last leg

December 31, 2015

Houston, we have a problem!

We are wondering if we will ever get home.  On our last leg, we had more than our share of challenges.

Flight from Moscow to Houston was 11 hours and 45 minutes.  Talk about restless legs! After going through debarkation, collecting (how many?) suitcases, getting a cart, going through customs (very long line and no bathrooms), we finally got to the "other side".

It did not take long to figure out that things were going down hill from there.  Arriving at the gate for our flight to Tampa, we discovered that our flight would be one hour late.  There was a crew but no pilot.  Small details.

Even when the pilot flew in from his previous flight, it was determined that he could not fly us because he would be over his limit of hours.  And they could not find another pilot. And it was dark.  And it was late.  And you know what happened next.  The flight was cancelled.  And no more flights for the rest of the night.

Two hundred of our new best friends all standing at the customer service counter!  We were all given a voucher to a "nearby" hotel and two free vouchers for breakfast.  Kent thought this was going to be fun since it was New Year's Eve.  I voted to stay at the airport overnight, since it was already late and the flight was at 7:00 am.

So, we went downstairs to catch the hotel shuttle and discovered that all 200 of our new best friends were also in line.  Waited.  Waited.  Finally made it to the hotel before the ball dropped at Times Square, but we did not look forward to our 4:00 am wake-up call.  Asked for a toothbrush and toothpaste.  I should know better!

January 1, 2016

We are a little foggy, so not sure what day or what year it is.  But, dutifully downstairs for the shuttle and those same 200 of our new best friends also waiting.  Then we noticed the flight crew.  They were allowed to get on the airport shuttle while we had to wait in line.

Second try at the Houston airport.  While going through security, Kent forgot to take his computer out of his backpack so he got pulled over.  I was not the only one that gave him a dirty look.  Then, when we got our free breakfast, Kent spilled the orange juice on the floor.  I acted like I didn't know him!

Arrived Tampa.  Nice and warm and sunny -- just how we like it.  Rented a car to return to Osprey and home sweet home.  Checked out house, plants, pond, wildlife.  All is well.

ferocious alligator

eagle at pond's edge

two sand hill cranes

my pineapple

    

so close, yet so far away

December 31, 2015

Moscow...again

We came back through Moscow to eventually fly to Houston, then Tampa, then our house in Osprey.  After leaving Singapore where it was 88 degrees, we are now watching them de-ice our plane.  I wrapped my blanket around me! We have a 11 hour 45 minute flight ahead of us.  

Getting through the Moscow airport was no easy task.  It is slow, not organized and antiquated.  Even though we would be continuing our flight on the same plane, they made us get off (with everything). Then we had to get in line to have our boarding passes checked, go through security (one moving belt, one scanner, and one woman looking at the x-ray scanning machine), and have our passports checked. Why in the world would they then let us walk through the airport concourse to get to our gate?  Naturally when we arrived at our gate, they checked our boarding passes and had someone go through our baggage again.  And they don't believe in any form of heating or seating in the gate area.  I was afraid that they would make us walk from the gate to the plane in the wind and snow.  And this is the international terminal?  But we finally got settled into our same plane, same seats but new pillows and new blankies and no trash and hoping for a hot meal. 

on our way

Wednesday, December 30 and Thursday, December 31, 2015

After the kids went to bed, Sarah and Jeremy took us to Singapore's Changi Airport, Terminal 3.  Easy check in, even with all of our bags.  We changed our Sing money to US money.  Went through first security check, then deportation then entertained ourselves by walking around the airport, looking at shops, checking out food counters and people-watching. 

A large Star Wars display inside the Changi airport.

A koi pond near the Dunkin Donuts.

We wanted to go through security to sit near our gate, but they said it was too early.  They would not let us go through until 1:30 am.  After boarding the plane, they announced that there was a mechanical problem and we would have to get off the plane.  After "hosting" us with refreshments in a large lobby, they found us a new plane, assigned us a new gate and made us go through security again.  We actually did not leave until 5:00 am.  Next stop:  Moscow.

wrapping it up

Kent and I were having a difficult time trying to decide what we were going to do for entertainment on our last days here in Singapore.  So, we will wrap it up with a few odds and ends.

