HUNG UP THE HAT HANDED IN THE BEADS AND THE WINE BOTTLE IS EMPTY.

Well it`s the last day in Singapore ,no rush to get up bit flat that we are going to have to pack our bags and get on our way.Eventually got out of bed about 9am after having a couple of cups of tea and a good chat about how good this holiday had been for the both of us.We needed to vacate our room by 11am but after having a chat with the receptionist and explaining to her that our flight was not until midnight she said we could stay in the room until 1pm ,and after that have the facility of using the hotel swimming pool where they had toilets and showers.That worked out great we put our bags in the hotel lobby and decided to have one last look around Singapore.Now our overall impression of Singapore was very good,it was clean and you felt very safe (their crime rate is very low).Every thing was very modern and there was no shortage of food outlets to suit every taste,shopping malls were on every main road and all beautifully air conditioned because you certainly needed that.Lots of building work going on in the city and all being done to a good standard and well thought out.We would certainly return to Singapore even though the heat is a little unbearable at times.We spent the afternoon around the swimming pool ,ordered a sandwich and drink for lunch and eventually decided about 6pm to shower and change and have something to eat before we went to the airport.Both had a steak at a little restaurant about fifty metres from the hotel and that was very good.Time to make our way to the airport,we managed to hop in a taxi that was dropping someone off at the hotel so that worked out well.Checked in at the Qantas desk and boarded the flight on time ready for the 13 hour flight back to Heathrow,we had managed to book in on line prior to the flight and had reserved ourselves two aisle seats which seemed to work out better.The flight went OK managed to have a few hours sleep and watch a couple of films,had a couple of meals on board which were OK and eventually landed at Heathrow at 6.30am.After collecting the luggage managed to get out of the terminal about 7am where Bill was waiting to pick us up(Big thanks Bill).Home about nine where Faye was waiting to greet us(great to see her).So it`s the end of a great holiday,hung up the hat handed in the beads and the wine bottle is empty,what more can you say.Every thing went like clockwork for the whole nine weeks,flights were good and on time ,hotels were all brilliant,food was good,camper van was ideal for getting around and seeing places off the beaten track.Highlghts for us were starting in America, San Francisco and the drive down to Los Angeles,Fiji was totally different you were in your own little bubble on the hotel resort and completely detached from what was going on outside,but Fiji was amazing.In Australia seeing Lorraine and all the family was great having promised for so many years to try and visit.Our trip along the great ocean road was amazing and my visit to the football was a great experience(even though the Bulldogs lost ,sorry Lorraine) Philip Island was another fantastic day out(the penguins left a great impression on Betty).The Whitsunday islands was another highlight with Betty making a big breakthrough on getting into the ocean and swimming,Fraser island the Australia zoo,Paronella Park and the Rain forests and waterfalls around Northern Queensland also made their mark with us.Singapore was wonderful and certainly needs a few more days to see what other things there are there.Overall we had a great time and would certainly love to have the opportunity of doing something like this again,but who knows.Back down to earth now and Bet has gone back to work for the first time since January ,looks like i have plenty of grass cutting to catch up on but that's life.I,m sure Betty will be adding her little bit to finish off in time, but we hope that you have enjoyed following this little adventure on the blog as much as we have doing it.Betty and Brian xx

DAY IN SINGAPORE

It was lovely to get up to breakfast again and we met a lovely guy who turned out to be an Archbishop.He was as in Singapore for a meeting but lived in Buenos Aries. Great chatting to him he loved the idea of our blog! Another mystery tour on the bus which led us to The Marina getting quite excited but when we got there it was a building site!! We could remember the taxi driver telling us that they were building on reclaimed land. Oh well back on the bus to China Town for lunch. Not the best shopping centre but lunch was OK. We met a really helpful young lady who got the map out and circled all places of interest. She made us laugh when she pointed out the district where we would find the night clubs! I didn`t like to tell her we were normally in bed just after 10pm. Well all this sight seeing stuff is tiring! Anyway she did point out Clarke Quay which would be our next stop. That is the place on the photos with the white flowery trees. Harbour front was another spot but it turned out to be a shopping centre. Every shopping centre is the same so really no particular interest. Her name was Nansi and she was from Perth here doing a modelling shoot! makes you sick! Mind you she soon tucked into that food which was dripping in oil! She said she wasn`t going to starve herself so you have to admire her for that. She showed us her portfolio and then she was on her way. Well we had a photo shoot at Raffles! When it came to having a drink though we were led to The Long Bar and there was absolutely no one around so that was a no go! Both of us agreed we would be better off at Chijmes.Now Chijmes is so magical. There is a beautiful church in the centre with fantastic lighting. This is surrounded by a massive courtyard with gardens. Every tree has an abundance of white fairy lights. Bars and restaurants surround the courtyard. We found a lovely Italian Restaurant and settled there for the night. Speak tomorrow Bet & bri x x x

SINGAPORE ZOO

Woke up refreshed and down to breakfast early. All fed and watered we picked up some tourist information from the the reception. Walked outside and the heat just hit us,it`s definitely shorts weather here. Were not far from the famous Raffles hotel so had to have a peep and promised ourselves we would have a drink there before we went home. Made our way to the City Link building to get a 2 day bus/underground pass. We jumped on the first train that came along. There was a friendly chap sitting next to Bri who turned out to be very helpful. He suggested the Zoo which turned out to be brilliant. It was hot but there were plenty of places to cool down and a train to pick you up if you got tired. First stop was the Avery and then the Arena for a show. There was a big school trip there and the presenter was trying to get across to them how important it was to save the rain forest. Enormous birds were flying around and monkeys were doing all sorts of tricks. The kids just loved it. Next came the elephants and giraffes followed by some cute Meerkats. It was all beautifully laid out and the tropical garden you would have loved mom. Plenty of orchids all in bloom. Every tropical plant you can imagine. Monkeys were funny and you could almost touch them. Well it was a great visit and after returning to the hotel we went down to the restaurant and had dinner and a drink. Walk around and slept well!!Goodnight x x ps only one night left!!!!

