Arriving in Seattle.

I’m not sure I want to do a 14 hour flight again or soon anyway. Nothing like having the meal an hour into the flight, watched a long movie only to realise there was still 8 hours to go! I was comfortable enough but had trouble sleeping again so arrived in Seattle a little shattered. Yet again Singapore Airlines proved their efficiency as there was a wheelchair waiting for me as I stepped off the plane. He took me to collect my luggage and then onto customs and passport control. Must have been quite a sight - me in the wheelchair pushing the luggage cart and him pushing me. After all my worries about my visa, the customs officer only mentioned it once and then moved on. The official was more concerned by the fact that the machine could not read my fingerprints - 4-5 attempts before he was satisfied. My porter (.?) was convinced he knew there were hotel shuttles operating in one of the huge car parks so wanted to wheel me around until he found them. I stopped this, and found a taxi in 2 minutes to get to the hotel.
The hotel is good. Given our exchange rate, nothing is cheap here - dinner tonight (two courses, 2 glasses of wine and a cup of tea) cost $101 US plus the dreaded tip. From the time I landed until I stepped into my room at the hotel I had paid out nearly $40 US in tips!!!! My final drama for the day - a very very long Sunday - was discovering that the charger I have for the US didn’t fit. The hotel couldn’t find one that would but they could sell one from their store!
The hotel also has a great collection of Chihuly and other glassware.Read more