Singapore

WOW - A TOPSHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is very exciting indeed.
got here late last night after meeting Isobel on the plane from Bali. hilarious / disasterous journey from the airport as we grabbed a burger while rushing to catch the last subway train from the airport, busy eating it and wondering why everybody was looking at us. just as i noticed a sign saying no eating or drinking, fine $500 a pompous old bloke came up and said 'you shouldn't be eating'. argh. failed to understand that we had to change trains and so got out the wrong side of the train and then missed the last train to our stop. had to get a bus instead, which was driven by THE MOST UNHELPFUL bus driver i have ever met who spoke no english (well not that we could understand anyway) who did not help at all re how much the fare was and where we should get off. managed to guess with the help of my guidebook map. not that the people on the bus were much help either. people here aren't exactly friendly trying to find this internet cafe by asking people 'is there an internet cafe around here?' was a nightmare.
a really hot night in the 4 bed dorm, all 3 other occupants smelly english guys. a pointless fan didn't help. anyway got up this morning and have just been wandering around trying not to break any more of Singapore's stupid rules (i jaywalked as well last night) I feel like i'm constantly about to do something wrong and there are plain clothes policemen everywhere.
anyway its nice and hot not humid like Bali but just right and i'm meeting Isobel in 15 minutes to do some sightseeing this afternoon.
Planning on flying to Phuket from here instead of going overland - flight with JetStarAsia only 13 pounds!
oh the Balinese dancing - fantastic, so atmospheric and some great costumes and headdresses. do you remember the sky tv advert last year or the year before with lots of bare chested men all sat in a circle and waving their arms while making oompah oompah noises? well that was the accompaniment, a 100 male voice 'choir' and 2 female dancers along with some kings and some baddies and some monkeys. it told a complicated story about a princess who was kidnapped by the baddie who was pretending to be a golden deer to lure her away.. etc etc. occasionally the choir would have to leap up and pretend to be the forest while the princess escaped, etc. really entertaining. it finished with another dance performed by 2 young girls who did a synchornised dance with their eyes closed for 20 minutes (!) and then a dance about a 'entranced young boy' around a bonfire (a real fire) who then dances on the fire. very good. right better go and meet Isobel. Rob, Rob and Phil, let me know what gossip is happening at work.