Second Impressions
Singapore is a long, long way from Florida! We flew to JFK and then got a flight to Singapore which continues on the same aircraft after a short layover in Frankfurt. Flying time to Frankfurt is six and a half hours, then about 2 hours in the transit lounge and then 12 hours more to Singapore. In effect, two nights on the plane and lots of meals and beverages in between. Singapore Airlines’ service was excellent. The plane was not full and the cabin crew were most attentive.
It is more than 10 years since I was last here and it is as lovely as I remember. Changi is the only airport I know that has orchids and gardens throughout—even the baggage claim area is punctuated by pots of pastels. Entry was quick and easy and soon we were at our hotel. The hotel staff greet you at every turn and everything is orderly and efficient and works. An oasis of calm and tranquility.
Except I did manage to lock us out of our room on our small balcony! I hadn’t wanted to close the sliding glass door all the way earlier since I was worried about that. I was persuaded by my spouse that closing it was just fine—otherwise if I didn’t, the air conditioning would turn off. So each time subsequently, I gently closed or almost closed the door. This time I inadvertently pushed it with some force, and lo, the handle didn’t move and we were trapped outside!
Fortunately, it wasn’t sunset yet and there were still a few staff around the pool area below. Said spouse leaned over (fortunately we were on a lower floor) and hailed a man with the words, “the balcony door is locked.” About 5 minutes later, a smiling lovely staff member came to our rescue. She chuckled as she let us back in. Later we saw her in the lobby and she just grinned! I think we will probably be the talk of the next management meeting. Surely, someone else has done this before. I blame it all on jet lag!
Sounds so lovely with flowers everywhere.