We're getting ready for our trip to Malaysia and Singapore.
As friends will know, I worked and lived in Singapore in 1984/5 (as a single lady) and again with ex-hubby in the early 90s.
I've never had the desire to return there but David hasn't been anywhere in South East Asia and really wants to visit Singapore and Malaysia so he finally persuaded me. I'm sure the place will look very different to what it was 30+ years ago (goodness, where did that time go)!
I think David's enthusiasm is finally getting through to me and I've had fun plotting out our itinerary which will include a foray into the Malaysian 'Jungle'!!
I've lost 2 photo albums of pictures taken during my time in Singapore - they disappeared somewhere in divorce/house moves so I only have a couple of 'random' pictures which is a shame as it would have been interesting to compare the 'then and now' pics. The photo in this Blog header brings back fun memories of a weekend break I took in Malaysia when I met this lovely couple. I've forgotten their names (sadly) but he was a pilot and she worked for Kuoni. This was taken in 1985 - can you sense just how humid it was there (something we'll have to get used to very soon)!.
Anyway, David has found a wonderful site that has enabled us to fly Business Class to Penang with Qatar Airways (with a short stopover in Qatar en route) for very little more than the cost of Premium Economy with BA. We've been less than impressed with BA the last couple of times we used them.
Qatar Airways (Business Class) offers 'dine on demand' service so you can eat at your preferred times (silver spoon service) the plane has a proper bar/barman (as well as 'waitress' service). They provide lip balm and anti-ageing moisturiser cream (I need a few gallons of that) and cotton sleeper suits/slippers from The White Company - just a few of the perks.
I've told David not to look over-awed when we board the plane - he's got to pretend we travel this way all the time and its just boring!
We depart Gatwick at 1405 on Wednesday, arrive at Qatar 2359, depart Qatar 0155 on Thursday and arrive in Penang 1420 local time. Including the stopover the journey will take around 16 hours but we will have access to executive airport lounges and comfortable seats/beds on the plane so hopefully it won't be too bad.
Malaysia is GMT +8 hours so our body clocks will be telling us its still 0620 Thursday morning when we land early afternoon - its going to take a few days to adjust although we are trying to go to bed and get up earlier than usual in the run up to our flight to help combat jet lag.
As friends will know, I worked and lived in Singapore in 1984/5 (as a single lady) and again with ex-hubby in the early 90s.
I've never had the desire to return there but David hasn't been anywhere in South East Asia and really wants to visit Singapore and Malaysia so he finally persuaded me. I'm sure the place will look very different to what it was 30+ years ago (goodness, where did that time go)!
I think David's enthusiasm is finally getting through to me and I've had fun plotting out our itinerary which will include a foray into the Malaysian 'Jungle'!!
I've lost 2 photo albums of pictures taken during my time in Singapore - they disappeared somewhere in divorce/house moves so I only have a couple of 'random' pictures which is a shame as it would have been interesting to compare the 'then and now' pics. The photo in this Blog header brings back fun memories of a weekend break I took in Malaysia when I met this lovely couple. I've forgotten their names (sadly) but he was a pilot and she worked for Kuoni. This was taken in 1985 - can you sense just how humid it was there (something we'll have to get used to very soon)!.
Anyway, David has found a wonderful site that has enabled us to fly Business Class to Penang with Qatar Airways (with a short stopover in Qatar en route) for very little more than the cost of Premium Economy with BA. We've been less than impressed with BA the last couple of times we used them.
Qatar Airways (Business Class) offers 'dine on demand' service so you can eat at your preferred times (silver spoon service) the plane has a proper bar/barman (as well as 'waitress' service). They provide lip balm and anti-ageing moisturiser cream (I need a few gallons of that) and cotton sleeper suits/slippers from The White Company - just a few of the perks.
I've told David not to look over-awed when we board the plane - he's got to pretend we travel this way all the time and its just boring!
We depart Gatwick at 1405 on Wednesday, arrive at Qatar 2359, depart Qatar 0155 on Thursday and arrive in Penang 1420 local time. Including the stopover the journey will take around 16 hours but we will have access to executive airport lounges and comfortable seats/beds on the plane so hopefully it won't be too bad.
Malaysia is GMT +8 hours so our body clocks will be telling us its still 0620 Thursday morning when we land early afternoon - its going to take a few days to adjust although we are trying to go to bed and get up earlier than usual in the run up to our flight to help combat jet lag.
