India, Africa and Asia.

[MEL_Traveller]

We just used an ATM at the airport on arrival in India. State Bank of India or something. Used NAB(ex citi)… no fees or charges, and the interbank rate.

 

[RooFlyer]

One time I went to India, the government had just done their snap currency change-over (trying to flush out the vast amounts of stashed cash that were being untaxed). Couldn’t get INR of either sort in Australia, or Singapore, and in country the lines at ATMs were horrendous ( and for India, that’s saying something). Fortunately, my private guide, anticipating this, acted as my ATM for a few days until we found an accessible ATM.

 

[Pushka]

One time I went to India, the government had just done their snap currency change-over (trying to flush out the vast amounts of stashed cash that were being untaxed). Couldn’t get INR of either sort in Australia, or Singapore, and in country the lines at ATMs were horrendous ( and for India, that’s saying something). Fortunately, my private guide, anticipating this, acted as my ATM for a few days until we found an accessible ATM.

We got caught up in that and not in a good way. We'd saved our INR from a trip a few years earlier. Went to use it at a store and the guy looked at us almost in horror and said he might have to report us to the police as the note size we were using was now illegal contraband. I think the. 20,000? This was in 2023. Not sure if he was joking but we exited.

 

[drron]

I don't use ATMs. Only used one once in Tasmania and it gobbled my card. Not going to try again no matter how fantastic people say they are. I like dealing with people not mahines.

 

[SYD]

I don't use ATMs. Only used one once in Tasmania and it gobbled my card. Not going to try again no matter how fantastic people say they are. I like dealing with people not mahines.

As above, SBI (State Bank of India) is fee free for foreign cards (you just need a fee free Oz card).

As mentioned elsewhere, their ATMs don’t like Macquarie. They didn’t like my ING but SYD+1s worked…. UBank worked for me.

We fortunately stumbled upon an SBI ATM last night. No one in Jaisalmer takes cards (cash only) and we were going to quickly run out of cash - despite withdrawing cash from ATMs along the way….

 

[drron]

Our last night in Singapore and the food was the best of our stay. the hot canapes.

Which included beautiful egg tarts and yakitori.



Now we were talking to the manager of the lounge and I missed the 8pm closing. I was going to have a couple of egg tarts to finish. At 8.01 pm they had vanished. I jumped up and asked if it ere possible to get 2 more. The ffellow went out to the kitchen and this was delivered to me.

I couldn't upset the staff by not eating them could I.

The last morning we went to the lounge for breakfast. this is their hot buffet.






So I had the fruit and ordered eggs Benedict.




Then a taxi to the airport.

 

[drron]

A quick trip to the airport. No waiting for checkin. Immigration I was grteful for the help as agent scanned my passport. I am a bit slow at E gates trying to find an extra hand with my walking stick in one hand, carryon in the other. At least I have learnt to take my glasses off before getting there and putting them in a pocket. I often have problems at Changi with the camera verification. i thought I was going to get knocked back again as a lengthy wait before the green tick and gate opening.

Straight to the SKL and as usual tun right after entering as easier to find a seat. It was virtually empty.



Lovely orchids as usual.




The main part of the SKL was also quieter than I have ever seen it. The food selection in the smaller end is less extensive than in the main section I find it adequate. no difference in wines. The buffet.






















Chicken in pandan leaves is nice but messy.


I'm not sure who needs their sandwiches.


My plate.


When I first redeemed this flight it was due to leave at 1445. Not long after changed to 1640. Now I had forgotten about the change and had only checked the original email. A travel mistake but a pleasant one having to spend an extra 2 hours in the lounge.
An interesting chat with an elderly cleaner. He had been a businessman. survived 2 recessions but not a divorce. The children went with their mother. He was obviously lonely which is why he has this job. It ges him out of the house and enjoys talking to other staff and passengers. he particularly enjoyed talking to us about our experiences of Singapore during our stays in the 70s and early 80s.

 

[drron]

20 minutes before advertised boarding we went to the gate.We were on SQ406 their A380 service to DEL. This was our 6th SQ A380 flight but the first in J. Have yet to see the Y cabin. When we arrived at the gate they werejust starting pre boarding. Only 3-4 wheelchairs but about 60 in the queue. Most with children plus family though most of the children looked 5-10. A couple with walking sticks so I thought I would give it a go but walked down the premium lane. The woman told Mrsdrron to turn around but the older man on the gate signaled us through. I said to him I had never seen such long pre boarding line. He replied Welcome to India.
Had to wait in the air bridge with all the others. We were the only 2 who headed to the J cabin. The staff when they saw the walking stick insisted on carrying my bags and stowed both under the set in front.. First thing I did was peruse the menu. I had forgotten to look up the BTC. So here it is.







The wine list.








The seat. I found it very comfortable.


And my pre-departure beverage.


We actually lined up for take off at the advertised departure time arriving in DEL 30 minutes early.

 

[drron]

So to the meals. Mrsdrron had the hot smoked salmon and the chicken breast. Wasn't particularly impressed with either. She was also not impressed that they hadn't loaded the sav blanc and the only white wine was the burgundy which she normally doesn't like. However this one has no oak and she found it acceptable.
Her meal.




I had ordered the same s tarter but instead got the makkai Tikki from the Indian choices. Not my favorite.


I then had the lamb dish which was on the first two menus. I liked i but nothing special. So the dish and accompaniments.






We both had the fruit for dessert.


I first watched a documentary about the Lisbon Maru. A Japanese freighter with nearly 2000 British POWs from Hong Kong. A very sad tale of man's inhumanity to man.
I then listened to Music. They had 7 Queen selections so my flight entertainment was decided. I tried to use the internet after we left Singapore but it was useless. I managed to doze off fo an hour or 2.
On arrival at DEL we had a fair walk o Immigration. Was surprised hardly anyone passed us and only 1 couple in front of us. We had the e visa printed out and that was needed. I had the arrivals card screenshot on my phone. The fellow processing mrsdrron thought that was OK but my fellow wouldn't accept it as the QR code was not clear so I had to complete a paper form ith the info copied from my screenshot. And the paper card had no QR code so tat just amused me. Didn't take much time and soon out to the baggage carousel. Some bags were already there including ours.

So our India trip was about to begin..