Equatorial Musings (aka A Singapore Sling in Raffles is nothing compared to a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster in Spiders, Hull)

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Singapore, which translates to English as Lion City, is a funny little place. One of the most advanced cities in the world with a rainforest on its doorstep. A culture boasting close tyes with England, India, China and Malaysia. And more shops than you can shake a stick at!

It is also about 1 degree North of the Equator. That is of interest to me for 2 reasons:
1) I have never beenout of the Northern hemisphere before. It is a nice hemisphere and I hope the Southern one lives up to its reputation.
2) The Earth spins faster at the Equator than anywhere else, approximately 1700km/h (as opposed to something like 1000km/h in London). That means I am breaking my own personal best! How exciting

But enough of that nonsense for now, back to Singapore.

Singapore first came to prominence when Mr Raffles landed. Apparantly he was a gentleman thief and took it for Britain. Ever since then lots of people come to his hotel to sample the Singapore Sling. I'm not sure what is in it (google it if you like), but it is pink and costs S$22 a glass (about 7 quid - no pound
The Singapore Sling
The look on Sam's face says it all!sign on the keyboards out here). Sam has been twisting on about this drink for ages, hence her excitement at finally getting her hands on it. It was OK, but nothing compared to the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster served with merit by the wonderful staff at Spiders nightclub in Kingston Upon Hull (now that's a DRINK).

The other main attractions are the zoo and the shopping. Orchard Road is ridiculous. Approx 20 shopping malls on this one street about a mile long. I lasted about 20 minutes before brain meltdown.
The zoo on the other hand was fantastic. Apparantly it is second only to Australia Zoo in the world. The vast majority of animals are pretty free ranging in large habitats. The notable exception being the Polar Bear that looked downright miserable. We went round in about 3 hours, and that was nowhere near enough. Plus I got to see a wild Green tree snake in the grounds. I'm not sure if it was venomous or not, but it was another highlight of the trip - my very first wild snake.
Added on to the zoo is the Night Safari, which allows the noctural animals to be viewed in
An Inqusitive Lemur
a more suitable environment. Again fantastic.

But most people say that 2 days in Singapore is sufficient. We have had 2 days and it is indeed sufficient. Tomorrow we fly to Bali, to Indonesia and to the Southern Hemisphere. I'm afraid its back to the picturesque beaches, the cheap beers and the party hours.

Bring it on!

BTW Many thanks to everyone who sent birthday messages. I am now officially old
ABTW: Congratulations to Craig and Kate Dempsie on the birth of their baby daughter Megan. May she be better behaved than her father

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Comments

[Dad]

Jealous
If you are trying to make us jealous it is certainly working, continue with the Bloggs, they are lightening our lives. ps Happy Birthday - I have just got the computer working again !!!