Hi all,
I am now in Singapore, having survived 8 days at sea!
The ship itself was great fun, a Russian and Phillipino crewed freighter, 34,000 tonnes, 210 metres long, and filled with big big containers. The Russian crew were a quiet bunch, not unfriendly, but they did not speak much, even to each other. Understandable in one way, they spend 6 months at sea, rarely go ashore, and are away from family and friends, and since 911, visitors (i.e. girl visitors, i.e. working girls) are not allowed on ship
. However, the Phils were the opposite, they will talk to passengers about everything, and if you are single, male and good looking (like me), they will always try and find you a sister or daughter to marry.
We had one storm on the trip, about 12 hours long. The ship rolled heavily, up and down, side to side, and WHACK into the water! Great fun. I did not get seasick, but felt very tired, very quickly, and no appetite, and could not sleep. Good for the experience!
I am right now sitting in a Starbucks cafe watching the Chinese New Year celebrations. Last night there were lots of fireworks, and people hanging out in the street. That is a bit of a surprise, most of the time Singaporeans are a hard working, early to bed, early to rise lot, not used to joyous and spontaneous street activities, but once a year...
Many shops are closed because of the New Year celebrations (the new year is the year of the Pig, by the way), however, the really cool shops are open. This is to say the electronic and gadget shops. Singapore has several good Apple computer stores, I visited and bought stuff I cannot find at home in provincial Perth, Australia. Prices are also good.
Apart from that Sing is not the most exciting place in the world, it is safe, clean and neat. Not the place to find off-the-beaten-track adventure (unless you go on the Sing zoo night safari, which does have an off-the-beaten-track-adventure option). I will be spending a few more days here, and then onto Malaysia and Thailand. I have an idea for one more Sing post, which will prove interesting and salacious.
All the best.
I am now in Singapore, having survived 8 days at sea!
The ship itself was great fun, a Russian and Phillipino crewed freighter, 34,000 tonnes, 210 metres long, and filled with big big containers. The Russian crew were a quiet bunch, not unfriendly, but they did not speak much, even to each other. Understandable in one way, they spend 6 months at sea, rarely go ashore, and are away from family and friends, and since 911, visitors (i.e. girl visitors, i.e. working girls) are not allowed on ship
. However, the Phils were the opposite, they will talk to passengers about everything, and if you are single, male and good looking (like me), they will always try and find you a sister or daughter to marry.We had one storm on the trip, about 12 hours long. The ship rolled heavily, up and down, side to side, and WHACK into the water! Great fun. I did not get seasick, but felt very tired, very quickly, and no appetite, and could not sleep. Good for the experience!
I am right now sitting in a Starbucks cafe watching the Chinese New Year celebrations. Last night there were lots of fireworks, and people hanging out in the street. That is a bit of a surprise, most of the time Singaporeans are a hard working, early to bed, early to rise lot, not used to joyous and spontaneous street activities, but once a year...
Many shops are closed because of the New Year celebrations (the new year is the year of the Pig, by the way), however, the really cool shops are open. This is to say the electronic and gadget shops. Singapore has several good Apple computer stores, I visited and bought stuff I cannot find at home in provincial Perth, Australia. Prices are also good.
Apart from that Sing is not the most exciting place in the world, it is safe, clean and neat. Not the place to find off-the-beaten-track adventure (unless you go on the Sing zoo night safari, which does have an off-the-beaten-track-adventure option). I will be spending a few more days here, and then onto Malaysia and Thailand. I have an idea for one more Sing post, which will prove interesting and salacious.
All the best.