Now for Ayres Rock 20 November 2014

Another early start today I was up at 3am local time finished packing and had something to eat as I was unsure what would be at the airport or plane. The transport shuttle arrived on time the driver was more pleasant as was the drive, I was now getting used to the process that I need to check in rather than use a machine, I accepted help to get to the gate, but when explained there was taken after everyone else in a buggy,  think maybe it would of been quicker just to make my own way. On board the virgin Atlantic plane was pleasant as were the staff plus we were fed despite the fact it was a relatively short trip and there were plenty of soft drinks free.

Soon we arrived at our destination and there was an air conditioned coach that was free to take us to our various accomodation. Mine was Pioneers Outlook and I was booked into a shared room with possibly 3 others at reception the man said as the room I should of been in was being refurbished that I had been upgraded and was on my own.
Now this is where it gets complicated because I had only paid £36 for the night so expected little, well thats what I got in some respects,  just as well I was on my own as it would of been a tight squeeze if there had been 4 also I noticed later it could of been a mixed room, not much chance of privacy. I forgot to say earlier that it was very hot, possibly higher 30s and the humidy was also high the good bit for me was that the air con was quiet and excellent.  There was coffee for a drink but it was bunk beds, well with my bad back the top bunks were out and bending down to get into a bottom one and being tall was also an issue. the shower was great and spacious as was the toilet, there was a fridge for food and soft drinks,  ooops another problem I had to share with a few ants and a couple of other insects that I quickly disposed of, I could not find my insect repellent and the electric one said it did not work well with air con oh dear, wonder why they had not sealed the bottom of the door to reduce the chances of this happening.
I had a wander about and decided to explore how best to get to the rock, there was a free bus that went round the complex which actually was free, so why did I decide to walk to the town centre in the baking heat at midday. When I got there I got some water and drink to make sure I did not dehydrate, then a sandwich.  Then booked a visit for that evening to see the famous rock, I felt that I did not want to dine on my own,  just see it. I went and had a rest for a while after having a shower and caught up with websites and e mail.

Then time to see this famous iconic rock, the coach was on time, it was only a short drive to the rock and we were promised drinks and snacks when we arrived. As I looked round it was obvious that there were sections for different tours, as expected there were lots of selfies being taken, I assisted a couple of families by taking photos of the two of them, how or why particular people I am not sure,  possibly there is a paid job out of this LOL.
I had taken Chico with me so set him up for a couple of photos, some people nearbye gave me rather odd looks,  I noticed this was not very well though of with the small group but also it seemed lonely to be such a place with nobody to share with . I noticed a post that would be good for a photo of Chico , a young couple were there, good news is that they  were happy to chat about how I came to be there with him,  I took photos for them and then took some of me and Chico. Maybe he will acquire more FB friends out of it.
The sun settled down but the clouds were a problem so we did not get one of those special sunsets I had hoped for, it was just darker. It also seemed the time was up so back to the coach and a return to the resort in total we had been away less than 2 hours. I just telaxed for the rest of the evening as tomorrow was going to be another long day.

The Botanical Gardens Trip 30 November 2014

This morning I was not sure what to do so after last night waking poor Jane at midnight after  getting the time wrong, she contacted me for a chat then I had breakfast.  The service was much better organised today, afterwards I decided to go to the Botanical Gardens to take some photos especially the orchids. By the way Chico has not been out on this part of the holiday,  I think it's the  heat and  humidity as well as having to carry him that have prevented me, which in a way is a shame and there is not a lot to put on Facebook for him.

So I am now much more confident about transport so off on the shuttle to the MRT and to the gardens,  it was especially hot today,  the initial walk and smells were beautiful, it is very well laid out but it seemed to get hotter and hotter as time went on. I explored varies parts and eventually reached the orchid gardens, there were some very impressive ones I had never seen beforehand, the place was quite busy and again many people were more interested in taking selfies and posing than looking at these beautiful flowering plants, the humidity seemed to get worse so in the end I made my way back to the MRT and to the hotel only stopping at a bakery stall to buy something different for my lunch, on arrival I needed a shower so now am relaxing before going into town for one last look at the lights before an early night as I depart very early in the morning for Shanghai.

