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So what was my final day like?

Managed to get a late check out from the hotel at 2pm. Had my long pants and cotton top on for the flight so didn’t want to get too sweaty.

Walked slowly to Clarke Quay to pick up the MRT. Luckily it was overcast so a bit cooler. Probably around 30 degrees. Still got sweaty with the 10 minute walk though.

Jumped off the MRT at Raffles Place for a look around. Pretty much just another mall and office building.

City Hall stop came next as I’d decided to catch a film at Marina Square to pass a few hours and the two are connected by an underground mall.

Transporter 3 is OK. Not the best film I’ve seen, but OK.

Back via the City Hall mall, where I stop to watch an acrobatic performance as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

It’s hitting 8pm as I get back to the hotel. I burn another half hour in the cocktail lounge before getting my backpack from the concierge. One of the connectors broke on day 1 and I spend 10 minutes making a repair and ensuring everything is secure.

A quick cab ride gets me to Outram Park station and the East West MRT line out to the airport.

It’s roughly 21:45 when I check in, so I’ve timed it pretty well. I say bye to my backpack and head for the lounge with my boarding card in hand.

Flight was pretty good. I made use of the bed seat but only managed about 4 hours ‘sleep’. Food was really good and the accompanying Chardonnay exceptional.

Frankfurt felt fresh. -12 fresh. Here for a couple of hours before picking up my connection to Manchester. Scenery on the flight was amazing. Looking out of the window I got to see how short the distance England to France is.

North of the Thames, the rest of the country was a under a flat blanket of cloud. It’s like skimming over the surface of a huge white quilt.

I say goodbye to the sun as we descend into the soft cloud. Popping out underneath I spy my office out to the left, then a few seconds later I’m back on the ground.

Sitting in seat 1A with an empty row, I’m first off the aircraft. It’s great not having to queue at immigration although the wait there is just replaced by the wait at the baggage carousel. Luckily it’s not too long to wait before I can get my bag and pull out the long sleeved shirt I’d packed near the top, knowing it was going to be just a tad cooler when I arrived back.

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It’s good to be back. This country of mine does feel like home. I could live or work in a few places I’ve been to, but there’s no place like home.

So, there it is. I’ve been to some great places, met some wonderful people, and had some unforgettable, sometimes bizarre experiences. From the knock off, sword and taser sellers of the Bangkok soi’s, the beaches and bars of Southern Thailand, the sights and colonial history of North West Malaysia, to the expensive beer, PSPs, escalators and endless malls of Singapore.

I can’t believe how quickly time has passed.

Anyway this is Mike and the Ladyboy Dodgers SE Asia tour, signing off.

Now, where’s that chippy

I take the short cable car ride across to the island in preference to the monorail. First port of call was to check out the merlion statue and grab myself something cold to drink.

After this I headed down to Palawan beach. This beach has a rope bridge leading across to a sand bank which is the southern most point of continental Asia. Really good photo op lots of boat traffic on the water though, I must have counted over 20 ships.

Stopped at a bar on the way back for a few Tiger’s (beer) and a sit down. It’s so hot and humid here, wherever you go outside, you’re guaranteed to be sweating within a few minutes.

Last stop was Siloso beach. The main party beach on the island. Wasn’t much partying going on in the afternoon though, so I stopped in at the Cafe Del Mar beach bar. It’s modelled on it’s Ibizan namesake. Stayed here for a few hours lying on my huge double lounger and relaxing to the chill out music, while watching the sunset…

I hit the night market in Chinatown in the evening. Oh my god, I’ve never got so lost in a place picked up a couple of tops…

So today started quietly. Went for lunch at Molly Malone’s. The oldest Irish bar in Singapore. Shepherd’s pie was pretty damn good.

In the afternoon, thoughts of the grand prix took over, and I decided to track the track down. Well, it seems I didn’t have to look too far, and the start and finish straight was just behind the Singapore flyer.

The race was held on a street circuit with the main straight being a purpose built road. I found it, and found Lewis’s starting point on the grid. Everything was still there, the garages, the finish line, the tyre marks streaming away from the pits…

Hot day. Hot and humid day I should say

I managed a few more hours sleep, and spent the day at the National Museum of Singapore. I was pleasantly surprised to find the place was free over the christmas period which would save me a few bucks.

The Singapore History exhibition was really good. You’re given a handheld device with a screen and little keypad, and as you walk around, there are numbers on the floor which you tap in to receive a commentary of the particular part of the exhibition you’re in. They have a similar device up the KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur, but not as advanced.

Hot day again…

Zoo wasn’t too bad. Saw all the usual stuff as well as some stunning White tigers, polar bears and some cheetahs that decided to have a little fight.

Spent the afternoon catching up on some sleep.

Was pretty good, a little bit like the jap car shows back in the uk. Loads of modded Nissan GTR’s there.

Outside there was drifting and a drag competition going on.

Headed back to the dorm to get ready for the evening. Had a few beers downstairs in the pub before going into the city to watch the fireworks in the marina.

Fireworks were spectacular, and the crowds were unbelievable. The news said 250,000 were in attendance.

The night ended with a few beers in Clarke Quay.