Singapore to Melbourne

We got back to the hotel and picked up our things before catching our last taxi to the airport once again. Once we got in we checked it with no dramas (thankfully) and walked through into the duty-free section where we headed up to where we remembered Burger King was.

After filling ourselves up on delicious junk and catching a glimpse of the Butterfly House inside the airport our gate was finally opened and we could head to catch our flight. Once again I had to take my shoes off as I went through, but this time did not have to unpack my bag. We filled out our custom forms for Australia as we waited, before eventually boarding.

After a very slight nap there was more airport food, more listening to music and more watching movies with turbulence until finally we saw the red Australian sunrise creep its way into the plane. We landed, picked up my duty-free alcohol from December and went to pick our bags up. After waiting for ages until they came around, Justine got stuck in customs while I walked straight out, heading in the wrong direction so I had to find my own welcome party, rather than the other way around.

There they all were, just as we'd left them. As Justine got out of customs we were home again, with our families (slightly fewer than who had seen us off) and ready for bed. Driving back home it felt surreal. It almost doesn't feel like we were even gone at all, but everything is so alien because I haven't seen it for so long.

And every so often the Eiffel Tower or Colosseum, relatives or theme parks will pop into my head and I'll remember. Yes, we did that. The HughMac Adventure is over.

For now.

Singapore

We both struggled with staying asleep this morning due to heat, cold, the light actually coming through the window in the morning or the fact that it should have been 8 hours earlier. I managed to fall asleep again in the morning while Justine went down to have breakfast then plan our day.

We checked out of the hostel where they were kind enough to keep our luggage in storage for the day, before wandering through the streets of Singapore to Little India station. It was quite bizarre sweating in shorts and singlet tops and wearing sunglasses having just spent the last two months rugged up and cold. We caught the train which stopped at Vivo Shopping Centre, where we wandered around buying ice cream and juice and soaking up the lovely views of Sentosa Island opposite. Justine was in heaven, there was a Ben & Jerry's AND a Häagen Dazs!

We caught the bus over to Sentosa after realising that the cable car didn't go where we need it to, before stopping off at Resorts World where we headed into Universal Studios. The atmosphere was amazing, with everything looking like a movie set and quite epic music playing as we entered the park. It could have been the heat or just the atmosphere, but we were very excited.

Our first stop after walking through Hollywood and New York City was Sci-Fi City where we automatically went to ride on Battlestar Gallatica, the world's tallest pair of dueling Rollercoaster’s. After riding in the front as Humans we walked through as Cylons and screamed and laughed as we soared over and through water and mist. It was amazing. Next up was the Accelerator, which was similar to the Tea Cups at Disneyland. And like the Tea Cups, didn't spin nearly fast enough.

We headed over to Ancient Egypt next and had a look at the theme park all spread out before us. Then it was onto Revenge of the Mummy, which as fans of the first two Mummy films, Justine and I completely loved. But then it was time to go into what I'd been looking forward to the entire day; The Lost World.

Being a Jurassic Park fan from when I was little it was just too cool to walk through the great wooden gates into Jurassic Park. Our first stop was the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, where the warning tags that "you will get wet, possibly soaked!" Indeed, as our raft propelled itself through the broken electric fence we were splashed around raptors and into a dark tunnel where the fate of the T-Rex awaited us. All to escape down a sliding water hatch and be showered. We were lucky we had put our bags in a poncho another rider had so generously left. Then it was onto Dino-Soarin' as we floated above the park and were able to see over all of The Lost World.

Next up we ventured into Far Far Away where we hopped onto Enchanted Airways and were taken on a spin by Dragon. Then it was into Madagascar to move it move it on King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round. Having rounded the park once we walked slower to explore the pier in New York City and decide just what type of merchandise we wanted to buy.

As we were in The Lost World again I tried sitting on the egg in the middle of the on-off fountain, but was completely soaked as it turned on again. But it didn't really matter as the black clouds above started heaving torrential rain on us and we decided that we might as well walk through it. With just a few minutes left we headed back onto Battlestar Gallatica as both Humans and Cylons in the first row this time, realising just how painful rain and rollercoaster’s can be. Then we rushed onto Revenge of the Mummy one last time before heading out of the park and back to the hotel to catch our flight. It was such an amazing day we could almost forget we'd have to spend the next eight hours on a plane.

London to Singapore

It felt a bit strange going through the airport motions again. Our bags managed to get themselves under the weight, while I also had to take all my electronics (including camera and chords) out of my hand luggage because it was interfering with the scanner. Justine's was fine!

We got through customs and into the waiting area before boarding our third Airbus of the trip. We haven't been seated upstairs yet, but were in the back for this one. Then it was time for the 12 hour flight of trying to sleep, watching movies, listening to music, airplane food, going numb, myself tiredly dipping my headphones into my water, and more trying to sleep.

We eventually arrived in Singapore the Monday after, having skipped an entire day. It almost feels like we've wasted the day because we've lost about 8 hours. As it's longer than 48 hours from having our bags board the plane, they can't be carried through onto our Melbourne flight which is a pain. But we managed to pick them up and get through customs before catching a taxi to our hotel where all we wish to do is shower and sleep.

The Last Day

As we woke up this morning, Nicola warned us that in a few minutes her nearly 2-year-old nephew George, and 4-year-old niece Isabelle were coming to visit, and would have jumped on us if we weren't out of bed. So we hurried to get ready before meeting my third cousins, and last set of relatives for this trip. Unfortunately, Spencer (Nicola's brother) was sick so I didn't get to meet him or his wife Bec.

We set off grocery shopping in Isabelle's store before making some scones. Justine and I had realised the day before that we hadn't had any scones while in England, so Nicola let us loose with Isabelle in the kitchen to do some baking. Somehow Justine managed not to get her hands dirty, being Chief 'Recipe Reader'. Into the oven they went and before long we were chowing down on delicious piles of cream, jam and scone.

Next up was nurse time, and clumsy Justine managed to have quiet a few sores that needed patching up! Once she'd escaped from her mummification, we set about finishing the last of our packing while Nicola and Carol began making us a Sunday Roast Chicken. It was a great meal to finish up on, all sitting around the table (Page underneath) eating roast followed by Banoffi pie.

But all good things must come to an end so we said goodbye to Isabelle and George and an hour later Justine and I were pulling our suitcases into the boot of the car. Nicola had kindly offered to drive us up to the airport, with Carol and Page sharing the front passenger seat so we were lucky enough to be seen off properly. There were hugs, kisses and pats as well, but I've got that surreal feeling coming back again. It just doesn't feel like it's already been 8 weeks.

Arundel

We had a bit of a slow start this morning due to some problems with the plumbing, but were eventually able to get out of the house and go to Arundel in the afternoon. It’s a Laughton tradition to visit Arundel, particularly the Antique shops there, so Nicola, Justine and I decided it was safer to go with the flow than face the wrath of breaking tradition!

We parked and made our way up the main street towards the castle and cathedral, stopping at an antique store on the way. We had a look at St Nicholas’ church to see the division of the building between Catholic and Church of England. We entered through the Church of England side and were able to look through the screen as it has only been opened a handful of times, the last time in 1995.

We stopped to have a look at the castle from afar, before heading up to Arundel Cathedral and were treated to being able to hear some of the choir practicing. We then headed through the side streets to another antique store where Justine bought herself a silver ring for only six pound. There were quite a few quirky shops around, but eventually we made it back to the first antique store where I bought some Wade Whimsies; a boxer and a Bambi. Then it was off to the supermarket to buy some delicious Hula Hoops, which I can’t believe we’ve only discovered in the past day; quite possibly a good thing actually.

We picked up Carol on the way back to Nicola’s, had a rest then headed to the Harvester for dinner. After a drink while we waited for our table we ordered our meals and were able to have free reign at the salad bar. Added to this, I actually had real vegetables, I couldn’t believe how healthy it was! We drove back via the coast to see the pier all lit up before seeing a fox as we dropped Carol back. A bit later she was back with Page and we sat and relaxed for our last night in England.

Worthing Post Office

Although we didn’t wake up as early as we’d planned this morning, it didn’t really hinder our events for the day. Carol was kind enough to be our chauffeur and drove us to the pharmacy so we could see how accurate her scales were in comparison to the ones there. Carol’s scales are two kilograms light, which does not work very well when trying to accurately measure a bag to get under airline restrictions. The whole weighing trip was especially dreaded after the food we’ve eaten over the past two months.

We went to the post office to buy more boxes and Carol dropped us off at Nicola’s while we rearranged again. Eventually, we were able to have lunch after I’d filled 4kg and Justine about 12. Carol came back and we were off to the post office again, this time filling out customs declarations, taping boxes and trying to get the smaller packages down to 2kg each to make them lighter. After about an hour, we were able to free Carol of her duties and arrived back at Nicola’s house in the late afternoon.

With nothing much else to do we watched television until Nicola came home. Then it was a girl’s night in with her friend Joy, who also got to try some rocket fuel, and actually enjoyed it! We spoke of traveling and adventures and it was amazing to be able to recount different experiences with her, while some of them were in the same international city! It’s true what she says; a trip isn’t just a holiday, it’s a complete experience.

Worthing

We had another rest day today; they’re becoming quite frequent! While Justine slept, I continued reading Anne Frank’s diaries; then while I slept again she went on the computer. Eventually we were both up at the same time and walked to the post office to find out the damage of sending things home.

When we walked back Carol picked us up and we headed towards the town of Worthing. We took Page down to the seafront and walked along the pebbled beach. It was actually softer than I imagined, with the rocks actually squishing down beneath our feet. I wasn’t expecting the ground underneath to be soft, but then again I was wearing my boots. Page was having a great time, prancing around and chasing rocks when we threw them for her. We passed the pier and walked up to the ice skating rink, before looping down to McDonald’s where Carol bought us both an ice cream. Then it was back into the car and to Nicola’s.

This time it was Justine unpacking her suitcase and organizing what could and couldn’t go in the post. The cheapest way to do it is sea mail in packages under 2kg each, which unfortunately means she’ll get home before some of her things. I’m hoping I don’t have to send anything home, but we’ll see what happens when I weigh my case, as Carol thinks her scales might be inaccurate.

We settled in for some stew made by Carol before a lemon meringue pie made by Waitrose. Then it was time for Carol and Nicola to try some rocket fuel, which had generally the same reaction as everyone else. It was a night in, with Nicola having work tomorrow and Justine and I still trying to rearrange our cases. Only three days to go now.