Singapore for a bit

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I love watching people in airports. 

Its 7:25am Singapore time and I have just arrived from Colombo. No sleep but watched an excellent movie “Braids” and had an OK meal. 


My flight to Brunei is on a separate ticket so I’ve had to collect my bag, clear customs and will have to drop off my bag. A pain because right now I could do with a nap. My flight leaves at 12:00pm and bag drop opens at 9:00am. I’m too stuffed to go exploring so here I am in Terminal 2 waiting to drop my bag and go through departures. 


They have this amazing wall of water in the terminal. It looks (and sounds like) a massive waterfall coming down the wall of the building. I’m not sure if it’s real or projected but it is 3D and pretty cool. 


How to kill 3 hours once I am through immigration. A Kouign Aman from Jamie Olivers shop in Terminal 1 of course. I struggled to walk the distance. I need sleep and my legs are sore. A pinched sciatic nerve not helping but I am sure it will all disappear as soon as I hit Brunei.  I get to the shop and again they have sold out of my favourite pastry. I think I will just give up and write a personal letter to Jamie telling him its not goof enough, enclosing a bill for repairs to the shoes I have worn out going there each time I pass through. Bah. 


Coke in the sun watching the planes was the next best idea so that’s what I am doing. 


Then ycheck out the exorbitant prices of everything. Toblerone big ones NZD30.  The Warehouse had them at Xmas for NZD5. 

The bags of Whittakers (the flavours no one wants) NZD15. Thats crazy. Saved money, saved calories. 


1 hour to board and I’m not sure if food is included on a 2 hour flight so the Asian Street Kitchen is the best bet. Good asian food, delivered by a robot and at a good price - perfect. 


When I checked in I was given a notice regarding an agreement between the Australian and the Brunei governments. Brunei, being a strict Muslim country is booze free, although unless you are Australian, you can take it in with you. 


For Australians anything more than 100mls of liquids, aerosols or gels will be confiscated even if you bought it airside at duty free. The rule applies even if you are in transit. I guess Australians don’t have a great reputation in Brunei. 


I am excited to be going to yet another Muslim country and since I have to be well covered I’m hoping it wont be too hot. The forecast is for mid 30’s and rain for the days I am there. Oh well. It’s also forecast to rain everyday I am in Malaysia too 😩


And then ……. I nearly missed the flight. I was so engrossed in my delicious Thai fish cakes (which were bought to my table by a robot) that I forgot where I was. Suddenly reality hit me, I paid and took off. A sprint/hobble got me there just in time. 


The cabin smells beautiful with the finest mist softening the dry air.  The plane is half empty so our 2+ hour flight should be easy.  


A Muslim prayer is played on our screen before take off. It’s haunting, beautiful and makes me excited to know that tomorrow I will be woken by the call to prayer. 



See you later Singapore. 

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