Luxembourg - 13 June to 20 June 2017
After our Guan trip in April, we didn't really know if I could still travel since I was like vomiting like nobody business every other day. Also, the most important question is, can I survive the long distance flight?
Nevertheless, after much consideration, we decided to go ahead. We booked SQ direct flight to Frankfurt instead of Qatar (transit at Doha). As usual, we were still booking accommodation the week before our departure date. haha. What's new right? And also, I got the fit to travel form from my gynae so I guess we are good to go!
13 June 2017
We are taking 1355 flight. We always find it very hard to get a cab just before lunch time. Thanks goodness, we are blessed to get a cab after waiting a while and this drive is a friendly taxi driver who helps us to carry the heavy luggage and bike box to. We reached the airport about 11.45am. It was a quick check in so we could go eat our lunch. We had our lunch at Paradise Dynasty which wasn't too impressive. I really miss our favourite restaurant Imperial Treasure which used to be at Marina Square.
Our barang barang! Thanks SQ for 60kg if not I think we would have easily exceeded the baggage allowance.
We were kinda surprised that we seem to be the only few Asians on flight. And it's quite an empty flight which means we got to have 3 seats! Yeah! Throughout the flight, I watched variety shows such as Happy Camp, Running Man and Infinite Dance and yet, time seemed to pass by so slowly.
I can't really stand the smell of the flight meals, so I could only survive on bread, peanuts and lots of muffins. It was kinda weird that they served lunch at 3pm and the next meal is SG time around midnight. I was like starving like mad. As a result, I performed my merlion show just before we were about to land. =(
We touched down Frankfurt about Germany time 9pm+ (which is like 3am SG time). By now, we were so tired. Thanks goodness, there wasn't much delay at the customs, so we could quickly get our luggage and cross over to our Sheraton Airport Hotel. It was totally a great idea to check in airport hotel to have a good sleep since we didn't catch much rest on the long flight.
We could only get twin beds but I guess any bed would be good for us! Haha. We had a good shower and went to sleep. Anyway, there wasn't free wifi so we couldn't play with our phone too. Haha.
14 June 2017
We woke up early in the morning at 6am. I would say it's was quite a good sleep for me. We washed up and went to airport for breakfast. I'm totally so hungry!
We had difficulty to find McD's so we had croissant and waffle first. After walking around, we finally found McD's. They had this McToast of ham and cheese which was not too bad. At least something different from Singapore's breakfast. We walked around the airport and shopped at supermarket before we went back to our room. We wanted to subscribe data but it was too expensive, so we decided not to get it. We will just subscribe to Singtel Data Roaming (SGD for 100MB data roaming).
We checked out around 1130 then we went to get our car from Europcar. It's Fiat this time round.
It's going to be a long drive to Remich, probably about 3 hours+. We stopped at almost every toilet for toilet break and rest. The weather is quite hot, which is something we didn't expect. Isn't the weather supposed to be about 10+ to 20+?
Finally, we reached our first hotel, Zur Moselterasse! It's a newly renovated hotel and I totally love it! The owner is nice and friendly! He could speak good English too! The amazing part of this Germany is, you will be crossing over to Luxembourg once you drive across the bridge!
So, we drove to Remich and went to Cactus for grocery shopping (water, water and more water!).
We didn't know where else to eat, and so we had our dinner at Zur Moselterasse. It was fully booked for the outdoor seats but the nice owner gave us a table. Dinner was not bad! Everybody was drinking wine and I'm so tempted too! Haha.
Enjoying his beer.
After dinner, we went back to room to rest. I guess I am still suffering from jet lag as I was feeling sleepy at Germany time 6pm. Haha. Oh ya, we didn't get to see sunset as the sun will set only after 10pm... By then, we were already sleeping. haha.
15 June 2017
As usual, we woke up at 6am again, but breakfast would only start at 7am. Haha.
The good thing about this place is, there's complimentary breakfast! And the breakfast was so good! Yummy breakfast with nice bread, tea, milk and ham & cheese! I really enjoyed the breakfast. My best appetite so far I guess. haha.
