Picking up a visa and getting out of Singapore

Sitting here on platform D at City Hall station in Singapore I’m catching the late afternoon rush to get home.

This station is on the East-West line (green) and runs out east to Changi airport. At the end of the route there is a fork at some trains run to Pasir Ris others to Changi. I’ve been here for 30 minutes and several trains have passed through all heading for Pasir Ris, a residential area. Changi seems not that important to most people here. If you are in my position some time in the future and think time is short its best not to take the train, taxis are faster. The price of my ticket from Orchard Rd to Changi was $2.60.

My afternoon went like this: after the internet session I headed to a 5th floor Thai restaurant downtown called Saduka for some Tom Yum Gung seafood soup. I got a medium bowl which turned out to be pretty big. It had squid,shrimp,fish, some large white things which I couldn’t really figure out. To liven up my system it also has ginger, parsley, lemongrass and about a dozen red chilis floating in it. I tell you this was the real thing for $12.

My contact told me to be at the Orchard Hotel on Orchard Rd between 3pm and 3.30pm. I arrived early and chatted to an American who was also waiting. We had never met but somehow realized what the other was waiting for.

Around 3.15pm the Indian contact showed up and whipped out a big bag of passports from all over the world. He hands the American guy his and then says to me “Where is yours from?” “Britain.” I say. “Are you sure you gave your passport to me?” he says “its not here.” ‘Figures’ I was thinking. “Maybe you gave it to one of the other agents.” he said. “I’m pretty sure it was you, how many of you guys are there?” I said. “Oh you’re the man from Bali, I have it here.” he said. “Thank goodness for that, you had me worried there.” I replied.

My multi entry Business visa was stamped and I was good to go.

I still have a lingering gut ache but as soon as I get back on that plane it won’t matter. Here’s a tip for anyone heading out to Changi via the subway; you don’t wait at the stations that show the Changi train passing through, you go to Tanah Merah which is the junction 2 stops before the airport for the train to arrive. Little bit confusing if nobody tells you.

One thing I noitced here in Singapore is everybody has a cell phone and they use them everywhere, even on ther subway. This is a very dynamic busy place for sure.

I made it perfectly on time and at this moment am getting served a juice by a very nice Garuda flight attendent. Our purser has just annouced the flight to Denpasar will be 2 hours 35 minutes and we’ll arrive at 9pm. I’ll get a chance to drink a beer when I get home. We’re moving!!!

• Changi airport
• Getting back to Bali
• More photos from Ubud
• Riding the MRT back to Changi airport Singapore
• Party at the beach in Kuta Bali

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