Going to Europe

Mon, 1 July 2019
SQ288 (Boeing 777)   Depart CBR 23:15   Arrive SIN 05:15+1 (8 hours)
Fighting with My Family; Us; Aquaman; Mortal Engines

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Day 1: Tues, 2 July 2019
SQ308 (Airbus A380) Depart SIN 09:00    Arrive LHR 15:40 (13 Hours)
Green Book; Saint Judy; Vox Lux; Veep S7; Miracle Workers S1, E1-2; The Lego Movie; The Lego Movie 2
TfL Tube Depart Heathrow Terminals 2 Arrive Kings Cross St. Pancras (54 minutes)
Travelodge London Central Kings Cross

We left Canberra on a Monday night after a day of school and work. Our taxi arrived to pick us up about 8.30pm only to turn around a minute later (luckily) after I discovered that I had left my handbag behind.

Check-in was smooth. It was the first time for us to experience Singapore Airlines and the international terminal (second time for Phil). We had some time to kill before our plane arrived from Sydney. Catherine and I played a few games of Spot It! Phil and I watched an episode of The Chef Show on Netflix. We also chatted to Mum and Dad who were already in Europe on WhatsApp before it was time to board our plane.

Our flight to Singapore left on time. The kids and Phil sat together and I was across the aisle from Catherine. The food was good and the service was fine. One thing I noted that was nice was that children who didn't have pre-ordered kids meals were asked for their menu choice and were served first. We didn't find the entertainment selection to be great. Maybe our expectations were too high because of all the hype we've been hearing about Singapore Airlines. Our past experiences with Qantas and Emirates on long haul flights were slightly better.

We had a 3.5 hour layover in Singapore. After claiming our shopping vouchers (20 SGD each), we ate at the food village in T2. The food was satisfying and delicious. We then took a tram to T3 via Jewel. We explored the Butterfly Garden and did our last minute shopping with our vouchers before boarding our next flight to London.

The second flight also left on time. It was long and we all slept longer on this leg. Customs and immigration at LHR was quick and we caught a train straight to King's Cross St. Pancras on the Piccadilly Line (22 AUD total). There were no lifts up to the street level so we had to carry our suitcases up the stairs. One kind man offered to help me but I managed on my own. We found the Travelodge down the road shortly after. Our "super room" felt a bit small for the four of us but it did the job. Our window had a nice view. We heard and saw the trains go by below. There was also a bar not far away and we could hear bottles being tossed in the bins every so often. Once we closed the window, the noise wasn't so bad. Phil bought some groceries and takeaway dinner that night (Thai and Subway). It was a lovely 20° C when we arrived and the sun did not set until 9.20pm.