Singapore

Leaving Malaysia we managed to get back to our old near missing transport ways. For some reason we decided that we had time to get a fried breakfast before setting off to the airport. We didn’t. when we got there the sign said that check in had closed but we decided to go to the desk anyway. Luckily they hadn’t yet put the sign up so they let us check in with just over half an hour until take off. The queue for immigration didn’t look too long so we figured we were in the clear but then it became obvious that this was the slowest immigration procedure ever! After 10 minutes we were finally at the front of the queue and then had to push in for the final baggage scan and run to get on with 5 minutes to spare, now that’s efficiency.

Relieved to have made it onto the plane when we arrived at Singapore we thought nothing of being asked to let them scan our bags again. After the scan the customs officer asked if I had anything to declare, I told him no to which he replied “so you don’t have any ammunition cases in your bag”…. fuck. We spent nearly 2 hours in an office giving statements, talking to police etc then were finally let go minus one souvenir from Vietnam.

We spent most of our time looking around the city with our fantastic hosts and tour guides Sarah and Jorge. First impressions of Singapore is that it is constantly redeveloping. For example we were told that a bridge that crosses the river near to a new botanical gardens is to be taken down and replaced with a tunnel, just because that would look nicer! it was nice to finally be in a place that had a very western feeling for the first time in about 4 months! It is also quite a heavily supervised place with CCTV an even more common sight than at home.

By the coast in the city (and right next to the Grand Prix track pit straight) is the worlds largest observation wheel which we took a trip on.

When Sarah and Jorge had to work after the weekend me and Pete went to Santosa island, accessed by cable car off the coast of Singapore. The island is basically one big amusement park. Whilst most of it is still being developed we had a great time on the luge ride that involves driving a little car down a concrete track. Tickets to use the ride also include a ticket back up the hill on a cable car so no walking like suckers.