My trip began at Changi Airport, Singapore's gateway to the world. My flight was at night, the peak hour of long haul flights to Europe and USA. I couldn't be happier. Finally, after a 5-year hiatus, I'm going long haul again! And on Singapore Airlines too! Amazingly like a dream come true.

The airside of Terminal 2 had been renovated to feature a large airy lounge over-looking the tarmac, with bars, TV lounges and Internet terminals for surfing. My sister and I strolled around hunting for sweets, and along the way we passed the A380 model. Clumsy looking white whale in my opinion, though eagerly anticipating its first commercial flight with SIA. Looking out across the tarmac again was a B747-400 aircraft, 9V-SPH, which would later take me across the globe to New York. The very queen of the skies that "Colossus" of Airbus was to dethrone...

Thanks to my impatient sister, I arrived at the gate early, and sulked about not spending enough time in the transit lounge. There was a consolation though. This boarding lounge had been renovated and refitted for SIA's A380s. Bright hued sofas dotted the brightly lit hall, the glass panels all adorned with stickers of Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore Airlines and A380.

For once, my sister and I boarded the plane on cue at the announcement, on time! Oh bother. Read my camera manual. Finally got down to reading it after 7 months. Then we taxied out to depart. The gates were parked full with aircraft, including a Lufthansa A340, originating at our transit point. After a BA 744 vacated the runway, we throttled down and lifted off on the first leg of the journey to Frankfurt...btw the bright lights below are that of boats off the East Coast, and to the left in the distance is Singapore City. Sorry I didn't manage to get the right shutter speed!