Singapore Sling

It's a late start. Our flight is at 20:50. Meaning we don't have t0 leave until 17:30. Don't want to miss out on that lounge time.

Alexei looks a bit sad as we pull away. I think he's regretting his decision not to come along with us.

We run through the formalities quickly. And are soon in the lounge. The airport is quieter than I expected. But I guess most of the flights have already left.

Returning from the bar, I tell Andrew:

"They asked if I wanted singles or doubles. That's a new one. They usually only let you have singles. "

“And you said singles?”

“Of course, I fucking didn’t”

“I know, Dad. I’m aware of what a pisshead you are.”

“Enthusiastic drinker is the term I prefer.”

Andrew is on Heineken Pils. He does like his beer.

When the whiskey has livened me up, I go and have a look at the food. Beef Rendang, again. Which is fine by me. It's a bit sloppy, but tasty enough. I have it with spuds. Andrew is just sticking to beer.

“Are you eating anything, Andrew?”

“Later, maybe.”

I get stuck in. Both to the food and the whisky. Simple flight preparation. And because it’s there.

After a couple of rounds: I suggest:

“You should eat something, Andrew.”

“OK, OK I’ll go in a minute.”

He’s really turning into a teenager. Weirdly, as he didn’t behave like a teenager when he was one.

Eventually, he goes to the buffet. Probably because he knows how unappetising the food on the plane will be. He gets himself some bread and cheese. Which I also do a little later.

After several rounds, we're quite relaxed when we stroll to our gate. Which isn't far, as it's on F pier. The closest pier to the lounge. We've timed it well and don’t have to wait long to board.

We depart about 30 minutes late. Late arrival of the incoming flight is the reason, they say. I don’t really mind. 30 minutes here or there is nothing on a 12 hour plus flight.

Once in the air, I unfold my screen and put on a film. Micky 17. Which isn't too bad. And passes some time until they bring around the slop. Chicken or vegetarian, obviously. I go for the chicken. Though I don't eat all of it. Andrew goes for the veg. Hippy that he is.

Next film is Anger Squad. I must have dozed off because it suddenly ends. The following film, Crazy Rich Asians, I only get halfway through. Realising that I've slept through most of it.

I don't have the best of sleeps. Constantly waking up. I'm relieved when the lights come back on a couple of hours out from Singapore. I only eat the fruit from the breakfast they serve.

Arrival is a doddle. Electronic gates and no queues. Soon we're in a taxi rocking down the road.

Once checked into our hotel, we drop by the convenience store next door to pick up some drinks and snacks. The drinks being mixers for our duty free. Tamnavulin for me, Havana Club for Andrew. Andrew also gets a couple of cans of Strong Zero. While I get two cans of Guinness FES. 

“The cheating bastards. This FES is only 5.5% ABV. It’s supposed to be 7.5%.”

“Just add some whisky to get it up to strength.”

“That’s not a bad suggestion. If I had vodka. I’m not wasting a good single malt.”

Suitably refreshed, we stroll down the road to a nearby hawker market. Contemplating getting some food. But it’s a bit late. 

Instead, we drop by the pub over the road, the Magpie. It's a bit full and we have to wait to get in. I say in, we actually sit outside.

The prices are eye-watering. I get a Singapore Sling. For which I'll need to remortgage the house. 

“What do you want, Andrew? And don’t say cocktail.”

“A beer, Dad. As usual. That craft Lager will do.”

It’s one of the cheapest options. Which doesn’t make it actually cheap. Just slightly less expensive.

I switch to rye whiskey for my second drink. Which is a little cheaper than the cocktail. We only stay for the two.

Four drinks come to 90 Singapore dollars - 60 euros. 

“Fuck me, that's expensive. You need to be a millionaire to go out on the piss here.”

“That’s even worse than Amsterdam city centre prices, Dad.”

Back in our hotel, we're feeling a bit peckish. Andrew heads to a 7 Eleven for some sarnies. 

“You can’t go wrong with convenience store sarnies, Andrew.”

“Especially if you’re not fetching them yourself.”

“I’m a weak and tired old man.”

“When there’s anything that needs doing.”

“The fatigue comes and goes.”

“Comes when there’s work, goes when there’s beer.”

“Or whisky.”

“Or anything alcoholic. Whether it’s fit for human consumption or not. Remember that stuff you got on the Mexican border?”

“You’re very cynical, Andrew.”

“Realistic”

We revel in each other’s company over some duty free. And crisps. Not forgetting, the lovely sarnies.

After a bit of Youtube, we turn in. God, I'm feeling knacked.



Magpie
57 Eng Hoon St, 
#01-88, 
Singapore 160057.
http://www.magpie.city/