Tag: Heathrow

“THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – Heathrow overnight and arrived in Singapore“

The trip from Dover was to prove a disaster. The American couple behind us shared their germs with the whole bus. They hacked and coughed the whole journey. We thought we may have avoided any of the contagion but this proved to be mistaken.

Our plan had always been to overnight at Heathrow so that the trip to singapore did not feel so rushed. Our hotel had a convenient roof top bar with views over the runway and a direct connection with the Terminal for our departure. We took advantage of the rooftop bar but I was oblivious to the signs that camers were not permitted until too late when the steward brought it to my attention in a most public way. Anyway I got some good photos which are below. Yes it does look like Concorde!

The flight to Singapore took about 8 hours and we arrived in Singapore in the late afternoon. One of the objectives was to stay in Raffles Hotel but a 6 day stay was absurdly expensive. We opted for the Park Royal Collection in Pickering near to Chinatown. We thought we would be smart and take a two day package at Raffles which included a chaufeur driven limo to or from the airport and stay the rest of the time at the Park Royal – which is not a shabby hotel by any means but a third of the cost.

The Park Royal Collection at Pickering is designed to minimise environmental pollution and they have achieved this in many ways included bedecking the hotel with trees and plants. When the cab from the airport arrived at the hotel we were taken back by the green environment encasing the concrete hotel. We were not disappointed by the hotel. The foyer and reception was modern with the general dining area just off the reception. To get to our room involved passing through some of the gardens and water features where we were actually outside the hotel 6 stories above ground. The room was very comfortable with large windows allowing excellent views across the local area. The bathroom and shower was particularly exposed to receive the views and I wondered how many people may be viewing us.

We were also surprised at how well located the hotel proved to be. The Hop on Hop off bus stop was across the road at Hong Lim Park in Pickering St and the 3rd last stop before the terminus. This meant the first bus came to the stop at 9.40am – very suitable for getting a sleep in then breakfast. And so it was that we caught the bus paying a 1 day fare. The bus drove down to Old Customs House on Marina Bay around the corner to the MBS Convention Centre which is across the road from the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, famous for its massive ship-like structure, the Sands SkyPark, perched on top of three towering hotel buildings, featuring an infinity pool, observation deck, restaurants, and bars with stunning city views. From there we went onto the Suntec City Mall and the terminus. Only then did I pick up my camera as we journeyed through Little India, passed the Raffles Hospital, the Parkroyal on Beach Rd, round into the Muslim enclave of mosques and heritage centre, past the retail shops of Raffles Hotel, down past the boat quay into Chinatown and then back to the MBS Convention Centre where we got off the bus to explore further.

The convention centre can best be seen from the otherside of Marina Bay. In my photo below you will see the lotus shaped Art Science Museum. Behind is the convention centre and behind that the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The convention centre includes a shopping mall easily the size of Indooripilly Shopping Centre here in Brisbane and three stories high. Exploring this area was amazing. The design and shape very rich and speaking of wealth. It had an indoor canal system emulating Venice, outstanding orchid displays, inteeresting shop fittings and a massive curved ceiling of glass to let in the light. From the outside of the Art Science Museum I was able to get a clear photo of the Sands Sky Park and the Lionheaded serpent; the symbol of Singapore.

The Sands Skypark offers (for a fee) a trip to the top of the hotel to look around the sights of Singapore so we made our way across the road scrambled through the mall under the Marina Sands Hotel towers and around to the elevators transporting us 56 levels above ground to view Singapore, and the exclusive areas enjoyed by hotel guests.

I took the next photo to show the ships at anchor.

And another panoramic photo this time of the CBD.

Behind the hotel is Gardens by the Bay an enormous botanic garden. Its website describes it as “Gardens by the Bay is a showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry that presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way, entertaining while educating visitors with plants seldom seen in this part of the world, ranging from species in cool, temperate climates to tropical forests and habitats.” It is so big that golf cart type transport is available and in the climate of Singapore and being on top of the Equator, they are necessary but not free. The bar was not open and we could see the residents were enjoying themselves so we decided to go and see the gardens.

We returned to the ground to make our way through the crowd back to the exit to the gardens. We walked through the shopping mall again. At the reception to the hotel we came across a magnificent bouquet of flowers pictured below and there after my photos take you on the journey we followed just to find our way around the gardens.

Although we did not get to see a great deal of the gardens, we were both tired and happy to return to the hotel and rest. We caught the bus back to the hotel planning to rest then walk to the bay for dinner and the light show. All went well and we were back at the old Customs House seated in a harbourside restaurant called Superloco to await the light show which we had been told would start around 7.30pm. After dinner we moved around into the adjoining park. My photos show our restaurant and the light show. When walking to the hotel we came across and illumination of a tree but it certainly was not yet Christmas.

