Day 2: Singapore River Walk, Marina, Flyer and the Colonial Quarter
Nothing worse than putting on the same clothes you wore already on the world’s 4th longest flight yesterday, but with no other choice, we head out to explore the city. As the hotel name suggests, we are right next to the Singapore River, and start our tour walking along the water, following the highlights outlined in our guide book: Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay, Elgin Bridge, Boat Quay, Covenagh Bridge, and finally the Merlion at the marina. From here we follow … Read More
Day 1: Arrive in Singapore
We land after 17 hrs and 8 minutes of pretty comfy (for economy class) flight, as the 2 of use had the row of 3 for just us. Immigration takes just a few minutes, but as we get to baggage claim, bad news awaits. Our luggage – as well as the bags of 50 or so other passengers on our flight – never made it onto the plane … it’s still sitting in SFO! Bummer … Just a lame “sorry” … Read More
Southeast Asia 2017
Bags are packed, goodbyes are said and by 10:25am we are ready for take off on Singapore Airlines flight SQ31, from SFO to SIN, a non-stop, 17+ hrs flight
28 States, 44 Friends & 8181 Miles — We Are Home! (USA – Day 24)
The final stretch home … After leaving Austin, we still have a long way to go until we leave Hwy 50 to finally get back onto I-80 west just outside of Reno. We stop just before the state border and Kirk attempts to win our vacation money by investing $20 in the slot machines – unsuccessfully. Then we cross into California, over the Donner Pass and descend to Sacramento. From here on it’s a very familiar trip home (same route … Read More
The Loneliest Highway in America (USA – Day 23)
We overnighted at the starting point of another scenic route, with the San Rafael Reef in front of us. The drive offers spectacular vistas, and is worth taking the time. We cross through Fishlake National Forest including several passes just shy of 8,000 feet high, before finally reaching “civilization” again in Salina, UT, where we stop for gas and breakfast. After having said goodbye to I-70 here, Hwy 50 west will be our new trail for the next day and … Read More
The Continental Divide to Arches National Park (USA – Day 22)
Refreshed we are ready to get back onto I-70 west and explore some more of Colorado. We do stray from the freeway to leave out a shorter section with tunnel in favor of the Loveland Pass, 11,990 feet elevation, including the Continental Divide and get our feet wet (or cold) in the snow! After passing a couple of ski areas, we are back onto I-70 and zip past Vail, Aspen and other fancy ski resort towns. It’s a beautiful … Read More
100,000 Miles — for the Taco at Least (USA – Day 21)
It’s a bright and sunny morning as we leave the Beaumont, KS rest area and continue on Hwy 400 west. Soon enough we reach Wichita and turn north onto I-135, which will take us to I-70 west. The Tacoma crossed its 100,000 miles mark, and we just drive on. From here on out, it will be 880 miles that we stay on I-70 … but not so fast! While Kansas seems to be a never-ending state when you drive along … Read More
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore (USA – Day 20)
Today holds our last “visit” for this trip! By mid-morning, we are back on the road and head further south, to Marshfield, MO, where we will meet for the first time ever cousins of Kirk’s dad. A little out of our original way, but definitely worth the detour. We get to meet the Keeler family, including Dianne – the daughter of Paul Burnett, who was the brother of Kirk’s grandma Nettie Sylvester – and her husband Leray, her brother … Read More
Deep in the Midwest (USA – Day 19)
Tuesday is “guys’ breakfast day” and Kirk gets to join Mike, Rich and a couple of others in their weekly routine, while Lynn and I enjoy breakfast at their house. Lynn is a great cook and host, and we could not have asked for a better stay! But by late morning, it is time for us to say goodbye to the Farley’s and continue on our trip. We head west, and cross the border into Iowa. From here on, … Read More