Arrived in Singapore which would inevitably be nice to any newcomer, but after India this seems like heaven on earth! There are no horrible smells, the toilets are clean, nobody is spitting, ther's air conditioning, we've seen a carpet for the first time in 6 weeks, they have supermarkets...the list goes on!! We were so overwhelmed with joy, we contemplated just staying in the airport for a few days, but eventually managed to drag ourselves out.

Have spent 2 days walking for miles around Singapore, always lured round the next corner, despite aching feet, eagar to find what delights await us! Have been amazed by the endless number of pristine malls full of designer shops, the stunning architecture, the sheer number of trees and flowers everywhere you look, how polite everybody is, how clean the city is, how quaint some of the buildings are, and how many food outlets they have managed to sustain! (See the photos)

Visited the famous Raffles hotel, the opera house, the harbour, Chinatown, Little India, the city park, Arab Street and more. Have been overwhelmed by the intent concentration on people's faces in Virtual World, as they compete internationally on games machines we didn't even know existed (and completely baffled us!) We stumbled across a food and drink exhibition with foods bizarre enough to make even the strongest stomachs churn and...most importantly...had the first bottle of wine of the trip and a few pints of Guiness on St Patricks Day!

Can't say enough wonderful things about this city - definately one to return to! With enough money to abuse the shopping malls! Off to Kuala Lumpur...