he escorted me down a corridor and around a corner into the large reception area. Then he opened the doors for me, beckoned to a taxi, opened the door and gently helped me in.

[clancy]

Keep it coming! I'm enjoying this. x