KL and Singapore

So our second day in Kuala Lumpur was pretty much no better than the first, although we did find an awesome shopping center. We thought we'd bought a two day bus ticket but at lunch time we realized we hadn't and our tourist bus pass had run out. So we didn't go to the lake gardens, but we weren't really that bothered about it anyway to be honest. We left the shopping mall and had to get public transport :( so we got on the MRT and the monorail. I wasn't looking forward to getting on, having visions of London tubes but we were pleasantly surprised. The trains were nice and cold and they went along on a kind of tiny bridge over the city so we got some good views. When back in Chinatown we had a last little wander and passed a little pet shop that had dogs and cats in tiny glass boxes - one was the cutest little puppy pug and if there had been any way of posting him home, I would have bought him there and then, but alas, Kevin dragged me away just in time. We went for one last drink in the trusty Bob Marley Reggae bar and then headed back to the hostel to pick up our bags before making our way to central train station. I don't remember a time I was so happy to leave a place, but I had no problems hopping on our overnight train straight outta there!

So our little cabin on the overnight train was nicer than our hostel in KL! I'd insisted on a first class delux sleeper cabin and it really was pretty nice. We had our own little bathroom and bunk beds. It was exciting and we settled down to watch a film before trying to get some sleep - 'trying' being the most appropriate word here! The train was bumpier than the most turbulent of flights and I was surprised Kev was so relaxed on it. But we got a couple of hours sleep before arriving at immigration. There we all had to get off the train with all of our stuff and go through airport style security while sniffer dogs went onto the train - it's weird how I always feel nervous at immigration even though I've got nothing to worry about! We all hopped back on the train once it had been searched and traveled the last hour or so into Singapore.

We arrived, bleary eyed, at Singapore train station and were shocked at how un-modern it was! There was no ATM and no visible sign of public transport out of there. Luckily we had some Thai Baht left over and so we were able to exchange that for about $15 Singapore dollars. Then we started talking to this couple who had like a million massive bags and they were trying to work out how to get out of the station too. This Indian guy came up to us and said he'd take us all to our destinations in his taxi van for $20 - it was a rip off I'm sure, but it was easy and we didn't see much choice. As it turns out, he was a lovely taxi driver and he pointed out all the sights on the way to our hostel. The hostel was slap bang in the middle of Little India, but it wasn't as bad as I'd expected - the streets were wide and not at all like Chinatown in KL. The hostel is OK but considering it's one of the most expensive hostels we're staying at, I don't think it's great value for money. But then Singapore in general is really expensive. BUT soooo worth it, we love it here. It's the most beautiful place where really old colonial buildings stand right next to the biggest modern skyscrapers. We haven't stopped taking photos since we got here, but none of them do this place justice. The people here are so friendly and they seem to really welcome tourists so we loved it from the moment we dropped our bags off at the hostel and went wandering.

I must say, it's just as hot here as KL which I find hard, but the clean air makes it much more bearable. We bought a (two-day this time!) hop on hop off bus pass and that was so worth it. The tour guides were brilliant and we covered pretty much the whole of the city and learned so much along the way. We stopped off at the Singapore flyer (like the London eye but much bigger - in fact, it's the largest wheel of it's kind in the world - FACT). It was pretty expensive for a ticket but we think it was worth it, although it was absolutely hysterical to see my claustrophobia has rubbed off on Kev! Before we got on I was saying, hmmm do you think I'll be OK in a sealed capsule hundreds of meters in the air and Kev was like, yeah, you'll be fine - it'll be air conditioned. We got on and the wheel started slowly moving and Kev went incredibly pale and looked at me and said 'Rose, I don't think I like this!' I thought, blinking heck - I'm sat here trying my best not to think about being sealed in a capsule and now Kev's freaking out too!! But the moment passed and we laughed about it and then started to enjoy the views - they really were amazing. Half and hour later we got off and had had a great time, but we're both glad to be out of there!

That evening we went to the nearest pub to our hostel and met up with my mate, Dan, who I studied with in Uni. He's living out here now so it was great to speak to a 'local', but also, it was so nice to see a familiar face as we've not spoken to anyone but complete strangers for almost two weeks now. The beer here is so expensive, but we had a few and actually started to feel like we were on holiday (for the first time!) It was a really good night.

This morning we got up, a little fuzzy headed, and hopped back on our trusty bus where we were greeted by the best tour guide ever - he was so super camp and sounded just like someone out of Southpark, he was hysterical but really informative at the same time - man, he should probably be a teacher! We stopped off at the river where we got on a river boat cruise, again, incredibly informative and absolutely breathtaking views (sorry, I know that sounds so gay, but they really were!) After that, we went to a restaurant along the river to try what everyone has said we had to try - Singapore Chilli Crab. When they brought my crab out it was the funniest thing ever - it was about the size of me and it's huge legs really freaked me out (Sarita, you would have hated it!) I made a real mess trying to crack it all open, much to Kev's amusement and we laughed and laughed...until that is, the bill came! It turned out that the Singapore Chilli Crab is about £50! And Kev's garlicky clams were about £30 - so that was a bit of a shock, but hey ho, it had to be done and so we just made a mental note to always check the prices before we eat the goods! We left the restaurant and it was then that I saw the huge fish tanks full of the live crabs - it was a bit weird looking at these huge crabs and realizing that their mate who, half an hour ago had been happily swimming around with them, was now in my stomach!

Next stop was a visit to Chinatown where Kev sampled a home made Singapore Sling (surprisingly, the cocktail originates here - clue's in the name I suppose) and I had a iced green tea (needless to say, Kev's alcoholic drink was far nicer than my healthy option). Chinatown was lovely, but very touristy so we didn't stay too long.

We'd missed the last bus home by then so we had to walk. But by now the weather had gotten much cooler and it was good to walk and really appreciate how massive the skyscrapers are here! We got back to the hostel just in time for the storms to break - the lightening here is mad (in fact, the largest church here has been rebuilt three times having been struck by lightening twice - FACT).

So now, we're just going to get an early night ready to get up at about 3am and head to the airport for our flight to Cambodia. Not sure what to expect in Cambodia, but I'm a little nervous I think. Although, we've got a pick up by our hostel at the airport and there's a swimming pool there so hopefully I'll feel right at home - time will tell....watch this space. xxx