Hello from Bangkok!

When we left you at Singapore airport we thought we'd be in for a long day, but on arriving at Raffles we got a pleasant surprise, as they let us into our room early at 10.00am. It was lush! After having had no sleep to enjoy the luxuries. We took full advantage of the Spa and outdoor pool! And then enjoyed a sumptious buffet of Singapore-Chinese cuisine. It was eat as much as you like - so that's exactly what we did!

Next day, after more pool and spa action, and taking advantage of the buffet breakfast we had a cocktail over looking the city in the New Asia bar 71 stories up, the highest bar in Asia! Although the lift only took a matter of secnds to get their!

Then we walked to our first hostel! It was vewry warm and humid so we were glad it was only a short walk with our backpacks!

After 2 weeks of India, it just so happened the hostel, the Inn Crowd was in Little India, so we couldn't get away from the place! Although this place was a lot cleaner and didn't smell half as much!

The hostel was really good - dorms but with clean bedding and a cool, chilledd-out vibe.

That night we took in the Night safari at Singapore Zoo, after taking the MRT (metro) to get there. Being Singapore it was remarkably clean, straightforward, and easy to get around. THe Night Safari was really good, seeing all the animals when they were more active. A flying fox skimmed our heads flying over!

Next day we took the cable car over to Sentosa Island (a small island off of Singapore where there's a few attractions). Emili doesn't know how i managed to persuade her to go up in the cable car, but once we were up we loved it!! THe views were excellent. After chilling out on the man-made beach in the baking sun, and cooling off in the warm sea, we went to Underwater World aquarium where we fed and stroked stingrays (and got soaked by them!) and small sharks, and went through a walkway where we had sharks, rays and massive fish swimming all around us, and over us. It was amazing! In the eveing we took in a musical waterfountain and lazer show which was impressive, and via a quick stopoff at Noodle Hut (great food!) we headed home shattered and a lilttle sunburnt (me that is - Emili DID say to use more suncream, but I'm a Brit abroad!)

NExt day we went on a city tour of Singapore on an amphibious DuckBoat that went on land and water to see the sights. This was really interesting and a great way to see the city. Following that we went to Singapore's Chinatown on the eve of Chinese New Year. It was amazingly colourful and very busy. WE really enjoyed walkking round seeing all the stalls and the great food!

overall we werer both very impressed with Singapore. Some people told us it was soulless and plastic, but we loved it - so easy to get around, spotlessly clean (you get fined for littering) and efficient. It was just what we neeeded after chaotic India! The Raffles PLaza was really nice as well. Could get used to living the high life!

Now we have had 2 night in Bangkok, and the world's our oyster! Bangkok rocks! We've stayed very near the famous Khao Sang Road (wher all the backpackers hang out)which is really happening! Really chilled out and a great night! After soaking up some culture visiting the Emerald Buddha, Grand Palace and MASSIVE Reclining Buddha via riverboat, we enjoyed a mel out in Khao San Road, a few Tiger beers, and to finish off I smapled some deep-fried grub(s) - a mixture of grasshoppers, beetles and a scorpion. And i'm not just saying this, but they were all delicious!! A lot like pork scratchings! To top it off, I had a lady-boy serve them to us! Only in Bangkok!

Now we are just about to get a 14 hour sleeper train north to Chang Mai. today we have lived some more of the high-life (literally) by having a drink on top of the 59 story Vertigo bar! Great views of Bangkok!!

Bangkok is great - the Skytrain and Riverboat are great ways to get around!

Gonna go before we get cut off!

Loads of Love

Tim n Emili XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

THat evening we flew to Bangkok!