Day 8 - First day in Singapore, wasn't what I expected!

Well it wasn't the start to our stay in Singapore I wanted, but after arriving at Chiangi Airport, I was noticeably worried about the wound on my arm, which was showing serious signs of infection. Now look, I have been here before, so know what I have to do. The difference this time, of course, was the nature of the injury. If I had left it alone in the first place, after the fall, it probably wouldn't have got as bad as it did. 

My overcautious approach was born from previous experience. I have contracted two very serious forms of Staphylococcus on the last two holidays I went on, so the panic that followed my tumble on the boat on the second day of our holiday in Bangkok, was noticeable! I wasn't prepared to go through the IV antibiotics I had in the past, and tried everything to stop any infection before it started. It is likely I did too much, way too much, and should have left well alone.

While Darrell made his way to our riverfront hotel, I took a taxi straight to Raffles hospital in the centre of the city. I had a particularly funny conversation with the driver, who accidentally took me to the world-famous Raffles Hotel. He looked confused, when I said 'No Raffles Hospital'! This was a first for him, taking a visitor straight to hospital, but he was good-humoured and deeply apologetic. Only I would end up in hospital on arrival!

I was in the 24-hour Acute and Critical Care unit for a good few hours, while the wonderful staff poked, prodded, examined and dressed my wound. This plush hospital was first class, and rushed me through as quick as they could. I was prescribed a high dose course of antibiotics, and I was told in no uncertain terms, that I couldn't drink with them at all — that's no more alcohol for me on this holiday then.

After I was officially declared fit to go, I was directed to the desk to pay the bill. Now I am well aware of how expensive this place is, so I was expecting a few thousand dollars, but to my surprise I was told it was just S$300. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. With my health being top of my list of priorities these days, I would have paid anything to make sure I was well enough to resume my travels, so this was a small price to pay. After being given a fit to fly certificate, I was sent on my way, by some of the friendliest medical staff I have ever come across — and the welcoming nature of Singaporeans didn't end there!

As I tried to find a taxi for my journey to the Furama Riverfront Hotel, I was approached by the young concierge, who went out of his way to do all he could for me. He explained about the app I should install on my phone, and how it would make getting around Singapore much easier. After arranging a car for me, he then waited with me for fifteen minutes, checking I was OK and chatting about his life in Singapore.

Like other Singaporeans I have met, he was looking at a future away from his country of birth. The cost of living, house prices and lack of opportunities were big factors in why he wanted to leave. He did feel sad because he loved his home, but he just didn't see a future for himself. He also asked about my life living in Australia, a place he also hoped to travel to one day.

When the taxi arrived, I promised to pop back and say goodbye before I left, and he thanked me for taking the time to talk to him. Asia is a very friendly part of the World as I can testify, but so far, the locals in this tiny south-east Asian nation have been exceptional. Suitably impressed, I waved goodbye and he did the same. I actually really felt like I had made a connection with someone new. I know he was just doing his job, but I could tell he just wanted to talk and get things off his chest, while I was there to listen. Sometimes, a friendly face is all it takes!

The Furama hotel isn't the Aira Hotel, it is in a completely different class. This Singapore hotel is a bog-standard family establishment that is vast. Catering for hundreds of guests, it doesn't offer the luxury we had in Bangkok, but with hotel space here at a premium, we were lucky to get rooms that were big enough to cater for our needs. This is a perfect place for a few days and has all the facilities we require, so despite it being a little shabby in places, it will be fine for our brief stay!

At the hotel I finally met Justin after ten years and that was a rather emotional reunion! Justin has proven me wrong on so many levels over the years, and I am so glad to see him doing so well in his career and new home. Our lives fourteen years ago, when we first met, were very different, with partying and living in the moment, at the forefront of our thoughts. Today all our priorities have changed, but it was good to see that Justin remains the life and soul of the party, as he always was!

We made our way down to Boat Quay in Singapore, where we had a few pints in The Penny Black, a pub I had seen on the internet and a place I had wanted to visit for a long time. This old traditional English style pub, was everything I expected and more. Like all of Singapore, however, it was very expensive, with two beers costing me S30. This wasn't too much of a shock, however, this is probably the most expensive country in the World and certainly a place I couldn't afford to visit too often.

With Justin feeling worse of wear, and the rain pouring down, Justin made his way back to the hotel, while Darrell and I had a typical Singaporean meal at Tian Tian Fishermans Restaurant on the Quay. The food was delicious, but at a cost of S$200 for the two of us, it wasn't cheap. It was well worth the money nevertheless. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the terrace, looking out across the river. With the skyline lit up, it really was a beautiful place to chill, eat, chat and talk about the future.

We both decided to walk back to the hotel after the rain cleared. I don't think I have ever felt safer walking through a city at night. This was a magical experience and probably the first time Darrell and I have truly relaxed this holiday.

I am hoping that now, we can finally enjoy our last few days in Asia together, with Justin, and we can pick up our friendship where we last left off ten years ago. It is good to see a friendly face, when you live on the other side of the World, and Justin has visited us more than most. Singapore offers the chance to reconnect in a setting that we could have only dreamed of a decade ago. I hope that we can form the lasting memories that make us the people we are, before we, once again, go our separate ways — until we meet again in another part of the World!

---