My journey begins here. The day has finally arrived. It feels rather surreal.. So what is going through my mind at this very minute? Gosh, a whole whirlwind of things. I am going to miss everyone back at home. I barely slept last night, so I am like a walking zombie today. Just as I was stepping out the door with my brother - I'd realised I didn't have my car keys. I spent half an hour like a psycho running up and downstairs, turning the house upside down to try locate the keys. I emptied my suitcase, checked the car and even got so desperate and checked the fridge. In the end, the keys were in the most obvious spot - hanging behind the front door. Great start to my morning huh?
Despite being a regular traveller, I still get those butterflies in my stomach every single time I make my way to the airport. I can't really tell you if its excitement or the thought of just being away from home for 5 months. This time round is a little different though - I will be travelling solo, will be away from home for much longer and I will be going into a job where I have no experience in whatsoever.
I was so confident that I had packed LIGHT. However, at check in my luggage weighed in at 30.3kg - Oops. The excess baggage fee was waived for me though. Phew... I'm investing in a carry on for my next plane ride.
After such a sleepless night and crazy early morning, I need this coffee to wake up me now, now, now.
My first stop is Singapore and I'm flying with Singapore Airlines today.
So this is it, I am really taking the first step to living my dream. Feeling mixed emotions at the moment, yet excited to receiving a new stamp on my passport.
Bye Sydney, you will be missed.
XOXO
The plane ride wasn't so bad. I was seated in a window seat (requested at time of booking for all my flights) and next two a german older couple who had just spent the last 6 weeks in Sydney. I caught up on a few episodes of One Tree Hill Season 9. When my battery died, I used the inflight entertainment and read up on Singapore noting the main attractions I want to visit. There was an interesting program where you can learn languages. I chose french and did really well.
The cabin crew were all really friendly and attentive. I was impressed with the food onboard. For breakfast, I was served with poached egg with hollandaise sauce, ham, mushroom, tomato and hash brown potatoes. Lunch, I had stewed beed in red wine, seasonal vegetables and potatoes - it was delish.
Greetings from Singapore. I had troubles getting past immigration because of my 8 year old passport photo. However, I don't blame them, even I can't even recognise myself. haha. I had three people check my passport and they were all in doubt. I was freaking out. I showed them my drivers licence (luckily I brought it with me) and they eventually let me through. Arriving in Singapore dressed in a blazer, black top and black tights was a bad idea - it was really hot and humid with the temperature around 30 degrees.
I hopped into a Mercedes taxi - how flash :) and checked into my first hotel at Porcelain Hotel located in Chinatown. I went for a little stroll around Chinatown, it reminded me of Hong Kong. I bought a few postcards which I'm planning to post out in the next few days. I am staying in Singapore for 3 days. I booked my first tour - Night Out at the front desk.
Highlights of the tour - Singapore Flyer, Riverside Indian buffet diner, Clarke Quay, Pewter at Royal Selangor, Merlion Park, Bugis Village, Raffles Hotel, True Heritage Brew.
On my tour, I met an australian couple from South Australia - Cameron & Jodie. They were really friendly and offered to take photos for me. Our first stop was the Singapore Flyer - the world's largest giant observation wheel. Located at Marina Bay, each capsule holds 28 people and the ride takes 30 minutes where you get to enjoy the scenic 360 degrees panoramic view of Singapore City and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.
We dined in at an Indian restaurant along the riverside called Bayiew Tandoor. Pretty much every dish was spicy and I really enjoyed. The flavours were so authentic I went back for seconds.
Clarke Quay is the nightlife of Singapore. Clarke Quay contains warehouses that was once used as the commercial port for cargo services. These warehouses have been restored and turned into bars, restaurants and nightclubs. We went taste testing at the True Heritage Brew trying the infamous 'Lion City Cocktail' - Singapore Sling. Next, we learnt about pewter at the Royal Selangor where they demonstrated on how to make pewter and gave us a little bit of history about it. We received a souvenir gift of an ancient coin to take home with us. Royal Selangor were commissioned to make the trophies for the Grand Prix. Awesome work.
Next, we visited the Merlion Park and marvelled at the city skyline with the beautiful back drop of the majestic Fullerton Hotel (6 stars), the Esplande, Marina Bay Sands and the Helix Bridge. Two structures of the Merlion are located here and it is a major tourist attraction and landmark of Singapore. The Merlion is a large man-made fountain known as the "Fountain of Wealth".
Bugis Village, our next destination, was known as a trading area in the early 1960's and has transformed into a bustling night market. Due to the fact that I am very limited on luggage space, I did not buy anything.
Last stop was at the Raffles Hotel, famous for being the host to numerous international celebrities and dignitaries. Built in 1887 and declared a national monument a century later. Singapore most famous landmark is one of the world's greatest victorian hotels. Cameron, Jodie and I ended our night here at Long Bar. The rest of the tour group made their way back to the hotels. We sat and listened to the live band play, they had amazing voices and we were the only ones in the bar who appreciated and bopped to their music. It was weird sitting in a bar in a nice five star hotel where guests enjoyed their alcoholic beverages, ate peanuts and threw the shells on the ground. Funny experience. Messy.
First night in Singapore was awesome. Had way too many tequila shots and martinis. :)
Good night world.
XOXO
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