After a couple of hours trying to sleep in the sweltering hot room I was pleased when the alarm finally signalled it was time to get up! We got up, checked out and set off on the 15 minutes or so walk to the bus station avoiding the taxi drivers and tuk-tuks as best we could. It was only 6am but already the roads were majorly busy and we had to risk our lives to cross them!

We got to the bus counter and the lady who had previously helped us waved manically at us obviously remembering us from our previous visit. We purchased our tickets and clambered on the awaiting bus. It took about an hour to get us to the airport and we dropped people off at the other terminals before we got to ours.

We went through security and to our check-in desk where a long wait ensued as the computer was broken. All the other desks moved along nicely but ours was frustratingly slow! We eventually checked in, being annoyed at having to pay 10 pounds departure tax each (what is it for??) and made our way towards immigration. We changed the remainder of our cash into US dollars just holding back about 8 pounds for breakfast. We were hoping for a McDonalds! We finally got through immigration after I again chose the slowest moving queue - why is it always me? We walked around the terminal and were disappointed to find only 2 eateries and LOADS of souvenir shops - no McDonalds L so we settled on one of the cafes and grabbed a quick over priced bite before we got on the plane.

I was pleased when we got on the plane; it was a real sized proper plane, not one of these toy planes that we have been travelling around Indonesia on! It wasn't a very nice journey due to lots of turbulence and I was relieved when we landed in Singapore an hour and a half later safe and sound. We then got through immigration, collected our bags and jumped in a taxi with no problems. Before long we were dropped off and were walking towards Jens and Nina's apartment.

I noticed the huge difference between Indonesia and Singapore immediately. The roads were all surfaced perfectly, there was well kept greenery and the traffic was so orderly. What a difference and hour and a half makes!

Jens opened the door and welcomed us with open arms, and we had a good old chat before he unfortunately had to go to work, so Neil and I left our bags and went out to explore the area. We came across lots of cheap food courts as we made our way to the East Coast Park. This is a beautiful park right on the small beach front. The whole shore line was littered with oil tankers and other ships - it made for great viewing. Again the parks were ordered with paths for running, walking and cycling. There were picnic benches and BBQ pits and police patrolling the area.

We enjoyed a long walk along the shore before deciding to turn back towards the apartment. On the way back we went into a couple of shops - there are so many here it's like paradise for me!

We spent some time relaxing in the apartment enjoying the homely feel to it. It's so lovely after 4 and ½ long months to feel cocooned in a home. Jens arrived back and we went out to eat being met by his lovely wife Nina a little later. They have a huge project coming to an end at work, and are working really long and hard hours so we appreciate even more them letting two roaming backpackers invade their home. We went to a Chinese food court type place where we split a few delicious dishes and drank a few beers over a good catch up.

Back at the apartment we gave the newlyweds their gifts from Bali before we all retired to bed. A good day and I am excited about seeing more of Singapore and getting to know Jens and Nina better.

We had a lovely relaxing morning enjoying a hot shower and a home breakfast before going out heading to Arab Street. We decided to get the metro so walked for a while a little aimlessly before we stumbled across a station. The walk was hot but not unpleasant as we took in all the old shop front type houses which remind me very much of China. We also walked through an unopened food court which looked very interesting. Once at the station we worked out where we needed to get on and off and used the EZ cards lent to us by Jens and Nina with no problems.

A lovely 5 minute air-con ride later and we got off at the Arab quarter. Here we saw the biggest mosque in Singapore, the Sultans Palace and enjoyed mooching down the bars, cafes and shops on the main street. I think we may have been a little early but there was still a good atmosphere.

After a short rest in the shade we walked to little India where we saw a Hindu temple and lots of shops. I purchased a tunic type top and we looked around ready for our trip to India in a few days. We found a market with a huge food court, so I had a masala dosa and Neil had an egg and onion masala dosa - both were delicious and very cheap! We went upstairs in the market after eating and despite trying a few things on I came away empty handed.

We wandered around little India some more taking in the flower decorations and women in saris as well as all the delicious food smells before getting the metro back to the apartment. We were completely disorientated when we got off the metro, but popped into a supermarket to get some supplies, and were even more lost when we came out! After asking a friendly stall holder we soon found our way back.

We relaxed at the apartment for a while before going out for dinner at Marine Park food court. After some fantastic chicken, rice and drinks served by a very friendly Singaporean we made our way over to another shopping mall. Neil bought some shorts and we spent some time browsing before walking back to the apartment. When we got back Jens was in with his friend Mathias who is also staying here for a few days so we had a drink with them. Nina finally arrived home about 11pm having completed their project at work, so we all had another drink to celebrate its completion before retiring to bed about 1am.

It's so nice being in a home, we had another lazy morning before getting the bus to Orchard Road for some retail therapy (well window shopping anyway!). We were only there for about 40 minutes before we met the others for lunch, but long enough to buy a guide for Africa.

We met Jens, Nina and Mathias and went for Dim sum - something I have never had despite my China experience. We ate rice, buns, vegetables in garlic, crazy soured eggs as well as gorgeous noodles exactly like my favourite ones I had in China. We also had some sweet buns for pudding. It was such a long leisurely relaxed filling lunch. Jens and Nina went back to work, Mathias carried on looking for innovations and Neil and I went back to the shops.

I picked up a zip-up hoody and some sunglasses in the sale but that was the extent of our spending - Orchard Road is full of shops, mostly posh shops but some malls do cater for the smaller budget! I enjoyed window shopping at Prada, Gucci, Tiffany, Mui Mui and Rolex but came away with purchases from Uniqlo and Accessorize! All class me!

