London, Day 1
Welcome back, my literary friends!
I know this update has been a long time coming, and I can only apologise for my tardiness. All I can say is that I was entirely distracted by the new world in which I have found myself consumed.
London is a fascinating place, full of history, culture, art and food. Oh, so much food.
Where do I begin?
I spent my final days in Australia with friends and family, taken in and cared for by many kind, loving people.
My departure from Brisbane airport was quite a shock; given the last time I entered the building, it was abuzz with travellers and restaurants. I arrived at check-in to be greeted by a lovely lady at Singapore Airlines who wished me a happy lunar new year and gifted me with chocolate coins.
I later learned from a lady working at the airport that I was one of only 120 people to cross the threshold that day. Only two flights were scheduled to depart Brisbane.
This news saddened me dearly. I knew that the world outside my bubble was struggling, but to this extent, I was horrified. No wonder our tourism industry is suffering.
Despite my sadness, I continued on, boarding my flight to Singapore with enthusiasm at the prospect of leaving the country for the first time since October 2019. I was very glad not to have bid for an upgrade on this leg as I had an entire row of seats to myself. In fact, my entire cabin contained only a handful of people.
I know it sounds sacrilegious, but quite frankly, arriving at Changi airport felt like coming home. For those of you who have read my work, Singapore has been somewhat of a refuge for me throughout the pandemic, and the idea of spending a few precious hours surrounded by the world I'd immersed myself in for so long, was glorious. That and the incredible public wifi in the Business Class lounge!
I admit, it is an insufferable waste of money, but I decided to bid for an upgrade on the flight from Singapore to London, after all, with 8 hours to Singapore followed by 14 hours to London, I felt like I owed myself some respite!
I was both excited and trepidatious to receive the glorious email; ‘Your upgrade has been successful’ as I kissed my money goodbye and strolled into the lounge. Dinner consisted of a G&T, noodles, dumplings, dim sum and fresh salads. I was lucky enough to arrive while the lounge was relatively quiet, affording me the opportunity to call a few family members and friends during my transit.
I made the absolute most of the deluxe ensuite bathrooms, relishing the opportunity to tidy up after 8 hours in the air. I then strolled through Changi and took in the gardens set up to celebrate Lunar New Year, before making my way to priority boarding on the A380.
Business-class on an A380 is another world entirely. Personally welcomed on board by the staff and settled into my private little pod. Dinner was smoked salmon and salad with champagne followed by poached egg and beef noodles with steamed greens. Dessert was a dark chocolate and walnut brownie and a green tea.
In what may seem like an eerie prediction*, I took a photo of our plane flying over Moscow, wondering solemnly, given the tensions on the Ukrainian border, if my goal to visit St Petersberg this year would come to pass.
*P.S. It sends a shudder down my spine to consider how eerie this seems to have been, given what has since unfolded.
As we glided toward the U.K., I slept soundly in my lay-flat bed, decked out in my Hogwarts pyjamas. Breakfast consisted of fruit salad, a most delicious apple bircher muesli and pancakes with berry compote and vanilla mascarpone cream. Naturally, consumed with fresh orange juice and black coffee.
Heathrow was just as I remembered, busy and bustling. After my 'arrival' COVID test, I was ready to catch the train to my hotel and beg the staff to allow me to check in, even though dawn had yet to break across the city!
As the darkness slowly receded, I sat aboard the train alongside tradies on their way to work in the cold.
A crisp, blue dawn greeted me as I walked through Earl's Court, dragging my giant monstrosity barbie suitcase through the streets.
It seems I was lucky enough to catch the staff in a good mood when I arrived because despite it being before 8 in the morning, I was checked in promptly and sent straight up to my room.
I began checking 'todo' items off my list, starting with purchasing my sim card for my stay in the U.K. I then caught the train to Harrods, only to discover it was not to open for another two hours!
This left me with no other occupation for the day, despite only being 9 am. I walked through the streets until I came upon Hyde Park. I wandered around and caught sight of a troupe of horses and their riders practicing something on the outskirts of the park. I found myself drawn toward Buckingham Palace, entirely by accident, only to learn when I arrived that the 'changing of the guard' was particularly special today. Apparently, there was a Duke of some kind watching over the event. Once the fanfare concluded, I returned to my hotel room for a quiet lunch and afternoon of coordinating my house sits, which were due to commence within a few short days!
x A