Monday 2 May 2011

My Actual Journey from Italy to Singapore

Woof! Woof!

Well folks, it's now been two weeks since I left Italy for Singapore. Finally, I've managed to find the time to post some photos we took on the day of my journey... 

The day started at a truly ungodly hour... 

..."'Gasp'! You must be kidding right? I'm not waking-up at 4:00 am!"

I was still in la-la land when the alarm went off and my humans started their preparations.

Unfortunately, I was soon dragged out of bed and taken for a walk to 'do the necessaries' before setting-off on my journey.

View Larger Map
Here's a map showing the route from my home in Lodi to Malpensa Airport.

I was tearful when the van eventually arrived. As I left the villa, I couldn't help but reminisce about all of my adventures during the past year and a half

I was so happy that my humans were able to travel in the van with me to the airport.

After driving for a couple of hours, we arrived at Malpensa's cargo-handling area. The whole journey was fine! I felt great! 


We got out of the van and I had a quick chance to explore the surroundings. Meanwhile, Missus was 'barking' strict instructions to the agents to make sure that I would be well taken care of.

Here's me and Dad in the airport grounds.

It was soon time to proceed to the handling area.

While we were waiting for my travel documents to be checked, I started making friends with some of the ground staff. This guy told me how handsome I was and wished me "Buon viaggio!"

My crate - all properly labelled by Missus.

Just time for one last pose before 'boarding' my business-class crate...

...and here I am - all ready to go.

"What's this? Surely they're not going to drive me all the way to Singapore!"

As the fork-lift took me away to the aeroplane, I nonchalantly waved goodbye to my humans. Unfortunately, while I stayed calm, I can't say the same for Missus! She was beginning to experience serious 'separation anxiety' issues.

Before long, we were all aboard the plane and ready for the long flight from Milan to Singapore. Here's a map showing our flightpath... 

View My Flight from Italy to Singapore in a larger map
The journey covered 10,260 km (6,380 miles) and the whole flight took 13 hours.

Before I knew it, we touched down at Changi Airport in Singapore. After a few formalities, I was chauffer-driven to my new home in the heart of Singapore to be reunited with my humans. The rest, as they say, is history... 

A note from Missus to all of Homer's friends: 

I just wanted to let everyone know that all has gone smoothly for Homer since we left Italy and arrived in Singapore. Unlike me, Homer was a very brave boy throughout the journey. He was well-behaved and calm - he didn't even whimper once during the whole ordeal. When Homer arrived at his new home in Singapore, his crate was spotless. (It was the same during his previous flights from Australia to Singapore, Singapore to Korea, Korea to China and China to Holland. I guess he's now just an experienced, potty-trained, international jet-setter!). After a couple of hours getting used to his new surroundings, Homer was back to his old self - sniffing around, demanding attention and just generally being the adorable boy he is! Thanks again for all of your well-wishes prior to, and after, Homer's journey. I'm very proud of him!

The Missus

24 comments:

Amie said...

Hi Homer,

wow, I am impressed. I think I would not enter in that box and be hours seperated from my owners.
But I am only a girl and have a little bit more "caution" then a good looking boy like you!

Yours

Amie from Germany

Jake of Florida said...

We haven't commented on your blog for a long long time -- but we have been following your adventures. Our mom was feeling the same kind of separation anxiety as your mom when you got into the crate -- but now you're safely back in your new/old home -- so she breathed a sigh of relief!


Wirey woofs,

Jake and Just Harry

George The Lad said...

Homer, mom would have had separation anxiety to!!! gald that you had a safe journey, and thanks for showing us it was intresting to see behind the scenes
Have a good week
See Yea George xxx

The Life of Riley said...

Hi Homer,

I'm so glad your trip went well. You are much better at this travel stuff than my human - she used to fly all over the place far far away with regular 12,000 mile trips from NZ to the UK and shorter flights to other places like Japan and the US, but now she says her wings are clipped and she prefers to stay home and may never ever get on a plane again, so I can only imagine what it is like for me to travel through reading your blog. Mum and I did try to smuggle Enzo into dad's suitcase last night (he's still small so would have fitted) as dad is currently on a flight to Canberra, but dad didn't want all that golden fur on his business clothes, so wouldn't let Enzo into his suitcase - anyway I think your business class crate looked much comfier and I am glad that you got to your new home OK.

