singapore airport

as our flight leaving istanbul was delayed 2.5 hrs, we didn't get a chance to get out and explore singapore as we had hoped to. we did however have plenty of time to check into our room at the in-terminal hotel (BEST IDEA. EVER.), shower, and explore all that singapore airport has to offer (A LOT.). below are the pictures.

approaching singapore from above

the city

we ate in terminal 3 where there was a wide variety of thai, indian, korean, japanese, sinapore and chinese cuisine.

we chose singapore cuisine and it was pretty good-- the peanuts served with the beer were especially interesting. they'd been cooked until soft and bean-like, and the waitress explained that the 'old men in singapore' like to eat them that way with their porridge to add protein, since they 'have no teeth.'
singapore airport is amazing. a small city unto itself. there is a rooftop pool, a movie theatre, a hospital, beauty salons and spas, a mall, and much, much more-- including this butterfly garden!
and orchids were everywhere

koi pond


oh yeah, and the biggest plane in the world, the A380. 'although not configured to, it can hold 800 passengers' according to ben, and it has suites for those who like to travel in style. must be nice!

now we are in australia, and it is beautiful! we've enjoyed exploring lively brisbane for the past two days (when not entirely comatose due to intense jet-lag), and will head to sydney this morning to spend a few days in ben's hometown. hard to believe our friends and family in the northeast are in the midst of record snow fall as i sit here in 85 degree weather, listening to the resident kookaburra on the inal's front porch.

more soon!