A series of fortunate events

In which Di makes a brief and boring blogpost to reassure our parents we've made it so far - we've managed the first leg of our journey safely and are living it up in our suite at the Novatel.  We didn't sleep through our alarms (I set three just in case) and by the time we cleared migration and the duty free maze our flight was just about to board.  Perfect timing!

Our first fortunate event was having an entire row to ourselves.  I think that today's flight has set a new benchmark in not actually horrible international travel! Also I finally got to see La La Land which I LOVED (after a lovely long nap).  Landing safe at Changi Airport we managed to make our way to our hotel by public transport - so easy, why isn't the NSW government taking lessons from places that actually MANAGE their public transport system?  We only said rude words to each other about where to go once! 

The second fortunate event occurred when the nice young man at reception took my passport as we checked in.  On seeing that tomorrow was my birthday he immediately organised us an upgrade to a suite on a "premium floor".  The bed is the biggest one I've ever seen!  There are two sinks in the bathroom so we don't have to share.  And if we don't want to sit together in the lounge room, there is a 2nd enormous tv in the bedroom.  Oh, it also has an impressive view from Clarke Quay! 

Biggest bed I've ever seen, I think Matt's worried I'll get lost!

Bigger than our lounge room at home.

Nice view!

Naturally we ignored all this and dumped our baggage and went out.  On our return (laden with soft drinks so we didn't use the pricey ones in the mini bar) the third fortunate things was waiting.  A delicious birthday cake for me!  Now isn't that just the best service you've ever heard of!  1000000 points to Felix @ Novatel Clarke Quays.

 

Sponge base with lemon cheesecake, delicious!

We've had a long walk to shake out the post flight fidgets.  Dinner was at Gluttons Bay (on the recommendation of my friend Bettina) and we ate lots of satay sticks, yum yum.  and chatted with lots of interesting people - as you do when you share a table at a hawker market.  It was a bit strange - we first shared with some other Aussies, who were replaced by some west-coast Americans, and finally were joined by a British couple who worked for BA.  It would have been nice to share a table with some locals and get the advantage of their insider knowledge of the city, however, it seemed  there was a bit of enclavism about who was willing to sit with whom.  Perhaps it was Matthew's Fierce bearded appearance?  Looking forward to spending a few more days exploring Singapore despite the rain that is forecast.

Mum, you might recognise the satay club style. :-)