After breakfast, we walked around the neighbourhood. It's a nice and peaceful place. Thanks Jianhui for finding such a nice place for our first night stay. =p
We would love to stay at this place for another night. However, it was fully booked and so we got to check out to go to our next hotel. The owner was really nice to help Jianhui to print the Ironman waiver form.
Then, we drove to Remich. It was kinda early for check in and so we walked around. The town is still quiet as I guess most athletes haven't come to the town yet.
SOP photo to take
Fontaine Bacchus
We had hamburger and sausage for lunch. This place turns out to my favourite place for sausage. Haha. And it only costs less than EUR10! Even cheaper than Mcd's.
From Friture Weyler
After lunch, we wanted to check in Hotel and Restaurant The Nest but we could only check in at 2pm. So, we had coke while waiting.
It's a nice and newly renovated hotel. Room is also very clean. This would make a good accommodation for race since it's so near to race day. Oh well, as usual, it's sold out. haha. It's very hard to find parking lot along the road though. High competitive and apparently, you must have the hotel's orange coupon then you could park there.
It's 2 storey up, so Jianhui had a hard time bringing up my luggage. Haha.
We went out for dinner around 6pm and most shops were still closed. I guess it's a norm to open for business after 6.30pm. We decided to have kebab and surprisingly, it was quite good! It would be even better if they served Kebab like Gyro.
We walked around before going back hotel to rest.
16 June 2017
I woke up with backache. :( Must be the bed too soft. Haha. As usual, I was looking forward to breakfast as I would be very hungry in the middle of the night.
Breakfast is good with eggs! I love it that they serve English breakfast tea here.
After breakfast, we drove around to recee the bike route. I would say it's a nice bike route but lots of steep slopes and sharp turning. Jianhui would have to be very careful when cycling on race day.
After doing our usual shopping at Cactus, we went to race expo to collect race pack. The Ironman Merchandise Store is opening today! Yeah! We can shop for merchandise. As usual, we spent a lot on Merchandise. The total damage is EUR208. And we bought a little shirt for our Ironkid. =p
Then, it's finally to check in to our last accommodation for the trip - Hotel Des Vignes. It's about 1.1km from starting point and it has a private vineyard! We were told that our room is at -2. We nearly wanted to faint as I can't imagine bringing bike box and our luggage down 2 floors. Thanks goodness, there's a small lift. Phew!
Though it is at level -2, it has a nice view of Remich and vineyard.
Jianhui started to fix Xiao P while i relaxed in the room. He also went for a short ride to test Xiao P. Xiao P looks all ready for his first race!
Xiao P
And that's me at 18 weeks!
Our soft friend neighbour who is staying just outside our room.
For today, we had dinner at Pizza hut. Starting of carbo loading for Jianhui.
17 June 2017
It was quite a good sleep for me. And we could have complimentary breakfast at the hotel. It's a good thing that the hotel comes with complimentary breakfast as all the shops are closed in the morning. Even McD's opens at 10am!
Breakfast is not too bad. Jianhui could make hard boiled egg while I enjoyed eating my bread and the cornflakes.
After breakfast, we drove out to recee 2nd part of the bike route. It's interesting that the bike route will be touching France and a part of the route is part of Tour De France route. Interesting, isn't it?
We went back to room after bike recee.
We had lunch at McD's and we ordered curly fries! The curly fries here are amazing! Much nicer than what we had in Singapore. And the nuggets also tastes nicer.
After our lunch, we went to race sit for the race briefing in English at 1pm. There are a lot of booth selling different things. The DJ at Sketchers booth helped to make the whole place so happening with nice music.
After the race briefing, we went to get Xiao P to check in bike.
Seems like Xiao P is very ready!
There's carbo dinner in the evening, but it's kinda early, so we went back to room to rest.
We were surprised to know that the carbo dinner only cost EUR15 as most of the carbo dinner will usually cost about SGD50 at least. And for once, we were early too!
There was a lot of food for each of us! And it's nice too. Amazing dinner! Haha. SO value for money too!
After dinner, we drove around the town, trying to find suitable place to park our car for race day tomorrow. No matter what, I guess we had to be early tomorrow.
Getting ready for race tomorrow. =p
18 June 2017
It's race day! For once, the race is only starting at 9am.
Nevertheless, we woke up at 6am and ate the croissants we bought yesterday. We wanted to get a good parking lot before road closure at 7am.