Back in the hotel we rested till the following day. Catch up with Day 2 in Singapore when I post “THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – Singapore Day 2“

THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD –CORNWALL UK/NOTINGHAM UK

Nottingham

Kerry continued the driving and returned the car to Green Motion, where we caught the shuttle to Heathrow terminal 3 and caught the National Bus to Nottingham. I thought the bus ride would be a bit nostalgic, but time has brought about change and the bus route had numerous stops at Luton, Luton Airport, Milton Keynes, Leicester before finally delivering us to Broadmarsh Bus Station in Nottingham. When we left Nottingham in 2015 the Bus Station was connected to an old shopping Centre called Broadmarsh but now the Centre is partially demolished a new Bus Station built and the skeleton of Broadmarsh is partially standing as thought awaiting a decision as to what’s next. We dragged our suitcases up the hill to the Ibis Hotel. The room was small but did the job. The reception was a combination of café and reception with the receptionist sitting amongst the shop customers – novel.

It was drizzling rain and cold, but we still ventured out to reacquaint ourselves with the city. Martin & Christine were due to visit us tomorrow and we had lined up how and when we would catch up. Dinner that night proved a bit different. We made for the restaurant that our friend Pam had shown us last visit but it was booked solid and the directed us to the neighbouring restaurant with the same result. Things were getting a bit desperate – we may need to get fish ‘n chips. We were both interested to find out what the place across the road offered – it is called “the Alchemist”. The interior was decorated with bottles and shelves like an old-style alchemist with images of a changing geometric designs projected on a wall making it a different style of venue. After a small selection of entrees, a glass of wine for Kerry and a Guinness for me we retired to bed. The bus trip had been tiring, and the hauling of the luggage tipped us over the edge of tiredness.

Nottingham Castle:

The following day at our arranged rendezvous we caught up with Martin and Christine. We had met on a river cruise from Cologne Fr. to Rüdesheim am Rhein Ger. and remained in contact since. They had traveled over from Manchester and stayed overnight at the Premier Inn in town, so we decided to go with my first choice of place to visit – Nottingham Castle.

On the way to the castle we called into the Town Hall. We were unable to look through the hall due to Council meetings being held there that day. So we moved onto the castle. We had been there previously so knew what to expect. Martin thought he was in for a full-on old castle experience. Not so. The castle had been demolished by the people of Nottingham after the restoration of the Charles the Second to the throne of England. The castle had the reputation of being impregnable hence Charles the First had used the castle as the place to raise his standard against the Roundheads starting the English Civil War. Once the War ended Cromwell ultimately took control of England and with the restoration, the people of Nottingham tore down the castle for fear that the castle may be used again as a power base in the midlands. Martin was disappointed to learn that the Duke of Norfolk had purchased the ruined site to build his country home which he continued to call “Nottingham Castle” which remains its name to the present. It is filled with artistic treasures and a memorial to the local regiment of the British Army “the Foresters”. Martin was not impressed with the castle but was taken with the memorial having served in the army in the military police.

Part of a visit to the castle is to visit the caves constructed to provide a hidden access to the castle and from the castle to the pub Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claimed as the oldest remaining in the UK from the 12th century.

The first 2 pictures are in Town Hall. Then follows the picture of “Nottingham Castle” and its gate. No photos are permitted inside the castle but the formidable gate gives a fair idea of what the castle may have looked like. Then follows the photos of the caves – the toy fox marks the way down. Of course the pathway has been prepared for today’s tourist but when it was used for its original purpose it would have been rough and ready. When you exit the caves you get a better idea of the nature of the development. At the foot of the hill is an array of the housing for the ordinary folk of the time close by the pub.

The second part of my plan – to visit the pub unraveled as after doing the tour of the caves we found the pub full to overflowing. Martin came to my rescue and suggested we go to the Navigation Hotel just nearby.

Visit to the Navigation Inn at Castle Lock Nottingham

There is a canal runs through Nottingham separating the old town from the newer part of town and the Navigation Hotel was a leftover from times when the canal was in commercial use. Old building charm with nostalgic decoration in the interior and no crowds. So, we settled in for some lunch and drinks finishing late in the afternoon. The picture below is part of the interior and outside is the canal. Martin and Christine had planned to return to Manchester the following day so after some sad farewells we retired to our hotel and later braved the cold to find a place for dinner. Somewhere during those two days Kerry made a call to Nick Smith the owner of the business supplying stretch fringing to Glitter and Dance. So it was arranged for the following day that we would have lunch with Nick and Selina at country manor outside the city.

