Singapore - a Real Shock to the System

Oh my goodness - Singapore was a shock to my system! It left me physically reeling and staggering drunkenly around air conditioned skyscrapers, metro stations, restaurants and parks. The contrast with Vietnam and Cambodia, where I had spent the previous seven weeks, was simply phenomenal and it took me two days to get my bearings and find my feet.

But what a place. Modern, clean, friendly, fascinating, exciting and eminently navigable by bus and metro. I treated myself to a Singapore Sling at Raffles, I went up the Swissotel on Stamford and admired the views from the 70th floor, I took a 'bumboat' around the harbour and down the river and I walked my legs off exploring museums, galleries and parks whilst all the time marvelling at the architectural beauty of the city.

    

   

    

    

                                                              Futuristic architecture

I was even able to see the Mona Lisa in a darkened colonial courtroom of the former House of Parliament. Such a contrast to my time at the Louvre, for here, for just a few minutes, I was the only person present. (For those of you who do not know, a second 'Mona Lisa' was discovered a hundred years ago in the south of England. It then spent decades locked away in a Swiss bank vault. It has finally been tested to the limit of man's artistic and scientific capabilities and the consensus is that it is indeed by Leonardo Da Vinci.)

    

                  

              I am convinced it is an original - and this Mona is younger and more attractive!

I am very glad that I had four days here in Singapore to end the Asian chapter of my travels. Not only was it an exciting conclusion to four months of journeying - which has taken me from Sri Lanka to Nepal, China to Hong Kong and Vietnam to Cambodia - it was a perfect way to prepare myself for Chapter Two of my adventure - Australasia. 

    

                  

                                  Elegance at Raffles - and I actually enjoyed the drink!

I am looking forward to the 'Western', first world experiences which now await me in Australia and New Zealand. Make sure you come with me.

Lots of love

Paul