Arrived in Australia

Flight over was long but uneventfully.

Departing Edmonton with AC you have to get your boarding pass first from the automatic machines. Then you take your luggage to the counter for checking. They will give you seats all the way to Singapore and your bags will be checked all the way. They only eyeball your luggage for weight. The AC lady indicated 23 kgs was the limit per bag. You will have to take your clubs to the oversize area for scanning and then on to the belt.

In Vancouver you will take the turn just before you leave the hallway and go left to international departures. We left from gate 70. Since you have paper tickets please check in at the desk as they will want to change your boarding pass. If not happy with seats this is the place to ask for a change. Our plane was full so could not change. Ended up with window and next to it. It was ok but I hate climbing over people to get out. Window does have more leg room as it does not have the hard drive for the movies under the aisle seat.

We were happy to get off for an hour in Korea. Take a while and look around the airport as it is very nice with some great shops.

I watched 5 movies to Korea and one after for my normal total of 6. Had a little nap and we were in Singapore 1/2 hour early. Got our transfer tickets, coupons and got on the bus to the hotel. Arrived at the hotel around 1 AM.

The exchange rate at the airport was 1.40 S$ for 1 C$. At the hotel it was $1.30. There are a number of ATMS near where you check in at the hotel desk. Please read tip booklet for directions to hotel desk.

This year we did not check our clubs but took them on the bus. The price for this was S$4 each for the round trip. Cheap so might as well do this. At the hotel we left our clubs in the storage room where you get off the bus. If you want to take them to your room that is ok.

Since you arrive late there is only one bell person on duty. So it is best to take your bags up the elevator to the lobby and check in. You will have to give them you MCO.

The hotel is in an excellent location. You can walk the one or two blocks to the river where you will find your free boat ride and many restaurants. China town is only a couple of blocks more. You will be there during the Chinese New Years so lots will be going on.

If you go the opposite way that is north on North Bridge road you reach the famous hotel called Raffles. If you are there after 5pm you can get a Singapore Sling in the famous long bar. You will need one of your coupons for this. There is excellent shopping at the Raffles Center.

Across the street is another excellent location for dining. It is a collection of 17 restaurants called Cnijas Hall. Not sure if I spelled this correctly. Try eating around 8 as that is the time the locals start to show up.

The Hop on Off Bus is close by the hotel and this takes you for free around the city. You can get off at any place you want and then the bus arrives back 30 min later. If you like Orchids then you must go to the National Orchids area at the Botanical Gardens.

The zoo is also worth a visit as is the Harbour Cruise.

Cabs are very cheap. It cost us S$4 to travel a good distance one morning.

The hotel has a decent buffet breakfast and you will get 50% off so it will only be about S$9 or $6.30 C$.

The hotel has two very good swimming pools and a decent gym.

Make sure you check with the SIA Tour Desk to book tours and most important your return transfer to the airport. If you are in the main group you will be told what time you are to get the bus.

There is a golf shop in the hotel that had some excellent prices on golf balls. The sale may be over when you are there but check it out if you to purchase some balls.

For your arrival in Brisbane please declare all food and related items or throw it away. This year we had no problems at all. If you want to purchase alcohol you can get it after you get off the plane and just before you clear immigration.

The weather is good, highs 28 and lows 22. We have had rain each night so the courses are green and appear in good shape. We are golfing today for the first time as we had work to do the first two days. We do not have AC only ceiling fans and have slept very well with windows open and the fan on.