Lucy and I were surprised when our anticipated 4 hour journey to Singapore turned into a 4 hour journey! Nevertheless we had some fun on the road, as wel as getting through customs and collecting a couple more stamps on the passport! I'm not going to lie its starting to look rather full! So proud!
With not tooo much hassel we were released into the country - my first impression? Well its not all that clean and I certinally don't see police policing the streets! Sam had beaten us to the previously arranged hostel and the three of us went for lunch together. Unfortunatey I have been feeling considerable more sick over the past couple of days; I never properly recovered from that illness all the way back in Vietnam and I sense a relapse... praying Terry didn't curse me....!!
The first day in Singapore seemed to vanish over beers and food, catching up and sharing stories. I indulged in a Malaysian Style spring rool called "Popiah". It was stuffed with much more filling than previously sampled spring rolls and had a much sweeter taste. I did still enjoy it, but certinally wasn't going to replace the traditional spring roll.
We jetted off to the night zoo, friends had previously reccomened it too me and we thought it was worth a shot, even though a little pricy. And what can I say?! I loved it! Although the whole experiance was a little too similar to the well known films; Jurrasic Park I, II, III (probably IV and V by now!). We were piled into open sided vehicles and taken down dark track. As we appeared through the trees I could see that there was nothing but a small ditch separating us from the animals - now I have no problem with this when its a deer or an ottor. But seriously - a TIGER?! or HIPPO?! You must be kidding me?! Then they said we could get out and walk at the lepord section. Its just like in the film when the woman stopped to look at the Trisarahtops! I could see my life flashing before my eyes!
However, I presume it is clear from this (and the lack of distressed phone calls home) that the three of us managed to escape from the rainforest alive, with nothing but a few midgy bites... thank god I say!
A noctournal show later, some Indian food and a stroll past the aniamals we hedded back to the hotel for a much deserved sleep.... eventually made it in at 1am.
The final day with Lucy was certinally a busy one; rain forced us into a large shopping centre, we then visted the beautiful Botanical Gardens which are well worth a trip; and in glorious sunshine would really light up. There is also an open air stage where they have concerts, unfortunaltey we wern't able to catch one. From there we heeded to 'Smith Street'. A lady from work (Bonnie!) advised me that this was the best place for street food and it certinally was! We had a delicious duck dish, with beer, of course. It was in the heart of China Town so we did a spot of shopping before a fast dash to the beach. How could I let Lucy's last day not have some beach time?! I have never seen as many ships in the water as I did there - really hit home the sheer extent of the Port, and that it truely is the biggest in South East Asia. Before we knew it the sun was going down. A quick call in at the archietechuaraly controversial esplinade and St Josephs Cathedral before a farwell drink and dinner with Lucy. I know I am going to find it hard to say good bye to her, even though Sam and I have an amazing itinary ahead of us. I feel so lucy to have been able to take the opportunity to really get to know my sister again.
Lucy tried to lift her bag I had stuffed with my 2 month collection of sovineers - she couldn't. crap. I feared how she would manage her 2 day journey back to England, but like a true Frodsham she chucked another beer in and slugged to the bus stop. We waved her off and even had a little run along the side of the bus.
Shortly after I was sipping on a frothy cup of muddy chai all my fond memores of India flooded back to me, the friendships, the endurance test and the happiness. My simle stretched from ear to ear. A mad dash to get Sam 2 suits made resulted in a scamster pressursing Sam and me running around the corner to see Jay, who I trusted and was offering a pretty sweet deal for Singaporian costs.
The AMAZING Song, Water, Show extravaganza was held on Sentoza Island. A short train journey took us across to the island and we enjoyed watching queer fold running around the beach in a very dramatised-bollywood fashion. The stilt houses in the water were lit up with blue lights and atmospheric fog - then frogs and seahorses, and dragons and devils and a beautiful girl was in the sky! The story went that the main's voice awoke the creatures of the sea and he saved them! IT ended with shooting fire balls and fireworks! My childhood bonfire excitement shot through me as I lit up as much as each fire work!
As many of you may know Sam's grandad was positioned in Singapore during the war. The final morning we set off to find the house. The MRT took us right up the north of the country and from there we jumped in a taxi. Unfortunately I have been feeling much iller recently so we decided a cab would be better than a painful walk. The street looked just as it did in the pictures and on google maps. We found the house and Sam phoned his mum to tell her we were tehre. The house did appear to be vacant though so we couldn't try and talk to the owners. A small stroll down the drive we left feeling satisfied. Really interesting to visit somewhere that you have heard so many fond stories about.
The Terrocotta Warriers were visiting a Museum in the heart of Singapore and I snapped up the opportunity to visit them. Very interesting to finally see them, although I was a little dissapointed that there wern't more of them; only about 20 in the collection. A mad dash to the suit shops, they were tried, the waste band altered and we ran back to the hotel, wolfed down some delicious dinner and ran to the airport. All cut a little too fine, but we made the flight and eventually arrived in Cairns at 9am in the morning.