Frankfurt: rain and cold
I was up rather early and did one last washing machine load while stripping the bed and getting everything packed. Called into the language centre for brief farewells, then it was back without any lunch and I ended up throwing everything I could into the suitcase to weigh in at 23 kg. This time the laptop is in there, so it doesn't have to be carted out of the rucksack each time at security.
Had a bit of a breather while awaiting my flatsitter, Shoaib. Managed to see that he had his wifi connection, then I was off. Wondered where I had packed the international drivers licence, but remembered before the bus stop that it is in the pouch if the smaller diary. About the only thing I think I forgot was a couple of lens cleaning wipes (have 100s of them) – let's see what else I can determine is missing when I get to Auckland.
So I was on one bus earlier, and one train earlier than planned, but at the main station Deutsche Bahn seemed to be operating past its limits. Several trains appeared to be delayed by more than half an hour, and mine was 5-10 minutes in arrears, and was full to the brim, so I was glad that I had made a reservation earlier that day.
Some Hessian fields we sped past were indistinguishable from the creeks and rivers that flowed through them. Must have rained quite a bit.
In Frankfurt I decided on not risking it to get to Da Nico's; instead it was a “Steak Classic” at McDonald's. Stupid question about matches and lighters was negated, but, again, no arrests were made.
Flight was very full and I had some rather inconsiderate people to my left (I was on the window) and in front of me. Talk about supersardine me! The Qantas inflight magazine was not helpful with Miranda Kerr's indispensible holiday tip of a chakra wand. Had chicken for dinner with some wine; then watched a documentary on Felix Baumgartner's jump and the Mythbusters on wrapping yourself in bubble wrap and surviving a 10 metre fall (not) and the right way to upright a car sitting on its roof (not with rockets, but with a nitrogen canon). Then watched Bernie, with a very jaunty rendition of 76 Trombones by a quite chubby Jack Black. Then eventually got some sleep before the hot breakfast. Then we were in Singapore.
Singapore: sunny with some thundery clouds.
Decided against swimming as the time was quite restricted; instead ran around for an hour and a half; found the butterfly and cactus gardens but the batteries in the camera (old eneloop) gave up the ghost rather quickly. Then it was back to the waiting lounge to wait to be boarded. Forgot I was wearing the can with my glasses in it at security and promptly caused the alarm to go off. At least that was effective.