Day 1

Adrian, who is on National Service for a couple of weeks at the moment, had two days off shift work on Thursday and Friday and was kind enough to use the second of them not resting but showing me the sights of Singapore.

After a cold shower (there is really no need for hot water) we headed for the Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden, the home to 30,000 Species of Orchid and 100,000 hybrids including a cool house showcasing plants from more reasonable climates. Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, is the purple flower behind Adrian and I. After checking out the orchids we went to a nearby cafe and had a coffee and a chat about family, life, values and ideals.

Next was a drive by Orchard Road, Singapore's bustling shopping district, on the way to Chinatown. Chinatown consists of alleyway filled with market stalls selling almost everything from clothes to electronic goods to food to Chinese trinkets. After some pork rolls we took a tour of a small Chinese Museum with a group of headache-inducing Singapore school kids, met Elisha, the tour guide and ate Singapore's signature dish - Chicken Rice. We then drove to a temple which we explored followed up with some tropical fruit and a frozen dessert.

After a short recuperation at Adrian's flat we took the bus and train into the city for Japanese where we sat in the window and just as we were about to leave I noticed someone waving at me - who do I know in Singapore? I thought to myself. It turned out to be Elisha, the tour guide from earlier. He invited us to join him and his mates watching a movie at a little place with a projector - you bring your friends and choose the movie to watch from a bunch of DVDs and it's like watching it at the cinema!!!

We declined his offer instead choosing to explore the Esplanade, where there was a US Air Force band playing, the Singapore Arts centre, affectionately known as the Durian because it looks like two half upturned durian fruits, and great views of the city at night. During desert at a waterfront bakery I was struggling to keep my eyes open (it was 1am Melbourne time when we left), and as we returned to the flat Adrian kindly pointed out that my eyes we bloodshot!!! It was indeed a big day!