Singapore and Perth
Thursday, September 18th, 2008Over the past few days, I flew in to Singapore, spent 2 full days there, then flew to Perth, Australia, where I am now!
Singapore was amazing. It’s an island, a city, and a country all rolled in one. Chewing gum is strictly banned, and there are 4 main languages. To my relief, most everything was in English. The zoo there is top notch. And upon arriving there, I had a used, 5-year-old Lonely Planet guidebook. My advice to everyone is to never use a 5-year-old guidebook, ever, no matter how cheap it may be. The first hostel listed in the book I searched for was located in a construction site, and the second one’s prices had literally doubled since 2003. Right now I’m staying in a youth hostel dorm room, and it feels exactly like summer camp. Bunk beds, staying up late, a communal kitchen, tv room. It feels very weird especially after staying in actual rooms for the past 2 1/2 months, and the most expensive room I stayed in cost less than one dorm bed in this place. But that’s Australia for you- the prices have taken some getting used to.
Perth is a great city. It’s big but not too big, and has a great free bus system. The weather’s been cloudy and a little chilly, which has made me feel a bit homesick for Washington! Today I’m going to the art museum.
My next goal is to buy a greyhound bus ticket to travel up the country, stopping at interesting places on my way to Broome, where I need to be by the 12th of October.
afretheim