Friday 30th July 2004 - Day 320/365 - Perth, Western Australia to Singapore, Singapore.

So Asia is a bit of a voyage of discovery for me. I'm not so concerned about Singapore, but not sure what to expect when I get into Malaysia and Thailand. Still it's only 6 weeks. What can happen to me in 6 weeks.

On the shuttle to the airport there was a young couple who had obviously very recently just hooked up. They gave a soft porn display for the whole bus to see. Look guys it's great that you are in lust, but please take yourselves up the back.

After a 5 hour flight, with a bit of turbulence crossing the equator, I find myself in an aeroplane looking at a rather underwhelming airport. I don't know why I expected anything else. Once inside the terminal it's very pleasant.

It's my first time in Asia and my first time back in the Northern Hemisphere since Valentines Day.

I got a free copy of the FT when I booked my shuttle. I must look so business like with my Rucksack and battered boots. Wheres the Sports section?

I'm staying at the Orchard Parade Hotel as booked by my Mum and Dad, who arrive here on Sunday.

They love there gadgets out here. Everybody has a mobile phone with the wireless earpieces. The shuttle bus had a music dvd player. Nothing like a bit of Black Eyed Peas to remind me of NZ.

Did you know that I was nearly Malayan. When my Dad was stationed out here, just before the stone age I think (hence his reason for coming back), he dated a Malayan called Wee Pin (no really). See if he'd have married her then I'd have been half Malayan. Instead he married a Scot, but I'm 100% ENGLISH.

I wasted no time in having a bath (how long it's been?). In the whole bath/shower debate I still much prefer baths. After my bath I hit the strasse.

Our Hotel is right on Orchard Road which is the main shopping road. All the usual western suspects have shops here, but it's not like a western city. Perhaps it's all the dark faces.

I'm totally lost in the crowd. It's mad, hectic and crazy all at once. Everyone knows where they are going except for me, but thats cools, coz I'm only looking for some food. I resisted the urge to go to Pizza Hut or Burger King and joined the longest queue in the food court. I ended up with a rather tasteless claypot of Roast Pork and Rice.

Everybody told me that Singapore was a very clean city. I expected something very sterile, with cleaners everywhere and police men busting you for chewing gum. It's nothing of the sort. It's certainly not a dirty city, but I haven't noticed too much difference. There's plenty of traffic on the roads and lots of building work. Alot of the old colonial building seem to be in a state of disrepair.

The women are beautiful, never really been into asian women before, but I guess when it's all you've got to look at then beggars can't be choosers and all that.

Mum will be happy, coz theres an M&S.

It all reminds me of the feeling I had when I first got to Vegas. My eyes are everywhere. It abuses every sense you've ever had and some you didn't even realise existed.

BLOO GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA.

What can I say. Fantastic country. Really enjoyed my time travelling around and it's very easy to do. If anything it's too easy to get about, especially up the east coast. All the hostels come and pick you up from the bus stops.

The east coast was a well trod traveller path and the further up the coast you go, the more partying happens and the travellers there are. I had a fab time, but it wasn't until I got into the NT and Western Australia that I really felt that I was seeing the real Oz. 3 months wasn't long enough to see all I wanted.

I saw some fascinating creatures that you just don't get to see in the wild in other countries. Thorny Devil, Platypus, Kangaroos, Wallabys, Koalas, Camels, Emu, Dingos, Echnidas, Tazzy devils, Wombats and crocodiles. I'm sure I've missed some. I didn't see any deadly spiders, jelly fish or snakes. Saw a couple of big Huntsman and golden orbs, but they didn't frighten me like the common house spider does at home.

Australians really do use words like - Mongrel, Fair dinkum, Feral (instead of ghetto), heaps and holy doly. All the blokes seem to have brillo pads on there chins. They call them flava savers. They don't sell beer by the pint, it's either midis, schooners or jugs. All the beers are regionalized and none of them drink fosters.

For me the best parts were The Red Centre and the west Coast. The biggest disappointment would have to be the Barrier Reef. I suppose it's famous for its size and you really don't get to appreciate that, by snorkelling on a tiny bit of it. I've definatly snorkelled in better places, like Fiji or Hawaii.

I didn't meet many australians. Oz is full of travellers and appears to be reliant on the tourist dollar.

I've been asked if I prefer NZ or Oz. Oz for much of it is like being in Europe but hot. I've had some great times, but the only inkling I've got of the real oz is in Kingaroy and Newcastle. I enjoyed those places too, but it's was far from what most backpackers take back home as an impression of Oz. New Zealand is New Zealand, unique and very special, but go visit Oz too.