Monday, December 28, 2015

We went to the Terror Club and the pool on the naval base to cool off.  Kent took Parker over to the soccer fields with the Russian soccer ball that he got for Christmas.  We treated ourselves to snacks and ice cream.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

We took the Metro to downtown Singapore and got off at the Marina Bay Sands Mall.  We decided to eat lunch at the Super Heroes Cafe.  I don't think we were prepared for the "weird" menu and the high prices, but we were hungry.  And Kent met a few new friends.  

After our lunch we did some window shopping and came across this wonderful little shop stocked with ballet clothing, bags, tutus and lots of toe shoes.  We did not look at the prices.

There is nothing like a boat ride -- inside the mall.

This is usually a skating rink (yes, inside the mall) but it has been turned into a Christmas village. 

I spy Santa Claus

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

We all went to the nearby Woodlands Mall to see the movie, Star Wars.  We wore our winter coats because it was so cold inside.

We will always remember Sarah and Jeremy's 'helper', Analea.  This shows her in the kitchen whipping up something for our dinner.  Her days were filled with cleaning, cooking, baking, washing clothes, running to the market and watching over the four kids.  She always had such a great disposition. 

One last look at our temporary "hotel" on Woodgrove Walk.  It was close to the kid's school, the Metro station, places to eat, a mall and there were lots of kids to play ball with in the middle of the street.

A little wave to the sentinel who always watches our comings and goings.

Hansel and Gretel

Saturday, December 26, 2015

All four kids have been working very hard throughout the week.  It has kept them busy since school is on break.  They participated in Hansel and Gretel with the help of the Missoula Children's Theatre. The production was performed at the naval base.  Allison played the part of "Granny", Madison was a "Camper", Parker was a "Rascal" and McKenna was a "Walybird".  It is not your normal Hansel and Gretel, but with a twist; it has several moral lessons.

The Missoula Children's Theatre is the world's largest children's theatre.  It has a contract with the U. S. Navy to fill a moral-based need on military bases.  Two tour directors arrive and they hold auditions.  Rehearsals take place during the week and the production is at the end of the week. They bring with them the costumes, scenery and props.  During the week, the kids, who are in grades K through 12, learn their lines, and memorize the songs. 

Sarah welcomed everyone.

Madison, left, as a "camper"

Allison, right, as "Granny"

McKenna, center, as a "Wallybird"

Parker, center, as a "Rascal"

Gingerbread Men and Women

Wallybirds taking a bow

Rascals taking a bow

Campers taking a bow

Allison (Granny) and others in the cast

the cast of Hansel and Gretel

Christmas Day

Friday, December 25, 2015 

Christmas in Singapore at Woodgrove Walk

Can we come downstairs now?

Each one has a special gift.  Smile!

These kids have been taught right!  They are checking for the security strips in the money that we gave them.  They don't want any counterfeits! 

Carol with her 'Made in India' quilt featuring elephants.

And the best Christmas presents ever -- Twinkies sent from the United States from Aunt Katherine and Uncle Jason.  You are the best!

Are those Christmas cards that haven't been sent out?

Enjoying every morsel.

Super Trees and Light Show

Christmas Eve 2015

The night wasn't over.  After dinner and viewing the Christmas decorations at the Flower Dome, we headed over to the Super Trees so that we would be on time for the Light Show which takes place every evening during the holidays.

They even made it snow!

The towers of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Then we had a long walk back to the car.

A good look at the Singapore skyline.

Flower Dome

Christmas Eve, 2015

We continued with the evening's plan and the Christmas Eve tradition of viewing Singapore's Flower Dome.  It was packed with people and beautiful Christmas and holiday creations.  This is when you need one of those very expensive cameras to capture the height, the lights, the flowers and the magic.

The Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world.  It includes a display of flowers and plants from Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.  The indoor temperature stays at about 72 degrees. 

Allison, Kent, McKenna, Jeremy, Madison, 

Parker, Carol and Sarah

McKenna, Allison, Parker and Madison