Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. November 2018

Back at my hotel I had another very quick shower. I was conscious that I didn't want to keep banging my elbows as I had done before lunch. Yes, the shower area was that small. And sitting on the loo I could rest my head on the dividing wall to the shower. :lol: There were other people in the dining room but I was shown to a table for one and sat once again accompanied by Jack Reacher. After my meal I decided to try the rooftop bar. Coming out of the lift I was met by a hostess who asked did I want a table for one. (This question will feature heavily in these accounts) I asked where I could smoke but she told me I couldn't at a table but there was an area at the end of the terrace. This area was tiny, hidden behind a wooden structure and standing room only. I questioned as why in an open air area I was not allowed to sit down, her helpful reply was a shrug. I told her I was leaving, Went downstairs with my water and out to the smoking area where I met a lovely lady from South Africa and a young man from Canada.

And so to bed. I worked out that the best way to get into the bed avoiding knocks to my legs was to climb up from the foot to the pillows. I managed this not very gracefully, slid under the sheets and went to sleep........I woke up quite early and after crawling down the bed I squeezed myself in the shower with minimum damage to my limbs mainly because I employed minimum movement. When I was ready I made a cup of coffee from a sachet I'd brought with me though I had no idea then that this hotel did not have decaffeinated coffee anywhere in the place. I went for breakfast which was good and decided I would go out for the day. In the taxi I asked to be taken where I could book sightseeing trips. All the taxi drivers I had met, mainly Chinese, had been very friendly and chatty. On reflection that may have been because I'm chatty and they were just being polite. :lol: I was dropped off at a small mall and the lovely taxi driver escorted me inside, took me to the place to book and then said goodbye.(Need to charge tablet.Back soon)

I'm really enjoying this Maureen. Thank you. What an experience for you! Looking forward to the rest.

PS: Glad you are feeling better.

Wonderful as usual Mo. Has brightened up my day. Thanks :)

In the taxi I had talked about Raffles hotel and how disappointed I was that it was closed for refurbishment. The driver explained that although the hotel was shut the Long Bar was definitely open. I decided that a short trip followed by a visit to the Long Bar was the order of the day. In the Excursion booking office I decided on the DUKW tour .Seeing the city of Singapore by an amphibian vehicle sounded interesting and different. I booked for an hour ahead and went for stroll around the mall and outside. Singapore is the cleanest place I have ever visited. The roads, the pavements are pristine as are the shopping and restaurant areas. I decided to have an early lunch and chose a restaurant quite near the meeting place for the tour. I enjoyed a Caesar salad and a glass of water. For the second time, the first was in the hotel, my request for water resulted in a glass of warm water.. Once again I had to say I wanted cold water. Interesting these differences one encounters in exotic places. Lunch over I strolled to the meeting place where we were handed little green stick on labels to identify us as a group. Strangely we were organised into two lines.....Asians and Westerners. Have no idea why but the Asian line was marched to the DUKW first and the rest of us followed. I sat at the front behind the driver having been guided there by the organiser "because I was on my own" It was a good seat with a clear view so I was quite happy.

I am enjoying reading your blog. I visited Singapore a couple of times in the early 2000s when a friend lived there. I remember being told that there were very heavy fines for dropping any litter and that chewing gum was banned - so the streets were very clean. As I still smoked in those days I was also warned to be very careful where I did that and definitely not drop cigarette ends on the ground. I hope you made it to the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling - it is a must do!

I would carry on but keep having problems. Have lost a post and don't know how to retrieve it.

Enjoying reading your blog. Mo. Hope you can sort out the problems.:thanks:

Just catching up with this - a fun read, thanks

Just catching up with the blog Mo. As usual it is very entertaining. How do you make hotel rooms and taxi trips sound so interesting? :) I love the way you write, it's a real skill :worship: