Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. November 2018

[supergran]

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. 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.

[supergran]

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. 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)

[patlowe]

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

PS: Glad you are feeling better.

[Genbrit]

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

[supergran]

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.

[exislander]

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!

[supergran]

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

[karanga]

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

[goldfish]

Just catching up with this - a fun read, thanks

[Caro]

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