The big day finally arrived and after spending a couple of days with my sister and meeting my niece Emma’s new baby, Addison Rose, I enjoyed a farewell beer at the International Terminal (I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a beer more) and boarded my Qantas flight for Singapore.
I found myself seated next to a lovely British lady and confessed to her this was my life long dream to travel to the UK and I was doing it before I got too old and decrepit! So when the lovely hosties came along and we asked for a glass of fizzy to celebrate, she mentioned the reason to them and next thing you know we were approached by all the hosties and presented with a Qantas package consisting of pajamas as well as all sorts of other Qantas collectibles. Seven hours is a long time to sit still on a plane however after getting part way through an audio book I fell asleep and before I knew we were landing in Singapore. The lovely British lady had time to spare before her connecting flight so helped me navigate my way out of the huge Changi Airport.
Arriving at the Dusit Thani Lagoon Hotel I was met by the legendary porter Manda, who has won some sort of kindness award in Singapore, I later discovered. He was as excited as I was to show me my room on the fifth floor. It was not quite dark and when I looked out the window I was surprised to see the room overlooking a huge sparkling swimming pool and a golf course stretching as far as the eye could see, except to the far right what looked like the harbour with large ships afloat.
My three days in Singapore went very quickly. I am told it is the safest and cleanest city in the world and I certainly felt safe wandering around exploring. I visited the Tibetan Tooth Temple and participated in a meditation class with a tour guide I had found on Just Locals. I then went on the visit the famous Raffles Hotel and was shocked when I arrived to discover a long queue to get in. I chatted to others in the queue and it was soon time to go in. It was a beautiful building and I enjoyed their equally famous Gin Sling. Just one, mind, since it was the equivalent of 38 Aussie dollars!! I also explored old China Town until my feet were worn out. The food was wonderful and cheap as well. I came across a sign saying Please do not feed the pigeons – fines for feeding the pigeons are $10,000.00. So I didn’t feed the pigeons!
In the immigration line I got chatting to a man from Lismore who asked where I was from. Oh, you won’t know the place but I live, a small place called Glenlyon Dam, out near Texas. He replied that he went fishing at Glenlyon Dam every year! Really! I mean, I have spoken to people in Stanthorpe who have never heard of Glenlyon Dam and here I am in Singapore meeting one that goes fishing there.
I was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for the restaurant to open when I noticed a man wearing a slouch hat. I said g’day. I was wearing my Akubra. He grinned and asked if I would like to see his birthmark. As I contemplated this question he rolled up his sleeve and revealed a map of Australia. He said, “I came out to Singapore on a month contract 27 years ago and loved it so much I never went back. Until now. Singapore is too expensive to retire in so I am heading back home.”
Soon it was time to say goodbye to Singapore. My onward flight to Heathrow was with Emirates via Dubai. I had to disembark at Dubai and change planes at midnight. I was a bit nervous about finding my way around Dubai Airport but I figured as we landed and Gate 16 and the connecting flight departed from Gate 13, it shouldn’t be to far to walk or find. I came into the arrivals hall and was standing dumbfounded at the magnitude of what I could see in front of me when a lady approached me and asked where I was off to. She hailed down a people-mover to take me to my gate. We kept going, and going, and going – the airport appeared to me to be the biggest shopping centre in the world! After about fifteen minutes we were dropped off as the people-mover couldn’t go up the escalator to the next level. From there the signs were easy to follow but it was another ten minute walk.
The flight from Dubai to London took forever. By the time we landed it was nearly 24 hours after I had arrived to check in at Singapore airport and my watch told me I had had one and a half hour’s sleep! From Heathrow Airport it was easy to find my way to the tube – the train line map was exactly like the monopoly game – Park Lane, Mayfair, Piccadilly Circus, etc etc. From the tube I had decided to get on one of the tourist Big Buses as I couldn’t check in to my accommodation until 3pm and it was only 8am at this time! To get from the tube to the Big Bus was no easy feat however as the tube is underground and there were a lot of steps to the above ground bus. The sign advised no lift at this station! Talk about not disability friendly!
I had two heavy suitcases so I stood at the bottom of the stairs wondering what to do, but within seconds two lovely men asked if I needed a hand and carried the bags up for me. I was to strike this kindness of Londoners many more times before the day was over. I think it helped that I was wearing my Akubra with kangaroos and emus on it, that was my saving grace. I was surprised at the number of people who asked which country I was from though, despite the blatantly obvious hat.
Finding trains and buses to my accommodation was no easy task but I finally arrived only to be confronted with four flights of very steep stairs up to my room, on the top floor of course! Once again an act of kindness from a stranger saw my bags arrive outside my door. I was fairly exhausted at this stage but my sleep was restless, punctuated by the constant sounds of sirens throughout the night and into the early dawn. I went for a wander down the street, surprised to see many shops long barricaded shut and rubbish everywhere.
I later discovered I was staying on the notorious Murder Mile in the Upper and Lower Clapton Road of Hackney in east London and, although that was in the past, taking place in the early 2000s, the television news that night (the one and only time I turned on the TV) told of a murder on the street the day before I arrived! Despite these daunting facts I did feel quite safe there due to the large number of people walking around.
Living next door to Alice. I had chosen my accommodation in London as it was just down the road from Alice, who had helped on the farm during that awful drought in 2020. Alice was working on Friday and sent me a list of places to visit during the day which included Abney Park Cemetery at Stoke Newington. It covers 32 acres, including the park and dates back to just before 1700. It is a huge cemetery set in the woods, paths have been cleared for visitors but the rest of it is left to nature, notably stinging nettles. It was a beautiful peaceful place though. I visited St Mary’s Church opposite the park which was amazing.
That night Alice and I went for a walk through the Hackney Marshes, along a canal filled with houseboats on which I spotted a rescued pet meat chicken! We dined at the Princess of Wales Hotel overlooking the River Lea and it was 9pm by the time we strolled home. Alice said it was safe this early in the evening providing we kept to the well lit areas. I had walked sixteen and a half kilometres that day. The sirens continued throughout the night. The next day, Saturday, saw us back at Stoke Newington where we visited a flea market and several historic pubs.
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. I had not seen rain since my arrival in London. I bounced the suitcases down the four flights of stairs and so began my journey to see Tom, Lottie and family in Kent.
To be continued…
