Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Far East 2009
Suite homecoming
I just had a coffee in my room prior to packing for the last time on the trip and heading round into the terminal to check in for my homeward journey. I marvelled at the spacious grandeur of Changi's Terminal 3 - uncluttered, vast and producing an atmosphere of calm. Despite its modernity, the terminal reminded me of what airports in the UK used to be like, before somebody decided that they should be turned into crowded and frenetic shopping malls. Despite a lack of appropriate signage, I managed to track down the First Class check-in desk and completed my business there with a minimum of fuss. I easily found the lounge complex and, after a change of boarding pass to gold-coloured Suites stock, I was directed into the First Class section, which was a very civilised place to spend my short remaining time in Singapore.
(Link to flight log in side panel)
On arrival at LHR, I was faced with a decision : whether to 'land myself' using the fast-track invitation supplied by SQ, or follow the signs and do the recommended airside transfer. I decided on the second option. I'd never had a bad experience of Flight Connections since the changes in the previous year, and this proved to be a continuation of the trend. The FCC used to be such a bottleneck. I made my way to the familiar territory of the bmi Diamond Club lounge and was surprised at how relatively busy it was.
(Link to flight log in side panel)
Back at a largely deserted EDI, I was glad to see that not only had my case made the connection at Heathrow, it was now one of the first to appear on the belt. I was soon in my own car, making the journey home on a very quiet M9.
And so another major trip came to an end, one that despite
a hitch at outset, had turned out to be a huge success. I had all of
four or five days to recover and get myself organised again for my
next long-haul trip!
