August 15 – the big day finally arrived! Rich woke at 4.00am like an excited schoolboy, I only managed a little longer. A last look around the house and a final check of the suitcases (yes, I had to sit on mine to close it) before the lovely Suzanne arrived to take us to the airport. We are so grateful to her for avoiding the hassle of a taxi.
Then a pleasant flight – new cabin was a mystery, had to ask the cabin steward how all the gadgets worked. We watched Disgrace, John Malkovich as brilliant as always. An immaculate landing brought us to the Changi terminal, where we whisked through in record time and 45 minutes later pulled up at the Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel to find David Kraal waiting at the entrance. “Meet me in the bar, I’ve organized some drinks” says he. Dom Perignon certainly starts the holiday in style, and took the wind out of our sails a little as we had brought him a bottle to wet his new grandson’s head!
We have also met some of David’s family; lovely wife Yvonne, beautiful daughters Carol and Pat, Pat’s even more beautiful daughters Auria, April and Ashley, and extended family ‘K’, Sharon, Steven and Edward.
I don’t think we have stopped eating since, the food is wonderful, but I’m getting worried that we will be overweight when we fly out, never mind the suitcases. Samy's Indian restaurant, so authentic we ate off banana leaves with our fingers, fish head curry to die for. And the hotel restaurant Chap Chye equally heavenly. PROMISE to take photos soon............