A Short Sling - Lah | FindPenguins

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September 7, 2023
A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
DC is on his way
September 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Stupid o’clock flight but necessary to link with a BNE/SYD flight that hopefully works out so I can enjoy the Sydney First Lounge. Booked a reserved Uber as they are making a noise about the service. I booked it very early so if they stuff it up I can still cab it. Early night for a super day. Wonderful to be on iconic QF 1 to SIN - been awhile since I have been on an A380. Writing this the night before as I have effectively started my break as I worked from home this arvo and the close down was at my pace. A persistent drizzle (wet tropics after all) slowed beach time but my work was completed! Bring it on! (Photo from magical weekend)Read more
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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The journeyman
September 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
Well - the Uber Reserve worked very well. He was an early arrival in his Mercedes van and I was delivered to the airport in double quick time. While I was too early for most things the security was a breeze - 3 lanes open for 2 passengers! As I often say I don’t mind sitting in airports- I hate running in them! Boarded on time and treated myself to 2C in the BC. Arrived in Brisbane to a lovely day and a short transit. A delayed boarding due to weather issues in Sydney (oh oh) and a message from the captain to expect a bit of a fly around when we get to Sydney. He told us just before descent all was good and while we were a little late there would be no tours of Canberra! The (dreaded) transit to international was ok (it is 3rd world without the charm of Koh Samui) and the customs, security were negotiated quickly. Into my happy place quickly- Qantas First Lounge! Melbourne First is good but this is better. The whole airport feeling is exquisite. A few glasses of Champagne Pommery and then a beautiful lunch of Burrata and Salt and Pepper Squid and life is on track. What would Dawn and Graham say - what are the poor people doing? While it’s wonderful Kerry has decided to rejoin her work I am disappointed her plans of meeting in Singapore are not going to happen. Oh well - I well send pictures. While I write this I am informed QF1 is delayed 2 hours so I have to endure extra time in the lounge. I will post this when QF 1 arrives as I think it may be a bit late (11.20 SIN time) to get excited about adding to this when I arrive in the Lion City. As a PS - Qantas staff seem a bit chipper atm. I have huge respect for what Joyce achieved but he is not what a successful business needs in this now world. Update - the flight is now delayed an extra hour and now leaving at 18.00 - arriving Singapore after midnight. The hotel is fine with this as I suppose I am - having got up at 2.30 am. I will practice flight sleep! I did go for a wander and bought a Sydney stubby holder (Kerry will be surprised), a nice little day bag and a bottle of Champagne Jacquart for Singapore- I tried it at a recent tasting and loved it. The extra time in the lounge has given me the chance to also try Champagne Ayla which is 100% chardy- elegant but I will finish with my fave Pommery. A long post as it is a long day so my dinner in the lounge is included - not unhappy!!Read more
Traveler Love this too
9/8/23Reply
Traveler Yummy!
9/8/23Reply
TravelerNot a bad place to be stranded!
9/9/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
Lion City
September 9, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ 🌙 26 °C
Well - that was an exercise in delayed flight. 3 hours in the end but worse places to endure it. Finally on QF1 and while it is quite full (I asked re upgrades due to delay to no avail) I have scored with a spare seat beside me in a row of 3 - lux! The seating is more spacious than on a 777 so a good flight expected despite the post midnight arrival in Singapore. Amazing to think this aircraft probably sat in the Arizona desert for a couple of years during the ‘troubles’. They have hoovered all the sand up!! Cauliflower tikka masala for dinner with a magnum classic for dessert. Sleep well I hope? A few upset babies on board but I have decent nc ear buds!!
2.15am - arrived at hotel. A breeze getting through customs, the cab wasn’t ice cold so what’s not to like!Read more
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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A quiet day for me
September 9, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Got up at 6am - surprisingly rested after the 23 hours of travel yesterday. However not a lot of sleep - if any! After a reasonable run it was off to the Bersah Food Centre for the quintessential Singapore Breakfast - Kaya Toast and Kopi O. This is a ritual for me and I make no apologies!. It was as good as ever and the two old timers who run the show are still smashing it. I then did a bit of shopping at the amazing supermarket next door to the centre. I am staying in the similar area to usual but in a new hotel. A Mercure and they are looking after me! It is only a couple of blocks further away. Lots of yummy food options nearby which may be useful if the rain sets in. It started just after I got back! Not planning much today - Mr Merlion if the rain stops - but there are other days. I know I will be spending quality time at the pool!Read more
Traveler Was there slabs of butter?
