Singapore Sliiiing

So...I actually managed to get some sleep on the night before I left...a whole 4 hours! Ahwell to be perfectly honest it was more than I thought I would get.

I can see why Singapore Airways is consistently voted the top airline in the world the food just kept coming and the service was brilliant! Had quite a bit of turbulence but the Cap'n was good and kept us up to date with what was going on so I didn't cry too much. Sat beside a lovely retired English couple who had travelled a lot so heard a few stories.

Arrived at Singapore, Changi Airport at 10.30pm New Zealand time, having been awake since 4.30am. First impressions as we were landing weren't really there, couldn't see a lot out the window as I was 2 seats away and from what I could see it didn't look too crazily different to New Zealand. The airport however was a million levels hi gher than Auckland, the whole place was perfectly set out, well organised and efficient at doing what it does, processing passengers. Grabbed so free internet time then headed of course to see how much McDonalds was! A little bit cheaper than New Zealand but nothing like Thailand. I think it was $6.75 for a Big Mac combo so probably almost the same as NZ.

Proceeding through passport control I had to wait behind maybe 2 other people then I was through to customs. I thought I'd be good and go through the "goods to declare" doors just incase Amys stories about Marmite are true!! So went through these official looking doors with big red signs saying "goods to declare" walked a bit further and I was outside! I'm not sure whether I inadvertedly sneaked past customs or what...but looks like the 2 small children and litre of pig semen will make it onto the blackmarket after all!!

Luckily I had written down the directions to my hostel so went to the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) ticketing booth and just showed the guy and asked how much I would need to buy. He sold me a re-chargeable ticket for $15 which so far has gotten me about 4-5 decent rides and Ive only used half and it only comes with $7 on it!! So the MRT is definitely cheap and efficient to use! I can't even provide any comical stories about arriving at the wrong station in a dodgy part of Singapore as the MRT is so easy to use...and there probably isn't any dodgy parts to Singapore! Though I did learn pretty quickly that its a good idea to hold on while the train takes off when wearing a big backpack...my apologies to the small family of Singaporeans that I took out. I had to walk 15minutes from the station to my hostel though and it is about 30 degrees so by the time I got here I was sweating like nothing else. Lucky the only temperature on their showers is cold haha!

After having a shower I noticed a couple of English guys were talking about heading out so asked if I could join them. So ended up going to Clarke Quay with these 2 pretty cool English guys and a couple of really good looking Canadian girls. A good start with the socialising. Was a bit rushed and forgot to take my camera but Im sure I will go back and will post some pics rather than trying to explain how amazing it is! Had some good cheap local food aswell, should definitely avoid the tourist places in favour of local food.

At about 11.30pm Singapore time having officially been awake for 24 hours I headed back to the backpackers and slept like a baby on drugs! Up quite early this morning but I think I'm pretty adjusted to Singapore time already. Heading out with the Canadians again today as the English fellas left so hopefully will have a good time!