A strange thing has happened, we thought we were getting a plane to Singapore, but in actual fact we have been transported from India to the future by some metaphysical miracle!

It was a very very long day to get here though. We got up and spent the day in Calcutta, visiting the museum which is mostly very impressive, albeit with the addition of some exhibits which seem to have been made by children, such as a paper mache volcano. We then spent a hour in a taxi driving to the airport to the dulcit tones of honking horns. mercifully we arrived early at the airport as the Indians can be very officious and love to follow procedure and the airport was no exception. After filling in more bits of paper work than I can remember we finally boarded our plane. It was amazing. Jon got extremely over excited when he realised not only did we have a nice meal, big seats and loads of films but he could also play street fighter. it was a night flight but we stayed up as it was dar too exciting to slepp through. We eventually arrived in Singapore airport, where they kindly lay on free internet, gardens, shope etc and booked a hotel (which was in the red light district, but was cheap).

We then spent 3 days wandering around the city open mouthed. Everyone tells you Singapore is clean, we hadn't realised just how clean. They even clean the lamposts every day. The transport system is fantastic, well signed, cheap and spotlessly clean. The city is very well planned with not a thing out of place, to the extent that being there makes you feel like a character in SimCity or The Trueman Show. If you're hungry or thirsty you are never more than a few steps away from a food court, cafe or 7eleven. We spent a lot of time window shopping as there are thousands of very posh shopping malls with beautiful window displays which attract your attention so that a quick trip to the conveniences somehow takes several hours. At night Orchard Road was lit up with beautiful lughts for Christmas.

Obviously the city is incredibly commercialised, however for a few days we loved it. The only downsides were the costs and that we felt like a pair of tramps next to the immaculately dressed, beautiful people of Singapore.

There is also an incredible diversity, with people from all over Asia living very harmoniously. This also means that the food is amazing and very varied. Unfortunately i am not very skilled with chopsticks and spent about an hour trying to eat a bowl of noodle soup. Must practice some more.

We are now in Melaka in Malaysia. Will update this entry tomorrow with news.