Wrap up and Reflections

 

              Reflections - nice to be home  

• No more Asian cycling tours for me.  I’ve seen enough countries over there, enjoyed them all immensely, but the pollution, noise, litter, crowds and the lack of fresh air is just not worth the effort anymore. 
• Maybe, in hindsight I could have avoided picking up the virus, but being locked in a small bus (the windows of which could not be opened) surrounded by sick people who didn’t care / know about protecting themselves or others from the virus, it was a near impossible task. If I had noticed sooner that the unthinking bus driver had set the aircon on recycle instead of fresh air we all could have been breathing better air and maybe avoided the virus. 
• The guides did not have any idea what to do regarding the virus.  They had no preventive measures in place; they either didn’t know or didn’t care.  They should have had Rapid Tests to ensure they had a good chance of detecting it early.  The mini-bus where we were going to spend a lot of time in should have been well ventilated and had windows you could open.  
• Some people arrived at the tour already sick, they should have been tested immediately and isolated if positive. It was just a total disregard of the situation in the real world.  
• I was very disappointed with the lack of support I got from the tour company once I was diagnosed with COVID.  They just completely wiped their hands of me.  I did not expect any refund or compensation for pulling out, however they could have offered to get me accommodation at their discounted rate.  Seeing I’m not coming back for anymore tours, it’s a bit academic. 
• Until this virus has done its thing I will not be going on tours which I have no control over.  You can’t rely on others to do the right thing for themselves or for others around them. Some people carry on as if the virus never existed.  

Day 23: Wed 1 Mar - Brisbane to Home

Coming into land at Brisbane 

Drive: 277 km 

On the Singapore Brisbane leg all I be wanted to do was sleep.  So after a light vegetarian meal I settled down in my Business Class bed/chair and went to sleep.  I didn’t know much about anything until the hostess woke me for breakfast about an hour before we were due into Brisbane. The best rest I’ve had on a plane ever.  We didn’t make up for the late departure so we were a little late into Brisbane  

Cleared immigration and customs in about 20 minutes and after walking to the pickup point I was met in a couple of minutes by Wens. She was certainly a sight for sore eyes. It was so good to be home and in the car on the way home.  Not that I was aware of much, I slept most of the way.  It was so nice to be driven into the front gate at the Hippo Farm. 

Day 22: Tue 28 Feb - Hanoi to Singapore to Brisbane

Temp: 15 to 23C

I’ve waited for this day since I first became ill, 10 days ago.  If I’d known what I know now I’d have gotten Wens to book me a flight home; any airline, any schedule.  I was hoping for a quick recovery and then get back on the bike. That realistically was never going to happen with me being so sick. I should’ve realised that.  History; it’s not going to worry me. 

Up at 4am for a shower and last minute packing before heading out to the airport at 5am.  Apart from the taxi not turning up until 5:17am, (I knew I had plenty of time so wasn’t concerned) everything went smoothly, including the relatively light traffic.  It took me a while to work out that the hoards of people in a long queue were not part of my mob.  I soon located the Business Class check in for Vietnam Airlines.  I was in a queue of one, for a choice of two counters. Security and immigration took no time at all and I could have gone straight to the Business Lounge but elected to do a lap of the airport first. I was in the Business Lounge sipping on coffee at 6:12am.  The flight left spot on time and the three hours in the air went fairly quickly. VA is a pretty basic service, no inflight entertainment, no much offered in the way of drinks (alcoholic or non) and when I asked for a bottle of water she came out with the tiniest glass of water I’ve ever seen.  And that’s business class, imagine the poor buggers at the back.  I did get some fresh fruit and yoghurt though, which is all I really needed. 

The BL in Hanoi is large, immaculately clean and well stocked with food, drinks and essentials.  So that’s why I was ok with not getting much on the flight.  

Singapore seemed unusually quiet when we arrived. I had a wander to stretch the legs and headed for the Qantas Club. Alas, I had a two hour wait ahead of me as it doesn’t open till 3pm!  Mr Joyce has got a lot to answer for, since he took over the airline has continued to go backwards.  Some more wandering to kill some time before heading back to the club.  I see on the board that my flight has been delayed by about 50 minutes. I’m hoping that it is going to leave at the new scheduled time.  

For lunch in the club I had one of the tastiest seafood laksas I’ve had for ages.  I could have went mad on the grog as it was everywhere but not these days, settled for a sparkling water.  Just had to have some dessert, cake and custard, very nice.  Was conscious of the fact that they will feed us on the plane so must save some room for that. 

Our new ETD 8:05pm and a new gate meant that I left the lounge about 7pm, there’s no way I was going to be late. 

I just can’t understand why they have to check everyone in and then pack us all in a tiny lounge area meant for half the numbers.  We waited and waited and then finally was allowed onto the plane.  Once on board it felt so much more comfortable. 

       Our aircraft for Hanoi to Singapore 

         The Business Lounge in Hanoi

         A very quiet airport in Hanoi 

Outside this morning, the usual Asian haze