Day 3 – Singapore to London

Our flight left for London at a very civilised time of 9am.  We were boarded very efficiently into the A380 which is a monster of an aircraft.  We were in Premium Economy which was full and from what I could see of economy class,  it too was very full.  They said they are updating the aircraft but this one certainly hasn’t been. 

The service is very good but I have to say Premium Economy seats and food is not as good as you get on Air New Zealand. In fact, the only real difference between Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines and Economy is that there is more room between the seats and the seats are bigger and better.  I do like the A380.  It is very quiet compared to the B777. 

Flying over southern India was interesting - while the day was theoretically clear, it was through a brown murk that you could see the land below, which  I guess was a combination of dust and other pollutants.  It makes one appreciate the very clear air we have in New Zealand and Australia.

The route took us out over the Indian ocean, over southern India and up towards Dubai. Around Dubai we turned north and flew over Iran, the Caspian Sea and then along the northern coast of Turkey.  The rest of the route took us over eastern Europe, Austria and Germany before getting to London 14 hours after leaving Singapore.  Bev managed a sleep and about four movies.  I didn’t get any sleep but watched about three movies.

It took no time to go through immigration and our bags arrived safe and sound a few minutes later and about 70 minutes after arriving we were in our Hotel.

Unfortunately, when I opened my suitcase, I received my next shock - a nice bottle of wine I had been taking to Bev’s friends had been broken.  I have been carrying bottles of wine in bags on pretty much every trip I have made overseas and this is the first time it has happened to me.  I realised that I did not have any cushioning around it which is what I usually do.  Not smart!  To top it off Bev found out, to her dismay, that she had left her e-reader on the plane and despite her efforts to communicate with Singapore Airlines lost property, it is unlikely to be retrieved!

We went for a meal at a local pub (as planned) with the added bonus of having a good walk after being rather sendentery for most of the day.  It was a very simple and a nice little pub which had been owned by Christian Cullen (a former All Black) at one point I believe. 

Twenty two hours after waking up in Singapore I finally got to put my head down and sleep.