Day 2 - Moved to the Prince of Wales hostel in Little India and straight away went to a recommended resaturant for a biryani. My appetite has been suppressed by the heat, but it was delicious! Looked around little India and had my palm read for a laugh.
Then went to the Arab quarter via a flea market that is on. wierd, but wonderful. They were selling taps and all sorts. Then went to raffles which was a like a step back in time. You have a drink at the bar and throw peanut shells on the floor whilst some poor sod has to sweep them up and there's weird paddle like fans on the ceiling. It's hard to explain, but it's well worth the visit!! (cheers John and Beth)
It was National day today so saw some amazing sites. First there were a few helicopters flying below the roof line of the tallest skyscrapers, down the river towards Marina bay whilst draping a massive Singapore flag and then there were fighter jets doing something similar too and then fireworks coming out of the roofs of some of the skscrapers. I thought it was amasing, but upon telling some people in the hostel they said it's the same every year. Kill joys ;-) unfortunately, my photos aren't up to scratch and you can probably just about make out one helicopter :-(
Went back to Little india which is even more colourful and chaotic at night. Probably erhanced by the flood lights as opposed to street lights on some street corners. Too much to take in for one day so retired to the hostel. Met up with a couple of dudes one of whom lived on the next street along in Willesden green. The bar shut at 1 so we decided to go to another place. They really love karaoke and live music here. The bands we saw were all good, but sometimes you need a change of scene. Stayed out till 5 or 6.....too late in any case. got back to my bunk and there was a girl in my bed. Thankfully the bunk next to her was empty so managed to get some kip.
Day 3 - Spoke to girl who stole my bunk and she went to school just down the road from my house in Brum. It's a small world!! Went to get some brunch so decided to go to a mall as it had aircon and i was faltering. Downstairs was a Chinese superamarket that sold all sorts from Barracudda to Bullfrogs! yummy!!!
Met up with Sean who I met last night and went to Lau pa Sat for the ebst Satay I've ever had (Cheers fro the recommendation Sapna and Ram).
Sean is scouting the world looking for a place to live. He has old school friends in Singapore so got the insiders perspecive of things and what a perspective. These guys were all worldly and ver intelligent and one even looked like James Bond!! took us to a Sri Lankan restaurant over looking Boat quay. stupendous view!
Then went to an Indian dancing club and am now in love...with at least 2 of the dancers there. Then ended up trying to go to ministry of sound bar and a few others but couldn't get in cos I had sandals on. so ended up going to a place better known as 4 floors of whores. Yep you've guessed it. Very dodgy! so didn't stay there that long (again there was a live band playing covers). Didn't get back to the hostel until 6ish and had to get up early so decided to go for an early breakfast and didn't have any sleep. No where was open yet and stumbled upon a few ladyboys plying their trade!!! blokes with tits are weird as. No smart comments I have pecs ;-)
Day 4 - decided to leave Singapore as too expensive! Had my final rabies jab and it cost nearly 100squid. Left for Melaka. Crossed the border and we all got off the bus to show passports, etc...to Singapore border patrol and then got back on the bus. Then crosed a bridge and then got off again to shoew passports and stuff to Malaysian guards. Have never down something like that before and I felt like the guy from Midnight express.
Got to Melaka and this is more like it. My hostel room was $3 for the night. It's a bit grotty, but can't complain for $3. My budget of 20 quid a dayis back on track now. let's hope it styas that way. Was knakcered, but needed food and the footie was on in the cafe I wento to so ended up staying up to watch that.
Day 5 - sightseeing in Melaka. very good. this place is walkable but it started to rain torrentially so went to look for a brolly which took ages. finally found one and it did the trick but is lilac so looked like a tit!
loads to say and the mix of Malay, Potrugese, Dutch, British, indian, Chinese, Arab, Persian, Indonesian, Siam influences make this place very interesting. A bit like Penang, but more chilled out. Had my clothes washed, dried and ironed for less than a quid. How good is that! Watched Brum loose to Chelsea, but we didn't do too badly so think we'll stay up!Anway, I've rambled on loads so will let the pics do the talking.