Tired of retail therapy we walked the longer than expected walk to the botanical gardens. We had a lovely stroll around here taking in the lake and all the beautiful plants before heading for the night safari. We decided to skip dinner after such a huge lunch so went straight there via the tube and bus.

We walked into the night safari with our tickets we had bought earlier in the day, and hopped straight onto a waiting buggy type thing. We were whisked half way around the park in this where we got off and did a walking trail seeing lions, leopards and albino rats. We also walked through a bat cage and flying squirrel cage - a little scary but cool all the same. Back on the buggy we went through the rest of the park. It was great seeing all the animals from the comfort of a buggy. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, lots of deer, wilder beast and lots of others too - too many to list! Back at the beginning we decided we were too tired to take part in anything else and headed back to the apartment. It was gone midnight when we got back so we said goodnight to the others ad went straight to bed.

I got up late today - it's getting later and later because the lure of a comfortable clean bed and air-con is just too much! We ate breakfast and then made our way over to the Mac Ritchie Reservoir which is a beautiful area full of thick rainforest. We saw lots of plants as well as monkeys, huge monitor lizards, smaller lizards and even a snake! It was hot work walking up and down the rugged path and I was amazed to see people running the route! We enjoyed taking in all the sights and chatting while we walked.

We eventually got to the HSBC tree top walk and it was stunning as we were literarily suspended above the rain forest that we had just been walking through. We got to the other side having taken some photos and enjoyed the views. I had fun wobbling the bridge, just a little bit, to panic my scared of heights husband J Naughty I know! We were hot and tired by the end of the tree top walk so were a little annoyed when we learnt that we had to continue along the path right around the reservoir to get out again! This meant walking 5 ½ k just like we already had done! We were out of water, hot and were anxious to get back to the apartment to get ready for our night out. We carried on walking and were both relieved to see an exit that lead onto the road much nearer than the entrance! Yay! We had walked a total of 8 ½ k in the Singapore heat - we deserve all we can eat and drink tonight. We spotted a bus stop, and after Neil had worked out which bus we needed we sat and waited for one.

The bus showed up and I almost fell asleep on the long ride back. I was happy to get off the bus, get a drink, and walk the 30 or so minutes back to the apartment so I could have a rest! We showered and got our glad rags on ready to meet the others for the helipad party. We were a little late leaving the apartment and somehow just got later and later, although Mathias was later than us, phew! Being late meant that instead of going for food we went straight to the helipad. It literarily is a helipad that is opened once a month for people to party on, they have promotional drinks and a DJ - it was great! The views over Singapore were amazing, but it was a little weird being up there with just a rope around the edge to stop you from falling off! Jens pointed out where he and Nina had been married in Fort Canning Park which was lovely.

It was good music, nice drinks and great company. Before we knew it we were boogying the night away in the open air high above Singapore! Neil and I thought about Monica (Neil's mum) at home today, as it's her birthday - Happy Birthday! We hope you had as much fun as we did today, we love and miss you lots especially today! Xxx

We all started to get a little hungry and thought it'd be a good idea to get something to soak up the alcohol so we headed down to the real world below where we went to a German restaurant. It served good beer, wine, sausages and pizza so we were all happy! After filling our tummies Jens took us to another open air bar which was also playing cool, fairly retro music which reminded us all of about 10 years ago. At about 1am as the bar shut we decided to call it a night so got taxis back to the apartment and we all fell into bed. What a tiring but awesomely memorable dayJ.

Something that struck both Neil and I about Singapore was how safe it was - you can walk around at any hour without any fear of being attacked or robbed. Also in the bars and restaurants people just leave their handbags, purses and phones on the table while they are dancing. I was so shocked when I saw people doing this, especially after travelling for so long and being so careful with my belongings. Nina said it's because the punishment is so harsh here that it simply isn't worth it for people to commit crime - I wonder if Britain could learn a thing or two from Singaporean law!

We woke up fairly early for us (especially after a night drinking) and went out to Chinatown. We got the tube and when we got off the other end Pagoda Street was a hive of activity. Neil spotted a McDonalds so because I have been craving one for so long (and after all the booze last night) we decided to treat ourselves to one. It was worth the wait and I devoured my bigmac meal!

After lunch and a chat about the world we mooched around Chinatown. It was bustling here but mostly with tourists. I loved wandering around the shops with no intention of buying anything. We did actually end up buying a pair of jelly shoes for me and a watch for Neil for bargain prices. Looking at the time (on Neil's new watch) we thought we should do some of the shopping that we needed to do before India tonight (!), so caught the bus and the metro back to the shopping centre near the apartment.

At the shopping centre we got some of the necessities for India before rushing back to the apartment to pack up, shower and get ready for our flight. Before we flew Jens, Nina and Mathias took us for Chilli Crab - Singapore's special dish. It was absolutely delicious, the crab meat was moist and tasty, the chilli sauce was to die for and the fresh buns that came with it just melted in the mouth! It was messy and difficult to eat but SO worth it. We also enjoyed some vegetables, rice, scallops and prawns; it was a lovely farewell meal.

The guys wanted to come to the airport with us, but not liking goodbyes Neil and I got a taxi alone. We had such a great time in Singapore, we were made to feel so welcome by Jens and Nina, and it was great to meet Mathias; I really was so sad to leaveL.

The taxi dropped us at the terminal and before we knew it we were boarding. I was very nervous about what to expect in India and Neil said he could tell this as I was all over the place. On the plane I was chuffed to see we had personal TV's on the back of our seats - Yay! So I settled down and watched 3 films in a row which took my mind of the bumpy plane ride as well as making sure I didn't think about what to expect in India!

Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx