On the Move - Stage 2, Singapore to Norwich.

I arrived at Changi Airport ahead of time. I had previously noted that my flight was scheduled to land at Terminal 3, but my connecting flight was departing from Terminal 2. So, I made my way to Terminal 2 using the convenient SkyTrain.

Upon reaching Terminal 2, I discovered that my flight had been "re-timed," which meant my layover was extended to nearly 6 hours. Unfortunately, I found that The Jewel, a popular attraction, was closed so late at night, so with plenty of time to spare, I decided to explore the airport a bit.   Plenty of construction going on so it was interesting to look around, a lot of the shops where closed.  

I managed to locate a comfortable spot to sit down for a while. While resting, I decided to check if the gate had been listed on the departures board. To my surprise, it hadn't been listed, but I did notice that the flight was now scheduled to depart from Terminal 3. So, it was back on the Skytrain, making my way to Terminal 3 once again.

After reaching Terminal 3, I found a quiet corner where I could stretch out and catch some sleep. I improvised a pillow using my handbag and draped my arm over my backpack. This impromptu nap gave me about 1.5 hours of much-needed rest, which was quite rejuvenating.

Upon waking up, it was time to head to the gate. Due to the delayed flight, we were provided with a pack of goodies to keep us nourished during the journey. Most of these treats (I did have the pack of Ruffles, I was a bit hungry to be honest) ended up with my mom in Norwich, as we shared the delightful surprises later on.

The flight delay indeed stemmed from the connecting flight from Brisbane running behind schedule. Although the exact number of Brisbane passengers on our flight remained unclear, it unfortunately resulted in several travelers missing their connections to Cork, Onslow, and Glasgow due to the extended delay. With the A380 accommodating over 400 passengers, the delay impacted a significant number of people, stretching for more than 3 hours. It does make one ponder the decision-making process that led to such a lengthy delay, especially considering the inconvenience it caused to so many travelers. In my case, the inconvenience was limited to feeling rather tired and missing out on a few planned activities during my time in London upon arrival.

Amidst the flight, I managed to capture a stunning sunrise over the Caspian Sea, breathtaking touch of beauty.

It's truly remarkable how far one can travel on a single leg of a flight these days. While this flight may not be one of those epic 19-hour journeys, it's incredible to reflect on how air travel has evolved in my lifetime. I can recall my childhood when, on a DC10 (yes, I was quite young back then), to reach Los Angeles, we had to go through multiple stops, including, Papeete in Tahiti, Hawaii, and then finally arrive in LA. The aviation industry has certainly come a long way in terms of efficiency and long-haul travel options since those days.

We touched down in London at 8:45 am, and to my pleasant surprise, I had cleared customs and reached the baggage claim area by 9:05 am. It was one of the smoothest experiences I've had going through customs there. I couldn't help but appreciate the convenience of using the eGates with our New Zealand passports now that the UK is no longer part of the EU—a definite bonus. While my bags did take a bit longer to arrive, by 10:00 am, I was comfortably seated on the platform, eagerly awaiting the Elizabeth Line train to continue my journey.

One of the bucket list items I had eagerly anticipated for this trip was riding the Elizabeth Line train. This addition to London's transport network, not only being new but also offering a direct route from Heathrow to Liverpool Street Station without the need for changeovers, made it an incredibly convenient option. London truly knows how to enhance the travel experience, and riding the Elizabeth Line was nothing short of amazing.

Upon my arrival at Liverpool Street Station, I had the opportunity to check off another item from my bucket list—a ride in the Funicular Lift from the Elizabeth Line platform area to the ticket level. It was a unique experience and added an extra layer of adventure to my journey. Exploring new facets of London's transportation system made this trip even more interesting.

With some time to spare before catching my 11:30 train to Norwich, I ventured across the street from the station to locate a Vodafone store. There, I secured a Data Sim for internet access on my portable Wifi unit, ensuring I would stay connected throughout my journey. Then, with a few minutes to spare, I boarded the train to Norwich. This particular train turned out to be quite lengthy, prompting me to walk all the way to the front, as I knew I would have to traverse a similar distance upon arriving in Norwich, if not even more. This strategic move indeed paid off, making things more convenient at the other end of the journey. Disembarking the train and reaching the taxi rank happened swiftly.

I arrived at my mother's place at 2 pm in the afternoon, marking the end of a 42-hour trip. At this point, I was certainly in need of some well-deserved rest.