somewheredownthecrazyriver

Jetstar flight.  Sydney to Darwin.  this was the smoothest flight ever.  had to look out the window to see if we were moving.   arrived Darwin – did not see the city from the air, as hoped.  sat outside for awhile between flights to feel the air.  feel the humidity.  but nice and not at all uncomfortable.  the end of the ‘dry’, and not yet into the buildup to the rain.  thinking . . . i will return.  just a short couple of hours and connecting flight to Singapore.  my bags checked through from Sydney.  cleared customs again to reboard.  good flight.  arrived Singapore around 9 pm.  took a city train to a station near the hostel.  dark and getting late so decided to catch a taxi the rest of the way.  waited and waited at the taxi stand – along with many others.  the taxis were often empty but just flew by.  eventually it was my turn.  dark, late.   taxi to a mass of high rise condos just across from the big train station (trains to Malaysia).  Aunty Ann’s Hostel  (AUD$25) was in one of many apartments in a large complex.  bldg 5, floor 23.  website says they have only small (2-bed) dorms.  not so.  there might be one but i did not see it.  so 12 pm and the choice of an upper bunk in a fully packed, mixed 6-bed dorm or ???  ok.  slept in my clothes rather than rustle around.  prefer Sleepy Sam’s hostel but Aunty Ann’s is right across from the train station and so – no need to take an early morning taxi to catch my train to Kuala Lumpur.  one full day in Singapore to shop and explore before another hostel night and then departure.  Aunty Ann’s was filled with asian travellers.  (not one like me did i see).  everyone was very friendly and keen to engage (practice English).  it was a refreshing change from the usual hostel scene.  conversations began with “are you a traveller?”