ON OUR WAY TO SINGAPORE

Well made an early start needed to get organised for the flights,yeh we need to get two flights. First one to Darwin then a three hour wait until we get the next one to Singapore. Lynn and Pete had a hired car so Bri dropped me at the departure lounge and met up with Pete and Lynn at the Maui Depot where he could drop off the camper van. All went like clock work and we said goodbye again at the airport! Long wait to check in but so pleased we could get online in the departure lounge. First flight to Darwin went well although we felt really sorry for a lady with 3 children they were so bored she said she couldn't`t wait to get off! Transfer went ok again we could get online and it makes the time go so quick. Flight to Singapore did seem to go on forever. I wanted to get up and move around but the guy next to me was watching a film. Anyway we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived in Singapore, what a lovely friendly place. Hotel is like paradise (probably after being in the camper van) we got into that enormous bed with crisp white sheets!! ohhhh! goodnight x x x x

CAIRNS

We decided to get up and make an early start up to Cairns. Lyn and Pete had to hand their Camper van back as they had a hotel in Cairns for two nights. We said goodbye to them and said we would meet up on the evening for dinner. We got on our way and managed to get into a camp called The Coconut Resort. Needed to catch up on blog and we could get online there. The pool looked so inviting so we spent all afternoon there. Bri was snoring his head off!! After a rest we met up with Lynn and Pete and all got a taxi to Cairns. Very lively here with all the back packers having a BBQ round a beautiful swimming Pool right in the centre of the city. Plenty of restaurants to choose from and after a look round settled for one on the promenade. Pete and Bri ordered a large jug of beer and Lynn and I had a couple of wines. This was followed by a walk through the market and a massage which was very interesting. We were all sorted for $50 and you can see Pete and Bri with their feet soaking in what we think was cold tea on yesterdays blog. Lynn came away with a herbal patch on her shoulder and Pete was doing a lot of Ohhing and ahhing. Funny what you agree with after a drink. Made our way back to the Taxi Rank with a couple of Bailey Coffees on the way. It was a great way to all say goodbye x x

TUES KURUNDA

Up to take some more photos as the weather is sunny. Said goodbye after breakfast and on our way. We took the scenic route around The Wooroonooran National Park stopping off at Crawfords Lookout and then on to more beautiful waterfalls at Mungalli. This a great place for youth groups or a party. We had a walk through the rain forest and then back to the camp for coffee. Even more great waterfalls at Zillie and Millaa Millaa. We lunched at Yungaburra which was very interesting,it was like going back in time but where is everybody? we passed through Atherton and Mareeba and on to our evening destination and campsite at Kurunda. This is where the skytrain arrives after leaving Cairns. Checked in at campsite, pork chops on the BBQ along with all the trimmings by which time it was getting dark. Now we were all chatting away merrily when we started to notice things moving, a wallaby was the first to start taking an interest in our food followed by something that we haven`t yet identified but he had a long nose and then a large bird appeared he was also fed. Enjoyed it all goodnight x x It looks like we will get home on time after all the problems.

TOWNSVILLE TO PARONELLA PARK

Got up to fine rain but still very warm. Left at 9am all fed and watered and made our way onto the Bruce Highway still heading north. Countryside was flat and we passed through miles and miles of sugarcane. Eventually arriving at Ingham where we stopped for refreshments,diesel and bit of shopping.On our way again and pulled up at Cardwell By The Sea for a salad and a "Lynns Special Desert" we love those! Landscape now changing, rain forest in the distance and lots of macaws around. Also signs warning of Emu`s and Kangaroos. We must be the only travellers that haven`t seen a kangaroo yet. We turned off the Bruce Highway at Silkwood and onto the Canecutter Highway through Mena Creek and eventually arrived at Paronella Park. We were greeted by a chap with umbrellas for us all,what a warm welcome we had. After booking in at about 3pm we were told that the next day tour was 4pm. We washed and were eager to look around we joined the tour which took us around the beautiful park. The story unfolded of a hardworking romantic young man from Catalonia who emigrated to Australia. He wanted to build a house with a castle for his wife.He eventually built it after many years using just his hands. He added a cinema,ballroom,tennis courts and two castles which were used mainly by the locals. Its a fascinating story and if you are ever around North Queensland its a must to see. After the day tour was over we had a coffee on the decking,then it was time for our evening tour, about twelve of us all equipped with umbrellas and torches got on our way. We were shown magic illuminous mushrooms and bark,fed the turtles saw the fire flies that give off a flashing light during the dark that is caused by a chemical reaction coming from their backside (Bri said that sounds familiar!) Then we were all amazed when the switch was thrown to light up the caste and waterfall. All back to camper van now to get our glasses and enjoy a drink on the decking with Neil our tour guide. Great Visit Goodnight x x