3rd/4th May

Today I fly from Kathmandu to Delhi, then Delhi to Mumbai, then Mumbai to Singapore.
My first flight was delayed by just over an hour which meant I got to Delhi with only 45 minutes to get from the international airport to the domestic airport (which I discovered, on arrival, involved about a 10 minute taxi ride). As soon as I leave the airport I am surounded by men and boys all wanting to carry my bags or get me into their taxi. By now I am hot and flustered and trying to push my way through the crowds. I swore at one man that would not let go of my bag. Eventually I get into a safe taxi. I arrive only to be told that the gate for my flight had closed. After a few heated words and a sob story to one of the men I board my flight. I checked in at 12.32pm and my flight left at 12.55 pm. That was too close.

I arrive in Mumbai at the domestic terminal and yes, you guessed it, I have to get to the international terminal - no problem this time as they have a free bus and its only the other side of the airport. No problem with the Singapore flight.

My hotel was great. The room was massive - I have a flat screen TV about a 42in. But the best part was I had a shower, a real loo, a clean king size bed, and electricity 24 hours a day. Having just come from Kathmandu where they have power cuts for 12 hours at a time this was a luxury.

After a shower, a sleep, yet another shower, and clean clothes I make my way to the underground where I buy a ticket and head for the shops. Much later I end up in an internet place catching up with everyone. By the time I leave its about 9.45pm. I then realise that I have left my map in the bedroom and I have no idea where I am. Finally I make it back.

5th May
My birthday today - lots of treats for me today. First, I make my way to the underground again and make my way to Changi Museum (this was a POW camp). Not really a birthday treat but we never got around to doing it the last time we were here.

After that its to the harbour where I take the cable car to the top of Mount Faber then down to Sentose Island. I have just enough time for a coffee then back to the hotel as I have to check out by 3pm.

I have nothing to do till I leave at 6.45pm. After telling the doorman that I would have loved to have gone to Raffles for afternoon tea, but the receptionist said it would be fully booked, when he realises its my birthday and I am on my own, somehow he gets me a table. Fifteen minutes later I am sat in Raffles having afternoon tea with the restaurant staff singing "Happy Birthday" to me as they present me with a birthday cake with a candle on it.