Bangkok again with Singapore and Batam.

[drron]

Today starts our next trip. If things were normal we would be off to Japan but things are different. So this time Singapore and Batam before heading to Bangkok. Then we are coming home via Darwin.
Things started well with our pick up at 0930 to be taken to MCY. But as our car left us at MCY an SMS from VA saying our flight was delayed an hour.

Then going through the scanner here the usual happened. My groin area was showing up especially a little bit in the middle. The fellow obviously had the hand held device turned up as where ever he went it beeped So adjustment made and everything fine. In the middle of this the general alarm sounded with flashing red lights. A tradie tried to go through with his tool belt on.

Finally seated and having our first coffee.
We spend the first 3 days in Sydney seeing our grandchildren. Starting tonight at Enbu in Bondi Junction. We will be staying at the Meriton again.

Then comes our first flight on an SQ 380 in J. Previously we had traveled in F on the 380. First night at the CP then 4 nights at the IC at Bugis
Then the fast ferry to Batam with 5 nights at the HI resort. If it is reasonable then in the future it will be the place for a mattress run as we. are paying the exorbitant amount of $A 50 a night.

Then to Bangkok via Singapore for 5 nights. No awards back to BNE except an overnight flight so back via DRW staying there a few days visiting Moorish. And finally to BNE on VA.
All flights are VA awards.

 

[tgh]

Safe travels…..don't hire a car...

 

[drron]

Well a hard first day. As I have reported in the General Medical threads I have worsening mobility problems this year. Until friday I was walking much better and looked forward to this trip. But reverted to 2 bad days over the weekend. unfortunately worse today. But I can get relief by having a carryon in front and pushing it just like my experience with supermarket trolleys. Unfortunately my carry on has a mind of it's own so we have had to swap much to the annoyment of Mrsdrron.
Next was yet another SMS from VA further delaying our flight making a 1.5 hour delay. Well we had nothing better to do. but no time made up and instead of landing at 1250 it was at 1435. The flight was straightforward but was a virtually full flight with the Giants Netball team onboard. We now on these Y flights sit across the aisle from each other. We were in row7 and Mrsdrron had the only vacant seat in the first 7 rows next to her.
The only problem I had getting from the plane to the train was that you can't push a bag in front of you over carpet or the metal strips they have around the escalators.

Also a problem with our Opal cards. Logged in to our accounts to top them up only to find no linked cards. Inputting the card numbers got a message Not a Valid Card. Attempted to send feedback via the website but despite hitting submit several times it wouldn't submit it.

Hopefully dinner will take my mind off the problems.

 

[Seat0B]

Seeing your grandkids will cheer you up

 

[markis10]

Ditch the Opal and just use a debit card, hope you packed the aero guard for Batam. The Hi is old but one of the better locales on the island. Last time I went they wouldn’t take card for VOA and I was escorted to a landslide ATM to get cash, despite Govt website saying card OK, welcome to Indo!

 

[drron]

Ditch the Opal and just use a debit card, hope you packed the aero guard for Batam. The Hi is old but one of the better locales on the island. Last time I went they wouldn’t take card for VOA and I was escorted to a landslide ATM to get cash, despite Govt website saying card OK, welcome to Indo!

But we have the interstate seniors gold opal card so discounted trips.Not a huge problem just need to top up at a machine.
But NSW Transport suggest nothing has changed from the Yes Minister days.

Also happier after a lovely meal at Enbu Yakiniku fortunately just a short walk from the Meriton.

 

[drron]

So Monday arrives and because we were flying out of MCY it was not an OMG departure. Picked up by our driver at 0930 for the short trip to the airport. Once again we were hand carry only. The 2 bags were 7.4 and 7.3kg for the 3 week trip.
We had checked in online so headed straight to security. The scanner at MCY has a problem with me. Something shows up in my groi with the brightest red in the centre. So a pat down of my groin. He couldn’t feel anything!
Then a wanding. He had it way too sensitive as it beeped from my umbilicus to my feet when the metal is only in my right knee.

We then had a cappuccino but got an SMS from VA that the plane was an hour late. A little while later it was 1.5 hours late. So instead of being the only aircraft leaving between 11 and noon we were 1 of 4 within 20 minutes of each other. The place was jammed.

There were a lot of tall young ladies in uniform. Turned out to be the Giants Netball team who had been beaten by the Lightning. They were on our flight and the team were all in rows 3 to 6. The hangers on were down the back. We were row7 across the aisle from each other.
The pilot said we were late as the PER flight had gone tech so our original plane went there and we had to wait for a new plane and some crew.

An uneventful flight and finally arrived to a wet and dismal Sydney.
Off the plane and my leg’s were useless. But I knew no matter how much pain I had using a supermarket trolley relieved it. So pushing the carry on whilst not as good as a trolley let me get around.
So down to the train and of to Bondi Junction and the Meriton.

 

[drron]

We like the Meriton but it is certainly a different beast to chain hotels. This is our third stay and each stay we are on a lower floor and a smaller unit. That said they are still better than the average hotel room and for us the position can't be beaten.Some reasonable restaurants near by and quite a few others a short bus ride away. Our son lives just a 10 minute ride on the 389 bus away. And the ease of getting to and from the airport is great. So we save quite a bit as we really don't need to hire a car.

Unpacked and then headed out about 6.30pm for a 7 o'clock dinner with our son. The restaurant was Enbu Yakiniku and we love it. Normally have all the grandkids and our niece but the grandkids all in the middle of exams and our niece is in the Balkans. So just the 3 of us. Non stop talking and a lovely meal with a lot of different Waygu beef cuts plus pork belly , veggies and tempura prawns. Best of all the staff know us well. On the last 2 occasions I have rung to make a booking they ask my name and as soon a Ron comes out of my mouth it is oh drron.

Back to the Meriton and slept well.
Tuesday I really didn't feel like walking so a very quiet day and about 4pm caught the 389 bus to Paddington. Good to see the grandkids and our DIL.She is wonderful. For dinner we went up to Fiveways to Christos which is basically a pizza place. We were with our son and youngest granddaughter. We decided on a change from pizza and I had Moussaka and Mrsdrron fettucine with prawns.




Let's just say next time we will go back to the pizza.