Visit to Nick & Selina Smith

Nick had given Kerry the opportunity to open her business in the UK and though Glitter and Dance UK has not survived Nick has continued to supply stretch fringing to G & D. We called an Uber to take us to this destination nominated by Nick which he said was nearby. Like hell it was – we seemed to meander for miles through countryside until we suddenly turned left at an obscured turning, and we had arrived. It is an old Country Manor of some past minor gentry for the area now operating as a club style meeting place. There was a fixed menu and no choices which did not suit me at all but nothing to be done but soldier on. It was all very pleasant but expensive as I was unable to eat most of the meal. Nick and Selina ran us home to the city as it turned out they are living in Derby these days and they had to drive through Nottingham anyway.

Visit to Bob & Cilla, phone call to Pam and visit to RC Nottingham

It is now Monday. Kerry has organized for us to meet with Bob and Cilla later that morning and we have had a chat with Pam by phone. Pam has had some oral surgery and does not want visitors at present but she was able to inform us that she had resolved the trouble she had with the publisher of her first children’s book which problem had seemed to have depressed her the last few years.

I had been struggling with a cold the last week and I had now run out of antibiotic tablets that we had brought with us as a precaution. So, before we caught the bus to Attenborough, we had rung around some medical practices to get a new script with no luck. When we made it to Bob and Cilla’s house, we had a lovely catch up and were surprised by a visit from one of our fellow gardeners. We had met Cilla at the local church and our friendship had grown from there. One thing led to another about my health and Bob and Cilla were of considerable help with resolving the problem. They were both in good health and there is a chance we may catch up in NZ when they next visit their daughter and family.

After returning to the hotel, we prepared for our Rotary meeting at our other club – Rotary Club of Nottingham. We made our way to the meeting place and were greeted by a lot of old familiar faces and some new faces. It was like old times and a great surprise for many of the members. The Club remains robust and maintaining its membership.

Travel National Bus to Heathrow London – Depart London to Rome

Our return trip to Heathrow went as planned and we soon landed in Rome. Rome and the area around Terminii Station is now a familiar precinct so catching the train at Fumincino Airport to Terminii felt familiar even though it was 11.00 o’clock at night. Once at Terminii the short stroll to the front door of Dream Station was like coming home. We inserted the code and the big front door (no doubt once the doors to a forecourt in its early days) and now an obstacle track for guests coming to stay. Th elevator is big enough for two persons or 1 person and suitcase. Kerry went ahead and I followed next time round. So, we were now ready for bed in Rome.

So, until my next blog “THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – “ROME, CESI, BARI, NAPLES and back to ROME” – keep on following our journey.

THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – BRISBANE/SAN FRANCISCO USA

Ever wondered what it would be like to go around the world dropping in at various points of call, visiting relations and friends and visiting new points of interest? Well, we did wonder and now I am here to tell you what it was it was all about. Welcome to our holiday blog – The Retirees go around the World in 51 days.

It started with booking a cruise from Japan to Taiwan and return then taking fright at the cost to travel to Tokyo to catch the cruise ship. This caused us to investigate traveling around the world with connecting flights starting with a flight from Brisbane to Sydney, then Sydney to San Francisco departing on 24th January 2025 and arriving there the same day due to the time zones.

Our son Ben collected us from the airport and put up with us visiting them in their home for 5 nights enjoying spoiling grandson Angus and learning about Jee’s progress with Angus #2.

We played Garage – getting out boxes of cars and trucks and racing them down the track. We then had a mess, and we had to pack it away under grandson’s supervision. Then we visited his preschool at Saint Joseph’s Basilica, played in the park with a new friend and found a new park developed over a discontinued rail line.

Photo

It was just a few days with them but being so far away makes it difficult to connect. Gus is such a personable child I never feel as though we have been away. After those glorious few days, sadly, we waved goodbye. Angus is a joy for grandparents – not so sure it’s always that way for Ben and Jee.

Ben took us to the airport where we then flew from San Francisco to London Heathrow, where we collected a hire car from Green Motion Car Hire. The car collection point was outside of the airport, but the hotel shuttle bus got us to the collection point easily. From there Kerry drove to our accommodation in Hove. A tip for all travelers – ensure you understand the local rules regarding parking. Brighton / Hove Council has made parking on the street a costly dance to avoid the parking costs and fines. We found ourselves finding overnight parking up to 200m away from our B&B in weather down to freezing at times. The parking could easily cost £30 per day on the street. My cousin Therese (Terri) and her husband Mick (former residents of Hove but now gite owners in France) met us at the B & B and wisely had parked their car with friends outside the parking limited areas and caught a cab into Hove.

Read on with my next Blog – The Retirees go around the World –San Francisco/Brighton-Hove.