Luckily, we managed to find a parking lot just behind the race transition area! Hurray!
Since we were quite early, we had plenty of time to sit around the starting point.
At 8am, they announced that the water temperature is 23.5 (below 24.5), so the age groupers can use wet suits for their swim. Yeah. Not for pros though.
Soon, the age groupers started the rolling start swim. Jianhui was quite in front and I managed to catch him jumping into the river. Then, I went to the swim out area to wait for him.
Seems like he is quite on form as he came out from the water earlier that what I expect.
I also managed to catch him bringing Xiao P out for bike. It's going to be 90km ride, so I got about 3 hours to myself. For a start, I went to the car to relax and offload some of the stuff as the bag is very heavy. Then, I walked around to see what's the situation like. Haha.
Around 11.30am, I was getting hungry so I went to get my favourite sauage bun and lipton Peach tea. Damn shiok man. haha.
I had subscribed for Singtel data roaming so I could monitor his bike timing. His first 38km+ was quite good. =p
After seeing the first pro wining the race, I went to bike in area to wait for Jianhui. And he's back! So happy to see him to be back with Xiao P. After the bike reccee, I was kinda worried, so no words can describe how happy I was to see him back!
It's going to be 4 loops run which means I get to see him 8 times! =p I hid under the bridge so while waiting for him, I could have some shade. Haha.
Looking good!
Ironmate is enjoying the raspberry slurpee which costs EUR3!
There were many other supporters cheering for the runners too. I would say the atmosphere is quite good!
After his 3 loops, I went to finishing line to wait for him. And he came back with a personal best! So proud of him! =p
He rested a while before getting Xiao P and his transitions bags.
Happy us at the finishing line!
We bought sausage and drinks to the room so that he could eat if he gets hungry later.
We showered and rested in the room for a while before going out for dinner. However, I guess I must be feeling too hungry. I vomited a lot when we reached the restaurant. And I had a sharp backache that I couldn't really sleep. Ironmate must be too tired too.
Hard-earned medal. I know he has been training very hard for this race so I'm really happy when he completed this race. He had been going swimming on weekdays after work and waking up as early at 6am to go for bike training. He is indeed my Ironman.
19 June 2017
I always enjoy the day after race day. It's like we have achieved something and it's time to relax. =p We had the same old breakfast after Jianhui packed Xiao P back into bike box.
We also pumped petrol before going back room. We checked out at 12pm and had a quick lunch at McD's before we made our journey back to Frankfurt.
This time round, it seemed like there were a lot of WC along the way. I find it amazing that no matter how ulu the WCs are, there will be tissue. So, the question is, who top up the tissue? Hmm.
Anyway, we stopped over at KFC for light snacks before continuing our 30km journey to the airport.
This time round, returning the car was such a breeze! Thankful for that!
By now, we were quite familiar with the airport. haha. We could check in at 6pm so we went to check in once the counter was opened. There weren't many people but the queue was quite slow moving. Nevertheless, we were happy that we checked in our bag and so we could have dinner before taking the long flight back home.
We walked to Squaire to find Paulaner! Though I couldn't drink, I think this is the best reward for Jianhui for completing Ironman. Haha.
Food was not bad. Most importantly, the beer is good!
After dinner, we went back to Airport Terminal 2 Gate B. The queue for customs check was ok but there's a queue at immigration. So this is a reminder to us that we must always gives ourselves 4 hours allowance to check in Germany airport. This is to prepare us to have ample time to walk to the gate.
Unfortunately, just when we were early, the flight was slightly delayed. We thought the flight would be quite full, but thankfully, we had 3 seats to us again! Haha.
I continued to watch Lego Batman Movie, ate a bit dinner (or rather supper) before sleeping. I would say it was quite a good sleep as I woke up only about Germany time 7am.
I watched The Doraemon Movie and had breakfast. This time round, time seemed to pass faster compared to the flight from Singapore to Frankfurt.
We managed to touch down Singapore on time.
Home sweet home.
It was a good relaxing trip. Thanks Jianhui for being my most reliable driver and travelling partner. =p It was a great experience at Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Angeline winks
at |1:53 PM|
0 comments
