First few days!

Singapore

I arrived in Singapore on the 28th and I couldn't believe how hot and stuffy it was. The flight though 12 hours long was not too bad. I had some good films and the food was actually very nice! I had a treat of spaghetti bolognaise waiting for me when I reached the house that I was staying at - not very typical for the area! The house belongs to some friends of my aunts, and was lovely. The housekeeper was the only one there except for a little dog which yapped fairly frequently! Due to jetlag I went to bed fairly early thinking I was shattered, but in fact I really struggled to sleep which was frustrating but I understand is common after long flights. Angie, the housekeeper, persuaded me to spend the next day at Orchard road (the main shopping area). I experienced my first bus ride there which was really clean and cheap and only a ten minutes ride. I couldn't believe the amount of shopping centres on one road, and it was so frustrating that my bag was so full I couldn't buy anything! Though maybe that was a blessing in disguise because the shops were so expensive.

I flew out of Changi airport that evening on a Qantas flight to Brisbane. The airport was much nicer than any of the one's back home. There was free internet and lots of nice shops and eateries. There was also a lot of travellers my age which it was nice to see. Except for liquids, they were really relaxed about security, and although I bleeped, they didn't even search me which was quite surprising - I guess I don't look suspicious?! Sleeping on the plane to Brisbane was pretty much impossible; I was next to the toilet so people kept bumping in to me and I was sitting next to a very friendly man from the Seychelles who constantly wanted to chat. But again, the films and food were okay so the flight didn't drag out too long. It was pouring and stormy in Brisbane, which lead to my connecting flight being delayed by about an hour, but luckily I had my book to read!

New Zealand

I eventually arrived in Auckland on Wednesday and was met at the airport by Fiona and Alex. It was sunny and hot, so I was happy! Infact, it's been sunny and hot ever since, so life's pretty good! I'm staying with a family about ten minutes from the center of Auckland in a lovely house. They have two little girls, Alex (3yrs) and Lucy (15months) who are real cuties! Lucy has just started walking so spends a lot of time running around like a mad man before falling on her bum! I went with them and their nanny, Tracey, to the beach this morning which was great fun, though the sea was a little chilly! Although everyone's so laid back here, the house is always buzzing with people. There were five of us here for lunch yesterday, and I realised that not one of them was part of the family! (Of course they were all friends or working for the family, not just randomers off the street!). I was taken rock climbing last night by some of Fionas' old pupils who are my age. It was really good fun, though a little strenuous, and they were all so nice to me but though my accent was hilarious! Adam and Fiona own a French deli, so in the evenings we sit out on the deck and enjoy some good wine and French nibbles - not a bad life! I believe we're having a picnic on the beach tonight, which will be fun, but then again things are so laid back over here it may not happen!

So that's my first few days, which seem like ages to me! I'm starting to settle in, and the jet lag is wearing off so let the fun begin!

Feel free to message me, either through this website or via e-mail - hats2001@hotmail.com and I'll try and update things weekly. I have some photos but unfortunately not the facilities to upload them, so I'll try again asap!

Hats xx

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