On landing in Singapore we are informed that we will no longer be continuing in this aircraft to Paris and that there was a change of gate. Our first task, after using the bathroom facilities, is to find the gate, which is thankfully closer to retail and food. But we only have a short time before boarding, and at Changi, that means passing through gate security.
With such a limited time in Singapore, less than an hour, B is determined to eat. On the way I stop at a Bengawan Solo to buy kuih lapis legit and pineapple tarts. Then it’s upstairs to the 24 hour food court, to SG Hawker. B orders a bowl of noodles and a lime juice, I get a laksa. Alex is feeling rotten and just wants to sleep.
Singaporean laksa is different to Malaysian laksa and I enjoy the flavour of this, though thankfully it is not too filling because I am still not hungry.
Hurry back to the gate. We have time.
Alex throws up as he boards.
The cabin is fuller than the flight up. B negotiates to find a three seater to herself after takeoff. A few others also get moved.
We takeoff towards the south, then do a U-turn to the left, back over where we arrived, and up the Malaysian Peninsula. Cities shine brightly below between cloud, which gets thicker as we fly north. At Alor Setar we turn out to sea and over the Bay of Bengal. The boats below are specks of green and orange light in the ocean.
Alex and I refuse anything more than the chocolate-orange cake slice dessert, despite the catering sounding better out of Singapore than Sydney.
Despite the bumps, and it is bumpy, I drift off into a fitful sleep. I awake at one point to find outside black, even the wingtip light seemingly extinguished. Oh no, they’ve locked the electronic window shades to maximum!
I close my eyes again and get more Z’s until after we have crossed the Bay, three hours after takeoff. Alex is still sick.
I continue watching Disclosure Day in fits and starts, napping between. It’s okay, Steven Spielberg with a John Williams soundtrack. I try to sleep more as we cross Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. I miss seeing the Hindu Kush or the Pamirs in the starlight. I’ve flown this leg in daylight and the scenery is incredible.
It’s bumpy almost all the way. Niggling, annoying. There’s no internet access either until we reach Baku in Azerbaijan.
It is my belief that single word titles make the best inflight movies. On the basis of that, my inflight obsession with the weather and the fact that we plan to visit Normandy, I decide to watch Pressure. It’s okay and not too long.
It does get bumpy towards the end as we fly near Serbia.
B has returned to join us for the final part of the flight. With 2 hours left, the cabin mood lighting wakes up. I feel like sleeping again.
Breakfast is a choice between a frittata with sausage or fruit. We all choose the latter. The mini muffins are nice and the other two enjoy their Greek yoghurt with blueberry compote.
The first officer says we may see Paris on descent, but there are a lot of clouds. It is done in the dark and the windows are not unshaded until 10 minutes or less to go. There are some views of the city, but which one? It is not clear.
As we approach Paris low cloud blocks most of the view. We turn, turn, turn, down, down, and then with a huge bump touch the tarmac. A very heavy landing!
Immigration is quick, despite Smarttraveller’s warnings, but baggage return takes a while. It’s a long walk to the RER B station. First we buy Navigo rechargeable cards and 14 Euro tickets to the city. You can just use the phone app instead of a card and also recharge via the phone, but in this case I prefer having a physical ticket.
Like Sydney, the train from the airport is expensive and also like Sydney the trains are not designed for tourists with luggage. Commuters fight for seats with those whose bags take up a space themselves. I wanted to just bring small backpacks but was overruled and it’s a pain. Same for the young Japanese couple next to me. I surprised them when getting out with thanking them in Japanese. Here we are in Paris.
Looking out the window does remind me that we are back in this old city.
I’m exhausted, I stink and all I want to do is have a wash and go to sleep. That was a long and bumpy night of flying and we still have the flight home to come.