Es ist kalt!!!!!!!

5 weeks away … went past in a flash.
It was exactly what imagined it would be. It was what i signed up for. The stopovers in Singapore and Bangkok were also worth the extra time, been there, seen them. Tick. Also the few days extra before and after the organised part, were also worth it. Akaroa und Kiakoura, I would do it exactly the same again.
Fritz was also a good room mate, as we both agreed, it could have been worse!!!!

The flying.
Airbus A 340, A380, Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 777.
Qantas win hands down. Better seats, friendlier personal, better food, better entertainment, minus point plastic cutlery!
Every meal was without exception, I think, chicken from Cajun art to Sri Lanka curry style and every style in between.

Cycling.
Bike route total 716 km
Bus route total 2802 km

The group.
Jochen and Susanne
Fritz
Bernd and Petra
Michael and Kathrina
Frank
Hanne

The driver.
Klaus Rexer

Organisation
Nature Trailz

The route

I’m sitting at Singapore Airport.
I’m not really in the mood to write something, I will try to do so on the flight to Dubai.

In the meantime here a few impressions from today.

I’ve made it to Dubai and with nearly 2 hours to kill before my flight to Düsseldorf.

Yesterday from the beginning … Because my flight wasn’t until 0.30, I didn’t get up until after 9, before going down for Breakfast.
Then packed my stuff and left the hotel at 11.15. Now the fun starts, I headed for the airport, I could have taken a Taxi but that was too easy. Instead I headed to the nearest train station at Burgis 300 meters away and took the direct train to the airport a 40 minute journey for a mere 2.20 Singapore Dollar, ca 1 Euro!! There I deposited my bags at the left luggage. And I then headed back to the city direct to Chinatown. Perfect! bags are at the airport and I have the day with no hassles.
Singapore was HOT!! Uncomfortably Hot!! Too Hot!!
The Chinese New Year celebrations start tomorrow, everything was in red, judging in the decorations it must be the Year of the Horse. Sadly I didn’t venture to buying anything from the streetvendors, I didn’t fancy the long flight home on a dodgy stomach.
After absorbing the sites, sounds, colours and the people.
Next and final port of call was the Marina Sands and the Skyview up on the 56 floor of the said hotel. On the way there I spent a good hour watching a funk band the Fungkimunkeeys, doing a soundcheck for an outdoor concert later at night.
Yet again these large luxury hotels have an ajoining shopping mall or it should be palace or palast!!! this one had also an indoor Ice Rink though it didn’t seem in operation.
I must have spent a good 3 hours looking at Singapore from above as the sunset and the lights going on.
At 20.00 I came down and headed for the airport. I retrieved my luggage and checked in.

Enroute to Düsseldorf and yet again I’ve a window seat and this time it was daylight, I could see something. For example the tallest building in Dubai, flying directly over it, or the snow capped mountains in Turkey, I forget it’s winter in the northern hemisphere ;-). Or over Vienna. Instead ofwatching films, most of the time since singapore has been listening to various LPs or individual tracks. Al Green or the chill music of Daft Punk which was being played last night at the Skyview.

After breakfast I ventured out in to Singapore. I was out fairly early, about 8.15, it had been raining recently and it was very sticky.. Headed down to Clarkes Quay by way of Fort Canning on foot there was hardly anyone on the streets, well not where I was.
Got on a River Taxi had the boat as my own for 3 Dollar and ended up at Merlion, then after the sightseeing bit the headed on to do shome shopping, I took the MRT to Orchard Road, Shopping Mall after Shopping Mall.

After a few hours and buying a few things, headed to the hotel and rest up before heading to Little India. Little India is exactly what it is although a lot cleaner as the real India and there where no cows but the sounds and the smells where the same.

By this time it was getting dark so it was time to head down to Merlion once again.

Back then to the hotel and my bed, the next time I’ll be sleeping in my bed. But a lot will happen till that happens. A few logistical problems have to be mastered … I have to check out of the hotel by 12.00 but my flight home does not leave till 0.30.
Find out tomorrow but then again it maybe the day after tomorrow on what I do and how I get on, in what just my be the last installment of rogerdownunder!!

Hot and steamy.

I had breakfast early. The best breakfast coffee since the beginning ot this trip … it was nearly always instant coffee up till now.
One curiosity at the breakfast buffett – FISH PORRIGE!! No I didn’t try it.

Flying with Qantas!
The flight to Singapore was quite uneventful. A 747 but fairly new.
Yet again i had a window seat, as I had this morning.
On the whole Qantas seemed to better than Emirates,

The food was better, I felt that I had more leg room, the seats were much comfortable and the inflight entertainment was also much better. A whole stack of films like Braveheart, The Godfather and my all time favourite American Graffiti. Or you could compile your own playlist iTunes style from a wide choice, Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa, Daftpunk to Van Morrison even Morecombe and Wise to Hancocks Half Hour.

It is HOT!!!! In Singapore

The Bus Shuttle arrived on time to the minute! Within 15 Min. bus had arrived at the airport and a further 5 Minutes later I had checked in. For some reason I had 6 kg more than coming … for 3 T-Shirts????

Going through Customs was a strange experience. It was automated. First I had to go to a machine and lay my open passport on a scanner, answer a few questions about any cash carried. Then it produced a ticket, with pass and ticket you went to another machine, push the ticket in a slot, stare straight ahead while a camera in front of me scanned my face, I assume, after a few seconds a screen told me I could progress.
The aircraft to Brisbane is a 737 and it is not quiet full, the odd seat is empty.

On entry to Australia, I was one of only a few chosen at random to go through a body scanner. I had to step into a round glass case, feet positioned about 50 cm apart, hands held high and stay stationary for 3 secs.!!

My last day in New Zealand. The weather forecast was for another fine day. Blue skies and warm. What to do? Hobbiton Movie Set, Day tour to Bay of Islands, Bungy jumping from the Sky Tower, Zoo, Sea Life, Wine Tasting. instead I went to Tiritiri Matangi, an isolated Island of the coast, a 75 min cruise and a guided tour about the birds and also the flora. departure was at 9 and back at 5 … a day trip.
Some last minute shopping … 3 T-Shirts black ones of course. then Fritz and I went for a meal this time in a French Restaurant.
Bags are now packed, its 22.36, pickup is at 3.50 and the flight to Singapore via Brisbane is at 6.50.

Goodnight

My first complete free day since Kiakoura. After breakfast I headed downtown along Queen Street to the harbour area there I wanted for find out the times of the boat across the bay to Devonport … every 30 min on the hour takes 12 min and costs 11 Dollar return.
Then went to the Maritime Museum and spent nearly 2 hours in there and even then I did’t have time to see everything. Moari early boats, Immigrants tales of getting here, Coastal boats, Whaling, Sir Peter Blake and the Americas Cup.
Then went over to Devonport to meet Birgitta and Peter and their two children, Matilda and Antonia. Had coffee and a good chat while the children went swimming, then went up to the top of Mount Victoria for a few photographs with a Waxmann Bag. The weather today was super, not a cloud in the sky.
Came back to the city and went to the Viaduct area. Found a super restaurant with free WiFi … see the previous entry!

Went back to the hotel not before doing some shopping … Strawberry Cheesecake and Ginger Beer!!!

Hi Gang,

Sitting in the Jack Tar Restaurant on the North Wharf in Auckland eating Fish and Chips and drinking Macs Gold Beer.
Thanks for all the comments and best wishes on my birthday. Much appreciated!