NILE BLOG 02
Thursday September 27, 2012
I hope you appreciate my thoughtfulness. I know that some of you worry TERRIBLY about your loved-ones and friends when they’re adventuring overseas, so I’m firing off this quick news-flash to let you know that (i) they made it to Singapore last night in good shape (well, all sorts of shapes, to be honest) … (ii) they’ve had a great day in this amazing Asian metropolis … (iii) they’ve been behaving (well, most of them, at least as far as I’m aware) … and (iii) they’re not even one tiny bit homesick.
Those of you who NEVER worry about your travelling loved-ones and friends (and in fact are GLAD to see the back of them for a few weeks) should be ashamed of yourselves – but we’ll deal with you later.
Right now, I regret to say, there’s no time for idle chat. We’ve got a group to meet and a plane to catch and a cruise to enjoy. TWO cruises, actually. But I can tell you, truthfully, that our Mad Midlife Kiwis have spent today swarming all over Singapore (an island-of-four-million-people – crammed into an area the size of Lake Taupo) and having the time of their lives!
Robyn and I (for our part) are already delighted with the group. There are 36 of us here in Singapore … another 13 will waiting for us in Greece when we arrive tomorrow … and all but 8 of the total 49 have travelled with us on Mad Midlife tours in the past. So, thus far, it’s kinda like a noisy reunion!
And what have they been up to in Singapore, you ask? Well, some have been shopping in Orchard Road … some have been sampan-riding down the Singapore River … some have visited Little India and Chinatown (the colourful Lantern Festival is in full swing this week) … some have explored the gorgeous National Orchid Gardens and the spectacular, just-opened Bay South Gardens (featuring giant artificial super-trees, a 35-metre man-made mountain and waterfall, a 22-metre skyway, and trees/flowers/plants galore) … some have grabbed an up-high view aboard the Singapore Flyer (a giant ferris-wheel) … some may have gone to the exceptional Jurong Bird Park … and some (I’m sure) have sat down to English High Tea or a ‘Singapore Sling’ at the famous Raffles Hotel.
Anyway, that’s it for now. Gotta fly (literally). So catch you later.
PEOPLE NEWS:
These Mad Midlife Kiwis have lost no time qualifying for our hotly sought-after Quacky Ducks:
• Before we’d even left Auckland International Airport, Sandra had picked up the ‘Senior Moment Award’ – for walking out of our meet-and-greet briefing in the Marlborough Room and leaving behind her bag containing nothing important: just her passport, documents and diamonds!
• John (not me, the other one) walked away … no, make that RAN away … with the ‘Can’t Wait To Get To Bed Award’ – for leaving his bag alone and unattended in the hotel lobby when we arrived in Singapore last night!
TOMORROW:
We arrive in Athens (Greece) in time for breakfast and a city-tour that should include our first glimpse of the Acropolis, crowned by the iconic Parthenon: birthplace of western civilisation.
Yours bloggedly – JOHN
P.S. If you want to leave a message for someone in our group, just click on the little speech bubble at the top of this page, and add your ‘COMMENTS’! Make sure you say who it’s for and who it’s from – and keep it brief.
John & Robyn,
Thinking of you…..wow, what a crew! Pace yourselves dear friends….how long is this tour? When we read the itinerary, we get tired, but what a fantastic time you’ll have. Luv, The Muggs
Mary Burtkhardt
Ya, kids are on school holidays. Abby was great doing her Kapahaka in school assemble today.
The weather here is back to rain oh joy. Look forward to reading your adventures.
Take care. Love Viggo and Family
For Norman and Carole, just watching the Ryder cup, ‘eat your hearts out’, thinking of you, have a great time and try to behave yourselves, keep in touch Ernest and Shirley
John & Robyn – Hi granny & grandad. I’m with nana trisha. I get my goat today. I’m trying to win a colouring in competition. Love Paris and nana. xxoo
For Norman and Carole,
Hope you are having a great time. Dad – thought you might like to know the ABs beat Argentina 54 vs 15. SA beat Aussie.Tottenham beat Man United 3 vs 2 and USA are 10 vs 6 up in the Ryder Cup!!!! All well here – reached 21 degrees in sunny HB today. No way near wot you will experience in Aswan/Petra!!!! LOL Suzanna
For Jean and Greg,
House hasn’t burnt down yet.
Don’t forget if the Oracle gives you a prophecy there is no escaping it! Just ask Oedipus.
Rebecca
(ssshhh… don’t tell Jean and Greg I told you).
It’s my parents thirty something wedding anniversary on the 20th. No doubt they will forget but hopefully you will remind them.