Singapore Sling

We departed Tioman on the first ferry out and then waited for the next coach from Mersing to take us through Johor Baru (hope that's spelt right!) before carrying on into Singapore. We left with four friends but had to part at the bus station because there weren't enough seats. However we arranged to meet up that evening in Little India! The journey was painless and efficient. We had immigration cards given to us on the bus which we needed to complete before heading through Singapore Immigration. At JB we got off the bus, minus our luggage and got stamped out of Malaysia. We then got back on the bus travelled for a few more minutes before getting back off the bus, with our luggage this time and working our way through immigration at Singapore. Fortunatley it only took half an hour at the most, before we were back on board and heading onwards. Unfortunatley this was not the case for Andrew and Ceilia who were following on the next bus. They weren't given any immigration cards and ended up being sent to the back of the queue by the Singapore officials. It must have taken them an hour at the least to get through, and by the time they did, there coach had left without them - aaarrrggghhh!! They then had to catch a local bus into the centre. In all their trip took them about six hours, where as ours took abut four. So sorry guys, we felt so guilty!

Our first two nights were spent at the New 7th Storey hotel. Good quality hotel, infact it was sheer luxury compared to the broken bed of our last few nights and the fan that sounded like a Chinook Helicopter (thank goodness for earplugs!). The room was massive, the bed was equally as big and we had all the luxuries of hot and cold water, a kettle and wey hey a fridge!!! We headed over to the mall, found a supermarket a stocked up with fruit and chocolate!!! Heaven!!! We met up with Andrew, Ceilia, Jude and Kieran in Little India for an evening meal of assorted thalis. Little India was gloriously decorated in preparation for Divali. The lights were stunning and I quite understand why people say to come and see the Christmas Lights.

The next day saw us exploring Singapore. First stop was the Observation wheel. Identical to the London Eye, this one however is the worlds largest! We had a pod all to ourselves and once again were left speechless at the views. You see everything from up there and I well recommend taking the time to go on it! Cameras clicked for the whole trip and I'm surprised we didn't run the batteries down in that first hour.

We then headed off and saw the Merlion (cool and silly photos taken), walked off and into Clarke Quay, had lunch in one of the malls, walked on and into St Andrew's Cathedral, past the Old Supreme Court, along by the Padang and finally into Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. Oh well it had to be done, and it's another ambition ticked off the list for me!!! All in all it was one long hot day on the feet but we absolutley thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Singapore has lived upto everything we thought and hoped it would do. There are malls everywhere and in the underground sections of each and everyone you find food courts so you never go hungry. Everywhere is clean and efficient but at not time did we feel that 'sterile' atmosphere people have talked about.

Our last night was spent in total luxury - a Holiday Inn!!! David had enough points for one free night and we waltzed in, in our attire past buisness and well dressed clients who eyed us up and down! Our bags were taken to our room and we followed. Hey a washing line in the bathroom and scales!!! Goodness we are spoilt!!! We hit the shops again, then came back had a swim in the pool, gratefully accepted our free chocolates (and ok fruit!), used all the smellies and finished off using the free tea and coffee!!!

We had to be up at some ridiculous hour and after one last meal with Andrew and Ceilia we left for some sort of early night!

Departure saw us leaving from the brand spanking new terminal at Singapore aboard a 747 for Hong Kong. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently until we reached Honkers, where after a days wait we found our names called out at the departures gate. The question arose if we had return tickets from New Zealand, well as you all know, no we didn't. We were then politely informed we couldn't get on the flight unless we purchased return tickets. If we didn't get on the flight, then we would be fined for our bags having to be offloaded. Thankfully the financially organised amongst us had a empty credit card, that's not so empty now!! This all began happening as everyone else was getting on the flight. Staying cool, calm and relaxed (ha ha!), watching everyone else getting on, and one of the members of staff having wandered off with my credit card to process the transaction, was not easy. The lady in charge of taking my card on what seems to have been the longest walk of all time, casually sauntered back after twenty minutes, by which time everyone else was on the plane, leaving just us poor two souls at the desk, smiling faintly at the captain and crew. Thankfully, all was ok, and we dashed onto the plane - the last two passengers - don't you just hate that! Still we made it and got to New Zealand - phew!

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