Was your trip worth it given all the stress?
It was originally just a business trip and started late last year when the BS had died down in SA, so the start went off well, really wasn't that much drama, and the only part that was uncomfortable was sleeping on the plane with a mask on; but nothing that a whisky and a sleeping tablet couldn't resolve -- the lay flat seats on Qatar business were as always comfortable, so I slept most of the way, and I also had a chance to have a hot shower during a short layover in Doha; meals and service on Qatar were as always really good. I certainly wouldn't have enjoyed such a long flight in economy with a mask on, and I wouldn't have slept.
At that point the whole rhetoric about a SA virus strain had not come to bear, so entry into Singapore was as good as one could expect under the conditions. Working at my clients was uneventful, and they wee just too happy for me to extend as it meant we made quite rapid progress on the projects.
Things changed after the SA virus strain rhetoric; firstly I could not get home, because not only had SA shut down flights; most countries including Singapore had shut down return options to SA and Africa.
The unplanned vacation was about as good as it could be without my wife and kids; enjoyed the diving; it was a very relaxed atmosphere without anyone angst about stuff. Similarly Vietnam was a very relaxing time, especially loved the serenity of my time in Dalat; Vietnam's so called little Paris; stayed in a luxurious French Villa, and spent a lot of time hiking in the gorgeous hills and lake area surrounding the Trúc Lâm Buddhist Temple, and of course enjoying the food.
For the most part masks weren't required at all; however Vietnamese often are seen wearing masks, but that's typically on scooters and is to primarily avoid weird sun tan lines on the lower exposed parts of their faces; women more so than the men -- it's a beauty thing; pale completions are prized more than tanned ones, and with marriage being such a priority -- they want to look their best all the time.
My return trip was switched to Singapore airlines, which was equally comfortable as their business class seats and service is on par with Qatar; a whisky and sleeping tablet similarly made the journey in a mask uneventful as I slept most of the way.
I was naturally happy to be back in SA with my family; it's tough to be away from them for so long, especially when it wasn't by choice.
Had I known that's how the events would play out; I would have taken my family with me -- so yes it was worth it, but it would have been far better with my family.
