Hello again - how's it going? I hope you are having a good day.

Just a quick entry from Singapore City. I'm been here for 2 and half days at this point and I've can honestly say I've been really impressed with this city. I've avoided the tourist stuff to be honest and just walked around the city, finding cheap (I mean free) things to do and see. I would say I've seen the majority of the city - the harbour, the shopping part of town, Little India, China Town, the business district(s), botanical gardens, and the 'holiday maker' part of town - a little place called Senrosa.

One of the major difference of being here compared to New Zealand is the lack of Brits - this has been a good thing, as previously it felt a little wierd having flown to the other side of the world to meet the type people you thought you had left behind. In the last two days I've shared the room with Taiwanese, Phillipino, Thai, Indian, Korean and an Irish girl. It's really quite interesting to hear the different perspective and about their lives.

Its been a gentle introduction to south east Asia. It's a very clean place - there is very little litter/ rubbish in the streets. There are heavy fines for dropping litter or chewing gum. There are fines for public urination and non flushing of public toilets - how the 'toilet enforcers' know the culprits, I don't want to know.

The people here are about to celebrate the 44th birthday of the country's inception. They seem proud of the country that they live in. My gut feeling is they recognise how developed they are in comparison to their close neighbours. There is a big public celebration and by the 'tourist' part of the harbour there are preparations for this event going on.

The weather here is incredibly humid and warm - (no significant rain yet) and I am loving that. It is just what I enjoy. In the two days I spent walking I've regained most of the 'colour' I had when I returned to the UK from Mauritius. On one of those long walks, I happened to bump into the Liverpool football team - I saw Rafa, Fernando, Jamie, and new signing Glenn. Alright, I didn't actually meet them but they are here in Singapore on a pre-season tour, and they were on river boat to meet the public. I did get some good photos thought which hopefully I'll get the chance to put up on the site. Just to let you know I couldn't fight my natural urge and shouted 'Come on you Spurs at them' - that made me feel good.

The shopping centres are amazing and I say that as a person that has lived in the city for the last 10 years. I may not be the most travelled person I know but I've never seen centres like these. Firstly the number of shopping centres in the main part of the city is huge. Secondly the number of high-end stores in these shopping centres is massive. I went to the newest shopping centre here - opened since Tuesday. Not all the units have opened yet but it is a list of stores that does make even my jaw drop - The shopping centre starts with Cartier and continues onwards throughout the centre. None is this is too un-London-like but what is unusual is that the centres are 3 storeys high, but also 4 storeys deep. I cannot fathom how deep underground I am, but each of these stores have a lot of overhead space. On the very bottom basement floor is an enormous food court - containing food from all over the world - a bit like an outdoor food hawkers market but 4 storeys underground. The best phrase I can come up to describe the shopping centre is that it is "hideously beautiful". It is just selling a load of stuff (most people don't need) at overpriced prices (most normal Singaporeans couldn't afford) but done with an impressive style. This is also just one of the shopping centre, but this is replicated all over the city and is the same in the centre right next door to the one I've described. The number of shopping centres is breathtaking and they are not all high-end, but they can be equally mind-blowing. I went to one this morning, that had 5 floors of electronic goods at really quite good prices - digital cameras, tvs, computers, etc.

I've walked around most of the city including the Little India, Islamic and Chinatown sections of the city. They have been the best parts of the city - but the 'most real' parts. Both have historical links with the development of Singapore and have the cultural aspects which are most interesting to me. There are temples and places of worship, and 'traditional' not over-priced food. While here I've been to Tao, Buddist (a fantastically interesting place), Hindu temples, which have been quite fulfilling and interesting.

Food has been an interesting mission whilst here as most of the time I've looked at the menu's and thought - what on earth is that? Most of you know I am vegetarian. I've been looking at pictures of food and with non obvious food names and trying to second guess what they are. I've often been too nervous to ask because of causing offence or feeling stupid or finding someone who won't understand me. But I have managed to find food without resorting to loaves of bread and butter and crisps. I've managed to get some malay and indian food - and in both cases felt thoughly well fed at the end of the meal and paid between 2 and 3 pounds sterling for it.

What else to say - I've got another 24 hours left here and then I'm on the next flight. Next up its Indonesia - specifically Bali and Indonesia - I've really not worked out where exactly, but I'll figure it out on the plane. I'm excited, but also a little apprehensive. Hopefully, I get a chance to do another update up in a few weeks.

Catch you later.... x