China 2019 Day 2 May7th - Singapore

Well that was a very good sleep after a long day. First thing down to brekky at the Mecure Singapore Bugis where we are staying. Had a lovely freshly made omelette with a little bacon and them some gorgeous pineapple ( much sweeter than at home, how's that happen?). Tried to obtain a soy latte but that was an issue as they had dairy soy but no non dairy soy?? Oh well espresso then.
It was then over the road to the Bugis centre to grab a decent coffee ( regular was the size of a bucket, thought it was expensive at $6.90 $S and now know why) and some electrolyte tablets before we hit the MRT to Chinatown.
Had a great walk around for a couple of hours looking at the architecture and sights including the Hindu temple and the magnificent Buddha Tooth relic temple (photos below) which also included an excellent museum on the history of Buddha.
It was then time for a little lunch and we settled on a small place in Smith street, offering "Manchurian food". Excellent Peppered beef noodles for me and Seafood noodles for Jane with a beer for each of course. Was an excellent meal and then on to the Chinatown Heritage Museum which was well worth the visit and certainly got us out of the heat for a while. It was even better that they had set up a bit of ironing for Jane to do while she was there; so considerate. The Electrolyte tablets were a great idea in this humidity and  Iwould highly recommend travelling with them.
It was then back to the hotel via some shops to get me some swimming togs ( which seemed to take an eternity) and then into the endless pool on the 7th floor for a cool refreshing dip.
I then did a bit of relaxing (blogging) in the room while Jane went off to shop for an hour. She got back and showed me a top which had a hole in it, so back to exchange; lets just say she wasn't happy ;-)
By now late in the day so we set off to the Fullerton Hotel to watch the light show from the rooftop bar. We stopped at some Mexican place on the way for a light meal and a beer before the walk to the Fullerton. We were absolutely dripping by the time we got there, just after 8pm so it was drinks all round and just sitting admiring the fantastic view of the marina and the BaySands building. We stayed for the 9pm light show and then headed back to the hotel via the MRT for a well deserved sleep.  The MRT is so cheap and easy to use, really wonder why we are soooo behind in Australia with transportation. Day 2 over and many more to come.

China 2019 Day 1, May 6th Brisbane to Singapore

Well after 6.30am pick up by our driver ( Thanks Suzanne) it was an easy check-in and then a leisurely time spent in the Singapore Air lounge before boarding SQ256 to Singapore. We had two of the aisle seats and I got to sit next to what appeared to be a late aged female "monk" who spoke not a word of English. In fact,safe to say NOT a word of any language that the numerous air attendants tried. She just sat back and smiled at anything anyone said to her and tried vainly to operate the in flight entertainment ( with my helpful assistance I might add). Even going through all the languages available got nowhere, but I must say a delight to sit next to and would not complain if I was lucky enough to get her again, let me say had a LOT worse.
Arrived in Singapore late arvo and after using the extremely efficient MRT to get to Bugis station, only a 2 block walk to the Mecure Singapore Bugis; great choice Suzanne (again).Booked in and then as usual OFF WE GO, no time to sit around I say.
Walked past Chimj and the Gate of hope (where families left babies for care or adoption with the sisters of Mercy) before finding a restaurant/bar near the Marina to settle down for a beer and a couple of tapas before heading off again to do a full circle of the Marina.
Lovely spot and a great time to be there at sunset with the changing light. Observed the light show but decide to do the rooftop bar tomorrow night when a little fresher. Finally back to the hotel after 13,000 steps and about 8 km around 9.30 pm (11.30pm out time), grabbing a cold beer at the 7eleven across the road.
God that bed felt good and really looking forward to a great day at the gardens or Chinatown  tomorrow.

India Day 13 - Delhi and home to Brisbane

This morning set the alarm for 7.30 as after breakfast we want to head to the Red Fort before returning to check out at midday. Lovely pancakes for me (after healthy fruit salad) and waffles for Isabel. Beautiful hot shower again this morning, soooo good after the last fortnight; it's the little things.
We grabbed a taxi from out front after a quick photo opportunity with the Sihk doorman for Isabel and headed straight to the Fort. Once we found the right gate, inside and exploring. Great place with an eclectic collection of buildings from the Mughal to the British and is an important site in relation to the first indian uprising in the 1850's. Like so many sites and monuments it is in a sorry state of disrepair or patched up. The opportunity in India for fantastic sites is so evident without resorting to Disney and there is certainly no lack of manpower available. Spent a couple of hours here before grabbing our last tuktuk ride back to The Claridges hotel to check out and then relax in the lobby with a coffee and a gorgeous chocolate truffle cake, yummy O:-).
We had booked an airport transfer through the travel agent before leaving and this was worth it. Nice taxi, guide through to customs, a very good indulgent experience. Once through it was some lunch, still vego, before relaxing on the reclining chairs awaiting our departure on Jet Airways to Abu Dhabi at 5.55pm. Hopefully no delays as it has been very foggy / smoggy today and we only have 70 minutes between landing and next flight to Brisbane in Abu Dhabi, fingers crossed.
Ok so it's now 7pm and we are just starting to taxi from gate 11B, 65 minutes late. Not looking good for the connection in Abu Dhabi, we will just have to wait and see.
Oh dear not a good start to the flight, Isabel has started vomiting and I'm not feeling well myself, hoping it wasn't that pizza we had at the airport. Well Isabel has stopped and now I've started, not good. Got to Abu Dhabi and we've missed the connection. Etihad are good and we have vouchers for accommodation, transfers and food ( not that we need food). Finally get to the hotel around 11 and hit the sack for a very uncomfortable sleep.
Finally get up around 9 and grab a taxi to a pharmacy to grab some more Imodium and electrolyte as running low (not the only thing running) before returning to the room to sleep and eat till our 7pm transfer. Thank God always carry spare undies and socks in carry on.
Get to airport and all good, wish I could say the same about myself, Isabel much better and holding everything together. Almost called a stop to getting onto the flight but persevered and we are on our way. More sporadic sleep and with 10 hours gone and 4 hours left feeling a hell of a lot better. Can only guess food poisoning as we find out later at least another 6 from our group suffered the same fate in a similar time frame.
Landed and Jane was there to pick us up. Finally home and the end of a fantastic adventure, made all the more memorable by being able to share with my beautiful daughter Isabel, thank you.