February 11/12
Singapore to Paraparaumu
|
A reasonable amount of sleep so I might last until I can go to sleep on the plane. Laksa for breakfast - I arrived late so the stall was open. I did avoid most of the clams in it. I had forgotten them & never feel entirely safe with them on the day of a long flight. It should be said that I have never actually had a problem. I checked out without any problems and returned to The Sidewalk for a Chinese tea while I decided what to do until 15.00. I had no plans at all and didn't feel like making any. |
 |
|
I made my decision and caught the train East to Paya Labar, an area I had never visited before. I was only just out of the station when I encountered a dragon dance in a mall.
They are always noisy and amazing for the athleticism of the dancers. I touched the dragons as they passed, a token of good luck in these parts. I was interested to see a pattern of orange segments arranged on the floor. This must have been symbolic but I know not what of.
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Outside it was busy with trains passing on a raised track and the planes passing low overhead on their way to Changi.
The market was underwhelming, with the usual mix of food and clothing but with many of the stalls closed.
The area was reasonably old, with beautifully decorated Peranakan shop houses lining some of the streets. There is one very famous row of them but I found many others scattered along the main street.
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
One wall sported a mural by Ernest Zacharevic, often referred to as the Malaysian Banksy. Whilst his painting looked good, his choice of paint seems to have been faulty and it looked a trifle faded. Close by my attempts at photography, I found a small film crew, perhaps participating in a college project.
On the edge of a car park was a chicken, seemingly instructing her offspring in the art of digging for worms.
 |
 |
|
|
Father was standing to one side. One of the locals agreed with me that it was a heart warming sight.
After more than an hour in the sun, I felt the need for an air conditioned seat so entered a mall, found a café and a cold drink, and wrote my story.
I walked along the main road in the direction of the city for about fifteen minutes. It was a mix of traditional buildings, modern blocks of flats and some hideous shopping malls.
 |
 |
|
|
Without anything exciting in sight, I found a bus. The great thing about Singapore is that any bus will link to another bus or a railway station or somewhere you know. There is, therefore, no risk in catching one, even if you don't really know where it is going.
Mine soon turned off the East Coast Road and onto the motorway which I recognised from my taxi rides to and from the airport. This gave me the chance to try lots of photos of Marina Bay, the city and anything else that took my fancy.
 |
 |
|
|
We turned back onto the normal road and reached Bugis, where I alighted and walked slowly along North Bridge Road, where the hotel is situated. It is a mix of large offices, small restaurants and busy inner city developments.
|
After about 20 minutes, I reached the Cathedral, where I stopped to look at the lovely building and to read the placards commemorating the clergy who had survived internment by the Japanese and continued on in Singapore after the war. The stories speak of superhuman endurance, faith and forgiveness. I would have failed on all three counts. It was now well after 13.00 so I returned to The Sidewalk and slurped my way through a bowl of dumpling noodle soup. Too many noodles, of course, but the soup and the dumplings were steaming hot and excellent. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
I was then able to obtain a sugar free iced lemon tea. Excellent.
I had a rest in the hotel lobby and then ventured downstairs to collect my bags and re-packed them for my flight.
I decided that I couldn't face carrying my bags to the station in the heat so summoned a taxi which got me to the airport very quickly and cheaply. Unfortunately, it was too quick and I had to wait about fifteen minutes for the Air New Zealand check-in desk to open.
I took refuge in the Silver Kris Lounge and immediately availed myself of a shower and change of clothes, much needed after my morning's walk in the sun. I then had a drink and a few nibbles and awaited boarding.
I left the lounge and headed to the gate with plenty of time to spare - luckily! It was a fifteen minute hike to the gate and then nearly a ten minute queue for screening which, at Changi, happens at the individual gates. I finally entered the gate lounge as they started calling people to board. Perfect timing.
We pushed back five minutes late, taxied for nearly 20 minutes and were warned by the driver that he would be taking us through potholes over the Tasman.
The Air New Zealand pod was completely outclassed by the new one in the Singapore A380. The much maligned rapping safety video lived down to its reputation - it might even have been worse! Whoever commissioned it really should be found guilty of a hanging offence. The film and TV selection didn't appeal much but the music was great so I listened to that.
Interestingly, I was handed an arrival card to complete. I thought they had been scrapped but it is only the out bound ones that have been.
The food and wine was superb. Singapore Airlines might have a better cabin but Air New Zealand has better food, wine and service. The meal was excellent, as was the Dry River Pinot Gris, no less. I even managed about three hours sleep. The inch thick mattress that Air New Zealand uses is much better than the Singapore equivalent.
We hit a few bumps over the Australian outback but missed the bad ones that the driver had warned us about before we left.
We landed about 20 minutes early and then the problems began. Firstly, the electronic system wouldn't read my passport so I had to join the long line of people waiting for assistance.
Secondly, this wasn't really a problem as the baggage took ages to arrive.
Thirdly, it seemed that my flight to Wellington was an hour earlier than I had thought so I couldn't check my bag in at the International Terminal but had to run with my trolley to the Domestic Terminal.
Fourthly, when I tried to check my bag in, I joined another long queue, at which point the baggage system broke down. It was mended in ten minutes but ....
I finally made it to Paraparaumu, using a plane, a bus, a train and Valerie's car. She drove me home, where I explored the new house and had dinner with the rest of the family.