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Published: March 18th 2006
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So after packing my backpack and putting it on for the first time and looking at myself in the mirror as i am about to embark on not only a journey that i have been craving and desiring for so long, but a journey that will lead me to places, people and experiences, and it hits me. i got quite nervous and saying goodbye to my dog finchy was the start of my tears. Even driving away from my house was a bizarre feeling. So i get to the airport and saying goodbye to the family (and some mates) was quite surreal, especially my two nephews Aidan and Lachlan, as i am going to be missing so much of their growing up, and considering i dont know when i will be returning to Australia...
So i put my pack in at the airport and it only weighs 13kg so i was quite surprised! It was so weird walking through the gates waving goodbye, but i get on the plane and the journey begins....
So i arrive in Singapore and my first night was quite horrible. I get off the plane and try to find the bus station as i
The Highest Peak In Singapore
Sorry no view. Not as sorry as i was! knew it would be cheaper then a cab. Its 9:45 at night and its stinking hot. After getting on the wrong bus and having the bus driver refuse to speak to me and close the door on me, the man behind the bus driver tells me that the MRT would get me to my destination and he gets off the bus with me and shows me where to go. The MRT's are a great mode of transport and you give them a $1 deposit when you buy your ticket (which is like an ATM card), and when you arrive at your destination you get the $1 back if you hand in the card, saving on paper tickets....cool hey. So the first person to talk to me on the train is another aussie....typical. I then get off at my stop and being dark i not notice that there is a bus station right next to the MRT station, so i start to walk down the street to find this place, The Hive Backpackers. i didnt think it was going to be that far but Singapore is hotter then i expect and carrying my pack over one shoulder (i have my pack
The Very Exciting Treetop walk
My legs were killing and again no view! straps packed away and didnt bother to unzip them as i figured it wouldn't be that far) i felt like i walked for an eternity. I had sweat dripping off me and after walking past a few bus stops i decide to get on the next bus that comes past. I wait for a while and then get on the next bus. Its completely full and there is no room to stand let alone put my pack. The bus driver refused to acknowledge what i was saying and i ended up missing my stop and got off at the end of the street and after walking in the wrong direction for ages i turn around. Sweat is now pouring off me all the cabs wont stop for me. So i am just about to break down in a heap saying to myself "what are you doing here you idiot..go home!" i ask a local couple and they point me in the right direction. i find the place and as i am exhausted i put my stuff down in my dorm and watch a movie with some of the other packers. What a night. I even went to bed fully clothed
Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations
A great night with some great views of the city. The fireworks were quite good too. and didnt even have a shower...gross i know but i was sooo buggered.
Singapore is not as clean as i thought it would be and its even hotter then Australia, especially more humid. i would have sweat pouring off me even at 8 in the morning. it was quite horrible but there were some good sights there. It was quite a clean city but it wasn't as clean as i was expecting.
11th feb i spent my first day just walking around the city where i had an old man flash his teeth at me and move them up and down like you do to a pair of sunnies! i had to hold back the laughter till i walked past him. I went for a swim in a local pool and tried to take in all the feelings and emotions that were running through me. I didn't feel so great in the morning so it was nice to just laze around for my first day.
12th feb my second day i went to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which is outside of the city and i found that its actually quite green and lush. i walked up
the highest peak in Singapore (163.63meters above sea level) to find that once at the top and completely out of breath there is no view! the trees are in the way. I then left and went to the Macritchie Reservoir and started a long and kinda boring walk as there wasn't much to see. My purpose in going there was to do a treetop walk and as i start the walk i get a map and find that its actually a 10km round trip!!! my legs were already sore from my other walk but i decide to toughen up and press on. so i get there and find that the treetop walk is only for 250 meters and it wasnt even that great, definitely not worth the 5km walk there especially as there is once again no view! i decide to cheat and go a shortcut back which was only 2km. that night was great and i went to see the fireworks for the last night of the chinese new year celebrations. i had a japanese pancake which wasnt the best so i then tried a pancake with cheese and a sausage in it and it was so yummy...it was
How Funky is your chicken?
A cool looking Rooster, I am in the year of the rooster i discovered... hilarious to see the line dancers in the street (of all ages) dancing to the pussycat dolls song dontcha!!
13th feb My third day i went to the botanical gardens and walked around for ages and chilled for a bit also. i saw the orchid gardens then left to head to Sentosa Island where i caught the cable car over. I went in to the Butterfly park and then saw a musical waterfall show which was pretty neat.
14th feb I decide to leave Singapore and head to Malaysia and after some shopping in the morning for another battery for my camera (and having the store people talk to me like an idiot - which frustrated the crap out of me and made me feel like shit!) i get the bus to Malacca ($11SGN) where i meet 2 germans, Karen and Karen. When we arrive we decide to stay at this place called the "Malacca Town Holiday Lodge 1" which was 1 shithole. We only stayed there as we were approached when we got off the bus and the photo's the guy showed us made it look good. The lady working there was quite friendly though. As i
Chinese New Year
Notice the line dancers in the front was stupid in not getting some money changed before i left singapore the karens helped me out till we got into town (that was one lesson learnt on my travels so far!) My room looked like a jail cell and a hot one at that. We went out for some food at the local food stalls and i tried some new things. (My stomach shrunk in Singapore as it was too hot to eat most of the time). The best part was this fruit drink that was peach honey, it was delicious. So we sat there talking till 12 with some minor language barriers where karen thought i asked her if she was IN the Commonwealth Games, when i actually said if she had HEARD of them....it was a great night though. my room was so hot and as i didnt wanna lay directly on the bed i decided to put my sleeping bag on the mattress which added to my terrible nights sleep as everytime i would roll over i would have the sleeping bag stuck to my face...Happy Valentines Day Moo hihihi
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natalia
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life time experiance
you only live once and you are living out your dreams embrace every moment like it is your last chance to do so.