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The Mod of Singapore
A great collection on display outside the Singapore Art Museum Thursday 12th May
Seems a while since the last entry. Sorry about this. No computer access in Darwin and too much socializing in Alice Springs.
Let’s return to Singapore. Reading back we weren’t that impressed initially but think that may be the impact Thailand and Malaysia had on us. The lush green rice fields, the colours, the miles of banana trees and all the smiling faces, odd sounds and smells we encountered made us slow to adjust.
However, a trip to Raffles and a shopping spree in Chinatown helped. Our shopping was rudely interrupted by a dramatic tropical rainstorm. None of your drizzle, the very heavens opened. From laid back ‘buy it if you want’ folk to wee ants scurrying about with plastic sheets covering their ware. Not a hope of keeping anything dry.
We were saved by a kind stall keeper who ushered us in, offering us shelter... and discount. Needless to say, we bought loads of tat with no regard for our poor bags back at the hotel. She gave us two umbrellas to get home.
The hotel has a great wee bar that does a “buy one, get one free” deal. Hugh in true farmer tradition is
One way to arrive at Raffles
Most of the cabs in Singapore are Immaculate Toyota Crowns taking full advantage… so fortified by alcohol we go for dinner. We arrived at the art museum restaurant to find a mod convention. Japanese in parkas and on vespas and lambrettas. We planned to go on to the Night Safari. We were easily put off by a decent, honest waiter telling us that the rain would have brought out the mossies and the animals would be in hiding. Enough said. Home for a night cap and early bed interrupted by a very welcome call from Lel.
Up again at 7am for an organized tour of the zoo. Pretty regimental that was. No room for error but very informative and lots more animal photos including a pose with the orangutan and baby.
We’ve decided once you get used to it, Singapore is not so bad. A mixing pot of cultures and very consumer driven but ok. It’s still very hot and sticky but we’re well in tune with that. And now we’re moving on.
A six hour overnight flight to Darwin, we arrive at 4.30am and wait for our host, John, to pick us up. No worries, we’re in Australia. All settled, at John’s, drinking tea by 5.30am. A quick nap
(lasting 6hours!) and we’re off sightseeing. Darwin has had a bit of excitement recently. Cyclone Larry had been due to hit a couple of days before our arrival but had missed by 50miles.
We've left the hazy skies of Asia and now need sunglasses. It's awfy bright here. The sea looks beautiful and inviting so imagine our dismay when told we can’t swim…the crocs will get us!! Still, it’s ok because John and Curley have a wee pool back at the house. Too cold for residents but just right for us. Not only that but they have three “pet” green tree frogs in a watering can on the verandah and possums in the garden. Katie is delighted.
After three very pleasant days incorporating a visit to a night market with fabulous food stalls and fire throwers, an afternoon at the crocodile park where Katie refused to hold a baby crocodile opting instead for a turtle,
a visit to a pearl shop where I tried on pearls costing A$475,000!, the bowling club for an evening pint and a great night’s craic with John and Curley, bleary eyed we head off for a two day tour of Kakadu National Park. A crocodile
The Hustle and Bustle of Chinatown
This was the hot and humid time before our first tropical downpour! cruise, visiting 20,000 year old cave paintings, swimming in waterholes and a typically droll tour guide, whose knowledge of aboriginal history was remarkable, made it memorable….and we camped!! The campsite was showing signs of the destruction left in the path of the cyclone with loads of trees down, tents looking like tumbleweed etc. Katie was a fine wee boddy. We were picked up at the road end and the look on the faces of our 14 traveling companions was comic. They were there for a weekend of beer and banter. Not a --------- child. In true pioneering style, she walked the walks, ate the rice and fish and swam in the water pool. She got to sit in the seat next to Moony, the driver, and by the next day had charmed everyone. Well worth the visit. A fascinating mixture of scenery, eco- systems (massive uranium mines and gold panning included) and folklore.
Returning from being at one with nature, Hugh, made strange by the midday sun, took Katie and I to Passpaley’s and bought me a beautiful pearl ring and Katie a drop necklace. How kind is that!! Sun has gone to his head!
Bidding a fond farewell to
John, who had been so fantastic we head to Alice Springs.
Well!! After the heady heat of the past three weeks we arrive in near normal temperatures. Nay, chilly, we feel. It’s a mere 20 degrees and we sent all our winter clothes (13kgs worth) back home when we were in Darwin (a vain attempt to ease the strain). Are we daft or what.
We’re having a truly fabulous time here and we’ll elaborate further soon. Have to go now as a day trip to Ayer’s Rock is in store tomorrow. Starts at 6am and back for midnight.
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anonymous
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Marilyn,Getta and Amanda want to know if Hugh bought you the 475,000 dollar pearls. Marilyn is jealous!