The dream of a 16 hour direct flight on Singapore Airlines was not something we'd had available to us 13 years ago so our flight out of SFO was a treat. No 30 hour round trip slog with stopovers in Narita or Hong Kong. The service on board was exceptional, food decent and Premium Economy gave us a little more room to stretch with foot rests and seats that went further back. We had created a little jet-lag busting schedule to follow on board with all taking some melatonin when Singapore's night began and being up for breakfast before our 5:00am local time landing. The kids slept well, were content with the onboard movies when up and ate the plan food without complaint. They also discovered that if they visited the flight attendants there were extra treats.
Changi looked just how it was when we left though the new kiosks that scan your passport and search for your online landing card are new. You never speak to a human and it's fast.
Stepping out into the equatorial heat for the first time was a welcome moment for those of us who were ready for it. The look of surprise on the boys are hilarious. They didn't dislike it but laughed at the newness.
Our driver whisked us across the island chatting about Hawker Centers and parks till we turned up the familiar road beside the Botanic Gardens main gate and were deposited on the doorstep of the Initial Sama. We had two apartments, a studio and a two bedroom but lost in translation was the fact that they needed to be close together and not in different buildings. Joel ended up using the studio as an office and Mum took the couch in the two bedroom so we could function as a family unit as the main apartment had the fridge and kitchen and dining room.
Though a bit more squashed in than planned, the swimming pool was newly finished and our place was nicely appointed.
We decided we needed to stay awake as long as possible and walked across the road into the Botanic Gardens for breakfast and a wander around. We started with the National Orchid Garden and made our way around the upper end of the park where the boys found monitor lizards and we spotted a pair of Pied Hornbills in a tree. More wildlife than I have ever seen in a park that was a nearly every day walk for us year ago.
We had a swim and I took Austen for a quick trip to Tanglin Mall for groceries.
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