Goodbye SIngapore - Hello Australia!!!!

---

My last day in Singapore on my own!! First of all I decided I desperately needed a new camera as the one I had isn't taking pictures very well so I went to the shopping place - Orchard Road and thought I would be trawling the many many camera shops for a good deal!! I really couldn't be bothered, it was my last day and wanted to see as much as possible and not spend it shopping. I know, I know that doesn't sound like me does it? I think I am turning into a real explorer now!!! I got a new camera for about 115 quid and it is a good one and fromhe first shop too - I did use my skills and bargain him down too so I walked away a happy Jane.
I then decided to go to Chinese Gardens which was about 20 Min's away from the city on the MRT train. They were so pretty but it was really really hot. I had SPF 30 and still managed to burn a little. I stayed about an hour and then decided to retreat back to the air conditioned MRT station to travel back to my hotel. I wanted to send some stuff home so that my backpack wasn't as heavy. It ended up costing me 26.00 quid to send the bloody stuff. It was over 2Kg, more than 10% of the weight of my bag so I suppose it was worth every penny not to break my back! Also sent the camera back for my dad to return to ASDA for my money back hopefully!! Hadn't budgeted buying a new camera!! That's a week in a hostel....

The new camera is fine - see pics. I had wanted to test it at the Night Safari at Singapore Zoo that night but in the end I couldn't anyway cos the battery died (again - not my fault this time though - had been given the wrong charger, gutted!!!!) I did pick up the right one from the shop again later in the day but it was too late to charge it as I was then getting the tour bus to the zoo. The Night Safari was brilliant! I met up with Dominique and Ray again at the Zoo as Saskia had gone home. There was also Alex a Scottish lad who had joined us, he was on his own too. I absolutely loved it and would recomend to anyone going there. I saw Lions and tigers / leopards less than 100mtrs away. You go around in an open tram / train contraption and a guide tells you all about the animals. They have recreated their natural habitat and they have conceled all the streams and barriers that stop them eating you so you feel like you are just there in the wild. it's fantastic. Saw bats the length of my arm, proper batmman style ones!!! Evil!!
Anyway - Night Safari is a definate MUST SEE!! - Sorry no pics, you can't use a flash anyway so Dom / Ray's pics were rubbish too. A Camera is pointless.
The yanks were all going out for a drink after but I wanted to get back to get my stuff ready and open my cards as it is my birthday.Yippeee!!! 29 today. Anyway I ended up going for some food as I skipped tea earlier and then I went on the internet. This blog writing is so time consuming!!! Got to bed just after 2.00am for a 5.00am start in the end. Thanks Deb / Lou / Linda for my cards and my pennies. xxx
Got up knackered and repacked my bag, it feels a lot better even losing 2Kg and I am getting better. I think it is just practice. My stomache muscles are sore now though trying to keep up stood up right though. At least I don't need a gym membership while I am here!! Hoping to comeback tanned and skinny!!

ARRIVING IN PERTH
Flight was good, went really quickly - 5hrs. It was funny though I must have dozed off and I woke with a fright and screamed a little in horror thinking we were in the middle of a storm and hit major turbulance. Turned out we had landed. I am such an idiot!! Horray, finally in Australia!!!! Well it is pissing down with rain, nearly terrential and I have one pair of jeans and 1 jumper after posting my warm heavy clothes back to England. I also only have flip flops. I found the hostelaftera busride and checked it. It is no hotel but it seems clean andnice, althuiogh a bit quiet ,but it istheir Winter Season here in Perth. I decided to go to the supermarket to get a beer to celebrate my birthday and got absolutely drenched with my ione set ofwarm clothes thatI am going to have to wear tomorrow too. Ewww I really am a sweaty traveller!!
So here I am now writing this with a beer and some peanuts, talking to everyone herte about my plans. They might be changing too if this weather is forecast to continue. I was meant to be going up Noth towards Broom for theMonkey Mia Dolphins / Coral reef Shark diving then Iwas coming back to spend another few weeks here in Perth before flying to Darwin I am going to ring Qantas up and see if I can fly from Broom instead rather tham coming back. Nota great deal todoon a budget in the rain!!!! and I really wanttop lie on a beach and make you all jealsous.

Will let you know the plans soon. Bye for now xxxx (Can't get pics on for some reason, will add them tomorrow) xxx

---