Leaving the (semi) civilised shores of Australia behind - we were now back on the real backpacker trail - smelly, overcrowded buses, strange food, language barriers and squat toilets... welcome to Asia! However, before all that, we had a very gentle introduction to Asia in the modern metropolis of Singapore. This city state is much decried on the backpacker circuit. With its clean streets, visible wealth, designer goods and it's general orderlyness, it's considered a bit, well, sterile. The tone is set at the ubercool airport, with it's cut price ipods, free music, massages and internet, a pool, a gym and a cinema - all for transitting flyers. As you step on the metro, you are whisked quickly and quietly to a spotlessly clean station in the centre of town in 20 minutes. All very easy
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