29-30 August-Malaysia to Singapore

Local shopping centre near N and H's

Fine Food food hall

Food hall

View from N and H's apartment

This morning we said farewell to Nick and Heather before they left for work and continued to finish packing before heading to the LK Airport. Staying with Nick and Heather was a great wind down after weeks of hectic travelling. We had time to do a few things each day, but then rest by the pool and relax. We had good company, good food and wine, a place to stay and as much of the touristy things to do as we wanted-not so much at this stage.

The flight from malaysia back to Singapore was uneventful, a few last minute shopping items picked up at duty free, and a taxi back to Park Royal hotel in Singapore.

Dallas wanted one last dash at the super malls so we went to SunTec to buy a few more things for the grandchildren and a few cheap shirts for Simon, Matt and Cameron. While we were there w met up with Maurie and Leigh and then returned to our hotel.

In the evening w started with a cool ale by the swimming pool at the hotel and then ventured out into the Arab Quarters for dinner where we had a halal meal at a Moroccan restaurant. Nice food, but being halal, no beer or wine.

Feeling a bit parched we headed back to our hotel where their was a dance evening in full swing in the bar -very serious, mainly Asian dancers working hard at their dance steps and rhythm. We order drinks from a snarly barman who Dallas had a bit of a disagreement with because he at first would not sell wine by the glass. Once it was pointed out to him that it was on the price list, he reluctantly served her. But at $15 a beer we shot through pretty quick, and I wasn't really up to taking to the dance floor in my sandals and shorts!

This morning we made a leisurely start and had breakfast about 9.00am. Later we made a trip to Little India where we were dropped off at Mastaffa's Huge store which had piles of everything-clothes, cosmetics, shoes, jewellery-everything in huge quantities and piles high, but very cheap. Probably we would have been more interested if we had found this place earlier, but after buying a few shirts for the boys, we had had enough. iwas tempted to buy Simon's boys a full suit, pants, jacket, waistcoat, shirt-for $39. Would have made a neat photo with the boys dresses up in one of these.

After this we returned to the hotel and booked out around midday. Dallas decided to stay and read in the foyer of the hotel while Muarie, Leigh and I explored a few of the local shops. Leigh acquired a very nice Rolex-type watch!

We sent a text to Dallas and she joined us at a local food hall for lunch-great food, and a local old man was very proud of his lime and sugar cane juices. Very congenial fellow who wanted to chat a lot with us.

After lunch we returned to the hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool. Around about 4.30pm it began to pour with rain, which probably signaled time for us to shower and get ready to leave for the airport.

While we had about four hours to fill in at the airport, time seemed to go quickly looking aound duty free shops and having a few drinks at a bar. Somehow it is always my turn to shout when we get caught with high prices- four drinks- $60! Later while we had a small dinner Maurie generously shouted the drinks, $5 a beer. All I can say is that I have kept a tally in my head and await the next meeting we are at.

The flight left for NZ at 9.15pm-nearly home.