The trip into town was much easier this time and I headed left when I got off the MRT well this was where it was all happening, everywhere was busy and the Christmas decorations were more as I expected much brighter and prolific and lots of upmarket stores. One I went into was one I had been in 20 years ago when there had been a lower food court of basic stalls now it was proper shops but the prices reflected this also. There were so many people not sure if they were locals or tourists, most taking selfies again with the decorations. Eventually I decided it was time to go so back to the hotel to finish off packing for tomorrows trip.

Singapore and the Christmas lights at last 28 29 November 2014

The man was there to take me to my hotel,  it seemed a very long drive, but at long last time to check in, there seemed so much more paperwork here than elsewhere and to operate the lift you needed to use your room key to activate it. The room itself was spacious but no bath or view this time. I was tired when I arrived to unpacked and had a rest for a while.  It seems there is a shuttle bus to Orchard Road where I was hoping the main Christmas lights would be as well as the MRT station.

I decided to take the shuttle to the city, again it was a long drive, but then I saw the lights they really were impressive, it was here we were dropped off and the bad news was there was not another shuttle back later, so I would have to sort out an alternative,  but now I started taking video of the lights as I walked down the road, unfortunately after a while I realised that it was just the same lights for a long way and then they stopped.  So I turned round and started back, I was feeling hungry as it had been some time since I last ate so  crossed the road where there seemed more shops, given the time many were already closed so in the end back to old faithful I found a McDonald's which filled the gap, then wandered back to where I started looking for the MRT to get me back to the hotel, eventually I found it in the middle of a shopping precinct 2 floors down,  its seems this is where many are located,  I managed with help to obtain a ticket and get on the right train, when I got off though  I was totally lost, but eventually worked out my way back to the hotel. I had remembered that I had breakfast and free Wi Fi Included so checked this with the staff, then off to have a shower as it had been very hot and sticky with the heat and humidity on my trip, then a catch up with my e mail and Skype to Jane for a while and off to bed.

The next morning wad the first time I struggled to get up during the holiday, I think my body was trying to tell me something, got ready had a breakfast then off to see Sentosa  and the cable car ride across the river. I was impressed with myself at yet again obtaining a ticket and finding my way, the trains are mainly very busy snf fast and the air con is almost freezing cold,no wonder people wear thicker clothes, but I could not believe all the stops and that it took an hour. Yet another shopping precinct to get lost before finally getting to the exit, but bad news it was a terrible downpour, I went and got something to eat, getting lost yet again on my way back

I found my way to the cable car paid my money and got one to myself,  firstly I went to Mount    had a look round the views were obscured by trees then off to Sentosa this time sharing with some young people. I took a number of photos at this time hopefully you will see some after I get back home. My intention was just to turn round and comme back but I noticed a couple of things that felt would be interesting, in the end I found lots of fountains statues and other  things to take the photos of. The one thing that had benn consistent throughout the holiday is the number of people taking selfies or of each other and missing the bigger often more beautiful setting they are in, it seems such a shame plus there seems no common courtesy in waitng for one person  to finish before stepping in front and blocking the view for themselves,  rant over.
Then back down through the shopping precinct snd luckily to find there is another line that only took 15 minutes to get back. I returned to the hotel to rest for a few  hours and catch up yet again with e mails etc before deciding to go to the local precinct for something to eat. Afterwards I walked back and noticed and heard music playing next to the hotel,so I went to see there was a nice  seating area and a group was playing country  and western music whilst some people line danced.  I watched for a little while then noticed a dome I had not spotted earlier,  it seems it was a museum, but then I came acrosd the local buddist temple I went to have a look and was offerred a drink and food, I explained that I had just eaten but accepted the drink,  I then got chatting to a man there, the inside was very beautiful,  after a while I left and returned to the hotel for the night.