I forgot the USB cable to offload pictures from my camera so this post will just be a brief story, until I get back to Thailand
On Thursday evening, I set about scheduling my taxi ride to the airport for 6 am on Friday. There is a well established rate of 800 baht, about $24, for a taxi ride to the airport. Last time I went to the airport using my usual driver, he charged me 2700 baht, about $80. I take some responsibility for that, since I forgot the absolute Thai rule of “establish the price first.”
Thursday had been a very long day at the end of a very long 4 day week and I just wanted to go home and go to sleep. I would have to be up even earlier than usual to get ready for the flight, and I still had to pack. I tried a couple local options to get a taxi, and after struggling with language issues for a little bit, I was offered a price of 1200 baht. I turned it down and went up to my condo to eat dinner and work up the energy to go into town and schedule the taxi there. I tried one more local option and bargained them down to 1300 baht before given in and wanting the whole thing to be over with. I pretty much failed that adventure.
I arrived in Singapore and briefly panicked. I was really unprepared for the trip. I hadn’t researched Taxi rates or customs including the distance and expected cost to my location. I didn’t know what side of the road they drove on, and I didn’t know if I could drink their water. Worst, I had neglected to bring my US ATM card and I didn’t know if my Thai ATM card worked internationally. I only had about 2500 Thai Baht in my wallet. Worse still, I still had a couple pieces of gum in my bag and Singapore is supposed to be strictly against people bringing gum into the country.
It all came to naught, of course. They didn’t give a crap about the gum, I converted the baht into 100 singaporean dollars and my atm card works flawlessly. I can drink the water and they drive on the left. Singapore taxi drivers are strictly regulated and don’t even attempt to negotiate. You get in and tell them where to go, and they take you there, then charge you the amount on the meter which goes up at a rate clearly explained on the window of the car. They also don’t expect tips at all, even though I didn’t figure this out until tipping 2 very confused drivers.
The first driver drove me from the airport to the wrong hotel. Instead of taking me to the Conrad Centennial, he took me to The International. The staff at the International were simply the nicest, most courteous, and most helpful staffers I have ever met. I timidly told them I thought I was in the wrong place and they went ahead and called the Conrad, confirmed that I had a reservation there, then waited outside for me while a taxi came to take me to the write place. I will make every attempt to stay at the International if I ever return.
I don’t doubt that it helped that I was supposed to be at one of the nicest hotels in Singapore when they were deciding to be helpful and courteous.
The next driver got me where I was going and checking in was harmless. The gorgeous room was so nicely set that the remote control for the 30 some odd inch Sony Bravia came in a leather case. The cleaning staff had left the stereo to a classical station to complete the ambiance. I dropped my stuff and went about the first thing I always do when I get to a new place: try to get lost.