Night Safari's and Singapore Slings

Kate & I finally reached Singapore (after our flight was delayed due to 'rain on the plane' - no really, that was the excuse they gave!!!) and met up with Kate's boyfriend Rod, who will be spending the next 3 days with us.

On our first day, we walked along Orchard Drive where all the shops are - and almost every place offered to hand make us the best shirts and dresses (and suits for Rod)! We even found a Marks & Spencer's! We decided to go on the Duck Bus - a sightseeing bus that also goes into the water and takes us round the harbour which gave us a great view of the city!

That night we went to the Singapore Zoo and went to the Night Safari. We walked around some of the trails and got to see so many animals out including Fishing Cats Binturong, Himalayan Tahrs and　the Otters (which are Rod's favourite animal). Then we went to the Creatures of the Night show where they bring out some creatures including owls, raccoons, wolves and hyenas. The best bit though was when they brought out a 15 ft snake that was as wide as my thighs! It had been sleeping in a box under one of the seats in the audience!

The next day we did a walking tour of Little India (the area where we're staying) and got to visit a few of the Buddhist and Islamic temples in the area. The smell of curry was a delight!

We then headed to the harbour and got a tram over to Sentosa Island to see the giant Merlion (the symbol of Singapore). We climbed up to see the views from the mouth as well as from the top of its head.

Since we didn't know much about the history of Singapore, we decided to go to the Images of Singapore show on the island which took us through its history and growth from a little fishing village into the place it is today. Then we did a tour of Fort Siloso that tried to defend Singapore from the Japanese invasion in WW2. It wasn't very effective but it did manage to sink one boat! We finished off the day with a cable car ride across the harbour and back.

On our final day, we did a tour of China Town and went into the Chinese Cultural Centre that tried to portray what life was like for the initial Chinese immigrants here. We also got to see another temple - Sri Mariammon - which is the oldest in Singapore.

We headed over to the harbour to see the mini Merlion and had some fun with the photos! Anyone for a drink??

We headed back to our hostel but not before trying some of the interesting looking ice cream from a street vendor. Instead of using crackers, they used bread. But it wasn't any ordinary bread - it was pink and green bread (no, it wasn't mold!) It tasted a bit strange!

That night we headed out to the famous Raffles Hotel to sample one of their Singapore Slings. We went into the Long Bar where you throw the peanut shells onto the floor! It was one of the nicest drinks that I'd had (made up of gin, cherry brandy, cointreau, benedictine, grenadine, pineapple juice, lemon juice and angostura bitters). Its a shame that they were $23 each or I may have had one or two more!

At the end of the evening, we headed over to the Fountain of Wealth - which is the worlds largest fountain.

It was a great way to end my trip with Kate as tomorrow I head off to Japan and she and Rod go to Malaysia. Its been an amazing 9 months - thanks for sharing it with me Kate. I'm missing you already. Can't wait to see and hear all about South East Asia xx