So as most of you will know my wife Kate and I have left our jobs, left our pets, left after 4 rounds of cricket to spend 12 months travelling the world. We plan to see as many countries and places as we can on strict and tight budget which means street food, bunk beds, shared showers, back packs and walking. After 2013 apart from cheap food I promised myself I would never do any of those things again...but I couldn't think of anyone more perfect to do it with.
This blog is not an attempt to make money, nor is it a "must do" read. The intentions of this is to keep up with family and friends, share my observations and most importantly remember all the things I found funny. I will attempt to write here every 3-4 days, giving people an excuse to cut and paste into an important email you need to read, or give you something other than candy crush to play when you go 💩 please feel free to read if you want, or ignore if you don't care.
After an amazing Saturday night, some sad goodbyes, last minute packing and a restless sleep we were off to the airport. While there was the threat of some tears with the beautiful people who came to see us off, after I rushed Kate through the the big silver doors we were happy in the knowledge we would see them soon 😀
Never fly Scoot. While partially our fault - but 100% STAs fault for not booking us a meal - we spent the whole flight hangry 😡 it's not only the food tho, drinks, even water carry a very heavy price tag. While comfy enough and we were well prepared with our own entertainment , 8 hours without water is not good enough.
We are staying at the 5 Footway Inn in Chinatown. Great hostel, cleaner than I've ever been in and we somehow scored ourselves a private room - with bunk beds! I am in heaven, get a fantastic nights sleep and then hop downstairs for a cuddle in the morning. Free breakfast is free...that's about all but it's free and fits out budget.
It is so easy to get around here. The train system is exactly like the Tube and the streets are a concrete grid like Manhattan. You can just about walk everywhere and if you get tired - which you do due to sweating more than Doull during a run chase - the trains are awesome.
Food here is amazing. Chinatown is OK but if you come here go to La Pau Sat. So cheap, so filling, so delicious. Street food at its very best. Yes, I have spent 2 hours a day on the toilet, however in order to get a tan you need to get burnt at the start of the summer. That's my approach here. Guts will come good. We will be eating 90% of our meals there. There are other hawkers markets but when you find a winner! I am taking on the satay challenge tonight - Man vs Food style.
Speaking of tonight we have barely had a drink as alcohol is through the roof. Beer is sooooo expensive and female (or Chizel tax drinks) are non-existent. We have been recommended the Exchange tonight with features ladies night on Wednesday so Kate is excited about that.
This place is very clean, it has the Southeast Asia smell in the air but it's not as pungent as say a Thailand. We are just walking everywhere and if it's free we are in. Gardens, temples, malls and a man made beach Sentosa have been and will be on the menu over the coming days. It's crazy without being chaotic. Lots of expats, women and men dressed to the absolute 9s all the time. Haven't really met anyone yet but the people are nice and helpful. Pretty quiet hostel this one, more a bag drop and sleep one which for this week suits us perfect.
We are in the middle of monsoon season, but so far storms, and I mean ⛈⛈⛈ every night, but the days have been hot but perfect. Starting to burn through dry jocks and shirts but I'll be back to playing weight in no time so shirtless soon enough.
We will keep exploring and I will update as I go.
Until next time - Mighty Out
