Singapore River

Back in my hotel for a wee rest after having a stroll down by the Singapore River, followed by a ride on a bumboat. Singapore is nice, if rather hot and humid. The MRT (underground) is very good and cheap, easy to get around to different places.

Yesterday I visited Orchard Road - lots of shops and the Botanic Gardens.

Singapore

Managed to get to Singapore after the first hiccup of my journey. Arrived at Darwin Airport to discover that my Qantas flight to Singapore had been cancelled and I had been moved to the flight on the next day - only no-one had told me! They managed to move me to another company so I made it to Singapore as planned. I also discovered that my flight to London is five hours earlier than planned, pleased that I found that out!

Singapore has been good. I've had a wander around Little India and the Arab Quarter. The photo is the view from my hotel room window. It is hot and humid here, looking forward to the cold back in Scotland!

Leaving Australia

Using the free wireless service at Darwin airport to publish this. I'm on my way from Darwin to Singapore. I've just spent a week in the Northern Territory which is a very special place. I took a tour to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks which are amazing.



Went on the Jumping Croc boat trip and had amazing views of crocodiles. Also went to the Territory Wildlife Park which is a great example, with lots of native animals around, could easily have spent a couple of days there, instead of a couple of hours!

Tumut

Drove from Bathurst to Tumut yesterday, about 300km, across gorgeous countryside, so different from home. Tumut is in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. It was very hot yesterday, a wee bit cooler today!

The Blue Mountains

This area is really beautiful, the weather has been lovely and the views outstanding. I stayed in Katoomba which is a nice wee town situated right nest to the three sisters, a rock formation. The mountains are actually a plateau cut through by rivers to create gorges. I took a walk down the Grand Staircase (900 steps!) into the bush below - lovely a peaceful, although there were lots of noisy parrots and cockatoos around. Had, of course, to walk back up which was hot work.

The Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens are lovely, lots of native plants.

Now on my way to Bathurst for a couple of days.

Across the Tasman

Sad to leave New Zealand but first impressions of Sydney are good, (even though I don't really like cities). My hotel is right in the centre of the city which makes it easy to get around. I took a ferry across to Manly - great views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Back to take a bus tour around the city, so much to do and so little time (I'm heading for the Blue Mountains tomorrow). Tried for a sunset photo at the Opera House but the sky was not as good as last night. The harbour really buzzes with ferries (wish that the Clyde was the same!) - I took another ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour, lovely night-time views, a great way to travel.

Rotorua

I've been rather remiss in adding to this - sorry! I'm now on the North Island of New Zealand, I walked the Tongariro Crossing on Tuesday - fanastic! Wonderful scenery and great views of the craters, lots of steam around and a strong smell of Sulphur. On Sunday I head for Australia.