After four years of nearly full-time travel, I’ve learned a few things about how to mitigate the inevitable exhaustions and inconveniences of travel. For example, I avoid early, early flights. While it might seem like a good idea to schedule an 7am flight, it’s less desirable if I arrive too early to check into my hotel. Add to that arriving at *least* two hours before the flight to ensure a smooth check-in, and then 30-60 minutes of travel time to the airport, depending on where I am, and what looks like an early bird getting a worm turns into a tired and grumpy passenger. I’d rather get in later (when possible and prudent) than arrive early with nowhere to go.
But sometimes it’s unavoidable. The cost savings on the airline ticket is too great, or other necessities require an early departure and arrival. Thus it was I woke this morning at 4:30am to get to the Changi Airport in Singapore. Routinely rated one of – if not *the* – top airport in the world, it’s a pleasure to fly in and out of Changi. Oftentimes it’s crowded, and understandably so as the international airport of a very international and cosmopolitan city. But this morning, after breezing through automated baggage check and immigration clearance, it’s beautiful and empty. This is Terminal 4, one I haven’t flown in or out of in quite some time.
The Nelson Family Indonesia 