And what a nightmare it was for me!
I have never seen snow my entire life until my few days ago in Shanghai. Yes i was exhilarated, but coming from a tropical country, i'm not exactly that enthusiastic either. I welcome the cold, a change from the sticky-sweaty feeling i get everyday in Singapore, but too much of it made me wanna go home rightaway. Snow was fun for a day or two (although i didn't venture out at all, it's nice to look out of the window to see the little white flurries). But on the third day, i wished the snow would just disappear within two blinks.
The room @ Grand Hyatt was cold, like fridge, even with the air condition off. When i got too near to the wide windows, the cold gets unbearable just after a few seconds. Curtains were thick and heavy, and it helped to block out the cold but that would mean, i can't leave it open at nite when i sleep. Did i tell you i need to sleep with the curtains drawn back when i stay in any hotel alone?? I'm scared lah. And i couldn't see anything outside the windows, the thick fog had it hidden completely from my view. Just as well i leave the curtains closed.
The next day on Wednesday, i could see outside a little. Icicle were slowly buidling up on the grills. I stayed on the 66th floor, so that must have been extremely cold outside.
At least i get some view that nite :)
Snowed that afternoon but it stopped after a few hours but it continued at nite, right thru the next morning. It was rather a pretty sight. The city was covered in white, like a pretty blanket.
The sun shined but the weather was freezing still. Friday was worst, snowed the whole day, got heavier in the afternoon and i couldn't quite make out the next building to ours! Flight was at midnite on Sat (first flight out) and i was hoping SQ won't cancel my flight or Pudong airport would not close for the second time this week Emily made a few calls to the travel agent and was told SQ would still fly that nite. Arranged for pick up at 9pm and off i logged out from work at 6.30pm.
The way to airport was smooth, but snowed rather heavily. Arrived the airport at 10.30pm and check-in immediately. Boarded the plane around 11.40pm. Didn't even eat much at the lounge. Too packed.
Sheduled departure time was 0010 hours on Feb 2 but was told we had to wait for our plane to be de-iced first and that was estimated to happen at about 1.00am. At 1.30am, we were still waiting and by 1.45am, Captain informed us that as there were 20plus planes ahead of us, we would had to wait for another 3 hours. Supper were served immediately, inflight entertainment were switched on and headsets given out.
With too much champagne, and one singapore sling, i slept right after supper and all thru until 6am. When i opened my eyes, to my amazement, we were still grounded at the same spot!! 6.50am, we were finally taxing to the de-iced area. I was bursting with glee inside but less than 20 minutes later, the Captain had to deliver a bad news, they weren't allowed to fly as the crew would had exceeded their working hours limit by the time they arrived Singapore. Although i was deflated but it was a good safety measure policy. We were told to get off the plane and disembark. Naturally, some were not happy. And one woman who seated right in front of me made a big fuss. She was so unreasonable and grilled the poor leading stewardess, kept telling her what to do! I felt like telling that woman, maybe she would like to de-ice the plane herself and then fly the whole plane back since she knew exactly what to do!
SQ made arrangements for us. We boarded the bus that took us to Shangri-la Hotel Pudong. The crew needed their rest for at least seven hours before they can resume duties again. The passengers needed theirs too. No one likes to be stranded and everyone wanted to go home.
Shane wasn't feeling well. However, my aunt reassured me it wasn't serious and he was well taken care of. She wanted me to take a good rest in the hotel and not rushed home. I was relieved to have her taking care of Shane. It was a pretty stressful time for me but i needed a good sleep. After a really long hot bath, room service and a glass of wine, i slumbered off for the next six hours.
View of the Bund across the river.
Halfway thru my sleep, i received a call from the SQ rep that we would be flying out at midnite and would need to gather at the lobby at 9pm sharp.
Throughout the event, I felt like a refugee. 6 years ago, Champion was stranded in one small town in Canada during the 911 attack. His plane was scheduled to arrive into JFK 15minutes before the attack and immediately his plane was re-routed. Champion was housed in a school hall for nearly two days before moving to a hotel. There were just far too many passengers that were stranded then compared to now.
Anyway, we got on the bus and arrived at the airport, only to find ourselves in another confused state as the SQ staffs at the airport were not told exactly what to do. I don't blame them, two SQ flights leaving at the same time, one for that nite and one from yesterday nite. We went from queue to queue. But i agree with the rest that the station manager should have been more prepared for situations like this.
The first and business class passengers were upset coz the economy class passengers arrived earlier and were crowding around the check-in counters. Actually, i realised it's the business class passengers that kicked up the most fuss. They kept reminding the station manager that First and Business Class passengers should be given priorities to check-in. They made many demands (okay, not all were unreasonable) but that actually reminded me of a scene from Titanic years ago, where the rich gets the first priority to get on the boat and left those penniless to die. Okay, so money buys you priority huh? So perhaps they would want to buy a piece of property in moon? That way, no econ class people will get in their way.
To be honest, i'm sure SQ won't be that heartless. They will wait patiently for all the passengers to board before taking off, so i'm sure there was no need to rush. We have waited 24 hours, surely SQ would definitely be sympathetic enough not to leave any of us behind.
We boarded the plane but the plane was delayed for another hour or so due to missing cargos with our luggages, flight plan and food. When we were being given headsets again, i told myself, i don't want to spend another day in Shangri-la. As much as i like five stars hotel and free food, i prefer my humble home and warm cosy bed. Naturally, with Shane as the biggest enticement, i wanna go home!!
We took off round 1am. Flight wasn't bumpy or maybe i couldn't feel anything coz i was soon fast asleep again. No food was served on the plane. The Captain didn't want to delay the flight any further and so took off without the loading much food. As a compensation, we were all given a US$75 voucher reedemable for any items in the Krishop.
Shane was such a good boy. He didn't kicked up any fuss when his mommy didn't buy anything back for him. For such young age, he's much more understanding than all the fussy business class passengers combined ;p
