It's been a fantastic journey through Asia, suppose it'll sink in later, can't take it all in, so words wisdom will have to wait... A fellow British cyclist blogs about an emotional arrival. I cheekily emailed the British Council saying that a Boddingtons and canapés would suffice, alas, they were closed for the weekend but sent back a nice congratulations. So much for freebies.
A comfortable hotel room in Malaysia so a late checkout to join the moped queue for the 1km causeway to Singapore. Surprisingly north Singapore was excellent cycling, clever touches of greenery and much cleaner than those scruffy Malay roads, better drivers here too.
The Dipping Ceremony
The last cycle ride was a cruise to Sentosa, the most Southern tip of Asia and journey's end. Sentosa is a wonderfully tacky 'theme park island' where I posed for the trophy photo amongst the pale honkies sun-bathing on the beach; with an excellent view of 50 oil tankers. Whilst celebrating with a 5 pound beer, I thought back to 1 year ago when starting in Istanbul and the ceremonial dipping in the Bospherous canal. Shame the raffles photo turned out blurred, the car park attendant's hands were shaking and it was worth trying again as the heavens opened with a huge tropical downpour. As the sky opened, I literally cycled into the closest restaurant, leant the bike against a table and enjoyed a hot and spicy fish soup, the owner mopping away the flood water away from my feet as I tucked in.
Little India
Based in Little India, and as the name suggests, it's overrun with Indians, curry shops, ... feels more like India, the main area for budget travellers, no gleaming sky scrapers here for us poor folk, just old buildings dating back to earlier days, charming too.
Staying at Ali's Nest, shabby and characterful, a home-stay were the guests and family share. Ali, the owner has extended family visiting from China, and I could hear heated arguments as I dismantled and pack the the bike. Apparently, prior to my arrival, there'd been fighting followed by a session of making up with tears and hugs, an emotional scene the guests. No need to set your alarm, as the family squabbles wake you up in the morning. Ali's a great chap, lucky to find this gem of a place. There's are guesthouse signs out on the street, Ali doesn't want his neighbours to know, besides someone said this place used to be a brothel. Easily, the most entertaining accommodation in Singapore and not bad at 8 pounds a night.
Packing the bike, I dragged an empty card-board bike box all the way back to the guest house. Then, as I dismantled the bike, it got thrown in the rubbish by one of the family, duh! So I bargained with some nearby Indians to wrapped it up. They done such an over the top job, I only hope that customs don't open the box for inspection and make me repack it again, blah blah blah...
Shopping
Singapore is known for it's shopping, and suddenly filled with all the temptations of modern consumerism I bought a present for me, Ipod Touch over in Sim Lim Square, top place for electronics but with a ruthless reputation for ripping off the less wise. Gosh they don't half try it on with the prices, using the bargaining skills acquired over the last year. It's gonna be to hard paying outrageous prices in the UK, you'll find me haggling at the Sainsburys checkout. What's this thing called iTunes?
Still got the 3 pairs of pants I started with one year ago, wow, that's 8,000km a pant. OK, off to do one last wash of the clothes for the sake of my fellow airline passengers.
Words of Wisdom
Look east when you see swallows fly overhead...