38. Day / 4th winter trip
In perfect darkness (because of the missing window) we slept perfectly, the remaining items thrown into the suitcases and check-out of 'The Scarlet'.
After all, I must say that the missing window did not bother me too much. However, next time I would try to book directly with the hotel, to get a room (no Executive room, because they're simply too small) with balcony & window. The location of the 'The Scarlet' was just perfect, due to which we really enjoyed Singapore as a city, not only for Cili Crab.
An UBER requested and this time received a Honda 'Vezel' with all options in, this means with genuine synthetic leather upholstery. The driver was very talkative told us that the official Honda Dealer sells Honda HR-V 'made in Thailand', while independent dealerships, via gray market import, are getting Honda 'Vezel', the HR-V, 'made in Japan'. Most would take the gray market import to a) get the better car from Japan and b) to save S $ 10,000.
After 30 minutes drive we reached T1 of Changi airport, just 2 hours before departure of our flight.
Into the terminal and saw the very long queue at the AirAsia check-in. Fortunately, I had booked again 'Premium Flex', were allowed to use the priority check-in, where we immediately were checked-in.
The lady at check-in was very friendly and very fast, so we went on to passport control which was very, very slow, I would have expected more efficiency in Singapore.
Wandered through the transit area, checking out electronics and fueled some nicotine on the pretty terrace.
Since there hasn't been any breakfast in the hotel we were a bit hungry. On our side of the terminal, unfortunately, there was only a 'Starbucks', as you might already know, a chain I really tray to avoid. But we had no choice, and we were hungry.
So we ordered a small breakfast, including a paper cup with hot brown water (which, at Starbucks, misleadingly, they call 'coffee'). The quiche with spinach & mushrooms was as expected, just terrible, tasteless.
Continue to Gate D 36, where there was another smoker's terrace.
The security check at the gate took place without queuing, even liquids could be taken to the aircraft.
While we were waiting for boarding I won quick round of UNO against V., then we were the first in the plane, took seat on 1A and 1C.
Unfortunately, as always, the aircraft was completely full, so that V. changed to 1B.
The flight was completely uneventful, the food we declined, instead ate the Starbucks blueberry muffin (which was quite okay).
With only 8 minutes delay we landed at 12:23 at DMK airport, got, as usual, the backmost gate.
Quickly we kind of ran to the VOA area (where also a smoking room is located), V. had to get passport photos for her visa (4 pieces, 100 Baht), fill the immigration form, then to show the officer the return flight ticket and the hotel reservation. 1000 Baht paid and immediately, at the counter, the visa got stuck in the passport. The same procedure at BKK airport isn't that fast, by far.
Onwards to passport control, also here without queue, and down to pick up our luggage which was already on the belt. Through customs to the taxi area on the left, where the taxi drivers were waiting for customers.
28 minutes after touchdown we sat in the taxi, despite VOA and checked luggage! This makes a good airport, not how pretty it is.
It became a day of record, not even an hour after touchdown, we arrived at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit for check-in.
Unfortunately the hotel was well booked, upgrade wasn't possible. They gave us a room on 31st floor, with perfect view - but I normally prefer lower floors due to the eternal lift ride with many stops.
Our luggage, including the stored one, was delivered to the room, we quickly unpacked the and brought our clothes to the laundry behind the hotel. 6 kg of laundry and 2.5 kg of ironing = 780 Baht.
V. was, of course, already hungry again, so went over to the supermarket, while I headed off to get some cash Thai Baht (best exchange rate in the surrounding: 'Superrich' at BTS station ASOK).
Back in the hotel, V. recovered, I took extensive use of the perfectly equipped gym.
When I came back to the room, V. was already complaining of 'growling stomach' I just do not understand.
For today she had wanted 'noodle soup'. One of our favorite spots for this kind of food is right beside the entrance of Nana Plazas.
The soup was offered in two versions, 'light' (tourists are served this variant automatically) and 'dark'. First ordered the more flavorful, dark version,
powered it up with chili paste (not chili powder!), fish sauce (the Thai 'salt') and some sugar. Delicious, intense. A mistake which, by the way, most tourists do, they eat the broth until the last drop while the Thais don't, since the broth is simply a flavoring sauce for the noodles. When the noodles are consumed, there is no reason to eat the very spicy broth itself.
After the dark soup was consumed, we got another 'bright' bowl.
Honestly said, this time the dark variant quite fade, although we had neatly added chili and fish sauce.
So we went back to the hotel, bought some mango and mangosteen on the way as a dessert.