At 07:15 Tuesday 27th May local time, the Airbus A380 made its final approach to the Changi Airport main runway. Then at about 60 m altitude and with only twenty seconds before touchdown, the plane lurched and dropped suddenly and then there was dramatic noise change as the engines were thrown into maximum ‘power-on’ and we started climbing quickly. The landing had been aborted. The second attempt about ten minutes later was perfect with no ‘wind-shear’ problems thankfully.
The Singapore Airline’s staff greeted us in the terminal and explained that we would have access to an airport hotel for the next twelve hours before our replacement Sydney flight on Tuesday evening.
We spent much of the day in the luxurious Crowne Plaza hotel where the costs of breakfast and meals were covered. Hot showers and then sleep in comfy beds partially compensated for the past twenty four hours of travel, drama and frustration.
We had an excellent and gratis mid-afternoon meal in the Crowne Plaza and then spent an hour in the Air Singapore lounge before boarding our Singapore to Sydney flight at around 20:00.
The overnight fight to Sydney was in a Boeing 777-300ER where we were assigned seats in separate rows.
Our Boeing 777-300ER plane Singapore to Sydney
On landing at 05:30 Sydney time on Wednesday 28th May we had a dream run through immigration, baggage collection, customs checks and transfer from international to domestic. This was probably due to the fact that our plane was the only one having arrived at this very early hour and subsequently there were no queues.
Without there being any need to rush, we then had coffees and relaxed before boarding our final flight for the day to Hobart arriving in Tasmania at midday. Frances’ daughter Geraldine very kindly provided transport for us back to Howrah and the great ‘sub-continent’, month long adventure terminated.
In these past four weeks we’ve had an amazing experience with the three countries we’ve visited being unexpectedly very different in terms of the people, culture, scenery, religions and opportunities for visiting tourists.
There are numerous highlights and it’s inappropriate to list just one or two that may stand out. However, it is certainly true to say that this was an extraordinary month’s holiday that opened our eyes to three new countries with so much to offer and opportunities galore to learn more about our fascinating planet and its people.
We are eternally grateful to our wonderful travelling companions for joining with us and providing ongoing support during this travel amazing adventure.
A very special thanks goes to our travel agent Jean Abel whose efforts to tailor this difficult itinerary and her preparedness to provide prompt assistance when flights were cancelled and/or delayed, immeasurably reduced the stress we might have been forced to endure. Thanks Jean!