10./11.01.10 Singapur - Frankfurt Because our hotel was so generous to us to leave until 15.00 clock the room, we went at 9.30 clock once comfortably booked for the breakfast buffet. The choice we knew already from the Swissotel Sydney. Here in Singapore, it was just a bit chaotic and a bit set to the tastes of Asians. Because it was chilly in the restaurant once again, we preferred a place out in cozy warmth of 30 ° C.
After we had strengthened extensively, we were on our way to the Civic Center, the first visit to Parliament House and the Art Museum of Singapore.
It was very hard to walk in the heat of the city and also were Miriam's ear pain worse and so we decided to head back to the hotel at . make
Because we have a very long and arduous way back Germany would have to, we rested on two cozy chairs by the pool.
we sell our time to sleep and read books and we could clock at 17.30 in the spa area use the showers and freshen up before our long flight.
Then it was on the other side of the street in a shopping center. There, we approved a sandwich from Subway. Back at the hotel we could deliver us our luggage, packed up once more and then increased to the next best taxi.
This time we had a local taxi driver who chatted us fully from the first minute until arrival at the airport. He informed us about any building and so we got a "free" city tour. We paid $ 20 S and then saw at the airport that the conversion rate 1 € = 2 S was $. So we found out in retrospect that this was all actually quite cheap.
Prior to the airport, huge queues of taxis, which, according to our driver took up to 2.5 hours of waiting in department to pick up passengers and bring added everywhere.
We walked with our luggage trolley direction Qantas check-in and were allowed to check in on the premium button. The friendly young lady disappeared with our flight ticket and appeared long time again. But let us know another staff member that we are only a "two-piece-concept" would and should therefore carry only two bags à 20 kg. Our bags each weighing over 22 kg and even this came the famous "Medical Bag" with "only" 17 kg, for so few, we have used on our 3-month journey. Our purchases were very limited.
After a long wait we are informed that a supervisor had approved our excess baggage and so we came again this time with a black eye. Our luggage was checked in without any complaints and we passed the time with a stroll through the shops. Beate hit the same times again and bought a chain, because the exchange rate it was worth it ;-).
made Slowly we made our way to gate C1 and sat comfortably on the Singapore airport carpet to write our last report. At the gate, had to wait again, for only the luggage should be screened. Suddenly we looked at the scoreboard, that our flight departing not from Gate 1, but rather from gate 25 would. Once again, we grabbed our bags and off we went through half of the airport to C25.
The illumination of the hand luggage went quickly and soon was the assistant to the aisle chair available for tranfer in the fliers. Of particular interest was that the special wheelchairs in Singapore in addition to the big four small wheels were two drive wheels that could be removed with a handle.
10 minutes later we were first on the plane and into our middle row 52. Despite the large machine was the Bording progressing rapidly with 20-minute delay we took off from Frankfurt.
Singapore Airlines was indeed comfortable but also with Quantas we were sitting pretty good, got pillow, blanket, sleep mask and toothbrush and our conversation was with the media system in the backrest of each front seat, well looked after. We sold our time with watching movies and video games.
Soon after, there was even the first dish. Then, the cabin is darkened and doze in front of him. The first four hours flew by and the rest of our 13 hour flight was spectacular. During the dark phase, we received a lunch box, in order not to starve to death while sleeping. In the morning there was a breakfast and soon after we landed first at 5:05 clock in the cold, snowy Frankfurt.
Even the last infidel now packed their flip-flops and hot pants. At 36 ° C temperature difference we rolled slowly towards the gangway. The pilot told us that the runway was still slightly snowy and icy and we therefore extra care had to drive. Dropping out was relatively quick, and in Frankfurt was immediately available to Red Cross crew, Beate to get off the plane.
While Miriam waited for the luggage, Beate went along with the Wizard, "Lost & Found" switch from Qantas to report any damage to the wheelchair. At 6.00 clock was all settled and we had a forced break in the airport lounge, disabled, since the Sky Train, which should take us to the train station was faulty. We used the time for a toilet and then made our visit with a different companion on the way through half of the airport with luggage trolley and hand luggage.
When we finally got the labyrinth of the Frankfurt Airport had crossed, we got to the ticket office of Deutsche Bahn. There we tried to retrieve our tickets already ordered by credit card at the machines, what does not work. An unfriendly track assistant before taking over the task, but without success. The service center was "due to the current situation" can not be reached. We were recommended without a ticket to board the train and explain the situation to the conductor.
light to moderate irritated we were tired and frozen to the info-point, where the lift was ordered in advance. Until the arrival of the train were sent for 40 minutes and the unfriendly lady at this counter us away again for 20 minutes and said, we could come back at 7.40 clock, as the train would leave only at 7.54 clock. So we stood in the windswept station, we were annoyed about the warm welcome in Germany and felt immediately at home.
in time we found ourselves again at the information desk. Two attendants on the train ahead of us ran to the station and then we asked ourselves in the long line in front of the elevator that took us to the track. There we learned about the scoreboard and two announcements that the ICE to Basel have 10 minutes late. Beate was allowed to have equal time to make lifting tower.
We told the attendants that we had reserved seats for the car 34 and got the insolent reply: "There carriage 34 it is not today," In our consultation, should sit where we read: "Come in and sit down just to go somewhere!" That was easier said than done, as it later proved out should.
When the ICE opened the doors, poured a lot of people off the train and tried at least twice as many people push her way into it. Here we were for the first time aware of how unpleasant the other recklessness is over in Germany and how pleasant it was in all other countries where people waited patiently in queues and always remained friendly. Germany has us back!
We came with the truck barely came to the door and when the train door was Beate, you have no other choice than to stay right are there because there was no progress between the many suitcases and passengers through. Miriam stood still with the baggage car on the platform and tried to wade through the door. The conductor wanted to just close the door when Beatrice and the two companions insisted that the case, and Miriam had yet to clean. Then the doors were finally closed and some passengers had to wait for the next train.
our luggage on the train was in transit. Miriam used a suitcase as a seat and Beatrice had her chair so there. There was no before and was going back to a regular seat and think not so. Passengers who had gemusst the toilet did not come through and people who wanted to get off at the next stop had to deal with luggage on their heads through the crowds jostle. So we had our last ride we do not know, either.
On questions at the conductor, we learned that had failed due to winter driving snow in northern Germany and several trains were missing from our ICE eight cars. The ICE came from Cologne and Frankfurt was already busy with 150%. While some passengers got there from, but however many more were back and the larger amounts of luggage.
was now we even bother to stand in the aisle and we were glad to be in it at all. The many problems getting on and off in between, we had almost 20 minutes late, we caught up again to Basel and one hour before arrival, we even got a seat in the compartment.
arrived in Basel, Many was already waiting on the platform and quickly the trip went from Rheinfelden. To celebrate the day we went to the Greeks and lunch at 15.00 clock Miriam got an appointment with the ear, nose and throat doctor. The right medicine for the ear infection we could pick up in the same pharmacy and then we filled up the fridge with Beate's necessary foods.
Another hour was spent for sorting and looking through the mail. After 42 hours Aufsein we fell as if dead at 20.00 clock moved to the bed, the letter of the last report to the next day.
