Now it's time to relax (6/3/14)

So my night in the airport continued. I was sitting in Starbucks coffee, round the corner from the till so they couldn't see me, facing out into the airport on one of the those long seats that stretches the length of one wall. I was charging my phone and toying with the idea of disappearing somewhere to snooze when a bloke walked up and asked if I'd mind him using the plug socket next to me. I said no that was fine and we got chatting. His name is Dennis and he's a Malaysian living in Singapore. Turns out his flight isn't till half 6 either. So I ended up chin wagging with him most of the night. I can't even remember what we talked about. I know travelling was in there somewhere about his trip and my trip, and family values and expectations, but have no idea about the rest. I think the zombie state of tired aided my memory loss. But the 4 hours till check in went in a flash. My phone got charged and I made my coffee last, yes it was cold, but I didn't get asked to buy another. High five!! At half 4, I added him to my ever growing collection of Facebook friends and we said goodbye. It had been an interesting chat, I know that much. I retrieved my rucksack from the left luggage desk and went to the check in. Again there was a long queue for desk check in and only one person at the web check in desk. It's great for me, my check in took seconds, but I don't understand why all people don't check in online now. I don't miss those queues. Through security I blazed eager to find out what I could spend my last Singapore dollars on before boarding in 2 hours time. Actually not much as it turns out. I didn't get a great deal of money out to start with so I bought a premium breakfast McMuffin, which didn't taste very premium, and spent the rest in the M&M shop. I had enough for 2 tincy wincy bags, one peanut one chocolate, and a bag of juice filled starburst gums. With only 3 coins rattling in my pocket now I spent the rest of the time wandering around the airport checking out the shops and attractions. Singapore airport prides itself on things to do and so they've got a few artistic and fun areas under construction at the moment. This is what the photo of the wooden jungle walkway and giant flower is just in case you were wondering! I finally made my way to the departure gate and sat waiting for the staff to turn up and start checking us onto the plane. This didn't take long and with everyone boarded the plane taxied out and lined up for take off on time. Despite leaving behind my Aircraft Engineering days I think I'll always be amazed by that acceleration you get from a commercial plane during take off, especially considering the size of them. Once airborne I contemplated where my journey was taking me next. Kuala Lumpur, a far away mystical land, I wonder what it's like there and what mysteries it holds...(record scratch)....oh yeah, that's right, I've already been there in the last 24 hours!! The flight went without a hitch and we landed on time giving me an hour to spend the rest of the Malaysian ringgit, I had left over from yesterdays withdrawal, on booze and a new white chocolate toblerone. With Australian prices what they are these days I wanted to make sure I had my maximum alcohol allowance. I checked where my departure gate was first and was surprised to find that it was in another terminal. I had in fact arrived at a different airport to the one I was at yesterday, but this one was the main international airport and much better. There is a train that connects all the terminals to each other and so I boarded this to get to the next terminal where my departure gate was. It's actually a bit scary because the train travels right under where the planes are landing so before you disappear underground they are flying right at you just over your head. Once at the other terminal I got off the train and made a beeline for the alcohol shop. On my list were a bottle of Bacardi Oakheart and a bottle of Honey Jim Beam. My limit is 2250ml so I could get a litre bottle of each. I found the Oakheart but couldn't find the Jim Beam anywhere. What to do? I couldn't remember if Perth had a duty free shop when you arrive so do I risk only getting one bottle now and the other in Perth, hoping they'd have the Jim Beam, or get two now and be done with it. My life is full of so many tough decisions sometimes! Lol. I don't think my heart can take it. Just for the adrenaline rush I decided to risk it. The bottle gets bagged and taken to the departure gate and you collect it there just before boarding. I found a shop selling the white chocolate toblerone and bought one of them too. With my purchases made it was time to relax at the departure gate. There seems to be about 3 different security checks on the way to the gate but I made it through with no problems even with my toblerone in my bag! The call was finally put out for people to board the flight and we were soon all on the plane ready for take off. It's a five and a half hour flight to Perth so once airborne I quickly checked out the films on offer and began to watch one. The flight wasn't full and the seat next to me wasn't occupied so I could lay back and spread out a bit. During the film my meal arrived which I soon polished off and after the film I managed to get a little sleep which I desperately needed. As the plane started its descent I couldn't help but smile as I looked out the window. I contemplated the adventures that I might have here and the sun shining through the window only reminded me how perfect the weather would be for cruising up the coast on a motorbike. I couldn't wait. I momentarily wondered if I could actually live here but that answer would have to wait till the end of my trip. For now I wanted to enjoy spending loads of time with the part of my family that I see often on skype but not enough of in person. As the aircraft came in to land, over the wing I could see the distinctive shape of the Perth city skyline, this was it, time for some more fun and definitely some time for myself, and hopefully a tan! Once the plane landed and stopped outside the arrival gate, everyone grabbed their bags and made their way off. Inside the terminal I found what I had been hoping for. Shining like a holy grail and accompanied by the sound of a thousand angels singing was a duty free shop and inside was an even brighter light coming from a bottle of honey Jim Beam. Mission complete. And as a cherry on top they also have 200ml bottles of alcohol by the till to get the absolute maximum from your allowance. So I bought a small bottle of Canadian Club too. By now everyone else had already started queuing for passport control and so I walked in behind them expecting to find the three desks that are usually there unable to handle the load of people that have just arrived. But instead I was greeted by a brand new room with loads of desks open and even an electronic gate system to one side for those with the new style passports. This included me and within a matter of minutes I had skipped the queue and the scrutinising look from the customs officer and made my way through the electronic gates to the luggage lounge. My bag soon appeared and I grabbed it and headed to the arrival lounge where my Aunt and Uncle were waiting for me with big grins and hugs. Although it had been 3 months since I'd been there last it felt like I hadn't left. We walked to the car and the warm sun beat down on me once more. It was about four in the afternoon and it was still beautifully warm. The journey to the house took no time at all and I was soon dumping my bags in my room. It was definitely time for a well earned snooze. I awoke after a couple of hours to find one of my cousins with his wife and their 3 month old baby who I'd only seen on Skype so far. He was gorgeous with his little chubby cheeks and podgy arms. The opposite to his brick shit house 6' 3" dad. My other cousin and his fiancée soon arrived and we all had a quick catch up. For some reason the most common question was "when do you leave?". Should I be taking a hint? We all had dinner together that night which was a really tasty bbq with about three different meats slow roasted and succulent. The perfect first meal. It was great that everyone made time to come over and welcome me back but as it was a week night everyone had work the next day so didn't stay late. After they'd gone I did a small degree of unpacking and then settled down with a beer. I chatted with my Aunt and Uncle for a while before calling it a night and making my way to bed. Now it's time to relax.