Apr26. got told today by the agency that the job might not happen. The guy who was hiring me said he had to draw the line. The merger and organizational issues are talking alonger than they thought. No surprises there. I was expecting this. I will know more May 11th. Ever the optimist, I still feel it might go ahead.

Well I finally left old Blighty. Although I didn’t think I was going to what with the above news and then some and.... In my panic got the terminal wrong. Got the one I was flying into. Only the second time ever and I had to do it today. So that was my three in a row. Bless Ruth for dropping me off... twice… and for seeing me off. It was really nice to have someone there. It was just one of those days where things just went wrong and wrong and wrong.

Apr 27. Arrived in Singapore in one piece. Got into a taxi and gave address of hotel, I booked online. Ha! the driver told me that I should get another hotel. I thought he was only trying to get commission. He wasn’t… I am in the center of brothel by the way. No mention of it in the guidebooks but my hotel is right smack in the center of the red light district. Lonely planet refers to Geylang as an interesting suburb. Oh Yeah, it sure is. Usually in the evenings there are about 40 or so prostitutes in or around the area to the side of the hotel. Oh the joy. So all the taxi drivers who bring me there tell me I should move as they say I will be looked at. It makes me laugh. It is all very safe just a little letchy some evenings. Although I think they are used to me now. I thought about getting in on the action. I could go for the exotic look I.e. all pale and interesting. But I think my ping pong skills wouldn’t be up to it, let alone the rest of me.. So I take the taxi home but the train out during the day. Even found a book on the area. So might buy that, it about stories from the girls who frequent it. So much for Singapore being all squeaky clean. I’ll have words…All very amusing.

Apr 28-May 1. Slept for the most of the first 3 days or so. I can’t get up before 3/4pm. The jet lag is the worst I’ve had. Or maybe it’s been all the stress of the last 8 yrs. Which ever. I am knackered. I took the tourist hopper around the 3 routes they have here. China Town, Little India and the Colonial/business area. I just stayed on the buses the whole day and went around a few times on each route. Too tired to walk. It was great. It really is a beautiful city. It is magnificent by night too. Especially down by the Quays. They have all been cleaned up by the way. Boat Quay (better choice of restaurants) is my favourite. It is slightly more eastern than Clarke’s Quay (which has great bars). Took some nice shots at night with my new tripod. This German guy passing gave me tips on not using my flash. Bless.
I decided to visit the beauticians for hair cut etc. oh the palava. Lets just say they are not used to Caucasian women. And now I have really short hair too.

May 2. I am finally getting over the jetlag, so am making it out by 10am. Went to Raffles for a Singapore Sling last night. It was ok. I guess I thought the bar would be nicer but…
Hey NOW… I’ve had my Singapore sling in Singapore, my Manhatten in Manhatten, my Mai Tai in Thailand, my Bellini in Harry’s bar in Venice. Anyone have any ideas about any more I can add to my cocktail quest? This can’t be it surely??????
Oh Yea, got chatted up in the taxi queue by this Singaporean business man who gave me his business card (Director of a business school no less in China and Singapore and so on). About 10 yrs older but hey I still got it… Could always ask him for a job.

May 3. Tomorrow I try for my Vietnam visa. I had to go searching for the embassy it is almost off the island it is that far from the center. Another palava as had to search for it online, then go to the visitors center for a map and then try and find it. It took the whole day. but now I know where it is.
Had my Japanese encephalitis vaccine today. I have completed my shopping, medical and otherwise now except for a pair of flip flops. The shopping here is amazing. Soooooooooo many nice things and much of it cheap. The real bummer is I can’t buy anything as have no room in my bag and don’t want to carry it all around. So I might just post a bit home…
Nearly ready to leave here.

I could so live here for a while. Must look up the jobs site...
I am trying to think up ways of becoming a millionaire. So please pass your ideas on. Jay hope you read this...