I shouldn't complain. I wanted adventure and I got it. I just wish it wasn't so bloody expensive!
I bought a package flight flying from Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Amsterdam - Quito. On hindsight, I should've just paid extra and flown from Kuala Lumpur - Amsterdam - Quito. But I had time, so I went for the cheaper option. Big mistake. In Singapore, they wouldn't let me board the next flight to Amsterdam on the basis that I did not have a return ticket. This is bullshit. I checked al the requirements before going on this trip, and a return ticket was not such a requirement. According to the transfer officer, if one was staying in Ecuador for more than 90 days, one had to have a visa. I showed him proof that I would be exiting Ecuador to Peru in about 10 days, hence no visa required and no problem for Ecuador because I would be out of the country. But of course, not good enough for Singapore! Never good enough for Singapore!
So the only solution was for them to book me on a flight today (about 24 hours difference!) and I look for a return flight. They managed to book a flight for me, at extra costs of course! In the meantime, it was the middle of the night, I was tired and sleepy and nowhere to go. I checked into a transit hotel (SGD77 for 6 hours!!) and managed to sleep for about 4 hours. Then this entire morning I spent looking for a USB point to charge my iPhone and iPad, waiting for the nerds to clear off so I get a chance to charge these things, and then looking for a return flight on some imaginary date.
I managed to find a reasonably priced flight on Emirates, but of course! To add to my bad luck, I could not make the booking online for whatever reason, so I had to call them and book over the phone. I am now waiting for my confirmation email because according to the officer, my credit card status is "under review". Keeping my fingers crossed but at the same time I'm not hopeful. This is turning out to be a disaster.
I thought the adventure would be in South America. I was wrong. The adventure is in Singapore. And it's costing me an arm and a leg, money I'd rather be spending at my actual destination!
I bought a package flight flying from Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Amsterdam - Quito. On hindsight, I should've just paid extra and flown from Kuala Lumpur - Amsterdam - Quito. But I had time, so I went for the cheaper option. Big mistake. In Singapore, they wouldn't let me board the next flight to Amsterdam on the basis that I did not have a return ticket. This is bullshit. I checked al the requirements before going on this trip, and a return ticket was not such a requirement. According to the transfer officer, if one was staying in Ecuador for more than 90 days, one had to have a visa. I showed him proof that I would be exiting Ecuador to Peru in about 10 days, hence no visa required and no problem for Ecuador because I would be out of the country. But of course, not good enough for Singapore! Never good enough for Singapore!
So the only solution was for them to book me on a flight today (about 24 hours difference!) and I look for a return flight. They managed to book a flight for me, at extra costs of course! In the meantime, it was the middle of the night, I was tired and sleepy and nowhere to go. I checked into a transit hotel (SGD77 for 6 hours!!) and managed to sleep for about 4 hours. Then this entire morning I spent looking for a USB point to charge my iPhone and iPad, waiting for the nerds to clear off so I get a chance to charge these things, and then looking for a return flight on some imaginary date.
I managed to find a reasonably priced flight on Emirates, but of course! To add to my bad luck, I could not make the booking online for whatever reason, so I had to call them and book over the phone. I am now waiting for my confirmation email because according to the officer, my credit card status is "under review". Keeping my fingers crossed but at the same time I'm not hopeful. This is turning out to be a disaster.
I thought the adventure would be in South America. I was wrong. The adventure is in Singapore. And it's costing me an arm and a leg, money I'd rather be spending at my actual destination!
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