Home of the Singapore Sling

Alison and Gemma: Singapore is famous for its skyline and cocktails and on the skyline front it certainly did not disappoint.  Straightaway we were fascinated by the sheer size of the skyscrapers and also the unusual shapes and colours of many of the buildings.  In its design, Singapore certainly knows how to appeal to the eye. On the cocktail front, however, sickly sweet and over-priced is the only way we can describe the Singapore Sling.  They even had the cheek to add a service charge to the S$20 drink despite the fact it was pre-made and we were sitting at the bar meaning that no real service was involved!  This is not to say we didn't enjoy our evening at the famous Raffles Hotel as we were in the company of a very entertaining Irishman called Sean and we had no end of fun pelting each other with our peanut shells.

Singapore also gave us our first taste of dorm room sleeping which is something we both agree will take some time getting used to. Our hostel was lovely and Sean told us that it was the best one he'd stayed in which makes us wonder what delightful accommodation we have to look forward to in New Zealand (hopefully nothing as bad as some of the ones Sean told us about in Australia - believe us, you don't want to know!)

Singapore's infamous order and efficiency made it a wonderfully easy place to explore on foot - which was useful when you have S$8 (about two pound fifty) to last you both on your final day. Thankfully, a haircut at Toni&Guy academy (Gemma) and lying on the grass watching the world go by (Alison) doesn't cost a penny.

However while one day watching the pennies was fun we have both decided that poverty really doesn't suit us. Luckily it wasn't long until our New Zealand budget kicked in the minute we touched down in Auckland.