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The flight out of Chennai was uneventful. The taxi ride out was more interesting, Kumal our driver was a nice guy, he occasionally worked in Doha as a driving instructor. Again, he was one of those people totally at peace. He too started talking about the state of corruption in India and said that many people are getting sick of it. I said you need another Mr. Gandhi, he said we've got hundreds of those and that way of getting things done wasn't going to work anymore. Southern India seemed to be in a weird state. Too many people security checking everything, odd little curfews and semi bans on alcohol. Who knows what's going on. Not me. that's for sure.
We got into Singapore at 5.30am and so had a bit of time on our hands as we couldn't check in until noon. We had some food and coffee then headed into town via the excellent MRT train system. We went to the business district and sat by Colliers Quay, watching the workers file in. We spoke to a couple of traders and asked what was going on as we deliberately havent watched any tv, we did read Indian newspapers but there were always local stories and they used to be hilarious. The traders filled us in, the big news was the US Govt fiasco and told us that there'll be more fun in February when they go through it all again.
Feeling shattered, we headed to the hotel, we got it really cheap. It's down in China town...and it's interesting here. The hotel is a delightful little knocking shop and ladies of the night start early here. They were parading their wares at 11am......I wasn't aware that such activities took place in conservative Singapore, but then again the only place there isn't a brothel is on the moon and no doubt it wont be long before there's one there too. We were knacked and ending up having a kip until 5.00pm....we then sent a few emails to a few of the bods I know who are still in Singapore after all these years. We took the bus into town and my old pal Dominic Che joined us for a few beers. We had an early night and got a taxi with Singapore's most miserable looking cabbie, but he perked right up when we told him where we wanted to go. He got us there in double quick time as well. Business was very brisk as we drove up the road. The cabbie told us that this was nothing like the old days, he said then there were allocated streets for Vietnamese, Thais, Cambodians, Chinese and Malays. He seemed a bit disappointed at the lack of choice.
We got into Singapore at 5.30am and so had a bit of time on our hands as we couldn't check in until noon. We had some food and coffee then headed into town via the excellent MRT train system. We went to the business district and sat by Colliers Quay, watching the workers file in. We spoke to a couple of traders and asked what was going on as we deliberately havent watched any tv, we did read Indian newspapers but there were always local stories and they used to be hilarious. The traders filled us in, the big news was the US Govt fiasco and told us that there'll be more fun in February when they go through it all again.
Feeling shattered, we headed to the hotel, we got it really cheap. It's down in China town...and it's interesting here. The hotel is a delightful little knocking shop and ladies of the night start early here. They were parading their wares at 11am......I wasn't aware that such activities took place in conservative Singapore, but then again the only place there isn't a brothel is on the moon and no doubt it wont be long before there's one there too. We were knacked and ending up having a kip until 5.00pm....we then sent a few emails to a few of the bods I know who are still in Singapore after all these years. We took the bus into town and my old pal Dominic Che joined us for a few beers. We had an early night and got a taxi with Singapore's most miserable looking cabbie, but he perked right up when we told him where we wanted to go. He got us there in double quick time as well. Business was very brisk as we drove up the road. The cabbie told us that this was nothing like the old days, he said then there were allocated streets for Vietnamese, Thais, Cambodians, Chinese and Malays. He seemed a bit disappointed at the lack of choice.
- comments
steve Glad you got through the Indian experience, expecially the train journey, i think i would have got off and hired a car! received your postcard from Istanbul today, many thanks, hope you enjoy the next leg and its not as scary and eventful but more relaxing
Big Steve I hear Boogie street isn’t as "colourful" as it once was many moons ago. Glad you made it out of India in one piece (mostly).
[email protected] Hi guys glad you survived, the Indian adventure, the tube at peak hour will be a dream after the Indian experience!
Naomi Hey Lloyd and Grant. Steve’s sister Jo who you met at Xmas lives in Singers to let is know if you want/have time to hook up with a ’local’! Bet you’re relieved to have left India behind! Xx
Andrea Phew to think I always wanted to go to India its not how I imagined it to be.I think I will continue being an armchair traveller much more comfortable Ha Ha