Journey pt. 2 and sweat city.

Hello all from SINGAPORE! And what a day it's been. Continuing on from where we left off at the Brisbane airport and the 8 hour wait of hell....

The 7.5 hr flight from Brisbane to Singapore was largely uneventful. I was so tired that I  slept most of the way, wasting my opportunity to relish in the comforts and amenities of the NEW Boeing 777!!!

Here's the view of my lovely TV:

... which sadly I didn't use. Next time la! Next time!

Upon entry to Singapore, this is the welcome I receive:

Scary scary death penalty... I'm so glad we don't have capital punishment in New Zealand. But then again, I don't do drug trafficking anyway, so I'd be fine! Death for drug traffickers!!!

Me in the processing hall at Changi airport. Lucky it wasn't too full, they took ages anyway, even though there was only one flight worth of ppl there. Efficient public service? psh!

Arrival Immigration sign under which I stood for half an hour while they processed the 5 people in front of me. After Immigration, though, things largely passed without a hitch. Even my 5 bottles of wine - 2.5L over the maximum duty free limit, failed to draw the attention of the numerous customs officers and police standing around. I guess good guy like me from an unassuming country like NZ wouldn't dare break the laws of Singapore!

Some of the views from the bus on the way from the airport at Changi to Winsie's place at Serangoon. I was really surprised by how wide the roads are, and the amount of greenery around. There were so many parks and trees and grassy verges, it felt so relaxing and peaceful. The traffic was mild (by Auckland standards) and the pace was confident but unhurried. This is, I guess, the aim of the Singaporean Government - to create a place where everything is in harmony. The garden city really did live up to its name for me on that first bus ride in.

When I got out of the airconditioned bus though, this was when I first received the hit of heat and humidity that I had been dreading. It was like walking into a wall and I couldn't breathe for a moment while my lungs adjusted to the thick air. Immediately started sweating and was soaked after walking for 5 minutes in the sun. Shower 3 times a day is looking highly plausible!!!

Central View - Winsie's apartment, where she has kindly offered to let me stay until I find a place to live! Thanks Winsie, wouldn't have been able to make it without you.

The MRT in Singapore. Station and trains all look exactly like HK MTR! Reminds me so much of there.. with all the people sitting there looking stoned in the morning. Someone talking loudly on their phone. Big clean stations with escalators everywhere and herds of people rushing through the gates as fast as they can. Swipe cards!!! This is where I belong!

Was walking around ION - one of the super malls on Orchard Rd - when I came across this sign at RUBI Shoes. It's so me. I love it. Happiness in life is so simple guys!!

The malls on Orchard Rd are like vast endless caverns. Icy caverns. The temperature difference between inside and out is so extreme, its really hard to find a balance. Have to bring extra clothes to wear inside, then immediately strip everything off when walking outside!

The afternoon was spent getting to know my new family and colleagues in the ROYALEFAM office. These guys are great - so welcoming and friendly. Can't wait to spend the next 4 months here! Looking forward to the work, the company, the outings, food, everything! It's gonna be a blast. Leave you with a few pics of my workspace.

And here's an elevator I got stuck in for 10 minutes when trying to go downstairs to buy a drink.. it doesn't like me! They said it's never happened before.. must have a fetish for foreigners said my workmate :P

Peace out!