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Karen's Travels
Hello everyone!
Here I am at the Hangout Hostel (which is more like a hotel - all mod cons) after a day exploring Singapore on foot. The journey was uneventful and ran to schedule. Found it very difficult sleeping on the plane, but had a good night's sleep here last night, so am feeling more human today! We walked around the city by night and had a late (10pm) meal. Everything stays open until late here. It is very hot and humid (even in the evenings) - constantly dripping with sweat (yuk!). It's such a relief to enter an air-conditioned building to cool down.
A few details about Singapore - it feels very much like a Western city but much cleaner. The roads and streets are wide and it's rare to see litter. There are tropical plants (you would love them, Pat) and trees everywhere and the buildings are so clean, they look like they were built yesterday! Although there are lots of skyscrapers in the business sections, they are not packed closely together as they are in some cities, so there is a feeling of space. All the notices are written in English and people who serve you speak English. Most faces are Chinese - the women are petite, pretty and dress very stylishly. You have to be quick at the pedestrian crossings because the roads are wide and the little green man starts flashing at you when you are only half way across. Oh yes, if you don't flush the loo immediately, it flushes itself! You can drink the water qute safely from the taps here - and there is no problem with any foodstuff.
We started this morning with breakfast (bagel and tea) at Starbuck coffee shop and then walked to the river - lots of cafes and restaurants. We had a look at 'Raffles', very exclusive ex-British colonial hotel you may have heard of. Common people like us would not be welcomed past the lobby - but we did use their very posh toilets! Had a sandwich for lunch, then more walking. There are lots of Christian churches around the city, so no shortage of places to worship if you're around on Sundays.
We are going on a river trip this evening (gets dark at 7pm). There are lots of shopping malls with designer stores and some more familiar ones, e.g Marks & Spencers.
I'm sure I have already forgotten things I wanted to tell you - and it can only get worse as we experience more things! Thank you to those of you who have left messages already - keep them coming! We fly to Bangkok tomorrow around lunch time - what a jetsetter I am. More soon, I hope. Love to all. x
Living out of a rucksack is proving a challenge for a beginner like me. I've already resigned myself to the fact that I will look a complete mess most of the time!
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