Currently 24.2C, 10:33am.

So our last day in Singapore was grand. Headed out to the airport and checked in about 9 hours early for our flight (they were a little surprised, but hey, saved some money on the old left luggage) and then went onto the Changi Chapel and Museum which is just next to the airport. All very interesting and informative, but I won't lie to you - war musems aren't really my bag.

We had a bit of time still to kill before the flight so Stu decided that we needed to go for some authentic hawker stall food before we left (probably feeling a bit guilty about our rubbishness in eating in the hotel the night before). So we hauled ass to this place called the Geylang Serai food market. It was a right old slog and very hot and I nearly lost the will to live, but whatever - once we got there the food was absolutely GORGEOUS. We had a load of chicken satay being unadventurous tourists, and then a Nasi Padang. Still couldn't tell you what was in it, but it tasted of heaven. We were the only tourists there - probably everyone else was put off by the fact that it was a filthy dirty food market for local people, but I loved it.

Singapore

Our luck couldn't hold out for a third time on the plane unfortunately, so we cattle classed it all the way to Brisbane. But here we are safe and sound - I'll update on Brizzie stuff later as Stu is champing at the bit to get out and about.

x

Hot in the city

Verdict on Singapore - like it! It's a funny wee place - it has loads of ethnic quarters which are lovely, all next to the colonial old school bits. It's kind of like an Asian theme park, with Little India, Chinatown etc, but you just don't get hassled by loads of annoying touts. It's ever so nice. We did get stalked by one rickshaw driver for a couple of hours yesterday, but other than that we have been unscathed. Bought a couple of nice things (could have bought several hundred more nice things to be honest) so feeling very fulfilled by our trip.

We were feeling pretty perky the afternoon we arrived due to our high class travelling style, so we went to Little India for a bit of a scoot around and some tea. We spied a pub called the Prince of Wales (not particularly authentic) and stopped off for our inaugural Singapore beers. Then we pottered round a bit, and went for a bloody fantastic ring stinging curry eaten off banana leaves. It was fab. Curry for 2 with about 6 different dishes - about £4. 2 Beers - about £6. First Singapore lesson learnt - food cheap, beer expensive. Back to hotel and bed.

Yesterday was a bit of a full on walk around sight seeing day. Did a walk from our wee guide book called the Arabic Amble round the (you guessed it) Arabic quarter, which was really nice. If a little warm. The onto Raffles Hotel for the obligatory Singapore Slings and throwing peanut shells on the floor. We met a couple of very nice ladies there who were wierdly enough from Brisbane and gave us loads of tips. Small world.

Stu then dragged us on to look at some cricket ground (yawn) and then we wandered on into Chinatown for a bit of a potter. Got offered the chance to have about a million suits made for us, but resisted. We were so knackered after all this that we couldn't rightly be arsed to do anything particularly authentic for tea so ate in the hotel and got a bit tiddly. Second lesson of Singapore - food cheap, wine expensive.

Away to Brisbane this evening, arrive at about 6 tomorrow morning which is particularly unfortunate since we can't check into our apartment thingies til 2. Pants. Going to a museum today, will report later as Stu is hassling me to help him pack.

x

Blaggers

and would you believe me if i told you that we were upgraded from Dubai to Singapore as well?

I have decided that business is the only way to fly. It is great.

We are now safe and sound in sunny singapore, about to go out exploring - ta-ra.

Leaving (heavily sedated) on a jet plane

So here it is. The day of reckoning. If only I felt a little more prepared, but instead I feel like all the hangovers I've had over the last month have joined forces today.

So we're off to the airport at 10. Meeting Stu's sisters there for another emotional farewell - I'm sure that everyone I say goodbye to now thinks I'm really heartless, but I'm starting to feel a little goodbyed out and blase. Then off to Singapore for a couple of nights, then off to Brisbane! We arrive on Good Friday morning at about 6 or something ridiculous like that, then off to our serviced apartments where the good folks at Stu's new company are putting us up for about 3-4 weeks. That month will be a bit of a mad scramble to find our own gaff and a job for me, but hopefully a little tiny bit of sight seeing too.

The last month has been nothing if not a little hectic. I would say don't bother going to Harrods - it's not that exciting. Also if you ever go to your husbands' leaving work do don't get so pissed that he ends up having to look after you and make sure you get home safe as he won't appreciate it. We've had some wonderful hospitality this month, so a massive thank you to everyone who's put us up/put up with us during that time. It has been wonderful to be able to spend some quality time with you all before we shoot off. Thanks also to everyone who came out on Saturday - we had a bloody great night. Also thanks for being so understanding about the bar tab situation - I hope you all felt like you got your tenners worth out of the bar. I woke up at 6:30 on Sunday morning with a raging thirst, and had to clean my teeth about 5 times before they lost their little coat of fur. Still feeling a little weary now, but hey I have nothing much to do today.

So we're off. (I think I may have started nearly every paragraph today with the word 'So'). Goodbye everyone, and I'll try and update again as soon as I can (as I know you're all on the edge of your seat).

Take care

x