A weekend in Singapore

Sat 27th Sept 

We are up early, have breakfast and then head to the bus stop to get the local bus to Melaka Central, ready for our 9am bus to Singapore. On arrival to Singapore we purchase an EZ-Link card (similar to Oyster) and take the MRT to Boon Keng. I have decided to book up Green Kiwi Backpackers for the weekend in Singapore, having been told good reviews from a few traveler's during my time in Malaysia. Marlie is heading to The Mitraa to meet up with some German friends, so we say goodbyes, with the possibility of meeting up again over the weekend. After checking into the hostel, I go to a local hawker to get some cheap lunch, and then head back to the hostel and rest during the afternoon. In the evening I dress up smart and head to the Marina Bay Sands where I watch the water/light show, see the Gardens by the Bay lit up at night, and then the view of the city from the skypark view at the top of the Marina Bay Sands. An awesome view and worth the pricey entrance cost, I then head back via Chinatown for some more cheap dinner! (Having heard how pricey Singapore is.. you can find good deals). 

Sun 28th Sept

Today I have arranged to meet up with a previous colleague at KCS Hazel, who has now moved to Singapore to live with her partner and teaches at the British International School. Her brother is also in town and we plan to all meet at the Talong Beach Club on Sentosa Island (The State of Fun..! This is home to the aquarium, Universal Studies, resorts, apartments, golf course, beaches: but not very nice water due to the pollution from the ship infested sea!). I take the train, then monorail to get to the island followed by a free shuttle bus to the beach club. We chill out and catch up by the beach. Singapore is sounding like a great place to work.. very clean city, hot and sunny all year round.. ! For late lunch we take the free island bus to The Cove, I have a tasty burger.. pricey compared to my usual meals during my travels but when converted to pound similar to the price in a restaurant back home. We have a stroll around the area.. an expensive neighborhood with apartments and yachts.. then head to Hazel and Ryan's apartment in the East of Singapore and relax with a beer before heading out for dinner at a nearby Food Hawker. 

Back at the hostel in the evening I get chatting with Tayo, an English girl travelling around Asia.. plenty of laughter.. soon more travelers join us and during the conversation, Esther (A dutch traveler), overhears me saying that I am flying to Darwin tomorrow evening .. the same as her..  she is surprised to come across someone else travelling there.. we therefore plan to meet in the evening the next day and head to the airport together. 

Mon 29th Sept 

My final day in Singapore.. and I still have lots to do and see! In the morning I research cheaper deals to go the Aquarium (The Worlds Largest..) and find a deal when you buy 2 tickets saving 11$ each. Nicholas, a 22yr old Swiss traveller.. who biked across Uzbekistan at the start of his travels.. and my room mate gets involved with the deal and we set off together for a busy day exploring Singapore. First we head to the Botanical Gardens. . then walk to Orchard Street (the main/expensive shopping street .. lots of malls).. we then take the train to Chinatown for lunch and a look around. . next we head to Sentosa and to the Aquarium.. after we grab a 1 for 1 Mojito scrapping the initial coffee stop (They mean 2 for 1.. happy hour... although confusing are told you buy one and you get one... that can be interpreted both ways!) We have neen told that to be allowed entrance to 1-Altitude (rooftop bar) you need to be dressed smart.. trousers and no flip flops.. which we're both wearing plus shorts. We head to the built up part of the city and suprisingly.. due to summer weather. . Are told we will be allowed in without needing to change! We have an hour to kill so explore somemore of this part of town.. see the view across to Marina Bay Sands and then grab some good priced food at a food market nearby. We then pay our 30 dollars.. (Monster Mojito included at bar) and head to the top to see th city turn to night. Great views and a great last day in Singapore/Asia... next stop Australia.