Sunday, May 18, 2008
OMG, I'm really here.
When I was younger, my uncle once asked me, "Baby J, which country would you like to visit?" Instinctively, the first country which came to mind was Australia. As a ten-year-old who has seen most of the world through the goggle box, I certainly didn't know enough (and it's not as if I've flipped through travel books and brochures) to give a sound answer. Nevertheless, that desire has never left me. If I could only choose one place to visit before I die, it would undoubtedly, be Australia. But somehow, like the many of God's wicked jokes, I never quite managed to make it there. Over the years, I've said goodbye to friends who went there to study or live, all the while wondering if I'll ever have the opportunity to visit the land down under.And as luck would have it, I did. It was everything I had ever dreamed of, and much more. Perhaps it's the Big Guy's way of rewarding me for the long wait. In any case, I'm grateful and I know how blessed I am.
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Singapore/Melbourne, 11 May, Day 0
Now I know what people mean by travelling in style. From the moment I checked in at the queue-free exclusive Qantas lounge, it paved the way for a good six days ahead. While waiting for my flight, I chilled out at the club lounge furnished with comfy sofas and stocked with free flow of sandwiches, assorted cheese, wines and alcohol. Onboard the flight, I spent the seven hours in a fully reclinable skybed (with massage function), touch-screen in-flight entertainment, self-help bar with free flow drinks and snacks, and ate a sumptuous meal complete with good wine.
Despite the overwhelming treatment, I didn't get any sleep even though I was really tired. The moment the plane touched down and I saw the glimmer of bright city lights, it was sheer ecstasy. At 4.45am (Australia time), I was greeted by a cool morning breeze and a chauffeur who drove me to the Lyall hotel - a boutique hotel with only 40 rooms. It's really private and the staff takes very good care of the guests.
Club lounge at Terminal 1:
My room at Lyall Hotel:
