The strange new world of air travel and covid

Forgot to tell you guys about my trip to Heathrow. I decided not to pre-book a taxi - for one, I think the regular service which I had used the last few trips had become not so reliable - he would often not reply until I sent another text message. Secondly, I thought about how the regular taxi drivers were probably suffering quite a bit (like in Singapore, you see many of them just waiting somewhere) and decided that I would just hail one. Didn't have to wait long, and it didn't cost a lot more than pre-booking a ride (though I suspect Uber would be cheaper). Got in, and rolled down the window (thankfully it wasn't cold). At the end of the ride, after paying 67 pounds, I gave the driver a 10 pound tip as I figured he could use it now more than ever. I think he was surprised and thanked me a few times.

I was reminded of this incident by a few things. We tend to take things for granted, to complain about every little thing, and forget how people elsewhere are really suffering - actually there are people in Singapore who are also suffering but not as many and maybe not as much. Life has returned to something resembling normal, shops are open, restaurants are open and the government is working hard to make sure things stay under control.

So when they announced new measures like vaccinations for the elderly, and restrictions for CNY (no shouting of "huat ah!"), people started complaining or making snide remarks like why they are not surprised that the vaccinations would start in Tanjong Pagar and AMK GRCs - insinuating that these are the wards of PM and Chan Chun Sing. When you are biased and cynical, the world truly looks different to you. Maybe he (the chap who commented) didn't read the actual announcement (or perhaps it was not explained immediately) and was simply responding to a post. But it was telling and I hope that I do not become so cynical - I responded by asking simply if the reason could be because these are the wards with the most elderly? (which was the official reason given)  No judgement but just simply pointing out other possibilities. He might be right after all, but it's unproductive wasting our life away by being angry or hateful. Not only that, when others chipped in with maps showing the demographics of different areas, he did not back down. This is the danger of pride - it's very difficult to back down once you take a stand with that. Better to start with humility and it's easier to stay in that mode.

The other comment about how the advice not to shout auspicious phrases was not scientific, or meaningless since that was the whole point of lo hei was to me, just off the mark. We are truly so fortunate to be able to ease restrictions, that to complain about a simple change to the way we celebrate seems churlish. I just commented that I had spent nearly 4 months in lockdown, all because the Brits decided Christmas should be celebrated like in normal times. I think it's important to put things in perspective so that people will calm down a bit. And there's no prohibition to shouting if you do your lo hei at home.

Back to our regular programming...

So they let those in Business get off the plane first, and we went into the gatehold room - the room where you normally wait before boarding a flight. Then the rest of the flight came in. Strange thing is there didn't seem to be a system of deciding who goes out first for the swab test - this is done at an area near the immigration counter. Some of the business class went off first, then they went with those from economy and I was in the last group together with some others from business class - in fact I was the very last person on the whole flight to get swabbed. I was not too bothered about it - but I can imagine others who might be. When we got to the hotel, I was also not in too much of a rush to get to my room - it would be my last time outside the room and might as well make the most of it right? Heh.

The airport now looks like some sort of military operation - there are large groups of people in yellow PPE (these are the health workers), there are people in blue overalls (not sure who they are), and others. Movement for arrivals is tightly controlled and we are shepherded around in small groups everywhere. Wonder what will happen if I make a break for it?! Shops are still open for outgoing passengers in the transit area - but the duty-free on arrival is closed as they obviously don't want people wandering around.

While waiting for my swab, I went to the toilet - they told me to use the handicap toilet. For the first time, I feel like some sort of outcast - but I understand the caution. It's a matter of perspective. For the staff, they see us collectively as a potential hazard. For me as an individual traveler, I see that but I also see other travelers as a potential threat to me. Which is why I was a bit uncomfortable when we were being cleared at the immigration counter. We had to put our thumbs on the scanner, and take off and put our masks back on. Though I have to commend the ICA officer who attended to me - when she saw me trying to get some sanitizer after the clearance, she whipped out a bottle very quickly. Overheard some officers speaking about closing the counters after me, but keeping another lane open for some seamen. This will become important later.

 

After clearance, we were led to collect our luggage and while walking to the baggage belt, I saw a queue of people who were all having their luggage scanned and I got a little worried. I would have to explain the bottles in my luggage but then again, it was just about declaring what I had - the other concern was about holding up the rest of my group. However, after collecting the luggage, we were led straight to the mini-bus. Then I realised that those who were being checked must have been the seamen that the officers were talking about. Seamen as a group are typically viewed as higher risk.

We got on the bus first, and the luggage loaded on. No one told us anything, and no one asked where we were going. Maybe they already knew. It was truly a magical mystery tour.

It was reassuring to see these sights, even the simple sight of the lights at McD's along the ECP. I was hoping we would be at Swissotel (no "h" - learnt something new) after someone showed me a picture of the view from his room - similar to this picture. Then we turned off into Suntec and for a moment I thought we might be going to the Ritz Carlton hahaha... the driver drove around the Fountain of Wealth and turned into the small slip road leading to Nicoll Highway - I told you guys I thought it was for good luck haha... Learnt something new again. It's a route to Swissotel without going through Beach Road though I am not sure it saves time or anything (or is shorter).

Home for the next 14 days. My first ever staycation. At check-in, I was asked if I wanted one or two portions for my meals for that night and the next day. I laughed and said if I was not going to be moving around much, I should stick to one portion. Food is ordered for the next day by scanning a QR code before 12 pm. Having a room high up is great (32nd floor) and it was great to have a balcony and get some fresh air. In London, I rarely leave the door open. Unless I set off the smoke alarm again, or want to get rid of cooking smells. And for the first time in a while, I slept without the airconditioning - by choice. After all, I have done so when the airconditioning breaks down.

One of the interesting rules is that you have to wear a mask when you go onto the balcony. They also warn you that if you don't obey the rules, "your access to some of the amenities in the hotel (e.g. wifi) may be compromised"  I think that's the most effective threat ever haha.