Singapore Fling

More IT shops than anyone can handle
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We’ll make sure we take it easy on our stop over in Singapore before returning to reality. No sense in rushing around at this stage. Maybe a bit of shopping (well probably) and soak up some sun. Or so we had planned.

The reality of course has been that we have spent almost the entire time on our feet leaving the hotel immediately after our (very impressive) breakfast each day and returning just in time for a quick change before dinner. It’s almost impossible to do justice to the enormous range of procurement possibilities this place offers and we have lost no time in exploring as many as possible! It is also fair to say that the weather has been a factor in this though. Temperatures in the 30s plus almost unbearable humidity levels, thick cloud and regular heavy downpours have meant that staying outside and taking in any rays simply hasn’t been an option. Well that’s our excuse.

Singapore Slings at Raffles
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In fact, we’ve done masses of walking (well, shuffling. Too many people to walk with any efficiency), and lots of window shopping but come away with very little in terms of purchases. Again, we had expected to find all manner of bargains in the gadgetry line and some good fake designer stuff, but have been surprised to find that there’s very little of the latter and, whilst the range of cameras, computer equipment, accessories and general geeky items puts the UK to shame, the prices – even after bartering, stamping feet, blubbing and other tactics besides – are at best marginally cheaper than going through the web back at home.

Chinese New Year at LV Raffles
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We had the obligatory Singapore Sling at The Long Bar in Raffles Hotel which was far less touristy than we were expecting. We also spent a morning taking the cable car to Sentosa Island, ‘Singapore’s premier island resort’, but returned pretty quickly. Maybe we’re too fussy or perhaps we saw it on an off day, but it seemed a tad neglected and tacky to hold the interest for long. We also haven’t bothered getting our heads around the public transport system which we understand is typically efficient. Instead, we’ve opted for taxis and bumboats which are absurdly cheap and…an experience.

At Sentosa
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It’s also the tail end of the Chinese New Year celebrations so many buildings are bedecked in red ribbons and flowers and there’s still a party atmosphere in many areas. The people are - without exception - friendly and polite (makes a change from the service down under!) and we’ve really enjoyed our short time here.

So, tomorrow evening it’s back to the airport for the 14 hour flight home (fourteen hours! I didn’t know planes could stay up that long). Daniel is kindly picking us up at Heathrow at 5am on Monday morning and that will be the end of our 5 month trip. And what an experience we’ve had. Without doubt, we’ve had the time of our lives and cannot recommend it highly enough. Many thanks to everyone for keeping up with this diary and for all your encouragement both as postings and by email along the way – the support we’ve had has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to catching up with everyone as soon as possible.

At Sentosa
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Then we can start planning the next one…hee hee.