Day 2, 4 June Arrive in Singapore

Early in the morning, just after sunrise, we flew past Singapore to the east, did a left U-turn, slowly losing altitude and landed at Changi airport at 6:30 AM. The weather was fine, hot, and humid--we were in the tropics.

Once the seatbelt sign turned-off I tried to stand and was thankful that my legs were working. I'd been worried that I would have to slowly exercise my legs and wait until most others had got off the plane before I was mobile. I believe the well-designed seat had a lot to do with my legs working. Thanks in New Zealand.

I was glad to find a luggage trolley inside the terminal as this made my walk to immigration much easier. The queues at immigration were not too long, but sod’s law was in full swing. My queue was slowest, and it took ages before I was at the desk and handed over my passport. Here the man was pleasant, efficient, and I was through very quickly. I had no idea why this particular queue had been so slow.

Once through the first luggage carousel was our flights. I waited for three complete rotations, and my bag wasn't there. I saw an official and a pile of suitcases at the far end of the carousel, so I went over to report my lost bag only to discover that all premium economy bags had been taken off and neatly stacked for us. My bag was there.

Now out to the arrivals concourse, I headed the Singapore Airlines desk to pick up my hotel vouchers. Then outside and grabbed a taxi to take me to the Concord hotel in Orchard Road. Here I had to queue again, but this time progress was fast, and the queue was inside, so I only had a short walk in the heat to the taxi. Pleasant ride in an air-conditioned car and by 9:15 AM I was laying down on my bed and room 710. Not much happened for the rest of the morning except for a little unpacking, some reading, and several bouts of sleeping.



Blair, you are right this hotel was the one we stayed in, and you drove Geoff's radio controlled car along the balconies overlooking the atrium. This time there are no orchids hanging down from the balconies.

About 1 o'clock I went down to the main restaurant and partook of their Asian smorgasbord. Many of the dishes I tried I couldn't pronounce the names, but most were enjoyable although, I didn't try the chicken feet.

After lunch walked down Orchard Road a little popping into a few shopping malls, didn’t buy anything.  Feeling tired from the flight and suffering in the heat I headed back to the hotel, and did some reading and resting in my cool room. About 6 PM I ordered room service, dined in and had a early night.