Woofs,
Riley

Penny's Mumma said...

Wow! Homer, you are so calm as your travel crate is moved to start your journey. I think your parents are just as brave...even tho you are all seasoned travelers, I'm sure they thought about you the whole 13 hours and then some! I can only imagine how much you were hugged when you arrived at your new home!

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Homer and family, wow what an adventure. Homer you are an amazing dog for sure. I'm glad all went well during your trip to Singapore. Enjoy your new home all. Take care, no worries, love Carol.

Lucille said...

Homer, I wished for a new post from you!
Oh, I had no doubts you would be the usual gentleman!
Of course your case had to be spotless, what did your Missus think???
I am so happy the journey was fine, my human was so anxious for you...
Plus Missus took days to send infos and she had already started to think of everything... Silly human!!!
Well, at least one positive thing about Italy... Your leaving was nice!!! (I am joking of course, I know you miss me terribly... Please pretend it is like that for a few more months....)
Take care and enjoy your stay in Singapore!!!
Look forward to learn more about where you are now staying!
And yes also about your new girlfriend!!!
Ciao Lucille

Molly the Airedale said...

You truly are a JetSetter, Homer! 13 hours is quite a long trip for you! You must have been thrilled to land in Singapore!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

That's our good boy, Homer. That is one very long trip and we bet it is very noisy too. We are so happy to hear that things went so very well. Happy settling in now that you have arrived. We can't wait to see all the wonderful places you get to visit now.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Courtney said...

Homer your passport has more stamps on it than mine! Glad you made it safe and sound :)

Amber-Mae said...

You were a good boy, Homer. I bet when you & Missus reunited in Singapore, she hugged you so tight like she has never seen you for such a long time! I'm sure she missed you like crazy.

ChicaVQ said...

He's awesome. You all are. Well done Homer!

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

Wow, you have a strong bladder! Did you drink any of your water at all on your long flight? Looks like you're settling in nicely at your new home and you even have some plants already growing for you to tend. Get lots of rest while your pawrents are unpacking, so you'll be ready for all your new adventures.

Jed & Abby

The Musketeers said...

Wooo! Welcome back? Homer!!!! Hope to see you around someday ;) Lucky you, you have gone to so many places ;)

Dino and Family said...

Oh Homer! I am so happy that you and your family have arrived safely in Singapore. My parents and sister go back to Singapore at least once a year, so maybe they may have a chance to see you some day. Thanks so much for showing us Europe during your stay there. Look forward to seeing your adventures in sunny Singapore.
Take care buddy and have fun!

Love, Dino

How Sam Sees It said...

We are so glad everything went well. Mom would have fallen apart watching someone take the boys away - she doesn't know how you do it!

Sam

Dog By Nature said...

Wow, we've been away too long. Back to Singapore? You sure get around Homer. Hope you get settled in soon!

Thor and Jack said...

Hi Homer. We're so glad to hear that everything went well in your trip to Singapore!

Thor and Jack

rottrover said...

Oh Homer! What a brave traveler you are!! Glad you all made it safely and that you are settling in. Looking forward to learning about Singapore!!

-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

Summer said...

Hi Homer!!

Welcome home to Singapore! I was not yet conceived when you left.. I'm Summer, a 16 month old Golden Retriever.. Woof! Maybe someday I'll get to meet you. I love reading you blog!

P.S. Is there no quarantine for where you came back from? :)

Kim Yu said...

i so envy you. you get to travel around the world!:D

Penny's Mumma said...

Heh Homer, What's new? Tell your Mom and Dad we miss your sweet face and wonder how you are doing in your new digs! You know what's funny? The word verfication for this comment has the word fur in it!! BOL

Anonymous said...

oh man that whole crate and fly thing is hard on me too! you'll have to tell me about the water bottle thing... were they squeeez or were they hamster type? cuz i've been told that none really work and the method i used was freezing one of the bowls filled with water but that was a BAD idea...it melted at the airport and was useless. anyway... you'll have to share the water thing with me... cuz juno is always thirsty.

their crates were a MESS when we got there but they didn't do their bidness before, they were too excited.

Anonymous said...

oh and PS. you are a GREAT traveler homer. we're impressed!