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Published: December 5th 2008
We arrived in Singapore on 12th November. For once we actually had a lovely hotel booked, in Changi Village, rather than the usual cheap dropout places we usually go to. We decided to enjoy it while it lasts. The hotel was great - lovely room with sea views, two outdoor swimming pools - one of them on the roof terrace, and a minibar we didn't dare touch as you needed a mortgage to pay for it! The first thing we did when we arrived that night was to jump into the rooftop pool. It was raining and there was lightening in the distance, but it was great fun and so refreshing in the muggy heat.
Changi Village is a lovely alternative to staying in the city - we're really not city people. There were lovely walks and great eating places which were dead cheap. We had booked up a 'birdwatching pal', Hang Chong, who took us to the nearby island of Palau Ubin. He does this as a voluntary thing - just asking for expenses to be covered, such as lunch. We didn't know what to expect at all. When we met him at the ferry port he had some
The famous Merlion
How cheesy and touristy is this photo?of his family and friends with him - all ready for a good day out! And it was a fantastic day. They were all so lovely and friendly, and Hang Chong was so knowledgeable about the birds and the wildlife in general. Lunch was great as Hang Chong ordered so we were able to try lots of different local foods. The bird life was amazing - we saw 37 different species, as well as a monitor lizard, mudskippers, and some beautiful butterflies. It was sad to say goodbye as we felt we had got to know them all really well. We gave Hang Chong a tip for being so great.
Another day was spent going into the city. We went to Raffles - which was great but far too expensive! We borrowed a Singapore sling from some English guy we started to talk to so that we could have our photo taken with it! Next we went to the famous Merlion fountain - I can't say either of us were that impressed but we went along in the true spirit of cheesy tourists and took photos anyway. A little look round the shops and we had had enough, so
Raffles Hotel
Rob, trying to look as though he can afford to stay there! back to the tranquility of Changi Village!
That was pretty much our stay over with. Excitement started to brew as we headed off to the airport and on to New Zealand!
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