Zoological Gardens

Well, Day Three turned out to be very expensive and there goes a month's budget. If you are reading this Phil, at 8 quid a pint you are going to have to sell my car pretty soon unless Thailand turns out to be as cheap as people say it is.

Although a really good place to visit, Singapore is comparatively small and if your not into shopping or drinking your bank balance dry, then options are a bit thin on the ground. There is the zoo which was rather disappointing - a load of pissed off looking animals and equally pissed off workers getting very hot and bothered - or Sentosa Island - a Disneyesque theme island with artificial beaches and amusement parks which I have yet to check out.

Back to the cost of things. Although the cost of a pint can vary from 2 quid to 8 quid, other things are good value for money, especially food and electronics.

Nokia Phone 20 quid
Samsund 1GB Memory Card 10 quid
Olympus 1GB Memory Card 20 quid
Chicken fried rice 1 quid
Red Bull 30 pence

On the subject of Red Bull, this is the original blow your head off Asian version not the watered down stuff we get in the UK

The hostel is also fairly cheap at 11 quid a night - more expensive than other hostels - but with spotless rooms, free Internet and free bar then who is complaining.

Anyway, as I move on the chances of updating this blog as regularly as I would like will become more and more difficult especially in the absence of a convenient PC and free Internet.

See you soon

Equinox Bar Swissotel Singapore

After a sleepless nightdue to severe jet lag and the humidity there was only one thing to do but go and explore the city. I started off with a curry in Little India - the city has many of these enclaves: Little India, China Town, the Arab Quarter and Little Manchester to name but a few - and then headed off towards the marina front and bars at Clarkes Quay.

Wandering through the city, you get a feel of its cosmopolitan nature, the laid back atmosphere and the lack of any agro.

My ultimate destination was the Equinox Bar on the 72nd floor of the Swissotel building. The views over Singapore lit up at night, can only be described as a life experience, made even better with a couple of pints of ice cold Tiger Beer.

The only problem, as with most of Singapore was the price. Food is relatively cheap but a beer can set you back between 4 and 8 pounds a pint. Good job I had my credit card with me.

See you soon

Manchester to Singapore

Hi everyone. You will be glad to hear that after weeks of preparation, or lack of it, I have finally arrived in Singapore. And what a city it is. After seeing many cities around the world it is the cleanest, safest and most efficient place I have ever been. People are so friendly and accommodating and the views from my hostel are amazing. My hostel is situated high above the city next to the presidential palace. The views are stunning.

The one thing that does hit you is the heat, humidity and jet lag. As soon as you walk out of the air conditioned hostel / shops / bars! the heat drains you
straight away.

Any early morning exploration of the city this morning at 6am was still very difficult. The heat and the humidity at that time is still very suppressing but a Starbucks breakfast was welcome. Its a hard life.

Off to the bars and clubs of the city tonight. The bars are meant to be some of the best in Asia but a bit pricey. There goes my daily budget!

See you all soon