9/9/23Reply
TravelerYes - they went straight to local rules this time for me. The coffee was also local strength
9/9/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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Rain rain - stayed away
September 9, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Well the rain settled so I found the nearest MRT station and headed to City Hall. Required a few changes but this is never an issue here. I chose City Hall so I could have a stroll through the city. This place is growing gangbusters - also the Grand Prix is a week or so away so lots of prep happening. Paid a visit to the shrine that is the Merlion. Looking absolutely splendid and always a treat. Caught a cab back to the Bersah Food Centre to have some oyster cakes and Tiger - didn’t disappoint! Back to the hotel and up to the pool - it really is very good but luckily shade wasn’t needed - will be a problem if the sun is bright. Down to the bar for my welcome drink and then I will head to my fave local restaurant Ming Chung - hasn’t been there for decades for no reason. It will be an early dinner and early night - Singapore, you have been a delight so far (ps loving the steamy clime!!)Read more
Traveler Great view
9/9/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
Intermission
September 9, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Last nights dinner and shop house eye candy
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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Sunday Lah
September 10, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Tried to sleep in but I am incapable- up at 6 and went for a longer run down along the Rochor Canal a bit. Back for a Kaya brekkie with my pals and, as it was a beautiful morning I took a wander through some of the surrounding streets to Jalan Besar - real old school Singapore. Then it was off to Newton Food Centre. On my visits here I always try to get some new food centres under my belt. Kerry and I came here on a very early visit and it was as underwhelming then as it is now - it was only just opening up which didn’t help. I did notice the beer was more expensive (proximity to Orchard St I guess). However the oyster omelette was superb- very authentic as was the grumpy bloke who cooked it! Back to the hotel with plans to pool, pool and more pool. However the drizzle set in. I had noticed a very authentic looking Bahn Mi station on the next corner and I was going to have that at poolside for lunch. However, the drizzle was a little persistent and I wasn’t going to have it the room so I took the paper down and had a relaxed lunch at the food centre. It was excellent and a perfect size - in fact really really good. I spotted a chicken rice stand there which may do for dinner (or a decent looking Char Kway Teow). Back to the room - the drizzle was hardly a thing so up to the pool where it tried to keep away- I find in the pool you are wet anyway. I am enjoying this hotel and the area is super so it will become the new HQ for future visits (May 24).Read more
Traveler Trooper!
9/10/23Reply
Traveler Wow!
9/11/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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Well in the swing of it now
September 11, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
The drizzle eased off by about 5pm in time for a balcony sundowner- balmy indeed. Good chicken rice for dinner - 5 steps away!
Traveler Looks good!
9/10/23Reply
Traveler My favourite when in Singapore
9/11/23Reply
Traveler Oh that looks good!
9/13/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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Catch up - travellers both
September 11, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Sandy was keen to meet up (Theo in conference for next few days) and my suggestion was Tiong Bahru - wonderful food centre and one she thought she hadn’t been to. A very unique market/food centre in an Art Deco paradise. I played tour guide and we wandered through the village streets- marvelling at the architecture and the serenity. I was successful in finding the little hidden ‘circus’ and we discovered some WW2 air raid shelters and learned the history. Back to the market for a feed. Not negotiable was the local icon snack Kueh to share. Sandy recognised the food and the stall and realised had been there before but had been oblivious to the surroundings #lookup. The kueh were delicious but we left room for another dish. We did a tour but our first choices all had massive lines. One of those Sandy decided on - a Michelin starred Lor Mee stand so off she went to do time in the line. I wanted Ayam Chicken but the line was even longer so I succumbed to fried carrot cake (black not white) - it was wonderful but I really should steer away from these oyster omelette/carrot cake stalls for every meal! Mine was served super quick and I had finished mine and a beer by the time Sandy reached the front of her line. I was glad I hadn’t had large sizes as I had plans for a second lunch at the pool! #greedy. Sandy arrived with her lor mee and it looked amazing. Smelled great and the taste was exquisite. Looked a reasonable size so Sandy was walking home to work it off. A good catch up in a world hub. I wandered back to the MRT and straight to Lavender (Happee Happee as the train announcer says!). Up to the pool to refresh and read some news. Then a quick dash downstairs for a Bahn Mi then back to the pool - it was still piping hot when I tucked in (just like that time in Saigon Kerry- the Bahn Mi Lady outside that grand hotel). Yummo ! The sky was blue and the sun warm - this is holiday heaven!Read more
Traveler Yummee
9/11/23Reply
Traveler Yummee
9/11/23Reply
Traveler Loved it
9/11/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
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One last fling but no sling
September 12, 2023 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Last day in the Lion City- so made sure I did good stuff. No Raffles for a Singapore Sling this trip. I will be heavily investing the kids inheritance next May when I have a birthday Tiffen there! When Sandy mentioned there was MRT right next door to Tiong Bahru FC I was quite surprised and unaware. Today I noticed a MRT at Maxwell so went there with one change at Outram. Emerged at Maxwell and the station was literally next door to the Food Centre - bigger surprise!! It must be a completely new line with new stations - excellent development! I was looking for a second breakfast and also to visit this super food centre. I was never going to fit in a congee (Kerry’s #1 stall) and the line was long as usual so hunted out roti prata curry chicken - it was the real deal. A quick venture into Chinatown (and quickly out) then back to the pool for last dip, beer and lounge before packing. Easy peasey train ride on the green line to Changi. Checked in already so printed a boarding pass and slipped through immigration. 2 other people in the passport control lines!! Found an i store outlet as I had left a charging plug in Sydney. I like to have two but the cheapest option at $92 SGD I left on the shelf! Tip to T&S - look for the Grey First Qantas lounge sign not the Black Business. Grey to the right, black to the left. Upstairs and into a different world. Last time I was here it was night so I didn’t notice there are windows - they do open up the feel. Champagne on free pour (my fave tonight Duval Leroy - always classy). Late lunch of black vinegar chilli prawn wontons - outstanding! The Taittinger Rose was odd - very dark but they confirmed it was the real deal. Back to Duval. Then an even odder gado gado - back to my lounge with an excellent cheese plate and a Torbreck old vine GSM. A wonderful way to ease out of a fave city and hope for a reasonable journey ahead - the flight looks chockers but I am set! Another super day on a cracking trip.Read more
Traveler I see what you mean about the colour of the tattinger. Weird.
