Toorah from Singapore!

Hello All!

Well what a busy few days it has been! And hot! My gosh the worst was yet to hit since I last e-mailed! It got hotter, yesterday it hit 32.5 and I sware I was soooo ready to pass out. The best part was there was actually some sunshine which was brilliant because Singapore is so beautiful at the best of times, but far more amazing when the sun is shining. Consequently I'm a very odd brown/red colour at the moment...yep sunburn city!

The night safari was okay. The night show was a little too Steve Irwin for me... Wasn't what I was expecting but it was good none the less. Tim was telling me stories about his travels through Asia thus far and it sounded so interesting. And who is Tim? Well he's a kiwi fromWellington who did the night safari tour and we just started talking. Most people will talk to you which is pretty good. Traveling solo has it's advantages but as it was so bluntly put -there's no one here to share the fun with, not right in the moment when it happens.

Saw a million more shops yesterday, got myself lost again. Had a small moment of emotional weakness upon stumbling on a Bonsai Garden, but that was okay, perked myself up and kept going. Ended up doing 2, 1 hour open top bus tours which was fantastic because it gives a slightly better view of the city plus stacks more interesting facts about this place. Have taken close to 150 photos already which is a little scary considering I've only been gone a couple of days. That said, Singapore completely fascinates me. I love this place! Yes Kathy, I know when I was here three years ago I said I'd never come back because of the humidity, but you get used to it!! Have lots of stories to tell, including some about this group of four Americans who have been trouble everywhere they've gone...deary me.

Last night, well yesterday arvo/evening I went on another tour, this one was to a place called Sentosa Island. It's kind of like Phillip Island to Victoria, a small island in its bay but this was far greater than Phillip island. Did a heap of things like the aquarium, butterfly house, simulator rides...but it tells me that I guess attractions wise in Victoria alone we are far better off. We have amazing tourist facilities in that regard. But sat and had a drink on one of the man made beach resort fronts and was about three minutes off missing my bus to the next destination...Opps! Jumped on a sky tour and got a pretty fantastic view of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia...shame it was a bit smoggy though.

The highlight of last night was most definitely the laser/hologram show I saw. It was amazing, the most incredible thing you will ever see. I've been to Disneyland and it was okay, but thought it was most magical at night during the fireworks display. This show last night is definitely up there in the running to beat those fireworks and that's saying something. It was just incredible -my girls would have loved it so much!! I loved it!! There was this monkey type creature called Kiki and it's like Nemo and Shrek and all those kids characters rolled into one. It was just brilliant, I loved it so much!!

You've never watched TV unless you've watched TV in Asia, everything is in another language. Channel V is very interesting and in the middle of all these Asian songs, on comes "Red Red Wine..." he he he. Oh my gosh, there's this TV ad here for breath mints or something and anyhows, it's this polar bear shaving himself, shaving all his fur off to keep cool! Anyhows, at one point he shaves a bit low and must kinda nick himself in a tender place and the look on it's face is sooo funny! he he he....I know I know, small things...

Met am American woman last night whose kids were a part of theBoy/Girl Scout movement. So ended up talking 'shop' with her about all things guiding related. And I had a Kiwi lady tell me that I didn't sound Australian. Should I be worried about that?!

Finally took a chance and tried some local food yesterday. Admittedly it was a curry puff type thing and these odd kind of spring rolls...but they were indeed delicious. Had a shop lady tell her husband off for telling me to hurry when sorting out my coins, she basically told him to shut up and give me time as I was a tourist and yeah...that was weird.

Okay well I think that about wraps it up at this point in time, Internet access is free here at Changi but it's only in 15 minute stints. Overall I can't believe I have to leave Singapore so soon! I want another week here! It's incredible! That said I looked at the weather forecast for London this morning on the Box...it said 30 degrees!! What's that about?!!

So yes, must be off. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the cold...I actually would like to get on the plane just so I can freeze my butt off!! I am off to go and do some shopping, I've some money left which is surprising. In my next e-mail I'll have a phone number and mailing address to give to you which I can be contacted on in the next 5 and a bit months.

Take care,

Until Next Time, Rachael :-)

Or Echidna just for the benefit of my girls :-) :-) :-)