Aurora - World cruise Sector - Singapore to Cape Town

Wednesday 16 March 2016

We set off for Heathrow at 2.30 and made good time. Checked in our large cases and went through security. As is now usual I was subjected to a thorough hand search as my knee set off the alarms – they even insisted on feeling inside my waistband! Then we went to the quiet area to eat a sandwich and check Wi-Fi. By the time we reached the correct gate it was virtually time to board. We were on the upper deck of the A380 near the back. My seat was a bulkhead one which I thought good until I realised it was just in front of a toilet and people let the door slam all night, quite aside from knocking my shoulder every time someone squeezed past! Got settled for the 13 hour flight to Changi Airport, Singapore.

Thursday 17 March - Singapore

The plane arrived five minutes early at around 3pm and we were quickly though immigration. Our driver was waiting for us and took us and the cases to a waiting area while he retrieved the vehicle. The heat and humidity hit us like a sauna! This was my first foray to the Far East and the whole experience was exciting and fascinating. It was not a long drive to the Grand Park City Hall hotel where we were staying for the next two nights and our friendly driver pointed out places of interest on the way as well as answering our many questions. After checking in we went up to our seventh floor room. It was very comfortable (although not quite up to the standards of the Savoy in Buenos Aires which has clearly spoiled us!).
 

 

After settling in and changing we arranged to meet with friends who were joining us on the cruise and flying in from Thailand that evening at 7pm. We then set off for the Long Bar at Raffles for the obligatory Singapore Sling and peanuts before walking the city streets to Chijmes, an historic building complex in Singapore, which began life as a Catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus for dinner. 
 

 

Friday 18 March - Singapore

After a delicious breakfast, including a specially sliced Dragon fruit for us to try, we set off to explore a little. We wandered to the Cathedral via a minimarket and a few souvenir shops, watched some baseball games, and then to opposite Boat Quay but on our side of the river.
 

Dining room, Grand Park City Hall Hotel



St Andrew's Cathedral

 

Part of Boat Quay from across the river

Then it was back to the hotel to freshen up as it was very hot - very very hot! Met up at 1pm with our friends and took a taxi to the Gardens by the Bay where we spent a lovely afternoon wandering through the various habitats, waterfalls and conservatories. It was odd to walk into a conservatory cooler than the outside air! Then back to the hotel again for another shower and change before meeting up again for a drink followed by a delicious dinner on a floating restaurant at Clarke’s Quay.

 

Saturday 19 March - Singapore

The next morning we briefly went shopping before checking out of the hotel as our transfer car arrived to take us to the port where Aurora awaited us. Check-in was fast and efficient and we were on board by 1pm. We both then popped back ashore to the cruise terminal to make use of the free Wi-Fi. After muster drill and a change again, we met up for champagne in our friends' suite (B224) before heading for dinner in the Alexandria restaurant where we had been allocated a table for 8 right by the stern windows. There we met two of our new table companions. After dinner we watched a local folklore show (including Chinese dragon dancers) before going out on deck for sailaway.

We were due to sail just before midnight but paperwork delayed us until 2am so I was not able to watch the transit through the Singapore Straits.