93 To Australia We Go

Saturday

For the decent Singapore Anna and Hou Yi quickly returned to the main cabin, sat down and strapped themselves in.The co-pilot came over the internal communications system."Can everyone be seated for our descent into Singapore.We have been informed that we can land immediately, however due to other flight delays our departure will be delayed by 2 hours, as commercial flights are being given priority over private flights.We have arranged for you CEO and Madam Hou to be taken into the city for a couple of hours to make the most of this delay with airport VIP Services.They will arrange for whatever shops you require to be open, to remain open"

Within 5 minutes of that notification from the co-pilot they were on the tarmac in Singapore, and pulled to a stop within a couple of more minutes.As they got up, Anna turned to Hou Yi, and said "I really need to change."

Hou Yi turned to the cabin crew and said "Give us 5 minutes to change."With that they both hurried into the bedroom they had fallen asleep in.Hou Yi handed Anna a bag, saying "Here is your change of clothes.I'll just go into the bathroom to change, if you want to change here."

"That is OK with me."Both quickly changed and headed back out.Anna was handed her handbag and camera as they were departing the plane.

When they went inside Changi International Airport, they were escorted with 4 bodyguards to a VIP immigration counter, and quickly went through immigration, and were escorted to the awaiting car.Hou Yi turned to Anna and asked "Is there anywhere you would like to go?"

"I do not know what would be open this late.While I have always wanted to visit Changi Memorial Chapel, that is associated with World War II, that is unrealistic.Raffles Hotel so I can have a Singapore Sling in the bar where it was invented.No, that is not a priority.Shopping?I do not know.You decide, as I am guessing we only have about 4 hours, so let us not try to pack too much in."

"I have an idea.How about, rather than the Changi Memorial Chapel, which we leave for another trip, we go to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.Plenty of shopping opportunities if we want to shop, and we can go up to the observation deck, and view a great deal of Singapore.We have choices there."

"Fine with me."

With that they settled back, and within 40 minutes they had reached Marina Bay Sands.Despite not having a room in the hotel, Hou Yi was greeted by a VIP Guest manager, who offered to escort them to the viewing platform, and let them use the facilities in the hotel for a couple of hours.Anna turned to him and questioned "Why would they do that?"

"Darling, usually to access the bar and other areas on the viewing platforms you have to be a guest.The public can go up there but the space they are allowed is restricted.I am often in Singapore for business, and always stay here, so they are bending the normal rules for me today."

When they got up to the viewing area and the restricted areas that they were given access to Anna realised that staying here would be enough.She turned and said "Yi, I am happy to stay here for the time we have.What time do we have?"

Hou Yi looked at his watch and taking into account when they would need to be back at the airport, he said "We have about another 2 to 2 and a half hours before we will have to leave.What do you want to drink?"

"Something cold and non-alcoholic, but give me about 20 minutes as I want to take some photographs" responded Anna.

With that Anna, stood up and started to take photographs of the views that she was seeing of Singapore, thinking how wonderful these would be to show her family.She then wondered though would her parents actually talk to her?

Hou Yi, rather than waiting for her, decided to walk with her, and every so often, took her camera from her to take a photo of her with the background of Singapore.As they were wandering around taking photographs, occasionally one of the bodyguards offered to take photographs of the two of them together.This took them 30 minutes or so.They returned to the bar, and had a cold, non-alcoholic drink.

Hou Yi looked at his watch and realised that they still had another hour before they had to be back to Changi International Airport.Realising that most likely in Australia they would play tourist, and that he forgot his camera, he said "Anna, I realise that I forgot my camera.Are you OK if we go downstairs to the shopping plaza and I will simply buy a new camera?"

"Not a problem."

When the returned downstairs, the VIP Guest manager, immediately arranged for them to be escorted to a Nikon Camera store, where Hou Yi, purchased a digital SLR Camera, and accessories, for himself.He could not convince Anna to let him buy her a new camera.Soon after this they returned back to the airport and departed Singapore right on schedule.As they were both still tired, as soon as they could they got up, had showers and changed before falling asleep in bed.

The next thing they knew was that they had reached Darwin, where everyone departed the plane, and while it was being refueled completed the immigration processes and screenings.As arranged they were in Darwin for no longer than 30 minutes, and departed for Melbourne.