India, Africa and Asia.

drron · Thursday at 2:17 PM

We are currently sitting in the SKL in BNE. At times I thought that it was never going to happen. Many reasons but mainly worrying about Mrsdrron. Ever since returning home in early October she has been unwell. No energy or appetite. Lost 3kg. Then began sweating and the last week severe night sweats. Bloods were normal but had problems organising a CT scan. They kept putting it off. Finally done 3pm yesterday.
A sigh of relief when it showed acute diverticulitis.

I was also having problems doing enough. When I return from this trip a gardener will be sought.

On top of this the accountant wanted to submit our tax returns this month. Nearly all done but has relented.

So to. the trip. All flights are J awards apart from Airlink into Kruger.
Will be staying at 4ICs all on points. Plus suite nights awards in Singapore and Mumbai.

Our first Crystal cruise from Mumbai to Mombasa. That followed by 4 nights in Londolosi in Kruger.

Ending with some time in Bangkok.

Major · Thursday at 2:24 PM

How long will you be away for ?

OZDUCK · Thursday at 2:54 PM

When my wife - to - be was studying for her final Nurse's exams I spent a lot of time helping her as a 'study partner'. One of the main subjects she was refreshing was stomach issues especially diverticulitis. By the time she passed I was completely up to date with all the latest info - for 1974 that is

drron · Thursday at 5:27 PM

We will be away for 7 weeks
Our one checked luggage was only 17kg. I am wondering how much we have forgotten. Mrsdrron has a carry on bag of 5kg mine is only 3kg and we have an 18 day cruise. Fortunately with free laundry.

Flyfrequently · Friday at 3:25 PM

Happy travels @drron and @mrs.dr.ron
On board

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drron · 2026-01-10T00:16:11+1100

On our trip down we had a slight detour to pick up some antibiotics for Mrsdrron. I have been vindicated in my choice of GPs, Competent and excellent service,
After that a trouble free run down to BNE. Then to the SG kiosks. What an unpremium way to check in and now a free for all as no kiosk or bag drop labelled as business class as they were before. Then of course the one bag drop with no line came up with a sign this machine unavailable for automatic service - could not read a bag tag so got an agent to do it for us.

Next the shambles due to the renovations of the terminal. Mrsdrron as per usual loaded our carry ons onto a trolley and took off. I could not keep up. Now I tell her to not get too far in front of me but due to her post traumatic amnesia she instantly forgets. She waited at security an started to enter the line so as I passed her I was able to tell her to turn around and take the trolley back. She wasn't going to believe me but an agent came and told her to take the trolley back. When we got to the head of the queue the agent told us to go to the machine with the longest line. Even then we realised this was going to take time as in front of us was a disorganised couple with 5 even more disorganised children. Even with 2 agents telling them what to do they were still getting things wrong. I thought they must be on the Bali DPS flight but no we ran into them again at the baggage carousel at Changi,. it took them 11.5 minutes to clear security. I had my things ready to place in the bins as soon as they movd. They all lined up at the scanner and the agent held them back and let us through first.

But it wasn't over yet. 7 of their 8 bins went to secondary screening. The new system is automated and clearly inefficient. When 3 bins are in the secondary screening line it will not accept a new bin so the whole line stops. I was lucky as my bin was on the conveyor after the 4thh of their bins. Mrsdrron's bag was after the seventh. Naturally their 8th bin was the one that didn't need secondary screening. It had 3 large cameras in it. So this lot were even less match fit than an English Ashes cricket team.

Then a long walk for me to Immigration. With my balance problems their is no way I can scan my passport. hold my walking stick and glasses and quickly move my carry on when the first gate opens. The 2 young fellows behind me were making their displeasure known. Compare that with going through immigration on arrival in Changi. An agent sees me approaching with my walking stick and says can you give me your passport to scan and when the gate opens go through and I will give your passport to the agent on the other side. You don't realise how much such a litle thing like that can bring so much happiness.
After that a simple stroll to the SKL. That next.

drron · 2026-01-11T01:30:06+1100

Lunch service had commenced when we arrived at the SKL. A reasonable but not outstanding selection.

I had a couple of satay chicken wings, 2 pieces of sushi and some bean salad. My beverage was 2 glasses of tomato juice. The reason was that morning I weighed 84.4 KG which is 3 Kg over my preferred weight. The curse of Christmas leftovers. As for the wine it was likely to be better on the plane.

Our view.

It turned out to be where our flight was going to be. Gate 82.
Not long after we arrived an old couple from one of the areas we will visit arrived in the lounge. She was in a heelchair. As soon as the attendant left she was up out of her chair and collecting her food. basically she spent her time walking around the lounge until just before the fellow arrived to wheel her to the gate, And she was walking a lot better than I.

We left the lounge about 15 minutes before boarding was to commence. A sort of line for J. Two ladies probably early 40s arrived about 2 minutes before boarding started and went straight to the front of the line. The agent then opened the gate but stopped the 2 women and called me and Mrsdrron over then 2 families with young children. We were second to board after the wheelchair woman.