We arrange with the concierge desk of the condo for a ride to the airport. Our stay in KL has been very nice, but it is time to move on to Singapore. Our driver texts me via WhatsApp that he is here as we are in the elevator to the lobby. Perfect timing!
The driver turns out to be quite a talker - he didn’t stop during the full hour that we ride to the airport. We learn his life story. He discusses China’s loans to build infrastructure in Indonesia. He tells us that the government is in the process of building a new city closer to the airport which will become the new capital of Indonesia. He reminds us that the King of Indonesia moves every five years through a number of Sultan families. He talks about the collapse of the government over the weekend then adds “Sure, the government collapsed, but look around. People are still going about their daily life. No impact”. Whew, we’re exhausted from listening when we arrive.
We purposely have left the condo extra early because we were not sure what to expect at the airport with the coronavirus scare. We are concerned that there might be long lines due to extra screening, etc. It turns out that the impact is that the airport is almost deserted. There are six agents waiting to do check-in’s for JetStar Airlines with no one in line. We’re asked if we have been to China in the past 14 days. We walk towards Immigration and there isn’t a person in front of us, even though only three booths are open. We breeze through and go find the lounge to await our 50 minute flight to Singapore.
Arrival in Singapore is very easy and the taxi ride is less than 20 minutes to the Swissotel, which will be our home for the next four nights. Due to the coronavirus they have setup body temperature monitors as people enter the building. We must also fill out a form with our travel history during the check-in process.
The Swissotel is right on Clarke Quay where we have a room with a balcony overlooking the water and the restaurants on the quay. After dinner we lounge in chairs on the balcony and do some serious people-watching late into the evening. William enjoys a cigar (which is allowed on the balconies) and we sip a beverage. Fun!
The driver turns out to be quite a talker - he didn’t stop during the full hour that we ride to the airport. We learn his life story. He discusses China’s loans to build infrastructure in Indonesia. He tells us that the government is in the process of building a new city closer to the airport which will become the new capital of Indonesia. He reminds us that the King of Indonesia moves every five years through a number of Sultan families. He talks about the collapse of the government over the weekend then adds “Sure, the government collapsed, but look around. People are still going about their daily life. No impact”. Whew, we’re exhausted from listening when we arrive.
We purposely have left the condo extra early because we were not sure what to expect at the airport with the coronavirus scare. We are concerned that there might be long lines due to extra screening, etc. It turns out that the impact is that the airport is almost deserted. There are six agents waiting to do check-in’s for JetStar Airlines with no one in line. We’re asked if we have been to China in the past 14 days. We walk towards Immigration and there isn’t a person in front of us, even though only three booths are open. We breeze through and go find the lounge to await our 50 minute flight to Singapore.
Arrival in Singapore is very easy and the taxi ride is less than 20 minutes to the Swissotel, which will be our home for the next four nights. Due to the coronavirus they have setup body temperature monitors as people enter the building. We must also fill out a form with our travel history during the check-in process.
The Swissotel is right on Clarke Quay where we have a room with a balcony overlooking the water and the restaurants on the quay. After dinner we lounge in chairs on the balcony and do some serious people-watching late into the evening. William enjoys a cigar (which is allowed on the balconies) and we sip a beverage. Fun!
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