Singapore

Singapore was always going to be a social stop for Navi and I. By that I mean, we'd both previously seen the touristy side and had a number of friends and family members who now live here and who we wanted to catch up with. That said, we continued our traveling 'hiatus' and stayed in another home, this time with my very good friend, Amol. It just so happens that it was Amol's birthday the day after we arrived, so we used this as an excuse to enjoy the nightlife and attractions Singapore has to offer and that charms so many of it's residents.



Our time here ended up being a mix of birthday celebrations, sporadic shopping trips to buy nothing much in particular (!), trying to dodge the heat during the day by ducking in and out of A/C, taking advantage of the pool facilities in the apartment block in the city, and most importantly of all, catching up with friends and family who we rarely get to see.



For Navi it was a chance to re-connect with old BIS school friend Tamana and her cousin Anish. For me, it was Amol and a very quick meet with an old workmate. For both of us, it was another chance to relax and let the world go by, not rushing around to see the sights. As it happens this state of relaxation has lured us into a false sense of security about the remaining legs of our trip. In fact, if I were to be on a plane to the UK tommorow, I'd be contented with a trip well done and that has been full of excitement. This is not so, and we've yet to visit Cambodia, Vietnam Japan and India!!! I'm sure we'll be thrown back into the swing of backpacking upon arrival at Cambodia (the early morning start should do it!)





Anyways, we managed to do what Amol and I have done a few times before and that's spoil ourselves with fine dining and great drinks, so that was a great. It was great seeing Anish, and for both Navi and I, it was a rare opportunity to spend non-family wedding/celebration time speaking and getting to know one-another. Something that has been impossible most of Navi's life with a cousin who's always lived elsewhere in the world.



Singapore was the social stop we had wanted, and we got a good insight into why expats love it here. It seems as though everything just works well, is safe, affordable and has excellent links into Asia, plus the benefit of having a very buoyant job market for long term planners. I wonder when I'll next be in this part of the world again to see how things have come along, and maybe to see others who no-doubt will be drawn towards here as they develop their careers.



PS: Komala Vilas Indian food. Yum Yum!!!