The Eagle Has Landed

'Catching Up, Touching Down and Breaking Ground'

At about 3:30pm Singapore time I arrived dazed and confused at Changi Airport in the South East corner of the city state.

My flight between Sri Lanka and Singapore went off without a hitch, no loud earphone-less imbeciles to report though there were at least three screaming babies surrounding me so we had whining and crying in dolby digital stereo sound at take-off, landing, and during the flight – just for good measure.

The plane was relatively empty once again, and in the row of three I was sitting in, only two people were there. 

I was at the back of the aircraft this time so no need to wait until everybody else has piled off, as I had no choice but to be the last one to leave.

Despite the smaller size of the aircraft there was more opportunity to be entertained, with a video system which let you pick and choose exactly what you wanted to watch. Having missed the start and end of one film, and the start of another on my previous journey I caught up with both ‘Rise of the Titans’ and ‘A Thousand Words’ before starting to watch ‘The Three Stooges’ -  a film I knew would be terrible, and wasn’t disappointed by.

It obviously didn’t hold my attention that well, because the next thing I can remember is the credits rolling and me sleepily taking the headphones away from my ears to get back to my slumber. No idea how long I slept for again, but about half the flight, and as you’d expect it wasn’t exactly the best quality sleep I’ll ever have whilst I’m here (or at least I hope now anyway!)

Once I’d got through passport control, and filled in the correct immigration form, which I was told originally I didn’t need to do, I set about waiting for my bags to arrive.

I waited, and waited, and waited..... and panicked..... and waited..... until a very helpful man from Sri Lankan Airways came and asked if he could help me locate my luggage.

Originally I was slightly worried that I’d end up with a repeat experience of my return from Korea when I travelled to London via Russia, but my bags only made it as far as Moscow!

I was sent over to a lost and found area, and was still slightly worried after not finding my bag there, and just as I was about to report it, the guy from the airline came and wheeled it over to me which was a relief!
Looks like I will be able to get dressed properly in the morning!

Working my way through the signs, I followed the trail to the MRT (Singapore subway), and after taking in four escalators with my newly found bag I attempted to buy a ticket. 

It was all going so well until I attempted to actually deposit some money in the machine, and it wouldn’t accept it. A man came to me and explained that it didn’t like my $10 note (which still looks pretty fake to me!) and I went about getting some change before having more success the second time around.

The ticket ended up costing me $3.60 (roughly £1.75) including a $1.00 deposit for the travel card which you can get returned! I can see myself getting rather alot of $1.00 returns if I get to be my tourist self whilst here.

The station I was heading for was called Sembawang (pronounced sem-BA-wang, not Semba-Wang) as I presumed. It was quite a few stops on the metro, and the first train I got on only took me three stops before terminating. Good start. 

I persevered and rode the Green Line (not the district line in Singapore, surprisingly) which is the East-West line which took me to City Hall, before changing onto the Red Line (nope, not the central line either) which is the North – South line which would take me to my destination.

From the outset the metro was pretty busy, I expected it to be in all honesty, though it was beautifully air conditioned, and unlike the Tube, quite spacious. I know the Singapore Metro is rated as one of the most efficient and best in the world, so I wasn’t disappointed by my first effort on there.

I eventually arrived at Sembawang to a wall of humidity, the hum of people, and the sight of tower blocks of flats.... I had officially arrived!

Thankfully I had managed to print off a map before I left and was looking for block 322 which nicely had it’s number right on the side so it was easy to find. Navigating the lift I made it to the 8^th floor which is where I am staying and showed up right outside my resting place for the month (well most of it.)

The person whose employment I am seeking (James) is also British and is basically, in his words, running the company from his bedroom. We chatted for a while about what he hoped to have me do whilst in Singapore (I won’t spoil the surprises or you’ll have no reason to read my blog) and he gave me the important things like a guided tour and the Wireless Code for his apartment. I will be staying here for a few days before moving to another apartment a few stops down the line which I am likely to make my permenant home should I decide to stay out here.

After having a shower, and sending emails to important people to let them know I got here, I decided to go out for a walk and get some dinner. I ditched the tracksuit bottoms which had been my home for 24 hours and put on some native style shorts ready to go.

I had seen on my way out that there were plenty of food outlets in something called the  ‘Sun Plaza’ which is next to the station. 

It still freaks me out how much English there is around the place. Already I feel like I am in a hybrid world between the USA, Middle-East and Asia. There seems to be lots of different cultures all mixed together in this area, and unlike my previous trip to the continent, there is no lack of English voices – a reassuring fact.

Searching for food was never going to be an easy task, but immediately I felt at home searching for something to my liking. My trip to Korea taught me that I enjoy the fine cuisine of Asia, so although KFC and McDonalds were on offer, no need to head to them just yet!

I walked around for about an hour before settling on a place called ‘Spice Cafe’. I had probably the simplest meal they sold which was chicken cutlet with rice, and it filled a nice gap, as did the strawberry milkshake and oreos I picked up from 7eleven!

Already I feel at home in Singapore. Comparisons can probably be drawn to Korea because of the sheer number of people, and as strange as it is to say, the atmosphere. There’s alot less staring here than in Suwon, but from the Asian Washrooms to the abundance of food choices to the crossing symbol which counts down how much time you have left, I already feel like I belong. There is plenty of time to go before I make a decision of course, but the opening signs are promising that I will enjoy staying here.

Of course that can only be done in the right environment, which means WORK and hopefully a chance to do some sightseeing. I know that Singapore might not offer as much tourism as other Asian countries but I have read at least four books on the city, and hope to get the chance to go for a walk round the centre at some point.

That however, will have to wait, as right now my tired body is probably in need of some sleep. It feels like it has been a long time since I left England, though in reality at the time of writing it has only really been 24 hours, but I have come a long way, and seen so much already.

I’ve harked back several times to my experiences in South Korea, and I think that has helped slightly with the culture shock of this strange, new, intriguing-but foreign land. This is just day one, in what I hope will be an exciting and interesting journey spent travelling in this second of the world!

Stay tuned for more soon J

Colonel Kurt Steiner: I have no intention of dying now. But if I'm going to, allow me to choose where and how.