28 and 29th October 2017. Flight Singapore to Istanbul then to Prague and Check in Prague Hilton.

Our time in Singapore has passed quickly and it is now time to move on.  Our Blacklane car arrives at 3.00pm and we are taken quickly to Changi International Airport , terminal 3 where we check in at The Singapore Airlines early checkin, and our luggage disappears and is sent through to Prague. 

We then find the Ambassador Transit Hotel, near the orchid garden, after completing immigration and customs.  This is a transit hotel where we have booked  a 7 hour block.  It is clean, convenient and we then sleep from 4.30pm until 10.30pm, then shower and then go to the Singapore SilverKris lounge, where we have a meal at 11.15pm.  As you will understand our body clocks are all over the place and it will only get worse over the next 2 days. 

Our flight from Singapore to Istanbul is SQ392 due to depart at 1.45am so we have a little time spare following our meal.  Boarding commenced at 1.05am and we were in seats 12 C and E in the middle.  It is comfortable, but Ken is greeted by a glass of champagne accidentally dropped on home, but he changes his shirt, puts on a tee shirt and the steward cleans the shirt and it dries over our 10 hour 45 minutes flight.  We are delayed in departing by air traffic control for 20 minutes and despite their best endeavours we arrive in Idtanbul some 50 minutes late having faced strong headwinds of over 200km per hour for over 7 hours.  Jeanette and Ken both sleep for 6 hours plus in comfortable beds.

Arrival in Istanbul goes smoothly although after their recent security issues, we face an additional security and scan at the transfer area.  Then we go to the Turkish Airlines Gold Business Class Lounge, which is a unique experience, in world travel.  It has all sorts of seating and eating areas, a theatre, bowling alley, children’s entertainment cave, and every food and drink you can imagine,  

We have a 4 hour stopover, but given our delay and additional check it is really only 2 1/2 hours.  But nonetheless a totally different experience and we sit near a full wall of large screen where Ken watches EPL.   Turkish Airlines flight 1771 from Istanbul to Prague departs on time.  Business class only has 10 people from a potential number of 20 and we receive excellent service and an enjoyable meal.

Landing is smooth although we are advised of strong winds and cold blustery conditions with a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.  Totally different to Singapore. 

We are through Immigration in 10 minutes, we are pleased to see our luggage on the carousel after its trip via Istanbul, then we meet our Blacklane driver who escorts us to his Mercedes 350E.  We are comfortably into Prague in 25 minutes and it is indeed cold and blustery. 

Hilton Prague is a large bustling busy hotel and checkin is slower than expected even for Hilton Honors a Gold members.  Our room is comfortable but very much older style.  We unpack then go to the ExecutiveFloorsPrague where we have a drink and snacks.

We return to our room, Ken goes for a brief walk, Jeanette has everything sorted.  Ken calls the tour company and confirms our pick up for tomorrow and we work out where the concert is tomorrow evening.  Then into bed at 7.00pm and we sleep until 3.30am, when Ken got up to do this note.  It is too early, but we are both wide awake.

Our room at Hilton Prague