DANUBE and RHINE BLOG 02
Tuesday May 28, 2013
I wouldn’t normally bother with a blog-entry this early into a tour. I mean, it was only a few hours ago (well, a day and a bit) that we left home. But (i) knowing that some of you have nothing better to do than read these pointless jottings … and (ii) suspecting that some of you worry about your friends and rellies who are travelling with us … and (iii) realising that you probably won’t rest-easy until you know your loved ones are safe … I felt I should update you.
(Another possible reason if that I’m currently sitting with Mrs Cooney in Singapore’s fabulous Changi Airport. Our flight doesn’t leave for another three hours. Our Kiwi mad-midlifers are spread out all over Terminal 3, eating, drinking and shopping I imagine. But I’ve been there, done that, and finished my pizza – and I’m now feeling sleep-deprived and bored-out-of-my-tiny-mind.
So, let’s see – what can I tell you?
Well, to be honest, not a lot. Except that we arrived last night in this Asian showpiece-city (after an uneventful 10 hours in the air) … were duly delivered to the lovely Swissotel Merchant Court (near the brilliantly-lit-up Clarke Quay)… where we slept like babies(?) in our big welcoming beds.
Following a modest Weight-Watchers breakfast (not!), our group members went their various ways – spending up large in Orchard Road’s famous shops … riding sampans down the Singapore River … exploring the ultra-modern Gardens By The Bay or the spectacular National Orchid Gardens … grabbing some up-high views aboard the Singapore Flyer (a giant ferris-wheel) … visiting Haw Par Villa or Chinatown or Little India … catching a taxi to the legendary Raffles Hotel, in search of English High Tea or a ‘Singapore Sling’ … snoozing in their rooms, or splashing in the pool, or sitting at the bar and feeling homesick (yeah, right!).
Later tonight, we’ll commence the second leg of our grand journey, jetting our way across Asia and Europe for 14 tedious hours to Amsterdam, Holland – where our elegant river-boat, the Amadeus Princess, lies warming up, waiting to take us cruising on the Rhine and Danube.
Anyway, that’s enough for now – don’t you agree?
Yours bloggedly – JOHN
PS: Do you like this cool photo of Singapore? I snapped it tonight out the back of our coach on the way to the Airport. (And if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!)
PPS: 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.
To Grandma Wylie (Helen) .Sound like lots of fun, guess what grandma, it snowed and we got a day off school. Good thing you left when you did as you might not have got to the airport. can you please send me a photo from Holly and Ella
To Helen Wylie. Hope you had a nice time in Singapore and now coping with jet lag in the Netherlands. The Perth family all fine
Coons … We can honestly say for once that we are not GREEN with envy and wish we were with you .. ha ha ha. Glad you made it safely!!! We are in San Diego now .. really like this city .. very nice. Only 3 days and we are off … YUCK!! Am not thinking about anything but enjoying them .. well trying not to anyway. Love you guys .. Love the pic .. and love hearing your news. Enjoy .. have a blast and eat up large so you come back as big as me 🙂 Big hugz .. Kerkys xxxx
Hi John and Robyn. Yep must say I am jealous and would rather be in the lovely warmth of Singapore than the freezing cold here in Hamilton….yay but I have Lauren here for a week to keep me happy so this is where I will stay!!! Have an awesome time, stay well and visit the Christmas shops for me!! We look forward to keeping up with the blogs xx Wayne and Donna
Hi mum (Gay Hardie) Happy Birthday! – well it’s the 30th here today so hopefully when you get this message it will also be the 30th. Have a fabulous day – enjoy every minute of it. We love you lots – Rach, Todd and Belah xxxooo
Hi Gay Hardie. Happy Birthday – hope you are having (or will have) an awesome day.
Lots of love, Colleen and Bruce
Dear Grandma Helen McKenzie,
Mia and Frankie hope you enjoy your trip, we’re imagining you spending up large on Orchard Rd. We are following the story of your trip with lots of interest and chat. Will keep in touch.
Love you and all the best and lots of smiles Julie, Mia and Frankie xxxxxoooxxxooooo
Hi Mum (Gay Hardie) Happy Birthday for the 30th, hope you had a great day. Had a good time in Tampa and at Disney, not a relaxing holiday though. 1st day of hurricane season and on queue, it has not stopped raining!. Hope you are having a great time. LV Cayman Hardie’s