Shanghai the last stop 1 December 2014

Up early checked out of hotel but managed to have breakfast before departing for the airport, taxi not very comfortable, so pleased when reached destination, checked in and went to lounge to relax before flight. Nice man came with wheelchair to take me to plane, I was first on, young woman was sat in window seat, did not seem very happy throughout the flight. I settled in and watched a couple of films in the 5 hour flight, as usual food and drinks provided so time passed quickly.

only problem was person in seat in front who insisted in reclining his seat which restricted my legroom,  I was only economy so suppose cannot complain, my right leg sufferred so went for occasional walks, as I had remembered how cool the air con was previously I had put on long trousers and a t shirt and long sleeved shirt so did not struggle so much with the cold. The flight attendants were very pleasant and helpful throughout the flight, luckily there was no change in time zone but saw the temperature was much cooler at my destination.

The plane was very large and I was told I would be last off but did not mind this, was man doing pushing of wheelchair, he took no effort to relieve problems at steps etc, so felt impact, but did get me through customs and immigration quickly. I have never seen so many drivers waiting to collect passengers in my life, I spotted man with my name so off to his vehicle,  given the cost, the ride and manner of his driving left a lot to be desired, I later found out I could of travelled by train for a fraction of the price.

When I got to the hotel it was an upmarket one with commissioners on the doors, I was quickly checked in and off to my room on the 26th floor, WOW it had a view across the city and stunning view outside the room as was on a corner. It was very well laid out with a lot of attention to detail and quality, better still it had a bath, with lots of storage space instead of the occasional drawer, I forgot to say that there was a change of weather it had dropped from 23 to about 9 so now had heating on in room, put my summer clothes at bottom of the case as I felt they were not going to be needed any more.

I was to find issues with internet firstly it was very slow unless I paid extra and would not connect to Facebook, Google and lots of other things I would of expected to use including here on Blogger, so am writing drafts to upload later, I had a great idea eventually to ask Mandy to mention to others thay I had issues and could not update for myself or Chico but was ok. Luckily Skype was working so able to chat to Jane who was very supportive,  at least its the end of the holiday.

Remembering what people had said about my diet and where I ate, for a change I went to a local cafe and had one of their local dishes which had rice with meat noodles and some pickled vegetables it cost the princely sum of £1 80 followed by a cake from the cake shop. I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and catching up on the internet, although the TV had about 40 channels most were in Chinese apart from news channels just one or two showing old films, so spent last of evening planning tomorrows trip.

On my way toPenang 24 November 2014

Today I got the correct day woke up early but decided to take my time with getting to the airport, checked e mail and websites, then had shower and dressed foot,  I was very clever and did a selfie on it so could see what was doing, then down for breakfast, Robs wife was there and very pleasant asking about yesterday,  discussed pizza man, she mentioned the bakery was also a strange company to deal with. I forgot to say had spoken to friend Paul about problems and my feet so he had offered to help out when i get there but pain much less today, finished packing, then off to the ferry.

Just missed but was ok for time, so caught next, not to busy, then to train for airport so different this time,  when got there signs said  to use lifts, but were long queues so used escalators instead.  Luckily remembered where to go, but still a long walk. At Singapore Airlines was the same nice young lady dealing with me, we quickly sorted me out and another young woman took me to the aircraft, what a busy large place it is, think I would of struggled if tried to do on own. There were quite a few people in wheelchairs waiting to board but we were very well dealt with, plane itself much better than many of the others and staff pleasant in dealing with everybody, so settled back to relax for a couple of hours, well no the flight is 6 hours I think, the times have changed yet again no wonder I dont know what day or time it is. Now the only problem was that I had dressed for the weather in shorts and short sleeved shirt, but the air con was very cold, even the young man sat next to me put an extra layer on, I mentioned it to one of the staff,  but nothing seemed to change so it was as well that they provided blankets which most people were using, eventually the temperature went up but not very much.

The food and drinks were good and decent portions, the entertainment system was also better and easier,  once I had worked it out and later I found it was suitable for the loop of my hearing aids and at present I am typing this on board whilst listening to a selection of their music, see only another 3 and a half hours to go so may have a sleep soon as I have to change planes so more time before I finally reach my destination. Oh I forgot to say that I was very privileged to have a very small unhappy child in the row behind me that let us know this by its crying, at least after a while it quietened down but has just set off again. At times like this the joys of poor hearing and being able to turn on T setting that cuts out lots of noise but can still hear the audio, even if there is a background noise, must investigate all this when return home. Other problem for me is hearing announcements above the plane roar.

Settled to watch nice but sad film after music session,  had slept briefly, well thats what it seemed to me. Then seems we were running late but I should be ok for my flight, but no time to explore Singapore airport now. Was asked to keep back when plane landed and would have escort to get me to plane to Penang, so did this, there was three quarters of an hour to  do so felt would achieve easily, err no wheelchairs not ready when landed so to help walked to concourse, not sure why but then seemed to wait for ever whilst man messed about with paperwork.

Finally with another driver we set off driving at speed through the airport which was huge,  other passengers seemed oblivious to our vehicle travelling at speed and sounding its horn, the driver said I may have to get a later flight, explained did not really want to do this, as had been on the go from early that morning, he went on the phone whilst driving err uum not sure was safest thing in the world but if it got me on the plane that was ok.

Well we made it with a few minutes to spare,  when tried to get to the seat there was one of those passengers who block the aisle whilst they sort out their luggage totally without concern for others trying to board and get seated,  the attendant in the end told her to sit down must say often its a man.

So the plane set off quite basic compared to other but is only a short flight, was given snack and a drink so doing blog to pass time on the flight as there seems no entertainment unless have their app downloaded, good news we are landing shortly do soon will catch up with Paul and Audrey it must be at least seven or eight years since we last met. Then on to hotel and a nights rest before the next phase of my adventure.

Well as hoped when I got to the airport Paul was there to greet me but unfortunately Audrey has some sort of flu type bug so not able to meet up as she does not wish to pass on to me, such a shame as i was looking forward to meeting her again after our brief time at their wedding.  We quickly loaded my luggage into the car of off we set. I forgot to say it was very hot and the humidity was high but have found that I am getting used to it now, the roads were very busy, not sure I would wanted to even try with people cutting in and out of the lanes, but soon we reached the hotel.

What a difference to one or two of the other places i have stayed in definately no creepy crawlies here so far, it was quite upmarket, the check in was swift, I was offerred an upgrade to a beach one for an extra £10 per night, so took that, I could see a beautiful view through the back of the hotel. Paul acted as porter so off we went, it was a very pleasant room, and the view stunning, he left me to unpack and said would call back later to go for a meal and see a few of the sights.