Three days before our return to Poland, after a seven-month trip, we all came down with severe food poisoning at a villa in Ubud. The children were hit the hardest, suffering from vomiting, high fevers, and extreme weakness.

We didn’t have much choice — we were feeling better, but still far from perfect for the 24-hour journey to Berlin. We woke up early to drive from Ubud to Denpasar Airport. Despite the relatively short distance, it still took us just over an hour. Returning the car and checking in at the airport went smoothly, as did the first leg of our flight to Singapore, which went off without a hitch. Since it was a relatively short flight, the time passed quickly.

In Singapore, we had an 11-hour layover. We found some chairs at the airport and settled in comfortably. I did a bit of work, and from time to time, we wandered around with the kids, browsing the shops. Changi Airport is enormous and very impressive. It’s often rated one of the best airports in the world, offering many unique and interesting attractions. Here are a few notable facts about Changi:

1. **World’s Best Airport**: Changi has been named the world’s best airport multiple times in the Skytrax World Airport Awards, earning the title on several occasions.
2. **Jewel Changi Airport**: In 2019, Jewel was opened, a shopping and entertainment complex within the airport, home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the 40-metre Rain Vortex. It’s surrounded by gardens, walking paths, and a variety of restaurants.
3. **Themed Gardens**: Changi boasts several themed gardens, including the Butterfly Garden, the first of its kind at an airport, featuring over 1,000 butterflies. Other gardens include the Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, and Orchid Garden.
4. **Cinema and Pool**: Changi offers a free cinema where passengers can watch the latest films while waiting for their flight. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool on the roof of Terminal 1, where passengers can relax between flights.
5. **Family Attractions**: The airport has various attractions for families and children, such as a mirror maze, a playground, and Sky Nets, where you can bounce on nets suspended high above the ground.
6. **Free City Tours**: Passengers with long layovers (over 5.5 hours) can take advantage of free city tours of Singapore, organised by the airport.
7. **Unique Architecture**: Terminal 4 stands out with its modern architectural style, automated immigration gates, and a self-service system for passengers.
8. **Efficiency**: Changi is known for its operational efficiency, with advanced technology streamlining passenger check-in, baggage handling, and security checks.
9. **24-Hour Dining and Bars**: Jewel Changi has numerous restaurants and bars open 24/7, attracting both passengers and locals.
10. **Global Reach**: Changi Airport serves over 400 international airports and offers connections to around 100 countries, making it one of the largest air hubs in the world.

Photo: Changi Airport, Singapore

Given how weak we were, we didn’t feel up to enjoying the many attractions Changi offers. We asked the airport staff about the waterfall, but they told us we’d need to pass through passport control to see it. We decided against that, although it can be seen from the train that runs between terminals without going through passport control.

One thing at Changi that’s a bit confusing is the security process. I witnessed a young man arguing with staff because he wasn’t allowed to bring a drink he’d bought in duty-free onto the plane. There’s another security check right before boarding, and the security team politely but firmly refused to let him through with the drink. It’s easy to get caught out — imagine buying a liquid or alcohol, only to be asked to throw it away just before boarding. We weren’t pleased either, as even bottled water wasn’t allowed. While you can refill empty bottles after the check, it’s only tap water, which tastes particularly unpleasant at Changi. Fortunately, because we had three children, they let us keep the water we’d forgotten to throw away. When travelling with kids, it’s worth approaching security with your water supply beforehand or simply taking it to the check-in — as in our case, you might be allowed to bring it on board.

Just before our flight to Berlin, we had a bit of fun with Marcel’s hair.

Photo: Marcel at Changi Airport, Singapore – Hairstyle No. 1

Photo: Marcel at Changi Airport, Singapore – Hairstyle No. 2

During the flight to Berlin, the children started vomiting again, but luckily, the air sickness bags saved us. There was a lot of crying, and the flight felt interminable. We were incredibly proud of our children for handling the long journey so bravely, despite the extreme discomfort.

Photo: Kids on the flight from Singapore to Berlin

We spent one night in Berlin, and early the next morning, we caught a flight to Kraków, Poland. The original plan was to take a taxi from Balice Airport straight to my parents’ house. However, at the last minute, we changed our plans and stayed in Kraków for three days. Each day we felt better, and after three days, there was no sign of the food poisoning.

Finally, we made it to my parents’ house, which marked the official end of our journey from Bali and the entire seven-month adventure.