VIP in Singapore

So onwards to Singapore, a pretty straightforward journey from Bangkok, and a very comfy ride in a brand new Mercedes taxi to get to Lee Ann and Duncan's apartment, quite an improvement on the Tuk Tuks that we've become used to! We hadn't seen either of them for eight years, so we were really looking forward to catching up.

First things first, a cup of proper Tetley tea and we were ready to start exploring. Out we went to Club Street for a few drinks and then onto a great place, with the most strange selection of foods on their menu that I have ever seen. Duncan and I decided to go for the Roast Pork (a spot of local cuisine obviously) along with a pint of Guinness, it made a change from all the lager we had been drinking.

We really packed things in while we were in Singapore, on Thursday we explored Orchard Street and Sarah got a bargain dress for $27 (about eight pound) and then we went across to Sentosa island on the cable car. It was very, very high up there. We had a look around the island and saw the the most laughable musical fountain display. Not a great reward for getting absolutely soaked in very heavy rain!

We were going to have a quiet night in with a chilli crab takeaway that evening, but at the last minute Lee Ann got a call from her friend Jaymee saying that she had got us on the guest list for a Kelly Rowland gig (one of the other two from Destiny's Child) which was at a private function that night. Party on! The party was at the old British army barracks, which have been turned into a club. They had set up a small stage out the back and we sat in the VIP area, tucking into the free food and very weak Watermelon Martinis and being photographed by the paparazzi (no, seriously, keep an eye out for us in Hello, OK, Heat etc.) Kelly Rowland was very good, but was only on for about 15 minutes. If any of you don't believe us, here is the (slightly fuzzy) proof.

Afterwards we headed off to a karaoke bar, which has little booths that me, Sarah, Lee Ann, Duncan, Jaymee and our new friend Carl all crammed into. It was great fun, because you don't have to stand up on a stage in front of a whole club to do it, and they kept bringing more food and beer out all the time! The highight of the night was, without doubt, mine and Duncan's note perfect rendition of 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'. Elton John and George Michael have nothing on us.

On Friday we went to see The Departed in the Gold Class seats in a new cinema. There are only about 25 seats in the theatre and they are all electric reclining seats that are so comfy it is like watching it at home in the living room, but better! You even get a snuggly blanket! It was also a very good film. Roll on Casino Royale in Oz!

We followed this by going to another VIP event, the opening of a new Esprit store in Vivo City, a massive shopping and entertainment complex. More red carpets, free drinks and nibbles, served by half-naked men (the top half). No wonder Lee Ann has stayed in Singapore so long.

The plan was then to go for a quick drink at Duncan's friend's party in a Turkish Bar, the Kasbah - but we ended up staying the whole night. More Stella. Well it was rude not to join in the celebrations.

After that Lee Ann and Duncan took us to Lau Pas At. This was a huge open air buffet, with loads of stalls selling a huge choice of food, including Chilli Stingray. I decided against it as I had recently travelled halfway around the world to go diving with stingrays and I thought it was a bit cheeky to then go and eat one. We ended up trying Rojak, a weird sweet and sour mix of every piece of food going, some delicious chicken wings and satay sticks, and mugs of very sweet tea, made with condensed milk that has been thrown around like a cocktail.

Saturday was our last chance to pack in everything that we hadn't done before, so obviously it rained.

We still managed to get loads done though, we saw some dragon boat racing while taking a cruise down the river, ate in Chinatown, bought an umbrella, and visited Raffles. As we had been eating and drinking almost non-stop for three days now, none of us was really in the mood for cocktails, even the famous Singapore Sling, (I know, you're surprised, Sarah turning down a cocktail).

In the afternoon we visited the Tea Chapter to sample some of the Oolong tea that the Queen drank while she in Singapore and to be taught how to make it properly. This process is quite long and complicated and to be honest I prefer Tetley in bags, but it was still good fun.

Next stop the Singapore Night Safari. The only time that day that the rain eased a little, which was helpful, but the wetness gave it more of a jungle feel anyway. We feasted on Bongo Burgers first, the Bongo is a type of African deer, and is almost certainly endangered, so my guess is that they weren't made of real Bongo, although I can't be sure. Maybe that's why they're endangered. Then followed the safari trails, which are very dark, but very well done, at one point we were about a foot from a Tiger on the other side of a pane of glass, it was massive and looked amazing (and maybe a bit hungry).

So we had a great time in Singapore and were very well looked after by Lee Ann and Duncan. We've agreed that we won't leave it eight years until the next time we catch up!