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Published: June 16th 2008
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Well,
we have not been very good on the internet so far so as we stand at Changi airport on our way to Perth (best airport in the world by the way) we should probably fill you in on our journey so far!!
So flight over here was lovely - BA economy is just grand. For lauren doree the films were quite new including sweeney todd, 10,000 BC and there will be blood, and yes we had our own headsets. luxury. A keen youth named Paul was sat near us who was just about to live in Oz for a year during his 3rd yr of uni, he ended up clinging to our asses as we made our way to our hostel. He bought us our tube tickets and waited until we had got cash out and sweated our way back to him to pay him back the whole 50p that we owed him!!! Bless. This has set the tone for singapore - essentially we have been antisocial but who cares it was only 3 days.
Singapore tube by the way is AMAZING - air conditioning, tons of space...(much needed in the sweltering 32 degree heat at 5.15pm when
we arrived.) Took us to the hostel. It was absolutely fine, we had our own private room although it was in the attic and we had to risk death getting up the steepest stairs to it - and obviously we tried to go to the loo at night as little as possible!!
First night we decided that after showering immediately, as sweat was pouring off us, we would go out for an explore. The city was absolutely buzzing, loads of people out and about. The area we were staying in was called little india and it truly was, everyone was an indian man, there was a temple, 'thai massages' for the willing clients!! but just round the corner was what singapore is famous for - the amazing shops!! At the moment singapore has a 'june sale' on and it is rammed ALL THE TIME with people shopping, shopping and shopping.
We walked through the markets which were all selling a weird fruit - the national fruit as we later discovered called 'durian' and as Emma experienced first hand (and i wimped out and had a bit) it was FOUL, SO FOUL - it smelt like a dustbin and
didn't taste too different. On the other side of the markets we found loads of people eating in a line of restaurants attached to a mall and we ordered some amazing salmon (singapore is famous for its fish and it did not let us down) cheap and great. After dinner we decided that it would be necessary to sort ourselves for the next day as we knew it would be ridiculously hot (if not sunny) so we should sort ourselves with a swimming area (the sea was too polluted apparently). Nothing for it then but to trek to all the finest 5* hotels and ask if we could use their facilities then next day. Emma did a fine job of chatting to various desk clerks and explaining our desire with a few white lies (it was our birthdays...etc). Unfortunately we soon discovered not only that the answer was a resounding no but also that as polite and obedient as all the staff are in singapore (it is actually ridiculous how lovely they are),they don't really understand English. It is the common language spoken here but signs are in English, chinese, arabic, hindi - there are loads of languages. So generally
when the staff are smiling and nodding, they don't have a clue. One said she'd ring the manager to ask and we then discovered it didn't even have a pool!!
We were about to give up and decide to take a day trip to sentosa island when we popped into one final hotel - the fairmont and they couldn't have been nicer. They agreed to let us use their pool instantly so the next day we were sorted. We went back home- having been helped by some random new yorker old man who was a bit weird it must be said.
At home it was v difficult to fall asleep - jet lag had royally screwed us and then I managed to get us a wee bit nervous about exam results so it was all difficult until about 5am when we fell asleep.
Slept through the alarm (and the free breakfast) but so what, headed to the 5* hotel and found pool of absolute dreams awaiting us... like a spa or something. Towels/dressing gowns as you walk in, restaurant, two pools (empty - bonus!) and a gorgeous pool bar in the middle that served cocktails. At about
1pm cold towels were bought round with melon - seriously what a hard life!! It was patchy sunshine but again so hot, swimming was essential. We tried to use the amazing spa inside the hotel at the end of the day, but clearly this was pushing it too far and as we headed into the shower a mini hitler stood outside it shouting at us to use the lockers hahaha!! only slightly embarrassing.
That eve we tried to go on singapore's night safari but it was all booked up so we booked for sunday eve and headed back home to shower/moisturise/get more sleep!!
Sunday we were back at pool of dreams and it was a far hotter day - on this note, mother I have been creaming with that M&S cream loads (about 4 times an hour) and i have still managed to burn so it is being thrown out... it is rubbish. Pool was a bit busier but nothing that could alter our luxurious lifestyle - even better, being recognised by the hotel staff and Ems having a free breakfast as they presumed we were guests!!!
Went to the night safari tour which started at 6pm
(and the camera drama began). Anyway thankfully i had left it on the seat of the bus and it was safe and fine. The tour was about 15 quid and we got taken to the zoo, saw a tribal fire eating show (which by the way i was dragged up to participate in - thank god we had no camera at this point - i had to pretend to rub stones together to make fire, close my eyes and be amazed when they made fire- how embarrassing... i also didn't really understand what they wanted me to do because they were so in character they chanted at me in a made up language.) Clearly at the zoo em and i stood out like a sore thumb - we haven't seen many english looking people here.
Then onto the creatures of the night show - great fun and finally a 45min tram ride seeing everything from tigers/lions/hippos/2 types of rhino/2 types of elephant/anteaters/buffalo/bearded pigs/tapirs/giraffes - honestly so close it was truly gorgeous going through the rainforest and seeing all that.
So worth it and we arrived home fairly knackered, had to pack up, give in our key and head
off this morn at 5am...lovely stuff.
Arrive in perth this avo at around 2pm, hopefully we'll book this tour and head up the west coast tomorrow morning..... everyday is SO EXCITING!!
Having a marvelous time, honestly, and apart from yet to get an upgrade on a plane, nothing could be better!!
We will blog more regularly now promise!!
We love everyone TONS and miss you all, photos will go up soon too....message us here - although we can both read it - yes mum, you did provided emma and i with a giggle this morning - LOVE YOU xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Theresa
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I can't believe you tried the durian fruit thing. wrong wrong wrong in every way.