9/13/23Reply
TravelerIt was sound - and she showed me the bottle but… not worth another glass
9/13/23Reply
Traveler I have had sensational Taittinger Rose - and this wasn’t one
9/13/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
Heading south
September 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
After a wonderful First Lounge experience we boarded on time. Seated and ready we were to go…. as we still were 2 hours later after 3 false starts. The engineers being called back each time. I haven’t had had too many issues recently but this trip has been fraught! Good job it has been a great trip. A bonus - the passenger next to me was moved to another seat further forward leaving me on my own - yay! Not a bad result for an otherwise full flight. I have no connection issues so - all good. I was writing this as we were going and - you wouldn’t believe it. Just as we were about to finally push back we had a medical emergency with the call for ‘any doctor on board’ to come forward. This is shaping to be a flight for the ages….. no aircon while all this was happening- lots of safety card fan action everywhere! Well - they carted the person off and now, 2 h 55 mins we are ready to push back. Well, of course - Air Traffic Control had to find us a space - another 20 mins. Indonesian airspace permissions apparently - Hard not to think we would have been halfway by now……. Updating as I go - we are now airborne and the cabin leader came up and wanted to apologise personally. I said I had no pressing issues that a glass of bubbly wouldn’t fix. She was obliging and promptly brought a glass of French from the forward cabin! Splendid- what delay?? The good wine flowed with delicious Dandelion Shiraz (in glass) with a light dinner - the crew was under enormous pressure but shone!! Arrived in BNE with no further issue. A beautiful if late morning here. Only a couple of hours transit rather than a number as expected - not a bad thing. Just heard on the news Qantas are again in a world of pain - 1700 staff illegally sacked. The new CEO will be wondering if taking the job was a good idea - at least the world will blame Joyce!Read more
TravelerThanks for the lounge tip!
9/13/23Reply
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A Short Sling - Lah Traveler
Last leg(s)
September 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C
The Cairns flight was also delayed due to the incoming flight being late. The on-time KPIs will be a bit bruised after all this. I haven’t had my customary whinge this trip so it’s time: BNE flights from gate 16 are not blessed with an air bridge so it’s down stairs - along the tarmac then up stairs. Not good for those who have carry on only! Just not good enough for a Cairns flight. I also had decided to get some duty free and of course that added to the degree of difficulty! Anyway - I survived and got to 2A intact. It is an Embraer 190 - a lovely aircraft that also has the bonus of a row of single seats in BC. I don’t often have window seat AND an aisle seat! The Lois sparkling by Lane winery (geddit?) is a classy fizz and has been a quality add to QF BC these last few months. Lunch was lovely moist chicken with a meaningless mound of quinoa- particularly unsuited to an aeroplane tray as the particles are quite mobile. We should let the South Americans who have it as a staple - keep it! Don’t start me on Australian grown cotton or rice………… I think I am tired!!!
Whinging done! I think we are over the top of Mackay so not far now. Here is the reef, now Fitzroy Island and now low over my village. I am home - it’s very windy but warm so not too much of a shock. Work tomorrow but my next trip is less than 3 weeks away so not an issue! Thanks for following, thanks for the catch up Sandy and a BIG thank you to the Lion City for being - well Singapore! A hard place to not love and I look forward to an even longer stay next MayRead more
TravelerFound my login! Agreed 100% with quinoa and Australian cotton and rice. Can’t have too much sympathy for your holiday being over when your “home” picture looks like paradise 😂
9/13/23Reply
TravelerWhere to next?
9/13/23Reply
TravelerPort Vila - early October
9/13/23Reply
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Trip end
September 14, 2023