From Changi to Texas, a journey to the west.

It was one hell of a week prior to departure, refer to previous post. On departure day itself I only started packing my bags 2hrs before I was to leave the house for the airport. Well, it was the most last minute packing that I've done for any trips. Oh well, always a first for anything. Arrived at the airport expecting the rigorous security check as usual but what greeted us was an empty check-in counter with staff awaiting the passengers' arrival. Was all done in less than 5min and we ended up with ample time to wait. Talking about rushing to wait, oh the irony.

 Red-eye flight.

 

 Despite the stereotypes, I know I'm in good hands when I see this. #SIAgirls

 

 Goodbye Changi

The flight took us to Moscow for a short transit, aka refueling I guessed. It was touch and go, all over in less than 2hrs.

 

 Cheap, and some China dude bought like 7 large ones at one go... 

Cheaper still. 

 

 Obligatory travel shot.

 It was hello and goodbye Mother Russia, I will be back again someday to shower you with more love and time.

 

 Obligatory travel shot, again.

 

Am so glad the flight wasn't full for both legs. Oh did I mention the Russia ladies were... Interesting, some of them la, not everyone. ;) Krisworld was surprisingly disappointing, movies wise.

Thanks for seeing me through. Luckily I had a contingency.

Was asked for age verification when I asked for my wines and gin onboard, like wtf?? Really.. And I'll never say no to airline food, unless they are like cai xin and 熟面. Those two are my achilles' heel 30000 feet in the air.

The menu for the day.

Oh man I felt so fat prior to the arrival to the heaviest nation in the world. 

Not to mention the wines, gin, whiskeys and cognac.. Haha.. 

The marvel about the different time zones meant that we arrived the same day we departed, and earlier than expected due to, quoting the captain, favourable winds and conditions. Told the sister unit that we left one hot for somewhere hotter but thankfully there were no haze nor hailstones.

This wasn't our plane but I kinda like it.

 

 The surprisingly lax immigration check, I had even removed my belt in advance on the plane in lieu for the rigorous check that never came. 

 Touristy shot. 

1st drink on American soil to combat the heat, and the flavour is different and a lot gassier 

 

It was 2hr drive to Austin from Houston with nothing but the searing sunlight and open ranches along the sides. And hailing from a land scarce city, secretly I was thinking about all the real estates potential HAHA..

Traffic congestion was the first thing we had to clear

 

 I always love the multi-tiered vehicle bridges linking the roads overseas.

 So Singaporean to think of real estate, but you can't blame me!

 First American meal at Rudy's, the ribs and brisket and sausages with a pretty nice sause.

 The sun in the sky at 1925h

And finally dusk at 2103h.

Found myself waking up at 0445h local time after going to bed at 2300h, which was an achievement in itself the latter.

Now, it is time for breakfast!