Hello from Singapore

So, I’m coming to the end of my first week in Singapore and boy has it been hectic. Got to fly on the new double decker plane – the A380. Pretty impressive and defo worth a go if you have the option.

Am being put up for month in an apartment. Great location just off the main street here – Orchard Road – as busy as Oxford Street, but taller buildings and smaller people!! Apartment is ok – big enough for a family to live in, but whoever designed the décor needs to be shot!! That’s the problem here – either places are ultra-modern or crumbling and decrepit.

Fell into the office last Wednesday on 3 hours sleep after a nice bout of jet-lag. That, together with my throat having an issue with air-conditioning, made for not exactly the most enjoyable first week in work. Good to meet the team and start to get settled in. Thankfully by the weekend I had caught up on sleep and got used to the environment.

Was barely 24 hours here and went to my first Jew do! Had emailed the shul here – they have twice as many Jews in Singapore as Cardiff! A whole 800 of them! It was some guys leaving party, so headed over – actually quite a nice bunch of people…not as warm as you might find in the provinces, but nicer than your average Londoner (no offence!)

After spending a total of 8 weeks of my life over 2 stints here previously, staying at a hotel overlooking the famous Raffles Hotel, I finally got to go in and see what all the fuss about. In fairness, it is very nice and is the ultimate in luxury in Singapore. I went for one of the Singapore Slings in the Long Bar where there are monkey nut shells all over the floor. Very nice!! Boozy night out later on involving the customary Jaeger bomb or two! Kind of a national drink out here! The expats here are all very friendly and everyone seems to know everyone.

Almost found a place to move to. Am negotiating contracts as we speak. Really nice apartment where my friend Angela lives. Cracking facilities such as a pool, gym, tennis courts etc. Not cheap, but good expat community there. Going to be sharing with a girl called Rachel who’s from here, but lived in London for a couple of years

Into my sport already. Played football on Sunday in one of the leagues. We lost 3-2 in the last minute which was annoying. If I said it didn’t stop raining the whole time, that would be an understatement! Then I played tennis last night – pretty good standard but was off my game. Plus, I think I was wetter from sweat than I was from the rain the day before on the football pitch!! Gonna take me a while to get used to this heat!!

Few trips planned already. Heading to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) this weekend and Bangkok the following weekend. I’ll defo be making the most of this!!

If you wanna get in contact, my number’s currently +65 9175 4205, but is likely to change when I get on a contract. We’re 7/8 hours ahead so no waking me up in the middle of the night please!! My address is:

6, Battery Road
#03-00
Singapore
049909