30th June 2007

Alarm went off this morning at 5.45am so up showered and ready at the airport for 7am. I have really enjoyed Singapore, learnt a lot about the country - that you can get fined for doing almost anything, and tourist ignorance just isn't an issue. The death penalty is still in enforcement of use and trafficking of drugs. Chewing gum is illegal. You are not allowed a house of your own unless you are married or over the age of 35! The population is 4 million. The buildings are not allowed to be more than 280m because of the aviation as Singapore has 5 airports!! Anyway, different country now. Im down under mate! Flight to Perth took 4.5hours. Got a taxi to Brisbane St where we had looked at a hostel there on the internet which cost $32 (Australian Dollars = 16 pound). Already we were realising Australia is expensive!! But the hostel reception wasn't open til 5pm so we phoned them, booked a twin room for 1 night which cost $56 plus $10 deposit = 33 pounds for the 2 of us which is mega expensive considering what we got and what we have been paying in Asia! Rooms very basic - just 2 beds and bedside table, bricked walls so no warmth, although we did get proper duvets and a blanket, as its quite cold - 18 degrees compared to what we've been used to! Communal showers. So dumped our bags at reception area and headed to find STA, arrived there about 3.45pm to discover they closed at 3pm! Bummer! So had a wander about and checked out the State Library - and enquired about an Aussie Rules match but we'll just have to see where we are and when, what with the flight alterations. Then got some tea and in the local supermarket, everything was the same or more expensive than the UK prices! 2 Pounds for a normal sized bottle of Ribena!!! 1.30 for a chocolate bar!! 6 pound for cigarettes! So not liking the prices or the temperature here! haha, but it does feel weird to know that im on the other side of the world from home!