Hi Guys,
Sorry for the delay, been getting to grips with the time difference and heat etc. It's 8 hours ahead here (I know I told some of you 7 but it's actually 8, I'm not the brightest!!!) and it's 30 degrees +.
Arrived at my hostel at around 11pm on Wednesday (Singapore time) and have been a busy bee exploring ever since!! Went to Chinatown on Thursday which was really good, lots of nice buildings, and loads and loads of temples - which are quite exciting to begin with but tend to get a little bit boring after a while! Had the spiciest lunch known to mankind.... seriously, I only ordered a seafood salad, my God I thought I was going to die!!!
Friday I made my way by underpass and bus to a nearby nature reserve, climbed up the steepest hill ever in the blistering heat. When I got to the top a local man asked me if I was ok because I seemed lost. Apparently "not many people walk up that hill because it is very punishing in the heat". You're telling me!!! Then I walked around the nature reserve which was really nice ... very peaceful. I spotted some local men walking on stones in bare feet so I went and chatted to them to ask them why, apparently it is good for the nervous system, so I had a go at that. It would appear that I am very good at walking on stones with bare feet.
That evening I went to Night Safari... which was absolutely brilliant, best thing here by far. Got there for 7.30pm and got back to the hostel around 11pm. First you go round on a tram for about 40 mins, then walk all of the trails. I befriended some Australians (Mother and student son) so that I didn't have to walk round on my own in the dark which would have been quite spooky. They were lovely, I was talking to them about all the animals they have in Australia and telling them about my trip :) Couldn't take any pics there though which am a little gutted about because no flash photography was allowed and it was too dark without :(
They had lots of interesting animals there and it wasn't like a zoo, it didn't look like they were fenced in at all. There was a hut to walk through as well where bats are free to fly around your head. I'm pretty sure they were 3 or 4 times the size of our bats!
Yesterday I went to Little India, not a massive amount to see and do there, but atmosphere was really nice - nice spice smells and bangra music. Explored an Indian Temple. Then I went to Bugis Street which is a long street full of market stalls. Think it's best to go there at night really as the market is open until late and there is a famous bar there called the 'Boom Bar' (I think, I've packed my travel guide away again!) It also used to be the 'red light district' of Singapore. The afternoon was a little bit of a waste as there was a massive downpoor, but it was quite nice as the rest of the time has been so hot and also very humid.
I would have liked to go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling but apparently they have a dress code and all I have is casual so think I'm going to have to give it a miss :( That's the only thing that I haven't done that I would have liked to though. My overland trip to Bankok starts tonight, which I am very happy about indeed, 4 days in Singapore is plenty. It's pretty much a huge city with many, many skyscrapers and shops - if I was on a different sort of holiday I think I would enjoy it more. For what I wanted to do though 4 days is more than enough. Although, the trip starts with an overnight stay in another hotel near Little India - but I will be having a meal this evening with the tour guide and group :)
The hostel I have been staying in is basic but good for what I needed. I had my own roon on Wednesday night when I arrived, then the other 3 nights I've been staying in a 16 bed dorm. Was just sharing with two other girls til yesterday who were lovely, they had done my trip backwards (Bankok - Singapore) and said it was really good so am very excited. Then yesterday I got ambushed by a load of kids and their teacher on some swimming trip..... I was not amused about that at all, but they weren't that noisy to be fair.
Overall, having a fab time, hoping to have more of a cultural experience as time goes on.... and am looking forward to my elephant ride the most out of everything!!!! :) So I'll say bye for now and I will try to keep you updated as often as I can. Missing you all lots xxxxxx
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