12/5/09: 2 days Dad!! We were up for our final breakfast in Oz. Then we finished packing and checked out but hung around in the hotel lounge and waited for airport shuttle which picked us up at 11.30. Not far to airport. We checked in and got something to eat at airport then sat around and waited to board plane- some bloke came and done a market research survey on us which passed the time. We hadnt been given seats together which was stupid cos we were 2 of the first people to check in!! We boarded plane- flying with Qantas. I had a spare seat next to me which made the fact that lil alex wasnt sat next to me even more stupid so once we took off I asked hostess if he could move and then went and rescued him from where he was sat. Brilliant choice of films- I watched Slumdog millionaire and The Reader with Kate Winslet (a lot of nudity?! but quite good). We got two meals- the food was quite good- i got vegi meals. Plus they brought around ice creams, drinks, fruit. I read for a while too. We were flying over Australia for half of the 7.5hour flight and after a couple of hours the pilot told us to look out of the window and we were flying over Ayers Rock which was pretty cool- he'd brought the plane down and it was clear skies so we got good views. Also cool seeing the outback.

We finally landed about 9.30 Singapore time. We got through immigration and customs no probs and got bags. Then got a taxi- as soon as we stepped outside the heat just hit us even tho it was night time. The taxi only cost $20 (less than 10pounds) for a 20 minute journey to hostel. I loved Singapore straight away!! We got to hostel and there was lots of staff who were all really friendly and helpful!! We have a two person room which is basic but clean and does have air-con. We crashed soon after.

13/5/09: 1 day dad!!!! We woke up about 8 and got ready- had free breakfast here- only toast and bananas. Then we noticed all the girls were wearing long skirts or trousers even though it was baking and sunny so we wondered if it was a religious or cultural thing so I quickly changed into leggings. Then we headed out to explore even tho we didnt have a map. We got a bit lost but found some cool temples and eventually come to the Singapore River. It is so cool here! The buildings vary so much- there is a real mixture of ultra modern architecture with huge skyscrapers, etc, and then there is old buildings and temples and also loads of building work!! Men travel around in the back of trucks like cattle! We saw loads of Buddhist Monks in orange robes and with shaved heads. We done a river cruise for 45 minutes with a commentarya bout the city. Then we walked along river to the big wheel like the london eye! We got it for student rates of $10 instead of $30- bargain!! It was amazing- great views over the city and water- 100's of boats!! Then we walked around and got a drink- so hot- we were sweating like mofos!! We walked around and found Chinatown- there was a huge shopping mall there. On the 3rd floor there was loads of massage places and lots offered fish spas. We couldnt not give it a go!! You sit with your feet in a pond thing and hundreds of little fish suck your feet- it feels sooo weird and tickles to begin with but then is so relaxing!! You also put your hands in a bowl with fish!! I paid $35 and got 20 minute fish spa and 45 minute reflexology and 10 minute shoulder massage- wow!!! It was lovely!! I may become addicted to all this massage stuff and it is soo cheap!! We then had to find our way back. Which we managed surprisingly well. The day has flown by but been great. Oh and it turns out you can wear shorts!! We got diner in a resturant- mine was $12 (about 6 pound) for 3 courses- wild mushroom soup, smoked salmon salad and then vegetable pasta- not very asian I know but very nice!!! Oh and when we set off this morning my fingers suddenly started itching and then swelled up loads so I had sausage fingers and no knuckles- it looked really funny!! It gradually went down as the day went on- I think it was the heat and maybe the flight!? We got a drink from hostel and sat outside chilling then had showers and crashed.

14/5/09: Happy birthday dad!!! We were up at 8 and had breakfast. Then we set off to explore again. We got the metro to the centre- it is really cheap and then you get $1 back if you give in your ticket when you have finished- it was only like $3 to start with!! We found the main big train station and booked a train to Kuala Lumpar for tomorrow morning at 7.40am- it is a 7 hour journey. We really wanted to get an overnight train and get a sleeper but they were all booked. It cost about 17 pound each but we are in standard class so it might be a bit of a cattle truck. Then we went to a Buddhist temple- it was huge and breathtaking!! I had to put on a sarong cos i was wearing shorts (knew it was something like that). There was a service going on with monks and people chanting- it was quite cool. Plus lots of people lighting incense sticks. We walked around the 5 levels- one of which is a roof garden and another is a Buddhist museum so we learnt all about Buddhism!! I love it! Then just outside was an asian market so we looked around and I brought a dress- a long white one with blue flowers- only 7 pounds!! We sat down and got fruit juices- 1.50pounds- i had a mixed fruit and lil alex had kiwi- very nice!! Walked around some more. Then we headed over to find a food market place where there are literally 100s of stalls- each rated A, B, C, D according to cleaniness- almost everyone rated B- second highest!! This is a real food court!! Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc. Each dish is about $3-4 (1.50-2pounds). I had a lovely dish of noodles, vegetables, fish cake and fish omelette. Then we went to Fort Canning- a big park place- we looked around but lil alex had awful blisters from his flip-flops!! We then found a huge mall-about 8 levels of shops- mum and vic would of loved it!!!! We got an ice cream each and had a quick look around. Then we got metro back to hostel. Everyone here is sooo friendly. It is weird cos everything is in english- all road signs and adverts, etc, even though they all speak different!! It was raining when we first woke up but by the time we got up and ready it had stopped and it was really really hot again all day- not so sunny though. Just booked Kuala lumpa hostel- costs 13pounds for both of us for 2 nights- bargain!!!! We had showers and packed and then went out to Little India region nearby to get a snack for tea- loads of people about- they just lurk on the streets. We come back to hostel and sat ouside and had a drink then I finished my book and crashed cos we gotta be up early tomorrow.

15/5/09: We were up at 6. We ordered a taxi for 6.30 and got ready and checked out- taxi already waiting. We got lift to station where we got some supplies for train journey and filled in our Malaysia Immigration forms. We boarded the train- I was very pleasantly surprised by standard class- loads of leg room and a big tv that showed films- Mr Bean and Spiderman, plus people constantly coming around cleaning it. The views as we went round were cool- it was nice to see some more of the country but we were only in Singapore for about an hour before we had to all get off and go through immigration controls and then get back on. We went over a big bridge and were into Malaysia!!