Not wishing to rush Singapore, we spent a week in what turned out to be a great city. Lisa's parents were with us for the first couple of days and we spent the time seeing some of the attractions and enjoyed drinks at Raffles Bar and meals along the Singapore River. A few tears were shed on their final night and we were, once again, on our own. After the holiday of a lifetime that was our 4 months in Australia, Lisa was a little nervous of the forthcoming culture shock of 'proper' South East Asia, and Singapore served as the perfect halfway house. In Singapore, the Chinese, Malays and Indians combine in a partly westernised society where there is still plenty of evidence that Singapore was, until half a century ago, part of the British Empire. Without Britain, Singapore has arguably done a better job of creating a modern society than Britain has managed on home turf. Singapore is clean, efficient and well ordered with an incredible public transport system. Stiff penalties for crimes UK police would ignore have made for an extremely safe place. Singaporeans are understandably very proud. Most tourists come to do what Singaporeans are so fond of doing themselves - shopping. Of course we had to see what all the fuss was about so visited a few of the malls. Being short on space - not to mention money after spending 3 weeks with holidaymakers - we could only gasp in amazement at how cheap a lot of it was. We did have room for one bargain though - a mosquito net. Essential for the places we were going to over coming months. Will add photos later. S