What an (relatively) early start! Well the Taxi pick-up was scheduled for 7.30am, although I had checked/re-checked, closed and locked the suitcases – I knew that packing for a 6 month trip was going to be problematic – including packing 4 suitcases. So I was waiting for the time when I open suitcase the infamous “I have forgotten” or “why didn’t I bring“. Anyway, this seemed to have happened as soon as I left home.
We were about 3/4 of the way in the journey, on the M25, when the penny dropped. As I was sending a last minute text, I put the phone down on the kitchen table, to finish gulping my tea and then noticed that the Taxi pick-up was outside. So I decided to bring out the suitcases and load the car. I went back in, took out the rubbish (‘cos it was also ‘bin-day’), and had a quick look around to make sure I’ve got everything and then headed off.
Anyway, what was the thing I forgot – yup my iPhone. Bummer! As I am social networking junkie, it felt like I had my arm cut off, I couldn’t even foursquare my location at Heathrow or the Business Lounge – haha! How does one cope without ones mobile phone, or facebook mobile, or text messaging? Arghhhhh!!
But alas, it was only a phone, so I decided to continue onwards and phoned my mum to explain the “opportunity”, she agreed to pick-it up and see how much it would cost to courier it to me via the post. How annoying, hey?
Arriving at the airport in good time, as I didn’t want to be party to any disruptions caused by the Public Sector strikes. It appeared that the Immigration Staff strikes would likely impact arrivals rather than departures, but I didn’t want to leave it and take that chance. Luckily, there was hardly any signs of disruptions at the Departure area of LHR T3.
Checking-in was easy, as the Business queues at Singapore Airlines was non-existent (bonus!). I checked-in the 3 bags, decided to carry-on 1 – which I had put my camera and other valuables inside, and also had my laptop bag as carry-on. I was just over 44kg, and the check-in rep agreed not to charge any excess baggage cost, when I asked about it. That was very kind of her. I think my allowance was 40kg, so it was only slightly over. Amazingly, spreading the load of 3 check-in bags was a good move, although it now made me think that I could have taken a load more stuff with me…things like the PS3 and DVDs – grrr!!!
Having checked-in, I wanted to head straight to the Singapore Int’l Airlines KrisFlyer Business Lounge, I inadvertently by-pass Duty Free and the ‘Tasters’ (alcohol) – thinking I would come back if I fancied buying anything – you can tell my mind was half-asleep! I had a nice breakkie in the lounge, and relaxed with the newspaper. This was the moment when it started to become reality that I was about to leave for a long time.
When the flight was called, I headed out of the lounge, but instead of heading back towards Duty Free, I headed straight to the Gate (hey-ho, didn’t use my allowance – silly moi!). The flight started boarding when I arrived, calling women and children first. As I was business (not because I was a women or child, mind you), went straight on to the plane. The Singapore A380 was not as nice as the one in Emirates, IMHO. Although the seating plane on the top-deck was 1, 2, 1 (so every seat had direct access to the aisle), I just felt the seats were too wide and actually weren’t that good in terms of the extras you get. Emirates although configured as a 2, 2, 2 set-up was actually ‘nicer’ in design and functionlity – and also privacy, and also offered a nice drinks rack per seat – AND the Emirates had a proper “sky-bar” which was amazing, versus a little “snack-bar” on Singapore!!
Singapore Airlines A380 Cabin Interior – Business Class:
Maybe I should have been cheeky and asked for an upgrade to the Suites during the check-in? Would that have been too much? Well if I did, and it succeeded, this is the level of comfort I would ahve received…
Singapore Airlines A380 Cabin Interior – Suites:
But the food and service was good, and I ended up sleeping the majority of the time – which was a huge bonus. It is always good arriving at a destination feeling quite refreshed and awake! Thanks Singapore Airlines…